Welcome to the OSPO Explainer Video Library, a collection of bite-sized tutorial videos tackling a variety of open source essentials. New topics added monthly – drop us a line if there’s a topic you’re interested in that’s not on our list yet.
Coming Soon: Open Source Governance and Community Engagement!
Let’s talk about the definition of the term open source and the reasons why you may choose to use or contribute to open-source software. We also point to free resources for deeper learning.
In this video, you’ll learn what open-source software is and why licenses are important. The video explores the two main types of licenses (copyleft and permissive) and how to choose the right one for your project. It also clarifies the difference between open-source and source-available licenses and concludes with tips on how to properly license your code.
This video shows you how to write a great README for your open source repository. A README serves as an introduction to your code, providing users with important information on installment how to get started. The Explainer outlines what information to include in your README, including how to identify your project, how to help users evaluate it, and how to help users use and engage with it. The Explainer also includes tips for managing READMEs for projects with multiple repositories and keeping your README up-to-date.
This explainer video shows you how to cite research software and create citation files for your own software. Learn why acknowledging software is crucial for scientific progress and when you should include software citations in your work. Find out which elements are must-haves for your software citations and how to leverage GitHub’s integration with CFF files for increased visibility. This explainer offers valuable insights on best practices for giving credit where it’s due in the evolving landscape of research software.
This explainer video shows how to improve your research software citations by adding a Digital Object identifier (DOI) to your repository. Discover how DOIs provide context, transparency, and streamline information flow, making research more accessible and impactful. We’ll also show you how to get a DOI for your code using the JHU Research Data Repository and open access platforms, or by publishing in a journal.
This Explainer breaks down what a Software Management Plan is – a document that outlines how a software project will be developed, maintained, and curated over time – and walks through its essential components. With helpful references to real JHU projects and links to additional resources, the Explainer serves as an accessible introduction to software management planning.