Hi guys, this is my first post here.
I am a user and contributor to the Apertus project. I thought I might be able to shed some light on why I think Open Hardware is so important.
Even if you are not a developer / engineer (of which I am neither)- real world cinematography experience can be of great influence to the project!
The power of a user-driven, open project means that anybody can contribute. At its simplest, this can be in the form of pure ideas / wishes!
For example, I am working on a stereoscopic rig and many of the (now robust) S3D features within our viewfinder software have been implemented as a result of my "stereo wishlist".
What's important to understand is that by using open hardware/software, features can be added / enhanced / evolved without having to "hack" the firmware...
Even though people are almost certainly not going to be building camera chips in their garages; by using open hardware, it means that they can access/interface with this hardware, without limitation!
So even if you are not a developer, you can still influence/assist with implementing features that you want to see in a cinema camera
and if you are a developer / have a good friend developer, she can program the hardware/software, right down to the lowest levels- in a supported community.
All for the greater good really!
