open

Open is a very broad term that may refer to a thing or a passage to something that is unobstructed, uncovered, blatantly obvious, or currently functional. For example, establishments that are taking customers will be referred to as 'open', and will often indicate this state through open signs.

The word 'open' can function as a noun, an adjective or a verb, to convey different aspects of the concept behind it. Open has countless uses across areas of human knowledge, and it can be used in mathematics when talking about an open problem, which is a well-defined problem with no solution currently known in science. In addition, it may also be employed in the phrases 'open set' and 'open map', both with applicability in mathematics.

In linguistics, an open vowel is a vowel sound that is obtained by positioning the tongue as far back as possible from the roof of the mouth, while in philosophy, the term openness describes a willingness to accept and integrate the morals, values and customs of others with your own. In physics, electronics and computer science, the term open is used to describe numerous instances and processes, such as 'open system', 'open circuit voltage' and, more commonly, 'open source' – with reference to software that is free, co-developed and improved by the entire community of users.

In computer science, the term 'open' describes a command line process that can be used to access a file, folder or URL in the graphic user interface, as if the user had utilized a mouse to double-click the item. In medicine, open surgery refers to a highly invasive procedure which penetrates the skin and enters a body cavity, and it can be opposed to minimally invasive surgery.

In sports, 'open' indicates a sporting event or tournament that is accessible to the entire public, regardless of the age, gender and training of the participants. In every day speech, open may be used to describe several ideas that are derived from the primary meaning for the term, such as 'open mind' (a term very similar to the philosophical idea of openness) and open education, when referring to educational institutions that do not have academic admission requirements, or relationships that are not restricted to just one partner.

You'll find bloggers talking about 'open' in terms of being in an open relationship of some kind at sites like goaskalice.columbia.edu and mays.tamu.edu.

by RawMichelle Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Original Technorati articles tagged “open”

• in Technology
  SOPA and PIPA: Let's Pause and Write Rational Piracy Legislation
  An interview with Socialtext CEO Eugene Lee.
  by cblaha / on Jan 23, 2012
• in Technology
  Obama, Cantor: SOPA Stalled Until We Have Consensus
  Both Obama and House Majority Leader Cantor call for changes to the bill before it can move forward
  by cblaha / on Jan 17, 2012
• in Politics
  Fighting SOPA With a Discussion of the OPEN Piracy Policy
  Legislators post text of alternative to SOPA bill online, ask for public comment.
  by cblaha / on Dec 12, 2011

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “open”

 

• Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2013 Live Online Video Stream Coverage

  
  — Authority:
  The Internazionali BNL d’Italia, is an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier Mandatory claycourt event that takes place from May 13 to May 19 at the Foro Italico in Rome. The tournament features the world’s best atp and wta players converging at this Italian city and battling it out for the lion’s share of the The ...
  1 week ago

• Mother’s Day Open Thread [5.12.13]

  
  — Authority:
  Happy Mothers Day! Hope you are lavishing attention and gifts on your Mom today. The adorable Kid President has a message to all of the Moms out there (not the least of which is that the secret to changing the world is Moms):
  1 week ago

• Couple Shot Dead at Home in a Favela

  
  Best Gore — Authority: 141
  Three gunmen stormed a house in Favela da Portelinha, located in the Cidade Universitária area of Maceió, state of Alagoas, Brazil and killed a married couple that lived there. Ana Lúcia da Silva sustained fatal headshot wounds and died on the spot, her husband Gordo was also shot in the head, but showed vital ...
  1 week ago

• An Open Letter To Black Mothers On Mother’s Day

  
  — Authority:
  [IMG: http://bossip.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/black-single-mother.jpg?w=602&h=400]
  1 week ago

• An Open Letter to My Modern Life

  
  — Authority:
  Yes, I’ve made a new friend. I know you two don’t get along. You two are irreconcilable by principle. And I wish I could be on your side, but my friendship with D.B. has been most enlightening. Unlike you, D.B. lives off fervor and intensity. Sweat and determination are the fuel of our friendship, ...
  1 week ago

• Dragons Dogma: Dark Arisen Review

  
  ThisisXbox Gaming News — Authority: 144
    Rising from the ashes is a re-release of an already quite accomplished RPG title from Capcom. This new edition not only includes the original full game but new additions you would expect from any DLC, and some you may not; new enemies, locations, quests, character customisation, weapons, armour and more. The Xbox ...
  1 week ago

• What to Give a Working Mother for Mother’s Day

  
  — Authority:
  After a long week at work, and the weekend filled with two soccer games, a dance recital and a birthday party, I’ll drive 75 minutes to visit my mother this Mother’s Day. There’s no time for breakfast in bed, a manicure/pedicure with friends or dinner and a movie. That’s okay; that’s not what this working ...
  1 week ago

• Notepad++ Portable 6.3.3 Rev 2 (developers text editor) Released

  
  — Authority:
  Notepad++ Portable 6.3.3 Rev 2 has been released. Its the handy Notepad++ text editor packaged as a portable app so you can do your development on the go. It has all the same great features of Notepad++ including support for multiple languages and an extensive plugin system, but theres nothing to install. This ...
  1 week ago

• Literary Tourist day in Chicago

  
  — Authority:
  If Artists Books are your thing,  the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection on Wabash street in downtown Chicago should be your first stop. Here you’ll have your pick of more than 5,000 volumes to leaf through. If you’re of a mind to purchase a book after this, you might next want to head around the [...]
  1 week ago

• Serena Williams Takes 50th Title, Still Number One

  
  — Authority:
  Serena Williams has triumphed again to win the 2013 Madrid Open, netting her 50th title and retaining her position as the world’s number one women’s tennis player. It was her first red clay title win since the 2002 French Open — and what many observers thought might be Maria Sharapova’s best chance to ...
  1 week ago

• AkelPad Portable 4.8.3 (plaintext editor) Released

  
  — Authority:
  AkelPad Portable 4.8.3 has been released. AkelPad is an open source editor for plain text that is designed to be small and fast. This release updates AkelPad to the latest version. Its packaged in PortableApps.com Format so it can easily integrate with the PortableApps.com Platform and its a dual-mode 32- and ...
  1 week ago

• Marvel Heroes Available Through Steam

  
  — Authority:
  Marvel Heroes, a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-paying game from Gazillion Entertainment, will be available through Steam. You can play Marvel Heroes through the client download, and Steam users can play the final open beta until May 13. Those wanting to join the closed beta must purchase a Founders ...
  1 week ago

• 
  — Authority:
  Back to normality (and I dont like it...)        The courses are both finished. The final assignment was sent in yesterday, and Im trying to get used to being able to do what I want. Im feeling guilty writing the blog, as Im so used to using it as a diversion from studying. Ive been looking back on what I ...
  1 week ago

• Open thread, 5/12, Braves vs. Billie Jean King’s brother

  
  — Authority:
  The re-invention of Tim Lincecum continues, and he’s started 2013 much like he ended the 2012 regular season. Lincecum is yielding a hit per inning and walk every other frame. But he’s also striking out a shade over a batter per inning, so the Braves may be just what he needs. I thought Med Dog looked better in ...
  1 week ago

• Serena sweeps past Sharapova in Mutua Madrid Open final for 50th career title

  
  — Authority:
  Serena Williams seems to be too intimidating for Maria Sharapova , who despite her grandeur cant seem to stand up against the American, not having beaten her since 2004, the period which now includes 13 losses after Serenas todays 6-1 6-4 straightforward victory in the final of the Mutua Madrid Open. Its actually ...
  1 week ago

• SDNCentral Presentation at TelecomCouncil: State of the SDN Market

  
  SDNCentral — Authority: 138
  On May 7th, we were thrilled to participate in the Software Defined Networks (SDN) Networks Meeting put on by TelecomCouncil Silicon Valley. My presentation:  ”State of the SDN Market” didn’t warrant any thrown tomatoes–so I’m posting it here to share with you. I discussed a bit about a) the state of ...
  1 week ago

• Jessie Black White Shoes By L.A.M.B.

  
  — Authority:
  You’ll love the tribal inspired look presented on this L.A.M.B. sandal. The Jessie features multi colored leather straps braided and woven together. Adjustable buckling vamp and 5 inch heel complete this show stopping look. Only: 324.99 – USD Buy Now            
  1 week ago

• Share Day / Open Critique Day #6

  
  — Authority:
  It is Sunday morning and time to share. So show us your art or tell us one of your stories, let us see how artistic you have been. Rules for posts, contests, and challenges that I am hosting: Original characters only, no copyrighted characters, no characters based on copyrighted characters, no characters based on ...
  1 week ago

• Irish Amateur Open - final day as it happened

  
  — Authority:
  Jack Hume is out in front with a round to play at Royal Dublin. Picture by Pat Cashman. 1420 Rathsallagh’s Jack Hume carded a two over 74 to take a one stroke lead into the final round of the Irish Amateur Open in high winds at Royal Dublin.
  1 week ago

• LEICESTER: Shindig!

  
  — Authority:
  Monday, May 13th, 2013, 7.30pm, FREEThe Western,Wester Road,LeicesterNine Arches Press and Crystal Clear Creators present Shindig!featuring guest readers Ian Parks, DA Prince, Gregory Leadbetter and Jacqui Rowe.Open mic slots available - sign up on the night.
  1 week ago

Comments about open