Abstract
In regard to the use of the software, the “Free” and “Open” trend have been emphasized by the public. In addition, Open Source Software has gradually become the popular topics and the new force in the information industry. Compared with the proprietary software, the OSS’ development has been established in coordination with the communities. Furthermore, communities’ ideas can be utilized efficiently via various information channels. The aim of this study is to take the interaction of OSS’ communities as the starting point. Therefore, in order to adopt the method of Social Network Analysis to explore members’ behavior in the network, three constructive dimensions have been generalized — Quasi-Spokesperson’s Effect, Network Effect and Electronic Word-of-Mouth, which could be introduced into the measurement of the effect upon OSS’ download quantities through the statistic method, determining whether the OSS’ scenario is similar to the commodities’ or not. The findings show that OSS’ download quantities is influenced obviously by Quasi-Spokesperson’s Effect; OSS’ download quantities is not influenced by Network Effect obviously; OSS’ download quantities is influenced by Electronic Word-of-Mouth obviously.