OPEN SOURCE(SOFTWARE SAVIOR)

Justin Hanson, Dec. 3, 2008

Contents

What is Open Source What is Free Software Open Source Examples Benefits Pitfalls

Open Source

Open Source: exactly what it sounds like. The source code is available to anyone.

License variants Modifications allowed?

required or optional to report Redistribute?

With modifications included / supply patch

Free Software (www.fsf.org)

“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of “free” as in “free speech,” not as in “free beer”.

HUH?

Free Software (4 Freedoms)

0. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.

1. The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.

2. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.

3. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.

Mozilla Firefox

Derived from Netscape Communicator Netscape released source code in 1998

Commercially supported Available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux

Competes against Window’s Internet Explorer One step behind Firefox Not available on Linux or Macintosh

OpenOffice

German company created StarOffice Sun bought StarOffice, opened the

source code, made freely available under OpenOffice

StarOffice still available for purchase Available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux

Competes against Microsoft Office Not available for Linux

LINUX (YOU ARE GOD)

Server flavor Most widely used server operating system

Desktop flavor Gaining in popularity Available preloaded from major

manufacturers

Competes against Microsoft

Benefits

99.9% of time no cost. $0.00

Modify to fit your needs

Project driven by market interest

Release cycle for fixes/updates more frequent

Pitfalls

NO 1-800 number to call

You are your tech support

Go Explore

www.sourceforge.net

139097 Projects