OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
Advantages and Definition
- Gratis/low cost software. No need to pay exorbitant fees for proprietary programs. A suite of Open Source software, including an operating system, a relational database management system (RDBMS) and a scripting language, exists to implement intranet and develop industrial-strength web-based intranet applications.
- Stable and reliable software not prone to frequent crashes. Open Source software is a product of collective efforts by a group of committed volunteer programmers. Development is not affected by marketing/commercial pressures.
- Reduced cost of hardware. Open Source software on a two-year-old hardware runs at comparable speeds to proprietary software on the latest hardware.
- No single entity dictates the future. Upgrades of the program are not dependent on the software manufacturer which may close down, discontinue development efforts or ignore unpopular areas.
Moreover, users are not pressured to continually upgrade both software and hardware at the risk of losing support from the vendor.
- Supportive community of users. Solutions to any problems encountered are likely to be found on the internet. If not, the culture of caring in the community results in quick responses.
|
"Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of the software:
- The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
- The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
- The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
- The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this."
|
browser v.5+ and 800x600 resolution.
.
All rights reserved.
