Monday 30 May 2011

Advantages of Open Source software

Why is ”Open Source code” and ”Open Source software” good for the customer/user?

Financial savings

In the majority of cases of Open Source software, the software will be available for free. In other words, the acquisition costs are considerably lower than those of the traditional, proprietary software that may be purchased.
In many cases people also want the services connected with the software acquisition that will cost, installation, operation, training support, however compared with proprietary software the same case often applies here.

Software code that sustains a critical eye

The people who originally write the software always know that anyone can see in full detail how it works or what solutions have been chosen. They will therefore naturally do as good a job as possible in order that they can be as proud as possible of the product and avoid criticism as much as possible.
It is perhaps simplest to conceal the source code and thereby obtain a little more freedom as long as the end product is ok. However by producing in accordance with the ”Open Source code” concept, one makes a clear statement that ”my method withstands the light of day and a critical eye!”

Easy integration and interaction 

Open Source code means that it is relatively simple to adapt programs so that they can work with each other because you can see from the source codes how a program ”thinks” and how you should approach it to share or exchange data, for example.

Rapid debugging,rapid further                                                                      

Because the source code is open, the developer/producer does not just receive feedback on any errors or problems, or proposals for new functions, but feedback reports that can specify down to the code level what should be done – it is therefore far simpler for the producer to implement changes on the basis of feedback reports since these often say precisely what program changes must be made and also any errors in the original source code may be corrected by the person who detects the error without having to wait for the original programmer.

Avoiding lock-in to one supplier                                                                      

It is obviously great to have one software supplier to turn to – perhaps to provide services connected with the software, such as installation assistance, courses, operation, support and more, and you have someone to ring if you need help or information concerning the software. But you decide to whom you turn! Don’t end up in the situation where by acquiring a product from a supplier, you have simultaneously locked yourself into only being able to obtain related assistance from the same supplier. For example, if you have other software must interact with the initial software, you are forced to be grateful for what this single supplier has to offer and if the supplier goes bankrupt or your collaboration ends in another way, you are left high and dry when it comes to future debugging or new versions.The very basis of Open Source software is an openness that ensures interaction between products and makes it impossible for one player to lock customers to their products by concealing the source code. 

REFERENCES :- http://www.redpill-linpro.com/About-Open-Source/Advantages-of-Open-Source-software


About Open Source Software

Open-source software (OSS) is computer software that is available in source code form: the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, improve and at times also to distribute the software.

Some open source licenses meet the requirements of the Open Source Definition. Some open source software is available within the public domain.
Open source software is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open-source software is the most prominent example of open-source development and often compared to (technically defined) user-generated content or (legally defined) open content movements.

A report by Standish Group states that adoption of open-source software models has resulted in savings of about $60 billion per year to consumers.

References ....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software