What is open source
The software is originally written in source code. Then all the actual applications, installation packages and tools are prepared from this source code. With traditional way (we think outdated way) of software development the source code is owned, controlled and kept by one company. That means you as a customer do not have access to the code for whatever purpose you might have.
On the other side open source way of software development is based on sharing source code and making it available for anybody who wants it. Special license protects the source code and ensures that it will stay open and will remain accessible by everyone.
Why open source
Simply because of freedom. Freedom means choice, choice means power and power means control. Open source returns the control to the customer. You can to get the source code, see it, change it and learn from it. You have full control over the software from such code - you can modify it, change it, copy it as you wish or distribute it. And even when you are not satisfied with your open source solution vendor, you are free to choose another vendor without overhauling the whole infrastructure. No more vendor or technology lock-in. No more monopolies!
We also believe open source way creates better software. Open source software is created by global community. Within this community developers collaborate on software development and share their knowledge, while they still compete with new ideas or better approaches. As a result of this effort the open source software is higher quality, more secure, more innovative and easily integrated. All this comes usually even with lower costs than proprietary software.
The concept behind open source is not new as you might expect. Mankind uses this concept to push forward the civilization for centuries. Universities, researches, scientists publish their new discoveries, share their knowledge and provide results of their work to public. Mathematical formulas, chemical substances, medical procedures are continuosly published, improved and redistributed again. Imagine what would happen if all this past knowledge was kept hidden and only some of their real world applications were available to those who are willing and able to pay for it. Open source development drives forward the technology industry the very same way as shared knowledge drives forward society.
Benefits
- Freedom
- You control the software you use. You can get its source code. You can change, improve, copy and distribute further zour software as you wish.
- Choice and Flexibility
- There are always more options when dealing with open source. You can choose from more than one application serving the purpose you need, so you could always get what fits you the best. In case there is no application you need, you are free to take the closest application to your needs and enhance it or let somebody else enhance it for you.
- No technology and vendor lock-in
- You are not a prisoner when using open source. You won't be afflicted by unfixed bugs, by availability only on one platform only or by not following standards. You won't also be troubled with 'strategic' upgrades and vendor's support discontinuity for products you use.
- No software license fees
- Open source software is available for free, so you could use saved money on investment in higher-quality support, training, hardware or just save them.
