What is open source software and what are the advantages?

The Linux operating system is open source software. Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. It offers a radically different and exponentially better software development model.

Overall, open source is good for everyone as you can greatly improve and increase significantly your market share.

For using and developing open source software, there are mixed motivations. These range from philosophical and ethical reasons to pure practical issues.

Listed below are some of the practical advantages of employing open source software:

• Due to marketing pressures there are fewer conflicting priorities. Precise delivery dates or features that must be supported aren’t being pushed for by major companies or vendors. When the development team feels that the quality is good enough, it is delivered ‘when it is ready’.
• The source code is available. Unlimited tuning and improvement of the software is enabled as you have the right to modify the code. To adapt to changing conditions and to reach a detailed understanding of how the system works, it is made possible to port the code to new hardware.
• A new forum is provided for democratic action. It is decided by individuals and companies where to make improvements in the system, and the collective desires of the community determine the overall direction of the progress. This happens without compelling anyone.
• There is a reduced dependence on vendors. Vendors are not relied on for maintenance and support with open source software, so you are not forced to accept version upgrades that you may not want or need.
• The security is better, as bugs are much easier to isolate due to the availability of the source code, and it is also easier for a programmer to fix them.
• Open source software can be used in any way, ensuring a large population of users. This helps to build up a market for support and customisation of the software, which can only attract more and more developers to work in the project. The quality and functionality of the product is therefore improved.

The key advantage of open source software is that it avoids vendor lock in and gives you the freedom to choose what to do and when to do it.

Click here to find out more about Linux hosting.