Open Source Community

Open Source? What is it and how can it help me?

Software is created as human readable source code and then translated into machine readable programs before execution.

Traditionally, programming houses have kept their source code as closely guarded trade secrets. However, we are now discovering that, in some instances, it can be immensely profitable to choose an Open Source or even Free Software model.

Open-source software is distributed along with its source code and usually allows for modifications and creation of derived works by third parties. Its advantages may include rapid evolution and bug-fixes, increased security and better tracking of user requirements.

While the Open Source Initiative and open-source movement focus primarily on pragmatic and economic grounds, the Free Software Foundation (here, "free" is used in the sense of "free speech") is more focused on the philosophical and long-term social significance of open and free software.

Both of these approaches may be able to help you meet and exceed your goals. To find out more about open source, see the OSI (http://www.open source.org). Much more information on Free Software can be found on the home of GNU(http://www.gnu.org). If you have any questions about your specific case, just ask us.