What is Open Source Software
What is Open Source Software
Good day to you all. I want to thank for taking the time to read
my column. Today I want to try to explain what Open Source
Software or OSS is, why you want it and finally how to get it.
Some of you may have heard of OSS before, but my guess is that
most of you haven't. Either way, you're in for a real
treat. As you know by now, most of what I recommend has to meet
two criteria: 1) It most often has to be free and 2) I have to
have tried it, used it, and really love. If these two things are
not true, I usually will not make a recommendation to you. Now
I'm a big fan of OSS and have been using it for about 5 years
now. In fact the operating system I use most is of the OSS
variety. Going off my previous comment of software needing to be
free, you might be thinking, “Wait, does he mean that there
is a free operating system out there?” The answer is yes.
I'll get to that in a moment.
OSS (http://www.opensource.org) has deep roots, and its main
attraction point is what the name suggests. Which is unlike
products from commercial companies like Microsoft, the makers of
the software also provide you with the source code. Why is this
important? Well if you find a bug, or need a feature that
isn't currently supported you can just add it into the code.
If you yourself don't program you could always beg or hire a
programmer to do it for you. The idea is FREEDOM. Freedom from
control that a company my excise over you the consumer. With the
source code you are limited by only your imagination. So who
writes all this code? Better yet, how do they afford to do it if
the software is free? The code is written by programmers the
world over. Each of them contributing what they can to programs
that they find useful. Many of the OSS projects out there are
supported by people like you and me who find it useful and want
to encourage further development of the program. Many OSS
projects do accept donations, but you're not required to
spend a red cent in order to use it. There is one HUGE
stipulation with OSS. If you are a programmer you cannot take
free code, compile it with changes or not in order to profit from
the sale of that software. OSS came about…well the old adage
“necessity is the mother of invention” pretty well
sums it up. Most of it comes about because someone has a need and
some knowledge to write code, and no $$$ in order to buy the
commercial equivalent.
So, if I've made a convincing argument you starting to wonder
where you can get your hands on some of this free software. Let
me first say that there are OSS programs that can replace your
current Internet browser, Office software, email program, image
editing, anti-virus programs, and yes your entire operating
system. Many of them are compatible with Microsoft products as
well. The best place or places for OSS is
"http://www.sourceforge.net/">http://www.sourceforge.net.
It's a huge website with thousands of OSS projects, so take
your time. Once you find something you like or need downloading
can be confusing at first. You'll click a green
“Download” button which will take you to a list of
servers or places that you can download it from. Try picking a
server that is psychically close by. Then just save it to your
desktop and install it. As you begin trying out some free OSS be
patient. It sometimes take time. Another site I like of OSS is
http://freshmeat.net,
downloading is a bit easier at FreshMeat, but the site isn't
as attractive or feature rich.
Please send your comments, questions, or suggestions to:
comments@deconfuser.com
PO BOX 987
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
