Floreth's Blog 2016-10-18 09:30:00

Open Source Software

"Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance" (Open source, 2016). So what exactly is source code, which is the key word to understand this definition. Source code is the part of software that computer users don't see, but it's the piece of code that programmers can control how a program works. To sum it up: OSS (open source software) alludes to software that is manipulated and distributed through communal collaboration, to make sure that in the future it'll still be an open collaboration.

Why should OSS matter to users and not only programmers?, because OSS licenses give users freedoms they would not otherwise have.

Benefits:

A self-evident advantage of OSS is it can be had for free.
OSS is also more flexible, in the way that you can modify the program to fit your user needs and expectations. For example changing the interface of an operating system to fit your convention when using other versions of software.
OSS it's considered to important among for long-term projects.

FAQ: So when a software is open source it just means that it's for free, right?

Not exactly, it's a common mistake. A programmer CAN charge for their OS software or contribution in a program, but some programmers believe that by charging users with software support and services is more lucrative than selling their software and this way open source software remains free of charge.

In conclusion, it's interesting how the principles and values of open source software is not only applied in the world of software but it's also applied in the outside world away from technology.

"Open source as not only a way to develop and license computer software, but also an attitude" that attitude expresses a will to share, collaborating in transparent ways and embracing failure as a manner of improving and encouraging everyone to do the same.
Sources & Links:https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-sourcehttp://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/definition/open-source-software
http://www.howtogeek.com/129967/htg-explains-what-is-open-source-software-and-why-you-should-care/