Open Source Software != Free Software

Open source software refers to software that is widely available. But it doesn’t stop there. With O.S.S. programmers and developers can modify and share it. And this is the most wonderful benefit from O.S.S. When software is open, people can distribute as much as they want to, but always giving credit to the author. ALWAYS. 

Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.

While this doesn’t mean you can copy it and sell it as if it was yours, you can learn from it. You can grab a piece of code and use it (again, giving credit) freely. According to the ACM Code of Ethics, it is not fair to obtain a profit out of someone else’s work. You wouldn’t like,  or do you ?

Talking about profit, the fact that O.S.S. is widely available doesn’t mean that it is free. Don’t worry, it is a common misconception. Some developers charge for O.S.S. and you still get all benefits from O.S.S. You can see it as a way to credit the author.


Let’s be open source

The term “open source” refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible.

Anyone can work on it

Basically, open source means that anyone can modify, upgrade, enhance, or use a piece of software. Although it was mainly introduced in a computing branch, the term has taken many other set of values.

Why is it preferable?

There are four basic benefits from using open source coding.

  • There is more stability because development never ends, and with it, testing is always present. Many points of view are exposed.
  • There is more control on the software. The user has complete control.
  • Training to become a better developer.
  • People consider it more secure someone out of the main team can spot a mistake and correct it

Beyond software

As it was previously mentioned, open source has taken a lot of interpretations. Collaboration methods of working mainly. It is not only on software anymore. Companies, schools, and everyone is implementing this way of thinking, developing projects, and accomplish tasks.

Open source in LEGO

Resources

https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-source