Open Source Software

What is Open Source Software ?

y Open Source Software Literally means software whose source

code is Open to the Consumer. y These are counter-parts of Proprietary software that are given in the form of binary executable code. So it is impossible to learn about the structure and logic of the program and modify it. y Free of cost, but not necessarily. One can also package and sell an OSS. Given the fact that the source is free to the next person as well. y The Consumer is given all rights to modify and distribute the software, unlike copyrighted proprietary software. The consumer will be accused for Piracy in case of Proprietary software where unauthorized distribution is considered Illegal.

History behind OSS

y Richard Stallman in 1960, proposed giving out the source code of programs, y

so that programmers around the world can come up with new ideas on improving the program. Linus Torvalds developed the first Linux kernel called it Freax. His motto was to create a free OS. He developed Linux out of Minix an Open Source OS that had 12,000 lines of code. By 1990, the Kernel of Linus Torvalds evolved as a complete OS. The OS was titled GNU/Linux, the original Linux was text based but by the 1990 it became a fully functional GUI based OS. The OS was completely free and source code was open. In 1998, Eric Raymond and Bruce Perens created the Open Source Initiative (OSI) . They begun OSI because they did not agree to the idea of completely free and open sourced software. Today Linux is a Open Source OS, some corporate Inc like Red Hat sell their Improved versions of Linux. The Cost of Red hat Linux is much lower compared to Proprietary Operating systems like Microsoft Windows.

OSI Definition of OSS

The OSI (Open Source Initiative) defines OSS and proposed laws for the usage of OSS y Availability of the source code. y All rights granted must flow through to/with redistributed versions. y Right to create modifications and derivative works. y The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

Open Source alternatives to Proprietary

Some Best Examples of Free Open Source software packages are Linux Operating system from Various distributers, Mozilla Firefox Web Browser,VLC Media player, OpenOffice.org office suite. Some of these OSS are more popular and better performers than their proprietary counter-parts.
Software Package Operating Systems Office application package Media player Anti-Virus packages Image & Audio Editors Proprietary Software MicrosoftWindows Microsoft Office 2007 Power DVD Norton Anti-Virus Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Audition Open Source software Linux (RedHat, Ubuntu) OpenOfficeOrg VLC Player AVG Anti-Virus GIMP Imager, Goldwave audio editor.

Usage of Open Source Software

y The common use of Open source software is very low. The

reason is people feel they are not user friendly like the Proprietary once. And the simple reason behind the very low usage of Linux compared to Windows OS in PCs. Pirated versions are also most commonly preferred than OSS. y The Corporate usage of Open source software is high. Simply because the corporate cant afford to loose a lot of money buying proprietary software for huge cost. They can use the money else where instead of their IT infrastructure. y Common personal use of OSS must be encouraged in order to reduce piracy of Proprietary software. Most OSS are available for free or low cost compared to Proprietary software that cost high, Illegal usage and piracy of Proprietary software also brings trouble like unexpected crashing of the program.

Comparison of Usage of OSS

5%

Home and small office usage

5% Microsoft Windows Linux and other OSS Apple Mac OS

90%

Most home and small offices prefer proprietary software. Simply because most have a thought that OSS do not give the ease of use compared to the Proprietary. Pirated versions of Proprietary software are also widely preferred. Corporate services where performance and cost matter prefer using OSS. In order to cut cost of spending on the IT Infrastructure. Pirated versions are not an option due to lack of reliability.

Corporate IT Infrastructure
22% Costly Windows Servers Open Source Linux Servers

78%

For the Students community

y As Computer Science students we must know that OSS is

one of the most happening criteria y The Students community must learn to use and create improvements for OSS. y Development and distribution of OSS and reducing Piracy must be encouraged .

Thank You