The_Open_Source_Software_Movement

The Open Source Software Movement THE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MOVEMENT WHY THE OPEN SOURCE APPROACH WILL LEAD TO LOW COST, QUALITY SOFTWARE Abstract What is open source software' In a nutshell, software whose source code is made publicly available is termed as open source. This is as opposed to proprietary software, whose sourcfe code is kept a company secret. Proponents argue that open source software is either completely free or sold at very low prices, and at the same time improves quality, giving us the best of both worlds. Why is the open source approach better than the traditional software development model' This paper seeks to address this question. It first explains how the open source approach actually works. It then looks at some key advantages of the open source approach: for customers, for software businesses, and for developing countries. It finally concludes that while there is still work to be done, it is clear that the movement is here to stay. THE OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE MOVEMENT WHY THE OPEN SOURCE APPROACH WILL LEAD TO LOW COST, QUALITY SOFTWARE An omelette, promised in two minutes, may appear to be progressing nicely. But when it has not set in two minutes, the customer has two choices – wait or eat it software, source, open, programmers, linux, code, 1999, approach, world, 2000, development, countries, much, free, developing, management, make, costs, about, since, project, market, customers, available, model, better, 2001, tirole, systems, raymond, program, prices, operating, lerner, company