| Open source software has rapidly became | | | | Open source software is always changing and |
| commonplace in the industry. It is no longer | | | | evolving. The idea to allow it to keep growing and |
| considered second rate and is competing with the | | | | improving. Through these improvements more and |
| industry leaders for both users and popularity. THey | | | | more applications are being introduced. Many tools are |
| are now competing in almost every area of the | | | | being developed and new packages are being |
| industry with commercial programs and they allow | | | | introduced that are comparable to the commercial |
| everyone to have a chance to get affordable, often | | | | options. |
| free, programs that are just as good, if not better, | | | | Changes make open source products valuable to |
| than the alternative, expensive choices. | | | | business. They are becoming more common in |
| Open source software falls into one of two areas of | | | | business atmospheres where they are being used |
| philosophy. One area is the Free Software | | | | over non-open source programs. These products are |
| Movement. Under this movement it is thought that | | | | more usable and cost efficient. They offer the same |
| such software should be free. It should never be | | | | performance reliability as non-open source option, but |
| owned and the original programming should be | | | | without the cost and with far less risk of crashes and |
| respected and protected. Above all else, everything | | | | problems. They are also easy to use and usually |
| should remain open source if it uses their code. The | | | | developed to be user friendly. |
| other area is the Open Source Movement. This | | | | The biggest challenge of open source software is the |
| movement is more business friendly. It allows for a | | | | legal aspect. There are concerns over patent |
| BSD license that allows the programmer to use the | | | | infringement issues with Microsoft, who has already |
| code without having a requirement that any changes | | | | voiced concerns. Software License compliance is |
| be shared. | | | | another area of concern. The requirements for |
| One good thing about the latter is that it allows | | | | commercial software licensing is quite strict. Managing |
| businesses to use these programs without concern | | | | licenses can be a hassle, but the scare of an audit |
| that they must give up their business plan or | | | | makes it a requirement. |
| information to the public under the Free Software | | | | Open source software has a bright future and many |
| Movement ideals. Due to their lower cost most | | | | applications. It is sure to not fade from the spotlight, |
| businesses are readily using it, so this movement is | | | | but actual find its star glowing much brighter than |
| much better suited with its philosophies for programs | | | | ever before. |
| that is to be used for business needs. | | | | |