| Anyone who has used the Internet on a regular | | | | contribute something back to the public |
| basis has heard mention of open source | | | | thereby increasing their popularity with |
| software. However, very few people understand | | | | consumers and acquiring customers. The |
| what its full potential is and how it works, | | | | creators of Open Source Software believe that |
| and how it can benefit the online community. | | | | when you allow the public to view how the |
| Open Source Software is unique because it can | | | | software is made, it creates a sense of trust |
| be designed by everyone for everyone to use. | | | | and thereby building a strong and united |
| The intention of the software is to enable | | | | online community. Those who are dedicated to |
| every computer user to be able to use it | | | | Open Source Software claim that is more |
| without having to worry about high costs or | | | | reliable with fewer problems than the |
| administrative issues. In most instances, | | | | commercial counterparts. The people who |
| when software is developed it is done under a | | | | contribute to Open Source Software often are |
| cloak of secrecy. Not many people are | | | | talented, caring, and are available to |
| involved in the design and development phase. | | | | provide customer support when it is needed. |
| With most software, there is a huge cost that | | | | They are able to provide a quality product |
| is associated with it, and it is usually this | | | | that is far superior to commercial software. |
| cost that is paid for by the consumer, | | | | They do not do it for the money; they do it |
| whereas the develpment of open source | | | | for the love of the software and Internet. |
| software is completely free from start to | | | | They do not rush through the process just to |
| finish, and the general online public can | | | | get it done and sold, they create a product |
| download it immediately at no cost. Open | | | | that everyone can understand and use on a |
| Source Software is not new to the Internet. | | | | daily basis. Another benefit to Open Source |
| It has been around for over twenty years. Yet | | | | Software is that anyone who uses the software |
| many people still do not understand its | | | | can contribute his or her ideas to be used. |
| scope. This software played a big part in the | | | | What this means is that the general public |
| way the Internet developed. it is the reason | | | | can offer their preferences in the |
| why the world wide web is free for all to | | | | development of the software, where commercial |
| access. Many different Internet providers | | | | software is developed according to the |
| have converted their browsers to Open Source | | | | designers preferences. Finding Open Source |
| and have had great success. When a company | | | | Software can be found very easily. By doing a |
| installs Open Source Software, they are | | | | simple Internet search, you will find |
| giving themselves the ability to reach | | | | millions of links to this software. |
| markets that they not ordinarily be able to | | | | |
| do business with. all business people know | | | | Malcolm Grant writes about software. |
| that image is everything, and when they use | | | | GoToMeeing is software used to manage |
| Open Source Software, they are able to | | | | meetings. |