Open Source Software
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
What are reasons for business to use open source software?
Robert Keidel
Western Governors University
What are reasons for business to use open source software?
With the current economy difficulties, companies are trying to find areas in their businesses where they can save money. Many companies are having no choice but to let people go. Some businesses try to avoid lay-offs and instead are looking in other areas to save money. One of the areas is, of course, the IT department; software application acquisition is an area that might lead to a big money savings. Even in financially difficulties times, businesses want or need to improve their application environment. Sometimes it might even be necessary to invest in the IT infrastructure for long-term savings, which may result in the company not needing to close their doors. But many business owners or CEO’s will question if open source software is ready for business. This research paper intends to answer this question. The best reason to use open source software in a business environment is cost savings. This gives the business freedom to use software and change the source code in other words, modify how the software application is used, as it is needed. Open source removes the need for dependence on single vendor solutions and it provides very high quality applications and very good support. To understand open source software it is important to know what open source is, and what the meaning of open source software is. This research paper will also show where open source came from; the history of open source software. In the beginning software programmers and hardware manufactures exchanged the source code to give everyone the chance to improve the code and build up on it. In the mid 1980’s Richard Stallman started the Free Software Foundation, an organization that developed the “GNU 's Not Unix” (GNU) system, an operation system that is compatible with
What are reasons for business to use open source software?
Robert Keidel
Western Governors University
What are reasons for business to use open source software?
With the current economy difficulties, companies are trying to find areas in their businesses where they can save money. Many companies are having no choice but to let people go. Some businesses try to avoid lay-offs and instead are looking in other areas to save money. One of the areas is, of course, the IT department; software application acquisition is an area that might lead to a big money savings. Even in financially difficulties times, businesses want or need to improve their application environment. Sometimes it might even be necessary to invest in the IT infrastructure for long-term savings, which may result in the company not needing to close their doors. But many business owners or CEO’s will question if open source software is ready for business. This research paper intends to answer this question. The best reason to use open source software in a business environment is cost savings. This gives the business freedom to use software and change the source code in other words, modify how the software application is used, as it is needed. Open source removes the need for dependence on single vendor solutions and it provides very high quality applications and very good support. To understand open source software it is important to know what open source is, and what the meaning of open source software is. This research paper will also show where open source came from; the history of open source software. In the beginning software programmers and hardware manufactures exchanged the source code to give everyone the chance to improve the code and build up on it. In the mid 1980’s Richard Stallman started the Free Software Foundation, an organization that developed the “GNU 's Not Unix” (GNU) system, an operation system that is compatible with
References: Hillesley R. (2009), 10 reasons to use open source in business. Retrieved from http://www.itpro.co.uk/614233/10-reasons-to-use-open-source-in-business Microsoft (2010), Windows 7 system requirements Ubuntu (2010), Installation System Requirements. Retrieved from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/SystemRequirements. SugarCRM (2010), Company Overview. Retrieved from http://www.sugarcrm.com/crm/about/about-sugarcrm.html. Becker D. (2003), Rockin ' on without Microsoft. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html?tag=lh. Retrieved January 10, 2010 from http://www.opensource.org/docs/osd. Barr, M. (2004), Open source versus proprietary software: a discussion. McAllister & Rist & Beck, (2005), Open Source Apps Get the Job Done. Retrieved January 24, 2010 from InfoWorld; 8/8/2005, Vol. 27 Issue 32, p36-47, Fontana, J