Open source software is when users can read, redistribute, modify and improve software source code to evolve the software. Muir in his Open Source: Software & beyond... lecture talks about the four main free software principles:
"1. Freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
2. Freedom to study how the program works and adapt it to your needs.
3. Freedom to redistribute copies so you can help you neighbour.
4. Freedom to improve the program and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits."
Some free software models are Linux, OpenOffice and Firefox. Open source is a form of produsage, as everyone can contribute and there is shared ownership. The benefits of open source software is that there is faster development of the software including upgrades, direct response to requests and suggestions for the software, greater transparency and it costs nothing to purchase the software or upgrades. Problems however, is the lack of financial support for open source software and the cost for switching from commercial software like Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office or Microsoft Windows; over to open source software.
"1. Freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
2. Freedom to study how the program works and adapt it to your needs.
3. Freedom to redistribute copies so you can help you neighbour.
4. Freedom to improve the program and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits."
Some free software models are Linux, OpenOffice and Firefox. Open source is a form of produsage, as everyone can contribute and there is shared ownership. The benefits of open source software is that there is faster development of the software including upgrades, direct response to requests and suggestions for the software, greater transparency and it costs nothing to purchase the software or upgrades. Problems however, is the lack of financial support for open source software and the cost for switching from commercial software like Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office or Microsoft Windows; over to open source software.
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