I. Executive Summary
Open source software (OSS) is an alternative method of developing software that can cultivate innovation and provide many benefits to a business. With proprietary software, users do not have access to a program’s code. But with open development software, any user can access the code and modify it. This has led to innovative programs that are competitive if not better than their proprietary rivals.
Individual users are not the only ones that can benefit from open source software. Businesses can gain a competitive advantage and cut down on costs through the use of OSS. With the contributions from different software engineers, companies can use software that has new innovations to gain an advantage. Also, because many OSS are free or very inexpensive, businesses can spend more funds on other operating activities rather than buying expensive computer programs. Open Source Software can help businesses become more efficient and successful.
II. Technology Description
All software has a source code. Most programs have a graphical user interface which includes buttons, the mouse, etc., but behind all of that is a written code that dictates how the program runs – that is a source code. Open source software is software where normally copyrighted attributes—such as the source code—can be changed and updated by public users. These public users often collaborate to rewrite the program and then re-release the modified version into the public domain. Three of the most famous products of open source software development are Linux, which is an alternative to Microsoft’s Windows series and Apple’s OS series, and Mozilla Firefox, which is the alternative to Internet Explorer and other Internet browsers. Open source software was developed as an alternative to licensed, copyrighted software.
The concept of open source software developed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. In 1983, the Free Software Movement was formed. But soon the Free Software Movement started to split into two different groups: The Free Software Movement and the Open Source Initiative. The Free Software Movement was exactly that – a movement. The OSI followers were more pragmatic and less concerned with the moral and ethical implications of free software. They did not staunchly believe in software being absolutely free; they were willing to market their products to companies for commercial use. Both groups were still opposed to the idea of proprietary software; however this difference in key ideologies meant that some people were going to break off from the FSM. So in 1998 the term “open source” was coined to separate the OSI from the Free Software Movement.
Open source software was invented to offer more collaboration between developers. One developer, Eric Raymond, likened conventional software developing to building a cathedral: every worker building a separate part of the cathedral. He said that open software development was like a bazaar: many vendors and traders working together to exchange goods and ideas. In this way, he said, many developers could work together to constantly improve software that is faster, more user-friendly, and contains less bugs. Open-source software could also be distributed for free (as is the case with Mozilla Firefox), which means that developers could concentrate on improving the software, rather than focusing on how to make more money. Also, the lack of copyright restriction allows more freedom for developers with fresh ideas to improve on the software without getting caught up in copyright laws.
III. Business Impact
The development of open source software has greatly impacted several companies and industries in the business world. One of the major advantages for companies that have implemented open source software into their business is better market penetration. According to A framework for creating hybrid-open source software communities, these companies “are able to establish an industry standard and, thus, gain competitive advantage.” Furthermore, this IT has helped build developer loyalty because the developers have a sense of ownership in the end product. Financially, open source software development is beneficial to businesses because the programs can be used with fewer costs. Open source software costs for marketing and logistical services are also lower in comparison to closed source software.
Many companies have already implemented open source software with great benefit. The incorporation of open source software such as Firefox and Google Chrome enabled these products to beat out competing programs. Open source software products are reliable, high quality, inexpensive, and smart business investments. They also provide greater flexibility, making innovation easier as well. Needless to say, open source software development can play an integral part in the success of a business.
Bibliography
Elliot, Margaret and Walt Scacchi. “Mobilization of Software Developers: The Free Software Movement.” Information, Technology, and People. 21 (2008): 4-33. 30 May 2009.
<http://www.ics.uci.edu/~wscacchi/Papers/New/Elliott-Scacchi-Free-Software-Movement.pdf>
Free Software Foundation, Inc. Free Software Foundation. 2009. 30 May 2009. <http://www.fsf.org/>
Mockus, A., Fielding, R. & Herbsleb, J. (2002). Two case studies of open source software development: Apache and mozilla, ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodology 11 (3), 1 – 38.
Open Source Initiative. Open Source Initiative. 13 March 2007. 30 May 2009. <http://opensource.org/>
Sharma, S., Sugumaran, V. & Rajagopalan, B. (2002).A framework for creating hybrid-open source software communities. Information Systems Journal 12 (1), 7-25
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Open Source Software Development Presentation]
