Not free source; it’s open source
Nov 18, 2003
Your computer runs on software, but what kind? In the last column, my colleague talked of open source software
Surfing with Vincent Mugaba
www.newvision.co.ug
Your computer runs on software, but what kind? In the last column, my colleague talked of open source software.
Initially, open source software was referred to as “free software.†But due to confusions of over “free†to mean no cost, developers decided to use the term “open source.†“Open†means having access or “freedom†to the source code.
The source code is the programming language that makes software work. If you click on the “View†tab in an Internet browser, and go to “Source,†a text file will open. What you see is the source code used to write the website.
The opposite of open source is proprietary, (or commercial) software such as Microsoft Windows XP. Commercial software comes as a finished product from the manufacturer at a price.
Open source software also comes as a finished product but it is free. The most famous being Linux.
Open source software is characterised by:
Free Redistribution: One is free to sell or give it away without paying a royalty or fee. But they may charge for support.
Source Code: Anyone must have free access to the source code and have freedom to modify it.
Community development: Programmes are developed and enhanced by a global Internet community. So, if you modify or create a program, you should avail the source code to others.
Open to all: There should be no limits to what a programme can be used for. Some commercial software limits usage to say schools.
Open to all: The program can be freely bundled with others.
You can learn more about open source at: www.opensource.org
www.newvision.co.ug
Your computer runs on software, but what kind? In the last column, my colleague talked of open source software.
Initially, open source software was referred to as “free software.†But due to confusions of over “free†to mean no cost, developers decided to use the term “open source.†“Open†means having access or “freedom†to the source code.
The source code is the programming language that makes software work. If you click on the “View†tab in an Internet browser, and go to “Source,†a text file will open. What you see is the source code used to write the website.
The opposite of open source is proprietary, (or commercial) software such as Microsoft Windows XP. Commercial software comes as a finished product from the manufacturer at a price.
Open source software also comes as a finished product but it is free. The most famous being Linux.
Open source software is characterised by:
You can learn more about open source at: www.opensource.org