What do you think about Open Source Software?

@glf1980 (222)
Italy
March 5, 2007 10:06am CST
Hi to everyone! Do you think Open Source software is a real alternative?
4 responses
seef30
@seef30 (9)
• Canada
11 Mar 07
I like that you can fix open source software. because you can see what is going on inside the program. And I like the idea to share knowledge! Im not the big hacker but I try to help where I can
1 person likes this
glf1980
@glf1980 (222)
• Italy
11 Mar 07
Yes, sharing knowledge is very important, both to improve software and discover new paths.
emiliano75
@emiliano75 (680)
• Italy
11 Mar 07
I think opensource software is the best, because people can modify and increase perfomance of software. This philosofy can help people in lot of directions, for example poor people can have pc and using that without pay no money for copyrighted software, if people develope software any mind can work around a project (this is better than only one mind). This is important for young developers too, infact young poeple can exercise their mind and can help other people. Good philosofy opensource software!!!!!
1 person likes this
Taskr36
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I think the biggest problem with open source, Linux especially, is the lack of any central control. When a person has a Windows problem, anyone who knows Windows can help them. With an open source software like Linux, there are so many flavors with so many different bugs and problems that it is near impossible to find a consistent source of help. At least with Windows the bugs are well documented and there are many people who know how to fix or work around them.
glf1980
@glf1980 (222)
• Italy
5 Mar 07
Yes, you're right. But I think also it's a way to experiment new ideas and new projects.
elijahalcantara
@elijahalcantara (84)
• Philippines
21 Mar 07
There are thousands of resources for those bugs & problems (online forums & even paid support are available). When a security hole or bug comes out in the open, the community attends to it very quickly (even vendors), central control is never a problem. It is simply a unique & effective way of resolving problems. I don't know why you say that it is impossible, I've been 99% MS-free for almost a year now and the main problems that I encounter are hardware failures. All other software are fully documented, complete with man and info pages, wiki's , etc. Log on to a forum or chat and they will help you.
willjosh
@willjosh (50)
• Philippines
16 May 09
It is a serious alternative, but proprietary software will never fade away. Open source software is great, because it is free, there are lots of people who have knowledge about it, and you can modify it without fear of copyright infringement. On the other hand, as you may see in GNU licenses, open source software does not express any warranty, and there is now clear central organization you can ask for support. Open source software support mostly relies on support forums and volunteers, though there may be paid support somewhere. Proprietary software offers warranty (because you paid for it) and technical support, where their jobs may be lost if they make a mistake, so you're more sure about their trustworthiness. Enterprises will continue to use proprietary software, because they need technical support every now and then, that their IT department won't be able to tackle.