There are a number of benefits to Open Source software. For example:
- Flexibility and Customizability
Since the source code is available, a program can be altered to suit your needs. (It can change in ways the original author had never dreamed of!)
- Inexpensive
All Open Source software is available free-of-charge.
- Motivated Developers
The programmers who develop Open Source software typically do it because they want to or need to; not simply because they're forced to in their job. This can mean higher quality software!
- Better Security, Fewer Bugs
Since anyone in the world can look at and contribute to Open Source software, security problems and bugs (both accidental and malicious) can be seen immediately, and corrected quickly.
- The Code Will Survive
Since noone can "own" an Open Source program, there's no way they can hold it hostage. There's also no reason that an Open Source program can be left abandoned. (If someone else wants to continue working on it, they can!)An analogy: If all of the fast-food restaurants went bankrupt, or simply decided to change their menus, that doesn't mean you won't be able to buy (or make and sell) hamburgers and pizza anymore! The recipe still exsits, even if the restaurants don't...
- You Can Contribute!
Although it should go without saying, you - the end-user - can contribute to the software. Whether it's by altering the source code yourself to fix things or add new features, or simply e-mailing the author of a program and suggesting something, you have much more control over the software you use.
Presented by the Linux Users' Group of Davis
to the California 4-H Leadership Conference
August 10th, 2002 - UC Davis, California
Home