Open Source Software

1
Open Source Software

• By Peter Matthew, Andrew Syfret, Michael
  Dangerfield, Richard Hudson and Tej Sagu.

2
Contact Us

ctzpgm(Peter Matthew) ctzrbh(Richard
Hudson) csxags(Andrew Syfret) cbytss(Tej
Sagu) ctzmdd(Michael Dangerfield)
_at_comp.leeds.ac.uk
3
What Defines Open Source?

• Open Source has become the generic term for
  describing software that is freely distributable
  without restriction. (Beckman/Oldehoeft, Feb,
  2000)
• The main features that characterize free (open
  source) software is the freedom that each user
  has to (Working Group on Libre Software, Dec,
  99)
• Use the software as one wishes, for whatever one
  wishes, on as many computers as one wishes, in
  any technically appropriate situation.
• Have the software at ones disposal to fit it to
  ones needs. Of course, this includes improving
  it, fixing its bugs, augmenting its
  functionality, and studying its operation.
• Redistribute the software to other users, who
  could themselves use it according to their needs.
  This redistribution can be done for free, or at a
  charge, not fixed beforehand.
• The users of a piece of software must have access
  to its source code.

4
How does Open-Source Software differ from other
Free Software?
These are examples of non Open-Source Software

• Shareware
• Demos/Crippleware
• Bundled Software
• Consortium-Ware
• Non-commercial use only

5
FAQs

• GNU/Linux is the 2 web serving operating system
  on the public Internet (counting by IP address),
  according to a study surveying March and June
  2001.

6

• What's the relationship between open source and
  Linux?
• Linux is an open-source operating system
• To date the most dramatically successful
  open-source platform.
• Linux is very popular in education, Internet
  service applications, software development shops,
  and (increasingly) in small businesses.
• Linux isn't the whole open-source story.
• There are many other open-source operating
  systems and applications available, including
  Netscape's Navigator and Communicator client line
  of Web browsers.

7

• Advantages of Using Open-Source Software
• Reduced Risk.
• Quality.
• Transparency.
• Right Features.
• Tailoring.
• Favourable licensing and pricing.

8

• When Not to use Open-Source Software
• Wrong features.
• Support issues.
• Wrong platform.
• Lack of technical staff.
• Inertia.

9

• Dubious Reasons for Avoiding
• Open-Source Software
• These arguments are frequently used as excuses
  for avoiding open-source products but which don't
  usually hold up well under scrutiny.
• Fear of the unknown.
• We have a large investment in a commercial
  software package.
• We need to someone to blame if there is a
  problem.

10

• Open Source Product Cycle
• A need is seen.
• A solution is built.
• Usually by an individual who can program/script,
  or by the IT talent of an organization.
• Alpha solution is tested.
• Using the environment where the need was first
  perceived.
• Debugging.
• Any problems encountered are corrected so the
  solution works.
• Small-scale Beta deployment.
• Solution is used in production at development
  point.
• Source is made available, and notices given.
• Early Adapters (tend to be technical types)
  download and deploy solution.

11

• Debugging and feature additions (based on
  feedback).
• As the solution is used in a wider range of
  environments, additional bugs are discovered.
• As the source is available, those who discover
  the bugs can look at the source code to document
  the problem, and even patching the code to fix
  the bug.
• Bug notices and patches are returned to author
  for consideration and use.
• Large-scale Production deployment.
• Solution has entered a state of stability making
  it of interest to the general user. Notice of
  V1.0 is made.
• Debugging and feature additions (based on
  feedback).
• At no point did money change hands. Only code
  and information.

12
Just because the operating system and many
applications are free, doesn't mean there isn't a
wide range of commercial software available.
Enterprise server solutions Oracle's Oracle8
is available now. Sybase's Adaptive Server
Enterprise available now for free. Informix has
many products available now, including
INFORMIX-SE, INFORMIX-ESQL/C, Informix Dynamic
Server and Informix Dynamic 4GL. Interbase
Software's InterBase 5 available now. IBM's DB2
is being ported. Netscape's Internet servers
available now. Netscape Messaging Server and
Netscape Directory Server available Q1 2000.
Desktop applications Corel's WordPerfect 8
available for free for personal use. Beta
available now. Applixware's Linux Office Suite
2000. StarDivision's StarOffice 4.0. Free to
use. Netscape Communicator 4.07, 4.5.
RealNetworks' RealPlayer Adobe's Acrobat Reader
Microsoft's Netshow / Netmeeting.
Commercial
13
Open Source Software Sound Bite
Thank-you for listening to our presentation.