FEATURED VIDEO

SLIDE SHOWS
The chip giant adds new remote management, encryption and anti-theft tools baked right into next-gen Intel Core vPro processors for commercial desktops and notebooks.
The long-awaited iPad has arrived. But here are 12 other tablet devices that will take aim at Apple this year as the suddenly crowded tablet PC market heats up.
Going green was the rage of 2009, and the buzz in 2010 isn't letting up. Manufacturers are responding to increased demands from their white box makers for more eco-friendly components.
INSIDE CHANNELWEB

Results found for: open source
Printer Print This Page
techweb
open source
techweb
Refers to software that is distributed with its source code so that end user organizations and vendors can modify it for their own purposes. Most open source licenses allow the software to be redistributed without restriction under the same terms of the license. For the complete, official definition of open source, visit www.opensource.org/docs/osd. For a list of approved open source licenses, visit www.opensource.org/licenses.

     There are thousands of open source programs, and although they are used on most platforms, they are particularly common in the Unix world. Major examples are the Linux operating system, Apache Web server and JBoss application server. See Linux, Apache and JBoss.

Free and Paid
A great amount of open source software is available at no charge, and many open source projects are developed by a community of volunteers. However, there are commercial vendors that enhance open source software and charge a fee, the most notable example being a distribution of Linux (see Linux distribution).

Free and Open Source
In the late 1990s, open source software was derived from "free software," meaning free of restrictions and why the phrase "free and open source software" is often used. Whereas the "free software" movement promotes the user's freedom as an ethical issue, the philosophy of open source focuses on the practical benefits when users cooperate with each other. Nearly all open source software is free software, but there are occasional exceptions because the definition of free software is more strict (see free software).

Peer Review
Open source proponents claim that because the source code is continuously reviewed by new programmers, it eventually produces a more bug-free product. In addition, the wide variety of contributors provides enhancements and refinements that would take much longer with proprietary software or never be added.

     Vendors of proprietary software counter by saying that "too many cooks spoil the broth!" They maintain that having complete control over software ultimately results in better products. Clearly there is good and bad software from both camps, but there is empirical evidence that open source has advantages. "Software Industry vs. Software Society: Who Wins in 2020?" is a provocative article about the subject by Michael Tiemann, president of the Open Source Initiative (www.computerlanguage.com/2020.pdf).

Useful Software May Last Longer
A distinct advantage of open source is that as long as there is even one remaining, devoted contributor, the software will continue to be enhanced. In the world of proprietary, commercial software, a useful program that users may truly love is often abandoned if it does not generate sufficient profit compared to other products. For more information, visit www.opensource.org and www.sourceforge.net. See free software, Shared Source and open source hardware.
Search For open source On ChannelWeb

Find the latest news and information on open source from across the Channelweb Network of IT Web sites.


techweb
temrs similiar to your header
Entries before open source
techweb
techweb open reel
techweb open relay
techweb Open Server
techweb open shop
techweb Open Software Foundation
 techweb Entries after open source
techweb
techweb open source code
techweb Open Source Definition
techweb open source hardware
techweb open source phone
techweb open source program
techweb
define another it term
techweb techweb

techweb
Or get a random definition
techweb
copyright THIS COPYRIGHTED DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

Copyright (©) 1981-2008 The Computer Language Company
Inc All rights reserved.
Media Kits | Reprints | Privacy Statement | Copyright © 2010 United Business Media LLC | Terms of Service
CRN Logo ChannelWeb Logo CRN Logo CRNTech Logo Vision Events XChange IPED
ADVERTISEMENT




CHANNEL SERVICES >>