What is open source?
A software program's source code is like a recipe for baking brownies, except the source code
creates software not sweet things. Some keep their recipes secret and others share their
recipes freely with friends. Unlike proprietary 
software, Open Source software has a license making the source code
freely available. In other words, if something is Open Source, anyone can view the recipe.
Software developers do not need to keep the recipe secret in order to make money. They can make money from selling services associated with the program. Adding specific features for individual clients is another way for software developers to benefit financially.
In fact, once a source code is open, many other benefits begin to occur, including:
- Other developers may add a feature for one of their clients and then donate that code to the main project making it available for everyone as well.
- If a project becomes very popular, many developers will join in-possibly leading to very rapid development of the project (eg. explosion of extensions for Firefox in 2005).
- Open Source projects can easily be supported by multiple vendors; this allows customers to choose their support company.
- An Open Source project will always have the possibility of ongoing support and development. Even if the original developer stops working on the project, another group can continue since the source code is available (eg. GIMP development stagnated in 1997 for a year. New developers took over and development continues today).
Community Building
Free and Open Source software (FOSS) often creates a community of users and developers that share a common goal. As the Internet expands, these growing communities are becoming increasingly diverse, yet the number of new developers is seemingly endless.
Sharing Benefits Everyone
In addition to providing opportunities for software developers and companies and organizations, FOSS benefits the disadvantaged as it is often monetarily free. It affords a great learning place and allows anyone to participate in the technology industry.
For more information:
- Definition of Open Source by the Open Source Initiative.
- Free Software Definition from the Free Software Foundation's web site
- What is Free Software by O'Reilly's OnLamp.com
- New to Open Source on IBM's web site
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