The most most simple definition of Open Source software is that it's software that is created or maintained by a group of volunteers, who are responsible for creating and maintaining the 'core' of the program and that 'core is freely available for others to use or modify as they see fit; the programs can be freely read, redistributed, and modified.

Open source programs are nearly always no or low cost programs, it makes no sense to sell your program if anyone can obtain that program and distribute or change it however they like.

Benefits for Small to Medium-sized Businesses

For most businesses, the most important factors in determining what software to use are: functionality, compatibility, cost, and customisability. Fortunately, open source software can addresse all these criterias. The value derived from software that is lean and modular, standardised, cost effective, and customisable is tremendous. Aside from the obvious cost savings, open source software also improves efficiency by using standard layouts, format and procedures. Also, frequent updates and improvements offer quick solutions to problems as they arise and features that will be needed in the future. Lastly, the ability to modify the code to suit your business means that you're able to customise the software to perform exactly as it suits you.

Could you or your business be using open source software?
This is an increasingly important question for home users and businesses of all sizes.

It's also a difficult question to answer. Open source software is a often a very viable alternative to a broad range of commercial products, from operating systems to databases, from web servers to word processors. Many businesses, including very large multinational corporations run business-critical applications with open source software and wouldn't have it any other way.

A key issue in the adoption of any software is the depth and quality of support available. Many open source packages lack the support structure that we are used to seeing with larger commercial software houses. If your staff has to dig through source code to uncover bugs or scour mail-ing lists, forums, and web sites for fixes, support costs will rise, however if you have a open source expert on staff or you purchase a support package from a third party, maintenance may be a snap.

Inexpensive or free software has particular appeal for home users and smaller companies. 46% of respondents to an InformationWeek/Network Computing survey said that "low or no cost" was the most important reason for deploying open source software. But a true assessment of cost must include implementation, training, and long-term maintenance over the software's life.

Sorting between competing open source product sets can be time-consuming too. Open source software requires more forethought than commercial software. Investigating and testing a variety of open source programs can be more time-intensive than simply picking a prepackaged product off the shelf, unless you're an enthusiast, you need to really do some research on open source solutions to decide on a solution tat suits your needs. There's no sense in choosing an open source package just because it's open source.

As well as looking at the costs, the software chosen should deliver some kind of advantage over other programs available. Though specific advantages will differ based on the kind of software, generally speaking a key business advantage of open source software is its flexibility. Because there is open access to the source code, anyone can adapt the software to suit their needs. Because of this, there are often many versions of particular open source applications and often applications have a system of 'plug-ins' that extend that application's usability in specific ways.

Like all software, open source carries both risks and rewards. Technical support, lifetime ownership costs, and the ability to find qualified open source administrators are key factors in evaluating whether you're the open source type. Through careful evaluation, you can minimize the risks and maximize the rewards of open source.

HelpLine Computer Services offers support for many common open source applications. Contact us to see if we can help you or your business get the most out of open source software.