What is Open Source and Why Use Open Source?

Why Open Source? Because it's free, but before we can explain that, some background is necessary.

The characteristics that make Open Source special can most easily be seen by looking at what it is not.

Traditional software development, also called Closed Source, is the model most users are familiar with. When you “buy” software, you are really only purchasing the right to use the program in a manner that is allowed by the software company. You can't make changes, you can't copy it, you can't even see how it works.

If you purchase an Open Source solution what you are paying for is the labor and expertise to create, customize and setup an application to your fit needs. Once installed, you can use the product in any way you need. You can copy it, you can modify it, and you can even change the underlying functionality of it. It's yours to do was you wish [with a few caveats].

In this way, Open Source is “free” in that you are free to use it in any way you want. There are no real legal restrictions to how you can use your software.

The movement towards open source is fueled by a large and growing number of programmers and other computer users that advocate unrestricted access to the source code of software. This revolution grew out of ideas developed in the mid-80’s around the idea of free software and as it evolved, a principle of openness was embraced. Projects became open to anyone and everyone to contribute to, before and/or after the actual programming took place.

An open style of licensing allows for a superior software development process, where everyone has a voice in it's design. Stability, reliability, and security are frequently cited as reasons to support open source.

When we at MonsterByte work on a project for you, we are not only drawing on our own expertise and experience, we have the support of hundreds of other programmers and users who have contributed to our tools.

If you haven't heard of Open Source before, chances are that you still might have heard of the operating system Linux or web browser Firefox. Currently, Linux has been the most visible and successful poster child of the Open Source model. As an operating system Linux is renowned for its stability and security characteristics and has even become a significant threat to closed source commercial software. Firefox, most experts agree, is a superior product in the web browser arena and is mostly open source. If you haven't tried Firefox, we highly recommend you do.

MonsterByte uses Open Source projects because it provides us with the best possible tools available. In Closed source projects [especially web projects] everything must be built from the ground up. To use a very rough analogy, using a closed source development model not only does the building need to be constructed, but so do the hammers, saws, stoves, air conditioners and lighting fixtures. The open source community has already provided us with the hammer. Has already built the stove. Has already designed an air conditioner. We can use the tools others have already tested and designed as is, or we have the freedom to change them as your project needs.

In having access to the best software, we can build your applications better, faster, and with less cost to you than if we used proprietary code.

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