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Open Source Just Gets Tastier

Submitted by Richard Dewick on Wed, 30/01/2008 - 12:50.
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Open Source Logo

Open Source relates to the source code of a programme. If a piece of software is Open Source you are allowed to download, use it and edit it for free.

The term open source allows you to amend the code to get the desired result you want.

Due to it's growing popularity, Open Source software programmers are producing high end work to rival products of the big guns. Because of this companies such as Microsoft and Google are actively engaging in collaborations with Open Source software developers.

My Open Source software of choice is the Drupal CMS which is fast turning into a major force in the web community.

Open Source is not just about taking a free piece of software, if possible you should give back too. Whether it be in development or feedback every input helps to improve the product for the rest of the community. The software is only free because people have put their own time in to it for nothing. So why not give something back and improve the development of your favorite piece of Open Source software.

Here's a good reference for Open Source.

Have you sampled a piece of Open Source software or do you feel safer sticking with traditional Closed Source software?

Open Source Software

Submitted by Patricia on Thu, 31/01/2008 - 05:02.
Patricia's picture

Hi,

My son tried Drupal for a while; it's particularly appropriate for him because he's a final-year computer programming student. But I notice that lately he's reinstalled his 'safe' software. May be only because he's busy with final projects and doesn't have time.

For the rest of us (non-programmers) I definitely think the safety of paid software is not to be underestimated. :)

Richard Dewick's picture

Learn Programming with Open Source Software

Submitted by Richard Dewick on Thu, 31/01/2008 - 09:40.
Richard Dewick's picture

Hi Patricia,

Drupal and other Open Source software is a great way to learn programming. There are so many tutorials and helpful sites out there that you can't help but try things out. Let's hope your son returns to Drupal to help grow the community :)

If you get a chance to experiment yourself it's worth the effort, there's really only one way to learn things and that's through trial and error. Don't be afraid ;)