Why Free and Open Source Software?
Since the start of the computer software industry two software
development models have existed which have a completely different
business, financial and social structure and philosophy.
One model, as followed by organisation such as Microsoft and in the past IBM, is based on one organisation developing, owning, marketing and selling a particular software product to a specific market (the Cathedral model). Most of the time the software is owned by the creating company and “sold” under a usage licensing model, licensed to a user or processor. Distribution of the software is in binary format and reverse engineering is normally prohibited.
The other model, as pioneered in the early days by the academic community, is based on the concept of sharing and widely distributing original source code while acknowledging the original creator and those that have contributed during the development. The source code is “owned” by the individual or groups of individuals creating the code but is available for anyone who can and has an interest to learn from, modify, re-distribute, copy and so on. This model is commonly called the Bazaar model and the software originating by this process “Open Source” and/or “Free Software”.
FOSS here and now
Most
people will have heard of the Linux operating environment one way or
the other. Currently Linux is very widely deployed in server
environment, privately within organisations and also on the Internet.
Over the last 10 years Linux has been implemented mainly by those
organisations and individuals who already have had some exposure and
familiarity with Unix. This is rapidly changing. Open Source software
has gained a "market place" and wide acceptance not only as an
alternative but also as an innovative driving force behind commercially
owned and distributed software.
Organisations preparing to include Open Source components within their infrastructure soon discover the complex minefield of component dependencies, and relationships. To be able to take advantage of the richness, quality and adaptability of Open Source products people within the organisations need ongoingly to develop new skills to be able to integrate these new emerging technologies within their existing skill sets.
