What is Open Source Software?

Open source software is created and governed by a license that requires all users to receive the human readable version of the software -- known as the source code. This allows anyone to see the source code.

Closed source software allows users to install and use the software, but the source code is not made available to anyone. Only the vendor of the software is able to view the source code.

Why Use Open Source? 

There are numerous advantages of using open source software as opposed to close source. The major benefits include:

- Security

Open source means what you see is what you get. The source code can be inspected line by line by anyone to ensure there are no buried logic bombs, trapdoors, Trojan horses, viruses or any other surprises. The source code can be audited to prove the quality of the solution and ensure there are no weaknesses in the security due to flawed logic. * See case study attached.

- Vendor independence 

With open source, users are not locked into the vendor for enhancements or problem resolution with the software. If the user prefers to maintain the software rather than use Vendor X or Y, the choice is down to the user. The user can chose any combination of plan, build or support for the software based on its needs.

- Faster turnaround for new software 

An open source software user can build on top of existing software instead of reinventing the wheel. The user does not have to wait for the software vendor to add features needed. If the requirements are urgent, the user can implement the enhancements. The user does not pay for enhancements that aren't needed and pays for what is needed only.

- Big development communities 

Skill shortages and a lack of skilled programmers plague software companies today. With open source, the supply of programmers expands from the developers in a single geographical region to global availability.

- Benchmarking and evaluation 

Benchmarking is an important activity in evaluating if a solution is right for the user. Many close source software vendors make the users sign agreements that prevent them from publishing benchmarks on their software. This practice leads to close source benchmarks often being very selective. They portray the software in their best light. Open source benchmarks can be conducted and verified by anyone and portray the software in real-life usage.

Who Is Using Open Source?

There are millions of people unknowingly using open source solutions in their everyday life, in fact you are using one at this very moment. The entire Internet and World Wide Webs core is open source. Yahoo and Google, two of the worlds most popular websites rely on open source technologies for performance, reliability, security and scalability.

Mini Case Study: Closed Source Vs Open Source

Borlands flagship Interbase product was a close source product. For six years thousand of institutions across the world used and trusted the solution to hold sensitive and private information.

After this period, Borland changed its business model and released the product under open source allowing anyone to view the source code.

Within a short period of time, open source code reviewers found a secret back door in the Interbase product, which was coded by Borland engineers. The back door password had been hidden in versions 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 of the Interbase software, potentially exposing tens of thousands of private databases to unauthorized access and alteration over the internet. For over six years any institution using the product were exposed to the backdoor without any knowledge.

Why Is All Software Not Open Source?

The simple truth is that if 99% of closed source software would not survive as open source.  Most software remains closed because any openness would reveal the poor quality of the solution to the customers and potential clients.

A recent survey conducted by Convea of 100 lead technology officers and developers confirmed this fact. If the lead technology officer or developers were to set-up their own company, they would reject the use of the current software due to the quality of the solution. 80% cited security and reliability problems as the prime cause for concern and reason for remaining closed.

Open Source Summary

The open source software development methodology is reshaping the corporate software landscape. The foundation of the business case for open source is high reliability and reduction in costs. Open source software is peer-reviewed and it is more reliable than closed.

The Convea team strongly believe that open source solutions will continue to provide significant financial and technological gains for any business using a IT system going forward compared to closed source. We are dedicated to providing first class, manageable, cost-effective solutions to our customers. The future of software within organizations is not in-house or outsourced development but open sourced.

Can you see the future to decide where you want to go tomorrow?

About Convea

Founded in 2000, Convea (pronounced Conveyor) develops software that allows employees and project teams to rapidly share information, schedules, files and ideas on demand via a simple, common web interface. The Convea platform provides a fully configurable web workspace in which to run Convea applications helping businesses increase productivity and reduce costs.

Our latest offering, Enterprise Pro Version 5 offers over 19 applications, tools and business utilities including: Email, Group Calendaring, Group Scheduling, Group Discussion, Instant Messaging, Instant Conferencing, Knowledge Management, File Management, and much more.

Convea is privately held with headquarter offices in Vancouver, BC, Canada. For further information about Convea, please visit our web site http://www.convea.net.