What does "open source" mean?

So this blog is about open sources. What does that even mean?? Open sources in nature are oceans and river deltas that we can dive into without any end in sight. The world-wide-web was initially an open source, and still is to a certain extent. In the world of technology, open sources entail software that is available to everyone without price - no strings attached. In addition, these systems are open to revisions and updates by anyone. They are in a state of constant flux, and always being updated.

What browser are you using to view this blog? Is it Safari, or Internet Explorer? If so, you have paid a fee in order to use it, one way or another. There is a popular alternative that is constantly being updated in order to avoid viruses. It is called "Mozilla Firefox," and offers the same user-friendly convenience as other web browers - but without the cost.

In fact, this blog itself is open source. I paid no money to begin it, and anyone may feel free to peruse and comment upon it to their heart's content without paying a cent. Getting the idea? Open sources are available to anyone with the ability to run the software/programs on their computer systems. There is nothing in it for me by starting this blog, and there can be no "selling point" for something that is open source. One could think of it as public broadcasting for the internet.

Another popular service offered by Microsoft or Lotus is the word processor/spreadsheet/etc. combination package. For those who love these programs but cannot afford to pay for them - especially for an entire library's worth of computers - a viable and convenient option is OpenOffice. Their website includes a page that lists the many benefits of using OpenOffice instead of private labels. The OpenOffice package includes "word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics," and is available in many languages. For patrons who enter the library with files saved in a Microsoft or other common type of format, OpenOffice is able to open those files. For those who use OpenOffice but need to save it as another type of format - i.e. Microsoft's many versions - they are easily able to do so.

There are nearly as many open source programs as there are company-based. For a full list of these programs for Windows, check out the OSSwin Project. A site dedicated to open source software for Apple can be found at Open Source Mac.

References:

"A simple list of free, open-source software for Mac OS X.." Open Source Mac. Worcester, LLC, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

Vandewoestyne, Bart. "Open Source for Windows!." The OSSwin Project. 6 Mar 2008. Sourceforge.net, Web. 8 Dec 2009. .

"The Free and Open Productivity Site." Open Office. 11 Sep 2009. Collabnet, Web. 10 Dec 2009. .