did you know? Wired News: Web 'Shaman' Fights His Demons
(Source: Wired.Com)
People and their ideas are like the World Wide Web, billions of bits of data that are far more useful and interesting when they connect, acc . . . Read more »
Open source is the route to collaboration
(Source: vnunet.com)
OSS allows businesses to create standardised working practices, and tailored 'ecosystem' models, so that vertical markets can collaborate in . . . Read more »
open source what are open source technologies?
Open source technologies are software technologies that use a licensing and distribution
method that allows the general public to access, use or modify the source code of the
software product.
Open source technologies are aimed at developing and adopting open
standards. Open standards are are non-proprietary, innovative, free and inclusive to all.
Open source technologies encourage sharing software development methodologies and design
concepts for the benefit of all.
On the 5th of March 2005, we released our first open source product
Paragon. It is a powerful, robust and flexible fast
application development framework written in PHP and released under the
LGPL
licence.
why do we endorse the use of open source technologies?
These are the benefits and reasons why we whole heartedly endorse open source
technologies.
data availability
When using a closed product there is a large risk associated in the dependence on the vendor
or product. If either was to disappear you may find it difficult to access your data.
In open source products there is no reliance in the continued existence
or support from a product vendor.
reliability
Flaws in software technology occur from time to time. How a software flaw can be dealt with
is different.
A closed source product requires a consumer to send a detailed fault report to the vendor.
There is no guarantee that the vendor will repair the fault or that there will be no costs
associated with the fix.
A flaw in an open source product can be patched by anyone with the
knowledge or skill to do so.
transparency
In a closed source product, the vendor is the only one that has access to the source code,
technical details, state, requirements, and the people contributing to the product.
In an open source product anyone can freely access all the vital
information of the product at any time.
knowledge
When purchasing a closed source product you are partially paying for the research and
development costs.
The shared knowledge associated with open source products spreads the
value of research and development. Open source developers learn from past design mistakes
or successful design concepts.
Furthermore open source software developers are able to contribute new ideas, without the
expense passed on the end users of the open source product.
security
When using a closed source product you have to assume that the software performs as
advertised, and contains no hidden "spy-ware" or "back-doors".
In an open source product, the security model can be audited or
customised at the desire of the end user. This leads to fewer holes and faster
fixes.
quality
Closed source products aim to enforce proprietary data formats or undermine the products of
their competitors, constantly losing focus on what?s most important, quality.
Open source products are driven by the belief that the product is
valuable in the public domain not marketing imperatives.
The success of an open source product is determined only by how well it is adopted. There
are no marketing strategies required as open source developers enjoy the collaboration
with peers, and have pride in the final product.
cost-effectiveness
In using a closed source product you pay for a software license. Furthermore, system
administration operational costs are greater as you closed source products are less
reliable.
In open source products, you don't pay for software licenses.
Furthermore the increased reliability lowers system administration costs.
Open source products are more cost-effective at no expense to
quality.
