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    Pros and Cons of Open Source For Developers

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    Timvane Tim C Chabaluka
    This article discusses the pros and cons of open source technology from the perspectives of both developers and users. For developers, open source allows building upon existing platforms like Linux rather than developing proprietary systems from scratch. However, others can copy their work. For users, open source is often free but may lack easy interfaces and good documentation. Support can be limited if hardware vendors prioritize closed source options like Windows. Overall, open source has advantages of customizability and cost but risks of less support that must be weighed against closed source alternatives.

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    Pros and Cons of Open Source For Developers

    Uploaded by

    Timvane Tim C Chabaluka
    116 views5 pages
    This article discusses the pros and cons of open source technology from the perspectives of both developers and users. For developers, open source allows building upon existing platforms like Linux rather than developing proprietary systems from scratch. However, others can copy their work. For users, open source is often free but may lack easy interfaces and good documentation. Support can be limited if hardware vendors prioritize closed source options like Windows. Overall, open source has advantages of customizability and cost but risks of less support that must be weighed against closed source alternatives.

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    Information Technology

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    Advantage of Linux

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    This article discusses the pros and cons of open source technology from the perspectives of both developers and users. For developers, open source allows building upon existing platforms like Linux rather than developing proprietary systems from scratch. However, others can copy their work. For users, open source is often free but may lack easy interfaces and good documentation. Support can be limited if hardware vendors prioritize closed source options like Windows. Overall, open source has advantages of customizability and cost but risks of less support that must be weighed against closed source alternatives.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    116 views5 pages

    Pros and Cons of Open Source For Developers

    Uploaded by

    Timvane Tim C Chabaluka
    This article discusses the pros and cons of open source technology from the perspectives of both developers and users. For developers, open source allows building upon existing platforms like Linux rather than developing proprietary systems from scratch. However, others can copy their work. For users, open source is often free but may lack easy interfaces and good documentation. Support can be limited if hardware vendors prioritize closed source options like Windows. Overall, open source has advantages of customizability and cost but risks of less support that must be weighed against closed source alternatives.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 5

    ADVANTAGE OF LINUX : 1.

    The majority of Linux variants are available for free or at a much lower price than Microsoft Windows. 2.Linux is and has always been a very secure Operating System. Although it still can be attacked when compared to Windows, it much more secure. 3. The majority of Linux variants and versions are notoriously reliable and can often run for months and years without needing to be rebooted. DISADVANTAGE OF LINUX : 1.Although the majority Linux variants have improved dramatically in ease of use, Windows is still much easier to use for new computer users. 2.Linux has a large variety of available software programs, utilities, and games. However, Windows has a much larger selection of available software. 3.Linux companies and hardware manufacturers have made great advancements in hardware support for Linux and today Linux will support most hardware devices. However, many companies still do not offer drivers or support for their hardware in Linux. ADVANTAGE OF WINDOWS : 1.Microsoft has made several advancements and changes that have made it a much easier to use Operating System, and although arguably it may not be the easiest Operating System, it is still Easier than Linux.

    Pros and Cons of Open Source for Developers


    From a developers point of view, open source technologies provide a platform on which to build custom solutions. Rather than develop, say, an entire proprietary operating system, developers can build and improve upon the already existing open source Linux operating system platform. In this way, more time is spent on the specific task to be solved rather than getting the system up and running to the point where it is stable and reliable. Unfortunately, this means that other developers have access to the developers work and can easily create a competing product. One of the reasons why Microsoft has such a huge market share of the operating system industry is because its software operates on a closed source paradigm; no one but those people privy to the source code can customize Windows. In addition, developers must be prepared to have their work publicly scrutinized. Almost everything in open source is viewable by other developers. If a developer makes a major mistake, it can become public information and tarnish the developers reputation.

    Pros and Cons of Open Source for Users


    The biggest advantage of open source for users is that most projects are free to download and use. Without the pressure to show a profit from their work as in a large corporation, open source developers can work more toward end users individual needs and less on appealing to the masses. The result can be fewer bugs and more productivity due to the semi-custom solution. However, one con to using open source technology is that the focus is often on backend processing of information and not on user interfaces. Microsoft Windows has arguably one of the easiest interfaces with which to work. Often, open source software such as Linux requires the user to have specialized knowledge that cannot be configured with just clicks of a mouse. In addition, open source projects often do not have good documentation to walk the user through the learning and using of the technologies. In the case of Linux, for example, many hardware manufacturers seem to make their drivers and software work on Windows platforms first and consider other operating systems as an afterthought. The result can be poor support and more of a reason to switch to a better supported, yet closed source solution such as Windows.

    Conclusion
    Open source has a number of advantage and disadvantages from both the point of view of developers and the point of view of users. These pros and cons must be weighed carefully before switching from a better-supported close source solution to a riskier open source technology. In the long run, the end user is the ultimate judge of which is a better solution. Without support from the user, developers and open source projects cannot continue except as a hobby or personal challenge for the developers. NEXT ARTICLE > Comments | Flag
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    OPEN SOURCE TECHNOLOGY DEFINITION, ADVANTAGES, AND DISADVANTAGES


    In the first article of this series, learn a definition for open source technology and explore some of its more important features. The second article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of open source technology.

    1. An Introduction to Open Source Technology 2. What are the Pros and Cons of Open Source?

    COMMENTS
    4

    John Garger Jan 17, 2011 12:20 PM


    Compensation No. The real money is in providing support for open source projects. Still, those offering support have an interest in the product being stable and progressive to trends. But no, they are not compensated directly. There are, of course, bragging rights.

    Idris Jan 16, 2011 7:11 PM


    Compesation Does the user that modifies the source code ever get rewarded

    John Garger Feb 16, 2010 7:34 AM


    Make Money with Open Source Most people and companies distributing Open Source software make money by selling/offering support services on using the software.

    sarna Feb 14, 2010 8:11 PM


    How does a Open Source make money If its free to use , then who is gonna pay for it?

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