“There ain't no such thing a free lunch,” is a good rule of thumb in everyday life; experience tells us that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. However, sometimes the formula breaks down.
Open-Source software
I'm referring to Open-Source software: a category of free software that is licensed with minimal restrictions.
In English, Open-Source software is:
- Available free of charge:you are under no obligations when using Open Source software -- the developers don't ask you to send them a postcard if you like their program
- Free to modify: you may inspect and modify the source-code of the software if you are so inclined
- Free to distribute: you can share it with your friends in whatever way you see fit
- Free to use commercially: you can use it in your business
As impossible as it may seem, there are many Open-Source programs that rival commercial alternatives.
Cui bono? (Who benefits?)
“How is that possible? Why would people spend all that time developing software just to give it away? It can't be true. It's probably a scam.” These are common concerns about Open-Source software, but a basic understanding of the motivation behind creating Open Source software will help alleviate these initial worries.
Open-Source software is created by developers who:
- Love to create: these are people who enjoy developing software.
- Believe that quality software should be accessible to all (some go so far as to believe it is wrong to charge for software)
- Work together, in a communal fashion, to create great software. This isn't just some nerd hacking together a program in his free time. Large Open-Source projects are made up of a whole group of software developers.
These are the motivations that led to projects like
Wikipedia
.
Let the savings begin!
Here's a list of Open-Source software and how much you could potentially save by using it.
Note: by “initial savings” I'm referring to the amount you could save if you chose Open-Source software over buying new, commercial software. Also, please keep in mind, these are not scientific comparisons. I have tried to find the best match between a Open-Source program and a commercial program.
- A safer, faster, more customizable alternative to the leading web browser.
Initial savings: $0. Your current web browser doesn't cost anything.
Long-term savings: $???.
There's no telling how much money you can save by having a safer web browser. A safer browser can mean less viruses, and less wasted time attempting to clean up the effects of viruses.
- A office suite including a powerful word-processor, spread-sheet program, presentation software, a drawing program, and database software. OpenOffice.org is able to open and export common file types (i.e. .doc files), and it supports exporting in PDF format to easily share and print office files.
Initial savings: ~$400 (The cost of a new version of the leading office suite.)
Long-term savings: ~$240/every 2-3 years (The cost of upgrading the leading office suite to the newest version.)
- A photo editor which can be used for anything from simple crop and resize operations, to professional-level photo editing.
Initial savings: $650 (The cost of a new version of the leading photo editor.)
Long-term savings: $200/every 2 years (The cost of upgrading the leading photo editor to the newest version.)
- An easy-to-use drawing program. Inkscape can save images in a standard image format, or in a special format that allows the image to be infinitely resized without a reduction in quality.
Initial savings: $380 (The cost of a new version of one of the leading vector drawing programs.)
Long-term savings: $169/1-3 years (The cost of upgrading one of the leading vector drawing programs to the newest version.)
- A safer, faster operating system. Ubuntu is an Open-Source operating system that has many benefits over main-stream operating systems; it has a revolutionary system for installing software, supports a cutting-edge program that transforms your desktop into an interactive 3D experience.
Initial savings: $240 (The cost of a new version of the leading operating system.)
Long-term savings: $160/3-4 years (The cost of upgrading the operating system editor to the newest version.)
