Open Source Software... Why Should I Care About It?
Much has been written about Open Source Software, and many of you have heard the term and even experimented with it. But what is it really? Let's explore it's origins and its current state today.
In short, Open Source software is software that has released its code (source code) to developers from around the world to modify and make better to suit their needs. It is free to develop new additions for Open Source software, and it does not cost money to get the code to work on it.
Regular software companies charge money to just get the source code to work on, even though you want to improve it. This restricts access, and the genius, that can't afford just to pay to improve a company's product.
Open Source software is wide-ranging in scope; covering almost any need. If not, someone can develop a program, or modify an existing program, to fit their needs. Many people donate time and much effort in its development.
Not all Open Source software is ready for prime time however, so caution must be taken when looking to deploy, as their are NO guarantees of usability for a particular purpose. So always do some limited testing before mass deployments in your offices!
Why is business moving towards Open Source Software?
Cost and Extensibility.
With prices for software licenses increasing every year, businesses the world over are moving towards the Open Source model. The costs associated with standard software is now staggering.
But because of the dedication and hard work of thousands of developers around the world, Open Source software is now beginning to get a foot hold in traditionally, only commercially dominated, markets.
As time goes on, literally thousands of programs have been developed. While some are still in beta, others like OpenOffice.org, Firefox & Thunderbird to name just a few, have reached maturity. These programs are now ready for prime time in the business arena.
While cost is the main reason business considers Open Source alternatives, the ability to freely modify these programs to suit specialized needs (extensibility) is even more appealing. No one can claim sole ownership and restrict the ability to make changes. And the price: Free.
This fact alone can allow a business to actually take existing Open Source code and change it to suit their needs. You just cannot do that with a commercial software product! Click below to check out what's available.
Can I Use Open Source Software Along With My Existing Software?
For Most Mature Applications, the answer is YES.
Let's review a couple of mature Open Source Apps for suitability for Business or Home Offices.
Regular software companies charge money to just get the source code to work on, even though you want to improve it. This restricts access, and the genius, that can't afford just to pay to improve a company's product.
Open Source software is wide-ranging in scope; covering almost any need. If not, someone can develop a program, or modify an existing program, to fit their needs. Many people donate time and much effort in its development.
Not all Open Source software is ready for prime time however, so caution must be taken when looking to deploy, as their are NO guarantees of usability for a particular purpose. So always do some limited testing before mass deployments in your offices!
Why is business moving towards Open Source Software?
Cost and Extensibility.
With prices for software licenses increasing every year, businesses the world over are moving towards the Open Source model. The costs associated with standard software is now staggering.
But because of the dedication and hard work of thousands of developers around the world, Open Source software is now beginning to get a foot hold in traditionally, only commercially dominated, markets.
As time goes on, literally thousands of programs have been developed. While some are still in beta, others like OpenOffice.org, Firefox & Thunderbird to name just a few, have reached maturity. These programs are now ready for prime time in the business arena.
While cost is the main reason business considers Open Source alternatives, the ability to freely modify these programs to suit specialized needs (extensibility) is even more appealing. No one can claim sole ownership and restrict the ability to make changes. And the price: Free.
This fact alone can allow a business to actually take existing Open Source code and change it to suit their needs. You just cannot do that with a commercial software product! Click below to check out what's available.
Can I Use Open Source Software Along With My Existing Software?
For Most Mature Applications, the answer is YES.
Let's review a couple of mature Open Source Apps for suitability for Business or Home Offices.
Click & learn more
OpenOffice.org Five Star Rated Replacement for MS Office
If you're tired of plunking down $400 for Microsoft Office updates, OpenOffice.org is a Five Star rated replacement for Microsoft Office. It is a stable and complete Office Suite capable of doing more than MS Office. You create PDF files from any document without buying Adobe Acrobat.
If you're tired of plunking down $400 for Microsoft Office updates, OpenOffice.org is a Five Star rated replacement for Microsoft Office. It is a stable and complete Office Suite capable of doing more than MS Office. You create PDF files from any document without buying Adobe Acrobat.
OpenOffice.org has a Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Database, Presentation and Drawing apps all included. It's FREE. It can read and write any version of MS Office document regardless of what version created it! SO you can still save Docs and Spreadsheets, etc... in MS Office formats if needed. It can be installed on any newer computer along side Microsoft Office. Many add-ins are available to extend its capabilities even further, with more being developed quarterly. It is backed by Sun Microsystems Inc. for continued development and updates.
Some noticeable differences do exist. OpenOffice.org is more international, by design. Slight menu differences are found from MS Office. Staffs should be encouraged to experiment at first, then be given dates to begin migration to it. Otherwise, you'll still be forking out big bucks 2 years from now because people resist change from established patterns of living. it's your money, not theirs, right?
Some noticeable differences do exist. OpenOffice.org is more international, by design. Slight menu differences are found from MS Office. Staffs should be encouraged to experiment at first, then be given dates to begin migration to it. Otherwise, you'll still be forking out big bucks 2 years from now because people resist change from established patterns of living. it's your money, not theirs, right?
Thunderbird Highly Acclaimed Professional Email Reader
Email is the backbone of modern business communications. Having a top notched email client is a must in any office. Thunderird replaces Microsoft Outlook email to provide individuals and businesses a robust and complete solution. It is NOT like using clunky Webmail. I have over 20 email accounts being monitored simultaneously in Thunderbird!
Email is the backbone of modern business communications. Having a top notched email client is a must in any office. Thunderird replaces Microsoft Outlook email to provide individuals and businesses a robust and complete solution. It is NOT like using clunky Webmail. I have over 20 email accounts being monitored simultaneously in Thunderbird!
But, just having an email client to read mail is only half the equation. The other brings businesses a wealth of benefits like being able to have your own professional Domain Name instead of a generic unprofessional looking @yahoo or @aol or hotmail etc... It includes a new email server format that allows you to store all messages and attachments on the server instead of junking up your hard drive. This is a more secure protocol called IMAP which has replaced the old POP mail boxes. It also avoids the disastrous hard drive failure in your office that causes a loss of old email in many cases.
IMAP mail is cheap to get. A year costs about $35, and combined with Thunderbird, to can free your practice from the old and embrace the more secure and robust new email format without being locked into Microsoft Office forever more... Again, many offices have already migrated to Thunderbird with IMAP service and love it. You can view your messages and attachments at work, at home or anywhere else you have an Internet connection. A totally portable, secure solution, worldwide. Click HERE for more in-depth information.
If looking professional, security & reliability and portability sound good, try Thunderbird with IMAP.
IMAP mail is cheap to get. A year costs about $35, and combined with Thunderbird, to can free your practice from the old and embrace the more secure and robust new email format without being locked into Microsoft Office forever more... Again, many offices have already migrated to Thunderbird with IMAP service and love it. You can view your messages and attachments at work, at home or anywhere else you have an Internet connection. A totally portable, secure solution, worldwide. Click HERE for more in-depth information.
If looking professional, security & reliability and portability sound good, try Thunderbird with IMAP.
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