Open-Source for Newcomers to the Internet

What is Open-Source Software?

Open-Source Software is the generic expression for computer programmes downloaded free over the internet. Anyone anywhere is entitled to download it onto their own computer and use it free of charge. In its purest sense the actual code is accessible and users are encouraged to change and improve it provided that they don't then try to 'sell it' to others.


Open-source programs might seem too good to be true. Wikipedia, part of the parallel 'Wiki' initiative, stated - in 2008 - that Open-source saved users as much as $60 billion a year and although not all the providers are strictly altruistic this is not to be sniffed at.

Origins

The Open-source movement was born in the very early years of the Internet, back in 1983 in the days when the whole concept of the 'information highway' was new and populated by a highly intelligent, highly motivated and idealistic band of true individualists. This early lack of disciple leaves us with occasional problems as, for instance, the word 'free' in this instance can mean 'free' as in 'free speech' or 'free' as in without cost.

However, providing that the user reads the terms and conditions of the particular program he or she wants to download, and downloads from a reputable source there is a huge range of useful and valuable software available free of charge.

We use:

Joomla which provides all the structure and is an Open-source Content Management System
GIMP which handles all the artwork and
Filezilla which moves all the content up and down from our local computers to the server you view it on
Day to Day Open-source

Whilst the programs named above are specialist applications not normally needed by a newcomer to the web but there are many others you might like to try. Often these occur in areas where Microsoft's dominance blocks out other providers who need to force their way into the market with loss leaders.

The most obvious and competitive area is Web Browsers where Internet Explorer is preloaded onto most personal computers sold. Competitors challenge Microsoft's dominance here because controlling what the user sees as he approaches the Internet gives an element of control on what he does next. So, for instance, Google cannot be sure that the user will be directed towards their search engine so they offer an Open-source web-browser of their own - Google Chrome.

Open-source is Often Better

Web Browsers are case in point: to compete against the initial advantage Microsoft enjoys, Open-source Web Browsers have to be noticeably better than Microsoft's Internet Express. Some you might like to look at are:

Google Chrome
Opera
Mozilla Firefox
Search Engines like web browsers have the power to influence which sites you visit and therefore have huge commercial clout. Google dominates the market but others want to muscle in.

You may only know of Google, and in fact 'to Google' has now become a verb in common use, but there are in fact dozens of search engines you can download free of charge.

Other Topics

Just Google 'Free Household Accounting' and you'll get 275,000 hits! The same goes for many other routine operations you might like to explore.

But be Careful

Much Malware has been downloaded with apparently honest Open-source.

Only ever download from reputable sources and with proper Internet security software in place and activated on your computer. Just because you found the software through a reputable Search Engine and Browser does not mean that the software itself is reputable.

Conclusion

Our site, http://www.computer-virgin.net is built on Open-source software: We use Sourceforge - run your own search for it - as my source when I download material, but you must use your own good sense to cash in to the bonanza of free good quality software that Open-source offers.

Roger Webb is a Retired chief executive of small and medium sized enterprises. He has been central to a number of company turn-rounds turning losses into profits wherever he worked.

Now as Owner/founder of http://www.computer-virgin.net he is keen to pass on those skills to others: particularly where a lack of entropy with computer and the internet provides an obstacle to progress.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roger_J_Webb



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5827343
>