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Free and Open Source Software

From Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology
INTRODUCTION Free and open source software (F/OSS) is emerging as a promising alternative to proprietary software. The interest in F/OSS solutions is growing as firms realize that it could help reduce IT expenditures. Unfortunately, despite the heightened interest, F/OSS solutions remain misunderstood, and a number of myths regarding this approach still prevail. F/OSS has been described as simply software, or even software specific for the Linux operating system, with hardly any reliable support available. Some have considered it a silver bullet solution that will always create superior quality software at lower or no cost ( Wheatley, 2004 ). The purpose of this article is to demystify these misconceptions surrounding F/OSS and provide an understanding of its basic concepts. Then, based on these concepts, we try to illustrate how companies can benefit from F/OSS. Our hope is that this article would assist interested observers to better understand F/OSS and help managers make more…
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Full text Article OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

From The Dictionary of Alternatives
Software that comes with permission for users to have access to the software source codes. ‘Open’ in this context does not necessarily mean free of charge, but refers to users’ freedom to adapt and improve programs. Thus software could be distributed for free but remain ‘closed’ or proprietary if…
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Full text Article Free and Open-Source Software

From The Johns Hopkins Guide to Digital Media
Free and Open-Source Software
By definition, any piece of software licensed to provide the following permissions falls under the category of free software: (1) use the program for any purpose; (2) study the program and modify it; (3) distribute modified copies; and (4) redistribute software without restrictions, providing access…
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Full text Article Open Source Software in the Global South

From The International Encyclopedia of Digital Communication and Society
business and management information and communication technology information systems open source, proprietary software Abstract For users of information technology (IT), Free and open source software (FOSS) is a powerful alternative to proprietary software. It enables easy and low‐cost access to…
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Full text Article open source software

From The Macquarie Dictionary
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Full text Article open-source movement

From Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology
For a long time programmers have released programs as freeware, meaning that users did not have to buy or license the software. There is also "try before you buy" software or "shareware". However, while freeware sometimes includes not only the executable program but the source code (the actual…
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Full text Article Open-source innovation model

From Palgrave Key Concepts: Key Concepts in Innovation
In the open-source innovation model, innovation thrives in a market without traditional intellectual property (IP). The intellectual property regime prevents competitors from selling the same products because of exclusive rights granted to innovators under intellectual property law. In open-source…
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Full text Article Collective innovation

From Palgrave Key Concepts: Key Concepts in Innovation
Collective innovation is a combination of ‘private investment’ and ‘collective action’ models that encourages and supports innovation ( von Hippel and von Krogh, 2003 ). Private firms and individuals spend private resources to create ‘public good’ in collective innovations. Open-source software…
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Full text Article open source

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Computing term to describe the distribution of software along with its source code , its original instructions. Anyone may examine open-source software's codes, make improvements, and pass these on to the open-source community. Its use created one of the most adaptable systems for developing…
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Full text Article Torvalds, Linus Benedict

From Chambers Biographical Dictionary
1969- ♦ Finnish computer scientist Born in Helsinki, he studied at the University of Helsinki. In the early 1990s, while working as a research assistant, he developed a UNIX-like operating system for use on PCs (personal computers), which he intended as an improvement on Microsoft's MS-DOS, and…
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