Open Source Software vs. Closed Source Software (by Rawi Samman)

Open source software (OSS) is one of the more controversial areas in the field of computer technology today. Open source software is software in which the user has access to the code behind the program. While supporters and opponents are both outspoken, it is clear that open source software will play a major role in the development of better software. Many say it lacks safety features while others say it is much better equipped than closed source software when it comes to security.

Closed source software (CSS), software in which the source code is not available to the user, such as Windows XP or Internet Explorer are said to be the most secure because even if there are holes in the security, they are not easily found. This is not necessarily true because many hackers manage to access the hidden source code and find the security holes.

In OSS the security holes are apparent to any programmer who wants to look. The advantage to this is that any programmer who finds the hole can easily patch it up. Security patches for OSS comes out more often than security patches for CSS programs.

Windows security patches are not released often because nobody is looking for security holes. They are released once a virus is found that accesses the user's computer through that hole. This means Windows might have many security faults while OSS is constantly being fixed to perfection.

Another "problem" of open source software is its method of revenue. While closed source software makes its money off of licenses, open source software makes its money from the services that go with the software. Since most OSS programs are free, the companies profit from services such as installation or customer service.

Many companies use OSS as a sort of advertisement for the user to buy something else from them. Open Office, an OSS replacement for Microsoft word, is given away by Sun to encourage the user to buy Sun hardware. This type of use of OSS is the most common.

Since OSS is free, developing countries can use this software to perform services other companies traditionally perform with CSS, which is normally much more expensive. Five Minutes to Midnight is currently using open source software to help an organization in Chad called Rafigui to set up a newspaper. This is just one example of the many ways OSS can be used to help developing countries.

While CSS programs can create more jobs, OSS programs encourage a network between programs to share information. This sharing of information makes the open source programs advantageous since many people are adding to the program to make it better without any expected return. CSS programs do not have millions of programmers working together to make a program the best. This disadvantage is a big risk to companies such as Microsoft, which need to work extra hard to keep their programs at a level with which its users will be satisfied.

Companies adopting Open Office are saving thousands of dollars on licensing fees. Though Open Office is not at the level of Microsoft Office, it is at a level high enough for companies to want to use it instead to save money. Open Source software is now a big part of the computer world. Whether it will overtake closed source software is yet to be seen; what is certain is that it will put up a good, long fight.

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