5 Things To Know About The Rise Of Open Source

If you still think open source technology is less reliable than proprietary software, or less secure, its time to learn more about the private sectors digital revolution.

During the past year major tech brands such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft have adopted a more open source philosophy, evident in their latest software releases. Similarly, more large companies are utilizing open source solutions alongside proprietary software to tap into open sources diverse, creative, cooperative community of developers, thought leaders and users.

If you want to expand the use of open source in your own business, there are a few things you should know.

1. Big Companies Use Open Source

Thedefinition of open sourcecan get complicated (especially when you start talking about licensing). Essentially open source software makes the source code freely available for use and/or modification, free of charge.

This could give the impression that open source is for hobbyists and amateurs, but you will probably recognize the names ofsome major open source users: The Emmys, The Grammy Foundation, NBC, CBS and Sony, all useMetal Toad Mediato develop their websites with open source tools.

So why are large organizations turning to open source? Enterprises these days are looking at these technologies for innovation, as well as for ways to overhaul their current systems, says Joaquin Lippincott, president and founder ofMetal Toad Media. Its a very easy decision to make if you look at it from a financial standpoint.

Developing with open source as a foundation also cuts licensing fees out of the cost structure entirely, and open source projects tend to evolve more quickly than traditional software, according to Lippincott. Existing enterprise software has not been able to keep pace with open source because open source developers have more opportunities to focus on innovation rather than preserving a static or outdated project, Lippencott says.

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5 Things To Know About The Rise Of Open Source