Open BSS - Open Source Unix at Open Source Unix

Technorati Tags: best open source software, open source software, open source software development

Technorati Tags: best open source software, open source software, open source software development

Business organizations have many opportunities to save money through software discounts given by companies that appreciate them. These organizations buy their software in bulk, and are given deep discounts for those large quantity purchases.

There is non-expensive bulk emailing software that is routinely installed as marketing software on business computers. This computer software is specially made to work with email mailing lists and will save the company money by not having to be mailed through the postal system. This software based shipping tools keeps company monies in-house, where it can be used for other projects.

Other businesses such as corporations, web hosting services, and web based auction sellers, as well as all Government based operations also benefit from these bulk purchase software discounts received, because they chose to buy in large quantities at one time, and internally distribute them to their clients once or twice a year.

Most bulk software discounts received by government purchasing agents, are specifically packaged and shipped from the manufacturer to military installations around the world. These large quantity purchases are authorized through the General Services Administration, and are directed at saving military installations, Government agencies and Government contractors who work with specialized government owned computer systems money on their Operating budgets.

All government agencies can use the General Services Administration catalogue to pick and choose software discounts that will benefit their individual mission. Annual budgets routinely include software purchases that are highly discounted. Some government agencies take advantage of open source software, which is free and employ computer specialists that modify this free data form software for government use, where the software discounts received are tailored made to meet their uses at any time.

To ensure software discounts received through bulk purchase orders are received, all government spending on consumables and inventory are monitored. Purchases will generally be authorized from vendors that are listed in the GSA catalogue. Some exceptions are made, but for the most part, the software discounts received are from a business that contracted through a bidding process, to provide their products to their Government based purchasing departments.

The software discounts received by buying in bulk quantities are further enhanced by another Government agency, the United States Post Office. They offer deep discounts in their mailing rates for businesses that use bulk mailing methods to ship their periodicals and correspondence. In this case, bulk shipping is financially beneficial to both parties. It is cheaper to combine like items shipped by a business, and cheaper for the Postal Service to process it and get it to its destination on time.

The software discounts received by businesses that purchase computer software in bulk lots, are sometimes given by manufacturers in the form of extra user licenses. This means that one additional person in an office can load that program on their computer system without the company having to spend money on that license.

Gaining access to other software discounts available throughout the Internet is as easy as downloading any product catalogue on a company website at no charge. Business organization keep track of which companies offer software discounts received by bulk purchases, and they know which offerings are the most beneficial for their company.

Daniel Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/software-discounts-received-139511.html

Free and open source software has become the newest craze in business and IT world. The second question ‘is it good for my business’ now takes a secondary position. Both business owners and managers agree to the use of free and open source software.

The real buzz about open source is not hyped by any corporation or company. It is a group of self motivated IT professionals from across America and Europe are behind this newfound attraction of open source software.

The main advantage of open source software is that the users have full control over the source code of any program delivered under open source license. Now people become more and more sensitized about the advantages of having access to the root of a program.

http://www.jbilling.com.

The main advantages that come with access to source code are Flexibility or adaptability, control, lowest possible costs, long term usage and upgrading without additional costs. The business house has to pay for coders and developers though.

Anyone is free to make any changes to software suites or programs released under Open Source License. Anyone can add, edit and make modifications to make the program work in any imaginable manner. The modifier is also allowed to resell the software.

Only restriction on such an open source license is that you have to provide access to the source code that you have modified or added. It is however not necessary to release source code of the modifications made to the original program if it is not distributed or sold. The developer company is free to use it for their own in house purposes. Whenever they sell it in the market, they have to license it under Open Source agreement.

Open source software projects, in most cases attract the fancy of skilled developers from around the world. They actively participate in collaborative development, fixing bugs and adding useful features. The end result will be a completely different software, may be many times useful than the original one.

jbilling Free Open Source Billing Software (http://www.jbilling.com/) remained the most active projects from among 137,389 open source software projects (as on Dec. 1, 2006) at SorceForge.net for quite a long time. SourceForge.net offers a collaborative environment for software developers develop open source software and is a source code repository which presently hosts many thousands of Open Source projects.

Open Source Billing Software project by jBilling has really picked up momentum and the present version 1.0.4 is available for free download at their website.

Sam Jose
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/long-run-of-open-source-software-in-business-world-86988.html

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software application delivery model where the vendor develops as well as operates the software application for use by its customers via the internet. Although SaaS is not limited to business applications only, it is typically considered an economical way for businesses to gain the same benefits of commercially licensed, internally operated software, without taking on the associated complexity and high initial cost that would normally go with purchasing software.

The SaaS model is well suited to many types of software. This is important since most customers may have little interest or capability in software operation, but do have considerable computing requirements. For example some applications such as Customer Relations Management, Accounting and Email, Video Conferencing as well as Human Resources are just a tip of the iceberg when looking at the original markets showing success in the SaaS field.

Although there were earlier applications delivered over the internet, the distinction between SaaS and those earlier applications is that SaaS solutions were developed exclusively to power web technologies such as the browser. The term "SaaS" was coined by John Koenig for the SDForum Software as a Service Conference in March of 2005 and has become the industry adopted reference term, generally replacing the earlier terms "On-Demand" and "ASP" (Application Service Provider).

SaaS - Reasons to adopt Software as a Service

For the reason that many companies prefer to keep their information technology operations under internal control, SaaS was originally considered a potential security and operational risk. Nonetheless, the professionals operating SaaS applications may have much better security and redundancy tools available to them, and therefore in many cases the level of service may be of better-quality.

In the past years SaaS vendors have made great progress, with both customization and publication of their programming interfaces. The availability of open source applications, inexpensive hardware and low cost bandwidth combine to offer convincing economic reasons for businesses to operate their own software applications, particularly as open source solutions have greatly improved in quality and much simpler to install.

Since software is sold and downloadable from the Internet at the touch of a button, there are vendors who offer sophisticated code protection, packaging, licensing and pricing functionality for software companies. This enables more efficient software distribution and protection while lowering overhead for developers. To learn more about SaaS take a look at www.SecureLM.net

Shelly S
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/saas-approaches-to-software-as-a-service-131648.html

Out of the box software for your desktop or your internet site has changed so drastically in the last two years that most individuals are not aware of all the trends in the Open Source world. Having worked for Microsoft Corporation for a portion of my career, with stats such as 95% of the world uses Microsoft. I was in for a real eye opener on number of different software packages available in the Open Source world. Earlier, I was lead to believe that the Open Source world is full of unsupported and unreliable software, with no one to call if I need help. My question was, how could this be better than paid commercial software? After all Microsoft employs 70,000 people to get their software working.

I have put together a list of the top ten free tools for any internet professional. The first five are devoted to your desktop and the next five are for your website. If you do not have a website, you could consider getting one up and running with these free tools.

1. Ubuntu: Most people have heard of RedHat Linux as an operating system for your desktop. Many who have tried it seem disillusioned and revert back to Microsoft for its ease and simplicity. Ubuntu has a unique selling proposition which says “Linux for human beings”. You can download this for free and get a powerful operating system for your desktop which is simple and easy to use.

2. Open Office: If you use Microsoft Office and believe that it is required to communicate with other word users around the world, you are right. However when you get a excel spreadsheet or a Microsoft word document which you cannot open, you will need Open Office to rescue you. That is right. Microsoft Office has bugs and when all else fails, you can use Open Office to open your documents. Open Office runs on your Windows platform or on Linux and is as simple as Microsoft Office. The only real difference is that you do not have to pay $500 to get it or pirate it. Open Office is distributed as Open Source and is free to use on your preferred operating system.

3. GIMP: Most people are familiar with or have worked with Adobe Photoshop. When it comes to working with advanced graphics features like layers, transparency or to work with Adobe file formats, GIMP works just as well. GIMP works on most operating systems and provides an alternate powerful interface for editing and changing graphic files, logos or custom animations.

4. Free Mind: When it comes to organizing your thoughts along the likes of Leonardo de Vince used mind maps. There are many visual mind mapping tools out there, some with a 30 day trial. Try different ones, if you want the best there is in the market, it is an Open Source software called Free Mind. This software is simple to create and organize. You can publish these mind maps on the web with a few clicks.

5. DB Designer: If you have a database of any sort Microsoft Access, MySQL or Oracle, you will need to review the table structure to create reports or infer from the data you have. If you have worked extensively with database you may be familiar with ER/Win. You can reverse engineer a database and analyze its table structure with DB Designer for free. Reverse engineering a database is similar to getting a map for a city. Without a map you would be lost and have no way to get to your destination. DB Designer makes this possible for free.

6. Cam Studio: If you want to create an educational video of how to operate your website for users, here is an extremely simple tool with which you can record your voice while recording your screen in a video format for the web.

7. Wordpress: The quickest way to create a website with some content that you can easily publish is through a blog. Creating a blog is easy if you use Wordpress. You can install and have it up and running in a few clicks. You can easily add some Adsense advertising to your content and earn an extra income from the clicks of users.

8. phpESP: You will need a survey tool to get feedback from your users or to get a 360 feedback on yourself from your peers. You can try out many trial options or cut to the chase by selecting php ESP, a free tool. Installation is not as simple; however there are tons of help and instructions on the web about how to install it.

9. Sugar CRM: The best customer relationship management tool of all time is not Goldmine, Salesforce or any other Microsoft CRM solution. This will be apparent once you get a Sugar CRM installation up and running. You can manage your customer database and your marketing campaigns easily with this tool. There are lots of features in this tool. Make sure you go through all the help files and online tutorials to maximize your benefits from this powerful Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.

10. Language translation tool: If you have a web site, why not use the automatic language translation to get your website translated to 10 other languages. Translation may not be perfect; however it is getting better every day with newer technologies. You can multiply your web content by ten fold and increase your reach with this free tool. Installation is simple and takes just a few clicks.

So think twice next time you fork out hundreds of dollars for your next software purchase. If you really want to spend money, why not help the homeless or the less fortunate instead or support the Open Source community.

Catherine Matthew
http://www.articlesbase.com/free-articles/ten-must-have-free-software-packages-for-2007-84141.html

For one thing, me… I like to listen to Dylan bootlegs while working on projects.  Why you ask?  It’s because of the state of mind his music and his live concerts put me in. 

The structure and rhythms of the songs mixed with the unpredictability of his performances is both calming and exciting.  Rather than getting lulled by the constant sameness of the official releases, the edge of the live recordings keeps the listener engaged.

An active mind is a creative mind.  An active mind is an aware mind.  Both traits are needed for effective coding.

Bob Dylan may not do the same for you.  You might use other back ground music or prefer silence.  However, the next time I sit down to work, Bob will be in the background keeping me on the edge.

Technorati Tags: open bss

One of the largest overheads that small and home based business encounter is the often high cost of computer software. The majority of business ventures start with modest or very little capital, many are home based initially and every spare dollar is vital to success.

Whether you already have your own small business or are just seriously considering it, appropriate business and protection software for your computer is vital. Chances are you will need at least a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, an accounting package, perhaps a database and presentation program. If you are looking at setting up a website you will also need a program to edit HTML and web pages, word processors do not do a good job.

Don’t forget the most important of all computer security - even if you only use your computer to receive email and for research on the internet - anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware and firewall programs are essential.All of this software is readily available commercially, however it will cost you many hundreds, possibly several thousand dollars. If you are like me, working full time just to make ends meet, you may not be able to justify or afford the expenditure, when every spare dollar goes into promoting your fledgling business. After all, this business is meant to get you out of the red not put you deeper in it!

Well, there is a solution - open sourced software and freeware software both completely legal. Many software companies have a free but limited home or one user version of their product. When you can afford it or when the program becomes indispensable to your operations upgrade to the full version.

- Word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation manager, drawing program, the open source free alternative, is also compatible with MS Office formats. www.openoffice.org

- Turbocash accounting, open source accounting package, available in 17 languages, suits most tax systems. Turbocash would require some accounting knowledge to use. www.turbocash.net

- NVU web page and HTML editor, open source similar to MS Frontpage - easy to use. www.nvu.com

- Picasa, very useful image organiser and editor from Google. www.picasa.google.com

- Thunderbird email, Firefox browser, open source a great alternative to Outlook and Internet Explorer, enhanced security and tabbed browsing means fewer windows open at one time. www.mozilla.com</a>

Over the past few years I have found the following free software to be invaluable in protecting my computer system from the “net-nasties” out there. If you want to keep your system clean, use them all. Hat’s off to the providers, they deserve our support. On some sites you may have to search for the free version.

- AVG, Anti-virus, automatic updates, email protection, an excellent product. www.grisoft.com

- Spybot, Anti-spyware, deals with most Trojans easily. www.spybot.info

- Ad-Aware, anti-malware and spyware, cleans out tracking cookies etc. www.lavasoft.de

- Zone Alarm, firewall, a must have. www.zonelabs.com

Other great sources for free business and home software are the CD’s and DVD’s given away with most popular computer magazines. Usually there are two or more fully functioning software programs, which can and should be registered, on each disc. Sure, it may be last year’s version but do you really need all the bells and whistles when you first start using it? Often, programs sound great in reviews etc. but after you install them on to your system and start using them, you find they can not do what you wanted. If you paid top dollar for what amounts to trial software, you would not be happy.I have lost track of the programs I have installed, found to be inadequate for my needs and later thrown out. These days I search for free alternatives and upgrade if I find it suits my needs. Don’t buy it - try it.

David Caig
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/software-for-home-or-business-free-of-charge-legally-609846.html

Open source billing systems are finding new way out through the small business firms everywhere.

This new billing software satisfies many businessmen. People who come up with new businesses are possible to make mistakes that will cost them a fine amount. Open Source billing system enables in proper accounting and reports you accordingly. A helping hand for the clients to come up from meddles of business.

Open source billing software helps anyone to make out a clear business plan too. All these services designs a layout for the new business programming services. Ticketing, account administration, rating, reporting, multi currencies support management, balance tracking, etc are performed. Freelance developers, small business firms, contract employers and other executives are made accessible to this facility. Open source billing system has made the system easily accessible and lessens the time for financial dealings.

Open source billing services with its efficient management in dealing with the business matters makes smooth running of the system. A rapid progress in the company’s structural and functional matters will result by this. Both businesspersons and employees can access open source billing system without depending on any client software. Installation assistance, support contracts, customs developments are a part of it. Open source billing system works on Linux, Windows, MySQL and more.

jbilling is one of the free open source billing systems that assist in automated payment system, processing of credit cards etc. jbilling targets on web based billing facilities that runs on different data bases- Java, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Hypersonic and Oracle. Hence these Open source billing system are adding a lot more in business world it makes the clients to come forth without any hesitation.

http://www.jbilling.com

Sam Jose
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/open-source-billing-system-86989.html

Most people would think a question asking about creating software and potty training puppies would be the first line of a bad joke. Not so in this case. Three years ago, my cousin got a new puppy and it was having accidents in the house all of the time. He’d take the dog out and nothing. But, as soon as they’d get in the door, an accident.

He was writing code one day and it dawned on him. The dog needed a structure or a schedule so it could be programmed to do it’s business in the right place at the right time.

Now, the dog is as regular as clockwork. My friend’s girlfriend says the dog just outgrew the problem. However, my friend is convinced it was the way he ‘programmed’ the dog. You know what, I think so too.

Technorati Tags: best open source software, open source software, open source software development