Open BSS - Open Source Unix at Open Source Unix

Open source applications have gripped businesses across industries. Its use in the education sector has spelled a wave of phenomenal success for learning initiatives transversely through academic and corporate learning circles. Its high time educationalists unravel its power to revolutionize e-learning. With budgets for e learning initiatives contracting, it also becomes one of the most pocket friendly learning applications.

Definition of open source software

Software programs that are distributed along with their source code are called open source software programs. Users can run, study, modify, and redistribute the original or modified program. Though open source software is constructed on the same lines as proprietary software, it differs from the latter in the following issues

Since copious individuals and/or teams work on the program all at the same time, it evolves and advances at a far greater pace than those that are worked upon by a single team. A core team supervises the improvements made to the program before releasing them.

It can more efficiently meet the needs of users because it takes advantage of their collective expertise with improvements often being a consequence of users fixing their own problems or adding new features to the existing software.

The testing is done by scores of user teams working over different platforms and environments, unlike proprietary software, which ensures its superior quality.

The distributed and diverse team of developers, comprising of volunteers and users ensures the quality of the software application. Managing and organizing the work done by volunteers and users comes under the purview of the paid members of the development team.

Proprietary software applications have the disadvantage of limited viewership of the source code, whereas, an open source application possesses enhanced security features because of it being subjected to tight scrutiny by users.

Open source software in education

Though open source software has proved to be a boon to most of the businesses worldwide, it has had a marked effect on the education industry. Though open source applications have been used to produce infrastructure software for a while now, its use in the production of application software is only a recent development.

Universities and colleges have lead the way in producing open source applications like course management systems and electronic portfolios that compete directly with their proprietary counterparts. And at this rate of development, it will not be long before learning moves on to open source software from the proprietary one. The advantages of the open source applications in education, when juxtaposed with the drawbacks of their proprietary counterparts, have had immense impact on the functioning of institutions and learning organizations alike.

How open source software benefits e-learning

There are several benefits of an open source software as far as e learning is concerned. Some of them are

With e-learning budgets going through the roof, open source software fits many a pocket with its trademark markedly low or no license fee. The learning budget of an organization becomes more predictable, with decision makers having an choice of investment.

An open source software does not come with albatross of service providers, and hence gives institutions the freedom to choose them separately.

Development of functions or addition of features can be done at a desired rate, rather than pleading with the vendor and waiting endlessly for it to happen.

An open source LMS incorporates more flexible features, because of the community development efforts. This gives more power to both learners and instructors with the liberty of changing or modifying features according to needs rather than the other way round.

The collective success of the open source community is an outcome of peer support, wherein the success of one is reflected in the success of the all users.

There is a quick redressal of any problems that arise in connection with the software, because of its subjection to intense scrutiny by users, on different parameters including functionality, implementation and usability.

Low end software applications with outdated features face quick extinction, while well designed ones survive the rigorous testing that they go through.

An open source application is not subject to changing business models or acquisitions, which are the major sources of risk for an investment in software.

The service providers need to focus on the quality of services offered in order to retain clients, because they do not own the software themselves.

It supports innovation through collaboration, creativity, and a combination of ideas, which, in turn, enhances learning.

The open source application is a testimony to the fact that constant improvement and rapid development is the key to successful running of systems.

Wrap-up

The rapid evolution of e learning is being curtailed by the not-up-to-mark technology. Organizations often find themselves altering their learning needs to suit the e learning software, not because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the best option available to them thanks to the perils of extensive customization. Open source software could change the face of e-learning for better, by empowering learners and instructors alike.

Vishwanath Shankar
http://www.articlesbase.com/e-learning-articles/open-source-applications-the-future-of-elearning-126315.html

I really like using open source software (OSS). However, often times there are no binaries, precompiled installation programs or the executable program itself. Instead the sources, the files that contain the module files or the source codes, are provided with a few files called "make files". How do I use a "make file" or compile the source codes for OSS?

A makefile is not a source file. However, it assists you in compiling the provided source files into binaries. Makefiles allow you just type "make" or "makeall" at the command prompt to compile some code which in the easiest case can be something like:

gcc -o binaryname sourcefile

Instead of typing the above at the command prompt, you can simply include that in the makefile and package it along with the source codes so that other users can simply compile the code without knowing the contents of a makefile.

In November of this year Sun Microsystems moved to “open source” status for Java, after a decade of maintaining proprietary status for the portable programming language. Specifically, Sun has placed Java into the public domain by putting it under GPL - an acronym for General Public License. What this means is that software programmers will have vastly increased freedom to develop programs based on Java and to develop modifications for the language itself.

It also puts Sun into the mainstream with other major platform developers such as Linux. While the company had put its Solaris operating system into open source status some time ago, Java is a highly distributed consumer platform and providing open source access to it gives the company a real boost in its standing among its peers. Perhaps more important, it will stimulate further development of consumer oriented Java-based programs. It is estimated that eight out of every ten cell phones have a Java application running on them.

A GPL use requires that any product developed under such licensure be returned to the “open source community” and remain, in effect accessible to all. Sun’s variation on this principle has an exception for applications built on the Java “Virtual Machine,” a platform that the company made available to software developers some time ago.

What this exception does is allow continued development of proprietary software written for Java, which keeps the language viable as a platform for revenue producing products. Prior to the switch to GPL status, Java program developers had to pay a licensing fee to Sun.

IBM has been after Sun to take Java to open source status for years. Their Works Projects has been a center for the development of open source products, primarily based on Linux. From their perspective, Sun’s decision to grant GPL status for Java is viewed as an opportunity to unite with Linux and provide a stronger platform to challenge Microsoft. The politics of software can be enormously complicated, especially when there’s an elephant like Microsoft in the house. But what Sun has accomplished with this move is provide an opportunity for programmers to zero in on Java products as potentially large revenue sources.

Unlike Linux, which was spun off of UNIX to provide an alternative to Windows, Java stands in a class of its own. While Linux has survived in the marketplace, it has never mounted a major challenge to Windows. Java’s unique qualities and the intellectual property that protects those qualities will now be an open book for programmers developing new applications.

It will also provide the opportunity to bundle Java products with Linux based software. Sun’s internal interest in this move is to stimulate more developers to use the language, in order to revive its own internal software business. Since taking a huge hit in their high-end server market, Sun has been struggling to find a new path and has increasingly looked to software as an opportunity.

Sun’s EVP for software summed up the value of the move for the company and its product. “People have been hesitant to distribute Java worldwide with Linux (distributions) because of (concerns over) license alignment,” Green said. “This is the last gate to ensure that Java will be distributed worldwide.”

Madison Lockwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/java-goes-open-source-86066.html

Billing is one important area of all small and big businesses. Billing software market is crowded that choice of one becomes so difficult for a start up business owner. The question is will billing software survives the flood of software suits or packages offered by small and big software developing companies.

It should. The problem open software community today faces is the lack of skills or interest to learn the basics of programming and working of programs.

People also seek comfort zones all the time. We all live in an age of instant gratification and we are hardly programmed to wait or try hard to get something. This is the general trend and they will go for easily available packaged solutions, instead of trying to learn what it is about the working behind the things they see.

Needless to say a billing cum accounting system will, to a great extent take the load of learning accounting from your shoulders. With Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) the modern mantra, it is quite understandable if a few companies have taken the initiative to make major inroads into the field of free open source billing software.

It is necessary for the user to have a basic coding and programming knowledge to tweak the pieces of software to a workable suite. Then again the attempts in that direction should be recognized.

When introducing an open-source billing software, it is sure to be met with much skepticism and prejudices. No open source software is an exception. The whole hearted attempts from skilful people keep the trend alive. This project has been the hot favorite at SourceForge.net for a few months now.

A recent addition to free software, specifically billing software is JBilling, located at http://www.jbilling.com. The open source software works with all major operating systems and supports My SQL, Postgre SQL and Hypersonic. It runs on JBOSS. It is thus a 100% free open source billing system that supports recurring billing, automatic payment processing using credit cards etc. It also handles web-based interface directly with end customers.

There are also different advantages of this specific billing software. Most of the processes are automated. Though it is not a new thing in open source world, business persons appreciate automatic invoicing, billing, payment processing, etc. What more? JBilling v 1.0.4 also accepts online payment via credit card.

The software thus easily becomes an alternative to proprietary billing systems.

http://www.jbilling.com

Sam Jose
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/billing-software-free-and-open-this-time-87000.html

How do the developers get paid if nobody buys the software, just get it free, and that too with source code? I can understand it about amateur software developers. But I recently heard that Sun is coming out with Open Source Unix this year. How will they profit from this? If not, how will they survive?

There are lots of different business models for open source. Sometimes there is a free version and then a paid version such as sugarCRM. Other times, if the company is small, they may be able to survive on just donations. They might also have corporate sponsors that keep them in business. Other times, they offer the product for free and then just charge for support. Also if the product is open source, they don't have to pay as much for developers because the community will upgrade and patch their products for a lot cheaper.

I don't know about SUN, but I think their operating system Sun Solaris is already available for free, not quite sure if they are open source though.

If there is a gap in the open source software world for a particular application/system, is it generally possible to find companies/public organisations to help fund the creation of that project if someone is willing to coordinate / manage the project? Does anyone have any examples of projects initiated in this way? I'm thinking of a scale of project larger than a Google summer of code.

The whole point of open source is that it is developed cheaply to make it publicly available. Nobody will fund anything for it. If you develop a useful program and others think it has potential you may find they will assist free in the development. If it becomes a big enough project a company may provide limited funding to make it suit their use. You have to release the source code of everything you distribute or it ceases to be open source.

I'm talking about good applications or web-based software like CMSs - how do they make money if the item is free or open source… How do they stop people ripping them off or taking the project in the wrong direction? what license should I get to make the most out of something I hope to write?

A few ways an single developer or team of developers can make money of a GPL or GNU license is by offering support on the software, charging for upgrades, getting hired for other work once your free software gets known. Also, the author can still charge for the software even though it is open source and free.

Essentially creating good free software is a good way of getting your name out there if you're a developer. The people who developed GAIM (now known as pidgin [www.pidgin.im]) were hired by Google.

I am new to the tech industry (I am in the legal department) and am wondering from a practical standpoint why a software developer would develop open source software. Any thoughts?

It depends on the type of software and reason for its development.

The main reasons to make software open source as I see it are:

1) You can use GPL code in your project. There are an awful lot of GPL libraries out there, and can help you deliver your projects much quicker, but only if your project is open source too.

2) You’re looking for outside developers to help work on the project for no charge. Problem here is that your project must be interesting for other developers to care.

3) You’re targeting open source operating systems. There is a prejudice against closed source software running on linux.

4) You’re after personal recognition from your peers.

What Is UNIX? UNIX was first developed in AT&T’s Bell Laboratories in the early 1970’s. In the four decades of use, the UNIX operating system has earned the reputation as one of the most powerful, versatile and flexible secure operating systems around.

The UNIX operating system has been under constant development ever since its inception. It is extremely stable system for servers, desktops and laptops.

UNIX systems also have a graphical user interface similar to Microsoft Windows which provides an easy to use environment. In the early 1980’s, UNIX systems began to grow rapidly and was noticed by industry analysts and researchers. Throughout the 1980’s, the debate about the strengths and weaknesses of UNIX systems often raged. And, in an effort to further differentiate competing UNIX system products, analysts kept developing and adding features of their own.

Why Should I Choose UNIX?

You should choose the platform based on your website needs. Define specific functions you need your website to perform along with the programming language and database required to perform them.

What is Free BSD and OpenBSD?

There are two main Unix-based operating systems: FreeBSD and OpenBSD. The good thing about these systems is that they seem to be very stable once you install them on your machines. OpenBSD is also known to be one of the most secure operating system in the world. But with OpenBSD you will have to sacrifice some features for security. Again the best thing about these systems is that they are both free.

What Scripting Languages Are Available For UNIX?

UNIX supports a wide variety of application languages, more than any other operating system. The most common include C, C++, Shell, Perl, Tcl, Python, Java and PHP.

What Databases Does UNIX Support?

Databases available for UNIX are SQL and mySQL. Which one you choose depends on your needs and what your Web Hosting Provider offers. This is an important item for you to review when choosing your web hosting company.

Why is UNIX better for your hosting purposes?

Most obviously because it is cheaper than Windows. It is also more reliable and secure. About 70% of the internet web servers run UNIX/LINUX operating system.

What Is Linux?

Linux is an Open Source Unix-type operating system. A young student named Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland initially created it as a hobby. Today, it has become quite popular worldwide because of its functionality and availability. This is functionally very similar to UNIX, so most web servers will use Linux.

What Is Apache?

The Apache HTTP Server is an open-source HTTP server for modern operating systems including UNIX and Windows NT. Apache has been the most popular web server on the Internet since 1996 because of its reputation as a secure, efficient and extensible server, in sync with the current HTTP standards.

Russell Blanc manages an online web hosting resource and portal comparing and reviewing web hosting providers.

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