Thursday, November 19, 2009

Learning Entry Blog - Open Source Software

Open source software's definition according to Wikipedia is computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. Many people are joining the band wagon and using different open source software programs. These programs can range from anything from gimp, which is like photoshop, to audacity which is like garage band but for any type of computer not just Mac. A large benefit to these programs which are very similar to the commercial programs is that you don't have to spend the outrageous sums of money and you can edit the applications to your own liking. Open Source Software can be viewed both as a good thing and a bad thing. However, there are advantages to having the actual software is that they are reliable, updates are most likely guaranteed, and support for questions is readily available. Sometimes it could be better to just by the actual software because it is more likely that a person can "hack" into your files and plant viruses due to the fact that it is all online based.
The open source software movement is moving the "computer generation" in a better direction. This could help decrease the price of some of the commercial software and even make some of it free. It also may help different computer manufacturers to back some of the applications that are offered online.

Open source software can be beneficial to any organization with many computers and workers. There is most likely a discount for corporations and organizations that buy the commercial software but to save money is advantageous. The use the open source software applications allows the employees to use the software whenever and wherever they need to, not just with their work computers. Sport management is one of the fields of studies that can benefit from these "free" softwares. Gimp, the photoshop equivalent, is just one example of the applications that can be used in the field. This tool can be used to manipulate images and promote events.

Tux Paint is an open source software that is specially made for children. It allows them to express themselves with making their own drawings. This application is a drawing program for young children with sound effects, cartoon characters, and fun rubber stamp and stickerbook pictures.

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