Open Sesame
By Patti Shank
Why all the interest in open source software? It's reliable, inexpensive, and allows for modifications. Here's what trainers should know about the open source movement.
If you've heard of Linux, you already know something about open source software. Have you heard of Perl (a scripting language), Apache (a Web server), or mySQL (a database script)? Those are all examples of open source software, or software code that's given away for free. At first you might think software that's given away couldn't be worth much, but you'd be wrong. According to many tech folks, the Internet wouldn't be where it is today without the open source software movement because many of the technologies and applications that form the Internet's infrastructure are open source. Hence, the quality and reliability of these technologies is often good.
Open source isn't new. Some parts of the UNIX operating system, one of the oldest and most reliable operating systems in existence, were developed by programmers who shared source code. Linux, an open source version of UNIX, is becoming more popular each day. Some big technology players, including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, and Apple, are endorsing Linux. For instance, IBM announced in December 2000 an investment of US$1 billion in Linux efforts--not pocket change, to be sure. Also, technology trade journals report that many organizations are switching from the Windows operating systems to Linux. (Search ZDNet or CNET to get the scoop.) Even K-12 school systems are jumping on the bandwagon. However, open source still makes some mega proprietary software developers nervous.
Kaivo is an organization that delivers training on and provides development services for open source software, and helps companies currently selling proprietary software transition to open sourcing their software. Kaivo vice president of technology Todd Gibson defines open source software as software that has a license specifying that the source code is available for free.
So, what does free mean, exactly? According to Gibson, "Open source implies that the software is free, and open source advocates freedom over free cost, which means freedom from restrictions on making copies, to modify code, to add enhancements, and so forth."
That's a major variation from what people are used to. In general, most proprietary software is provided in a binary executable format. For instance, when you install Excel on your computer, you don't have access to the code behind the program. Instead, you have access to an install.exe or setup.exe file that loads Excel onto your hard drive. This binary executable file is readable by a computer but not by users. For example, a programmer who wanted to modify Excel's source code to make it integrate with other software her organization uses wouldn't be able to. Although that would be helpful, it's impossible and illegal. That's part of the plan--it leaves the market open for software companies to create additional software.
Open source developers, on the other hand, will provide the actual source code. If you're knowledgeable enough to read and modify the code, you can; modification is even encouraged. In support, the Open Source Initiative Website says, "When programmers on the Internet can read, redistribute, and modify the source for a piece of software, it evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, and people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing."
Open source software offers additional benefits other than no cost and ability to modify code, such as
- Software reliability and security is improved. Intense scrutiny from the open source software developer community means that problems are discovered and fixed quickly.
- Software is developed quickly and continuously improved. Collaboration generally leads to faster development, and freesource code often translates into continuous improvement.
- Organizational needs are better met. By having the source code available, programmers can make adjustments that meet specific customer needs.
By now, you probably see that open source is a good idea, but you may be wondering why people who develop software would be willing to give it away. First, it requires a shift in thinking about what you're selling: an object or a service. If you're selling an object (the software), open source is unwise. If you're selling a service (support and expertise), open source starts to make sense. For analysis of the business case for open source software, visit the Kaivo Website.
Although training and education isn't a big market for open source yet, it is currently being used in limited numbers. As trainers focus on e-learning, understanding what open source potentially means for learning technologies is a must. Here are some resources to help you learn more about the open source movement: