A Salute to Veterans From Open Source Software

October 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It’s always great to discuss the technical and commercial advantages of open source software, but sometimes it’s even better to note how those enhancements help in the bigger picture. Such is the case with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Their records network, the VistA, is one of the most complex and technically advanced software systems in the world. And it has to be to accommodate over 8 million veterans with 153 medical facilities and 768 regional clinics around the country. Reliance on the system is only going to increase with more veterans using it to receive and apply for aid, which is why the software’s performance is imperative. This is why the Industry Advisory Council was hired to take a look at it, and lo and behold, they highly recommended a switch to open source software.

Although the VA’s VistA software is proficient for its duty, it still experiences a lot off difficulties. Due to its size and the growing demand on it, its maintenance has proved to be very problematic. This makes it a burdensome task to implement constant updates, incorporate new technologies or add brand new features. Since these software needs will continue well on into the future with many more soldiers joining the veteran ranks, the system needs the ability to evolve over time easily and quickly.

To put it simply, it sounds like the ideal test case for open source software. Open source’s strongest point is its ability to be modified and updated without the need of major overhauls. Plus, it’s compatible with many platforms. The plethora of individuals and divisions involved -VA staff, medical professionals and software developers-will be able to readily contribute in making the system even more efficient. With source code available for everyone, the system’s viability will be secured as it can be picked up by future developers and adapted. Because of the technical advantages of open source software, veterans will be able to seek and retrieve assistance all the more easier. A better service they deserve for theirs.

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Getting Paid in the “Open Source Software Game”

September 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
driver download, are offered for free, and their developers contribute for free, leaves many people scratching their heads. While Snoop Dogg might have a few choice words for not getting paid for his contributions, it’s imperative to look at the whole picture when analyzing the “open source software game”.

What people seem to forget is that there is really a tangible reward to all contributors of open source software: the end product. Or better yet, the evolving end product. Consider the subject of research and development. As a technology catches on, it leads to more investment in research and development until that technology is replaced by something better and that investment tappers off. This outline is the common “bell curve” and it certainly applies to open source software and its immense rewards.

Whether as an individual or organization, the investment compared to the return is quite great. For example, someone that does a little testing or solves a single bug in a system gets a powerful Web browser like Firefox from their troubles. Corporations and other organizations can substantially better their offerings to their customers by their involvement and investment of resources. Due to open source’s collaborative environment, the hands working on a project can be many creating a steadfast evolution of a technology. But of course, new technology will come about and contributors will move on to that next project for greater rewards.
Seeing the continued use of Linux in new devices shows that this model works.

Like an up and coming rapper spittin’ rhymes on a street corner, there are many young developers spittin’ programming code on the Internet–all for the right reasons.

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How Linux and Open Source Software are Benefitting from Recession

September 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Few industries and companies have been spared the grave effects of the recession. Even fewer have actually generated increased profits from it. An example of this is the venerable repo man. As people lost jobs and started to default on their expensive possessions–cars, boats and even airplanes–business for the repo men of the world had never been better. The same can be said for the industry of Linux and other open source software applications. Like repo men, business is booming. Companies have been forced to cut costs across the board, including in the IT department; done commonly by implementing more cost-effective software. This has prompted a surge of companies to start acquiring the services of open source software.

The cost-cutting advantages with open source software are numerous. For one, many basic distributions and applications can be downloaded for absolutely nothing. However, for larger projects like servers a subscription is generally required, but they are still much cheaper than those offered from proprietary software vendors. Additionally, open source software can be run on less expensive hardware and it is adaptable to many platforms, thus saving companies money on any major modifications or upgrades.

With this new found interest, commercial open source software vendors are cashing in. Vendors make their profits by selling services like technical support, updates and additional product features, instead of the actual software. But with the increase of new users they are seeing record revenues.

Furthermore, it isn’t only new users that are pushing the demand for open source software. Before things went sour, there was already a substantial amount of businesses running Linux server software. In the aftermath, these same companies are now looking to employ the services of open source software in brand new areas from database mainframes to supply chain administration to customer service interactions. And for those that had been previous users of open source software the recession has been a time of confirmation that they had made the right, cost-effective investment, which certainly portends that those companies will be continuing customers.

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In Some Ways Apple and Open Source Software are Much Alike

September 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
vlc media player or xvid codec can also been seen in Apple. However, this isn’t so much of an indication of what Apple is doing right rather an indication to how successful the rise of open source software like Linux has been and how much hope there is for its future.

The keenest similarity between the two is the emphasis each places on the user. The general purpose of products from both is to quench the needs of individual users and in doing so advance the capabilities of programming and computing. This is evident in the behaviors of their target audiences. Both Linux users and Apple consumers are immensely loyal, and you could say proud. Face it, you don’t see many cars sporting Microsoft bumper stickers. Fan appreciation is very much alike as users for each system pay close attention to technical details and features and how they will evolve in new versions.

How Apple and open source software projects manage and develop their products are in sync as well. They are always customizable to meet the specific needs of users. In addition, features are continuously updated when advanced, keeping with the drive for product evolution. Along with updates new editions are released at a steady clip; we are all familiar with Steve Jobs special announcements every year. The environments are also similar in their relative openness to input. Developers are making a lot of noise creating all kinds of apps for the iPhone. However, in one way open source software is taking a page out of Apple’s playbook, it’s getting much bigger.


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The Popularity of Linux Isn’t a Liability to Open Source Software

September 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
When a rock band, after years of struggling, finally makes the big time with its songs played on mainstream radio and national tours in luxury buses, it risks alienating some of its earliest followers. Disgruntled fans tend to consider this type of transition as selling out. The same thing is starting to happen to Linux, which has grown dramatically in use and popularity as it makes its way into mainstream products like the Android smartphone. Some users have started to believe that the long shadow of Linux hurts other open source software projects and eschews people’s conception of how it should work. But these fears are generally unfounded as Linux has come to open people’s eyes to new ways of programming and computing.

Generating a lot of concerns regarding Linux is the giant software companies that become involved and have used the Linux code. In turn, these companies have built software and products powered by Linux and have gone on to make large sums of money. To some Linux users, this is consider a malicious act as if they are ripping off the entire Linux project. In fact, these users have more disdain for companies like this than those that create closed proprietary systems. But plenty of smaller companies engage in this as well, along with plenty of individuals. That is what open source is for. You can’t simply disbar someone or an organization upon perceptions. No one is trying to seize control of the Linux community–although some might secretly want to–and many companies put a lot of investment in its development.

Additionally, people have come to blame Linux for others misconceptions in how communities should work. Contributors and users have come under the impression that all open source software should follow the path of Linux. But that isn’t the software’s fault, it’s just plain ignorance. Open source software communities can dictate how each project is run and can choose to ignore anyone that believes otherwise. The world of open source software is much bigger than one system and it reflects that.

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Open Source Software Making its way Into Education

September 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Open Source Software

Image by GlacierGuyMT via Flickr

The open source software model started by Linux has made its way beyond computers and technical devices and into general areas like business and security. It’s now making its presences felt in the field of education. What has been the dream of many education advocates–free learning for all–is inching closer to that reality with open source software. Education organizations and some places for higher learning are adopting the open source software model to better serve students and spread word of new research and discoveries. The consequences of these implementations are immense and very hopeful. The best, most advanced information out there may no longer be available to top private schools, but to everybody.

One educational area that will be greatly affected by the open source software model is textbooks. Developed with open source software new textbooks, aptly named open source textbooks, are being incorporated by major universities that are meant to be available to any school and student, with the ability to be changed. Researchers can add or modify content, and they can be customized for students. The common advantage of open source software is present here: cost. Although not free, yet, open source textbooks, even printed editions, are considerably cheaper than their mainstream counterparts. The need to consistently purchase new, revised editions is now very limited.  And these online books and other educational files can easily be shared with open source software like Ares Galaxy and larger files transferred with FTP software like File Zilla.

While the cost of educational tools drop with open source software, their reach vastly expands. In the example of open source textbooks, they can be used by any school and manipulated to fit their specific needs. Another alternative is by following the path of wiki communities. Compiled onto a single open source site, anyone with a drive to learn can access educational-related material from math to biology to chemistry without leaving the house. Here too, information can be easily updated by the community and sorted into subjects relevant to the user. With its wide access, open source software has the potential to equalize the disparity seen in many education levels. This is something that can then launch the model to even more unexpected areas.


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Signs That Open Source Software is Catching On

September 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
When open source software like Linux first hit the streets people were very uncertain about its ultimate potential for reaching the mainstream markets. It had a reputation of being useful for only a fringe group of dedicated developers and users. It turns out, however, that open source software has blown away all expectations out of the water as more and more established businesses look to incorporate it into their sophisticated networks. It appears that open source software is no longer just an alternative to proprietary software, but is now a full on competitor.

A recent study by the consulting agency Accenture has come up with some pretty impressive statistics regarding open source software. Most notably, 88% percent of organizations that were currently running open source software would expand their investment in it in the next year. Over two-thirds of all organizations were also going to raise investments in open source, with more than a third transferring their mission-critical software over to open source.

Most outside observers would chalk up the burgeoning investments in open source software to its most obvious asset: low cost. This idea is repeated continuously due to a false notion of inferiority in open source software. As good as it is, they think, it just cannot outperform proprietary. The previous mentioned study seems to say otherwise. More than 70% of organizations involved in the study stated that the two major reasons for their growing interest in open source software is quality and reliability.

With the continued evolution of open source, it can be ascertained that this interest is only going to intensify as the software becomes more and more efficient. In addition, more open source software is being developed to specifically meet the needs of business operations. For these reasons it would be foolish to think the growing demand for open source software is but only a fad. Instead, it is one more sign that proprietary software may be finally losing its foothold in those mainstream markets.

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Talking Open Source Software Politics

September 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Free Open Source Software (FOSS) session #6208
Image by Nemo’s great uncle via Flickr
The saying goes that there are two things you don’t talk about in a bar: religion and politics. But in the discussions of open source software in the bars of the Internet the politics of the model are continuously debated. Does the governance of open source projects encourage efficiency? How does it compare to proprietary software? Which type of political form works best? The diversity of open source software projects make the political make up of open source just as diverse. However, there are two forms that dominant that landscape: democracies and meritocracies. Since open source is, well, open to everyone, it can be a overly buzzing environment of many voices.

The democratic characteristics of open source projects are many. For one, there are many people invested in the software’s development, with many projects instituting voting systems for changes in the code. While this may hinder efficiency, it provides the benefit of placing many eyes on the project to find and resolve problems with the code.

Those that take the initiative in solving those issues, or adding useful changes are sure to garner a higher stature in the project. This increases the weight of their opinions. Ideally, the one putting in the most work will have the most say. This points out the meritorious aspects of open source software. Contributors that consistently provide solutions are rewarded with greater influence as well as greater access to the project.

Proprietary software on the other hand tends to follow a more hierarchical political approach, or something along the lines of a dictatorship. The only opinion that matters is from the one at the top. This does nothing to support the dedication of developers or users. At the very least, open source software politics encourage involvement. While anyone can input their opinion, it’s best to back it up with a contribution or two to move the project along. All in all, one might be best to take a political correct standpoint and say that open source software is both a democracy and meritocracy.

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U.S. Military Advances With Open Source Software

September 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The biggest misconception about open source software, everything from Linux to Firefox, has been in regards to its security. The belief is that with a source code accessible to anyone, it would fall prey to hackers and risk corruption. Dispelling that belief is the continued adoption of open source software by the United States military. If there is one organization that’s concerned about security, it’s them. For years software developers have voiced the defensive reliability of open source. While the U.S. military had first incorporated open source software into its systems a while ago, its continued and expanding use of it is a clear sign that all apprehensions are indeed misplaced.

There are myriad reasons for the military’s growing adoption of open source software. For one, cost. The U.S. government is looking to scale back budgets across the board, including at the Pentagon. The cost savings with open source has been well documented. Additionally, the military needs flexibility in its software operations. In the unpredictable landscape of military operations it can be debilitating to wait for adjustments in proprietary software when changes come up.

Currently, the military is teaming up with the Georgia Institute of Technology to gear Department of Defense developers towards more open source software. One goal is to formulate a process for streamlining and sharing their open source software applications and tools, along with the source codes, to effectively outfit all areas of the military. Another development is the creation of safe forges in which only authorized developers can access the open source software, as well as the source codes. In addition, the military is working on establishing a dedicated network, or community, of developers, both civilian and from the Department of Defense. Consider it a group of patriotic nerds building high-tech solutions to defend the country.

Needless to say, a business or individual can trust the same tools used by the military, so it’s time to lay to rest fears about open source software’s security. It isn’t unnecessary exposure to have a source code open, rather it’s innovative.

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Picking Your Linux Distro

January 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A screenshot of Ubuntu 9.04 with GNOME 2.26.
Image via Wikipedia

There are many advantages to the multiple desktop environments found within Linux. Beyond the fact that it allows people to choose the right fit for them, the competitive nature of the different OS variations have allowed the creative force of the community to thrive. However, one sickening, tragic, may-kill-you disadvantage remains; you have to choose which one to use. With more than a dozen commonly used alternatives, picking the appropriate distro can be something of a challenge. Here are some of the more popular options and their benefits.

Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the single most popular version of Linux. Users of Windows and Macintosh will feel right at home. It’s an advanced, point and click GUI (graphic user interface) that doesn’t require any expert knowledge of your computer, command lines, or anything similar. Nonetheless, for more advanced users, it provides some solid options.

Fedora. Red Hat is a version of Linux for paid users only, designed primarily for computer servers and other advanced office systems. They decided to contribute to the open source community, however, when they introduced Fedora. While it may not have some of the professional features of Red Hat, Fedora is an excellent home computing GUI.

openSUSE. This distro was backed by the company Novell in order to get Linux out to a wider audience. It’s designed for beginners who don’t have previous Linux experience, has massive community development, and is very secure. It’s perfect for someone who wants to test their footing before jumping into the world of Linux.

Mandriva. Formerly known as Mandrake (and sometimes still referred to as such), Mandriva was one of the first distributions of Linux aimed at creating a more user friendly environment that would be welcoming for beginners. It’s perfect for professional use from beginner Linux users.

Linux Mint. What started out as an attempt to get some valuable media codecs integrated into Ubuntu turned into a savvy and wonderfully constructed distribution of Linux. It is highly customizable, including on your desktop and all your standard menus, and provides some unique utilities that will allow for advanced installation and improved media options.

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