Christmas for code users

Introducing the open source movement

We are all aware of the devastating effects on us by viruses, written by communities of anti-social crackers worldwide with questionable values, ambitions, and (one is tempted to add) iffy hygiene.

But what if there was an opposite, possibly greater force active in the world, for the good of all data?

There is.
It's not one that makes for as many tantalising tabloid headlines, but it's there all the same and it can benefit you, today. It's called the Open Source Movement, scourge of Microsoft and delight of hard-up hackers across the Net.

Only since the dawn of the internet have communities of coders been able to collaborate on software projects from different countries. So far these communities have produced viable alternatives for operating systems, Office software suites, content management systems for websites, even e-commerce. All of them for free, and because the code must remain available for anybody to see and alter, infinitely customisable. Sometimes - some would say usually - these programs are better than their commercial counterparts, because those with vested interests in them have a lot less to lose.

Why do they do it?

There is no official line, and many different stories, but we suspect that people are fed up of badly made products and have simply decided to do it themselves, with the help of their friends. Some companies are now even in on the act because they realise that open source software is a lot cheaper to produce, maintain and support.

The catch?

There is none.
Well, maybe a little one. You must not repackage and sell open-source code for your own profit. Fair enough, I'm sure you'd agree.

To have a look at what's available out there, go see:
Source Forge