The document discusses free and open source software. It begins by defining free software as software that users have the freedom to use, study, distribute, and change. It notes that free software is also known as libre software or open source software. The document outlines several advantages of free software such as giving users control, reducing costs, using open standards, sustainability, skills development, and improved security and quality. It also briefly discusses some potential disadvantages like smaller installed bases and issues of compatibility with proprietary software. Overall, the document presents an overview of the key concepts around free and open source software.

1. Free software: How does it
work?
European Broadcasting Union Seminar
Geneva,
October 1, 2007
Rishab Aiyer Ghosh (ghosh@merit.unu.edu)
United Nations University / MERIT, Maastricht
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2. Software: the object
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3. Software: source code
// “hello world” program
// use standard input-output functions
#include <stdio.h>
void main () {
printf(“hello, world!n”); // print it!
}
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4. Software: functionality
hello world!
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5. Free/Libre/Open Source Software
Software which users have freedoms to:
Use (the software's functionality)
Study (the software source code)
Distribute (at any or no price)
Change (and distribute changes)
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6. Free as in Freedom
Free software
=
Libre software
=
Open source software
(different terms for the same software)
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7. Free as in Freedom
Proprietary software
=
closed source
software without the freedom to use,
study, share and modify
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8. Source vs Standards
Open standards: easily implemented by any
software, without legal, technical, financial
barriers
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9. Source vs Standards
Open standards: easily implemented by any
software, without legal, technical, financial
barriers
Other standards (not open!): proprietary
standards, or standards which different
producers may be prevented from
implementing for legal, technical or financial
reasons
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10. Source vs Standards
Open source uses open standards
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11. Source vs Standards
Open source uses open standards
Proprietary software often uses closed
standards
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12. Source vs Standards
Open source uses open standards
Proprietary software often uses closed
standards
Open standards limit vendor lock-in
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13. Source vs Standards
Open source uses open standards
Proprietary software often uses closed
standards
Open standards limit vendor lock-in
HTML – any software can read the web
SMTP – any software can send email
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14. Source vs Standards
Open source uses open standards
Proprietary software often uses closed
standards
Open standards limit vendor lock-in
HTML – any software can read the web
SMTP – any software can send email
DOC – works best/only with Microsoft
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15. Source vs Standards
Closed standards and broadcasting:
Stream only in Windows Media
=
force your audience to pay Microsoft
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16. +
+ users have control
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17. +
+ users have control
+ adapt software to your needs
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18. +
+ users have control
+ adapt software to your needs
+ no need to change hardware
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19. +
+ users have control
+ adapt software to your needs
+ no need to change hardware
+ decide when and how to change
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20. +
+ users have control
+ adapt software to your needs
+ no need to change hardware
+ decide when and how to change
+ no forced software upgrades
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21. +
+ users have control
+ adapt software to your needs
+ no need to change hardware
+ decide when and how to change
+ no forced software upgrades
+ no vendor lock-in
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22. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
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23. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ in-house support (if skills exist)
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24. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ in-house support (if skills exist)
+ external support of your choice
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25. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ in-house support (if skills exist)
+ external support of your choice
+ adaptable to cheaper hardware
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26. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ in-house support (if skills exist)
+ external support of your choice
+ adaptable to cheaper hardware
+ can reduce running costs
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27. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
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28. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ no proprietary standards
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29. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ no proprietary standards
+ give your customers choice
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30. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ no proprietary standards
+ give your customers choice
+ increased interoperability
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31. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
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32. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
+ code forever accessible
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33. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
+ skills development
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34. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
+ skills development
+ #1 reason for developers
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35. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
+ skills development
+ #1 reason for developers
+ FLOSS is a training environment
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36. +
+ users have control
+ reduce costs
+ open standards
+ sustainability
+ skills development
+ security and quality
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37. –/?
– smaller installed base
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38. –/?
– smaller installed base
– fewer users = less support
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39. –/?
– smaller installed base
– fewer users = less support
? but support increasing with users
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40. –/?
– smaller installed base
– fewer users = less support
? but support increasing with users
+ niche areas have a lot of support
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41. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
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42. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
? prop vendors want to lock you in
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43. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
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44. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
? not your proprietary vendor!
? service contracts for liability
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45. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
– legal issues?
? have you read your prop. licence?
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46. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
– legal issues?
– ease of use
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47. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
– legal issues?
– ease of use
– mainly for end-user apps
+ rapidly improving
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48. –/?
– smaller installed base
– compatibility with proprietary apps
– who can i blame?
– legal issues?
– ease of use
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49. Outlook
< 20% of software is bought as a product
●
Rest of software – custom, in-house – has
●
an economics like open source
“FLOSS-related” services could account for
●
>30% of IT market by 2010
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50. Thank you
Rishab Aiyer Ghosh
ghosh@merit.unu.edu
UNU-MERIT / FLOSS Project
European Commission report:
www.flossimpact.eu
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