Freeware and Open Source over Software

What is Software?

Software is the term used to refer to the program instructions (applications) that make the computer do something, such as word processing, database management, games, etc.

Software predominantly refers to the commercially available applications sold by Large Corporations and Vendors.

Pros:

• Reputable Companies
• Guarenteed Compatibility
• Most software has good customer support plans

Cons:

• High cost
• Large time in between updates

What is Freeware?

Software application programs that are free to use and distribute. Often, these programs are written by free lance programmers and distributed via the Internet at no cost and no future obligation to buy.

Freeware applications are predominantly created to fulfil specific purposes eg Backup to FTP server, Defragment a Hard Drive etc.

Pros:

• No cost
• Updates are more regular
• Purpose built applications

Cons:

• Reputable freeware is hard to find
• Largely supported by ads

What is Open Source?

In general, open source refers to any program whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit. (Historically, the makers of proprietary software have generally not made source code available).

Open source software is usually developed as a public collaboration and made freely available.

Pros:

• Free
• Community supported development
• Frequently updated
• Community based support

Cons:

• Support is sometimes limited
• Compatibility is not always guarenteed

So why Freeware and Open Source, not Software?

While it is hard these days to avoid using proprietary operating systems on your computer (Windows, Mac OS), the further costs of software can be lowered using freeware or Open Source applications.

To demonstrate this difference, we will construct two models of a computer running an operating system with a basic office suite and image editing capabilities; one with propriertry software and the other with Free/Open Source applications.

For ease of the exercise we will stick with Windows Vista as the operating system.

Windows Vista Home (Basic)	=	$114.00
Microsoft Office 2007 (Standard)	=	$349.95
Adobe Photoshop CS3	=	$788.00
	=	$1251.95

For Proprietry Software

Windows Vista Home (Basic)	=	$114.00
Open Office Suite	=	FREE
GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)	=	FREE
	=	$114.00

For Freeware/Open Source

As roughly demonstrated by the two tables above, Freeware and Open Source applications have the potential to remove/limit any further costs related to the use of your computer once the operating system has been installed.

We advise, that all alternatives should be considered and trialled before committing to the purchase of any software.

It is this reason that we prefer Freeware and Open Source over Commercial Software. Although selling software would easily make our company profit, we would prefer that users are happy and can afford to operate their computers.