The Wide World of Open Source Software

Introduction

• Have worked in IT for 15 years
• Have masters degree in library & information science
• Currently run bootcamps and trainings on design and tech topics

Open
Source
Software

Software
what you interact with

Source
code behind the software

Open
can view and change code

Open
community collaboration

Class introductions

• What is your interest in open source software?
• Free/cheap stuff?
• Development and programming?
• Casual interest or curiosity?

Free Software

Free software does not necessarily equal open source. Not all open source is free, but usually it is.

"Shareware"

"Freeware"

"Malware"

"Adware"

Paid Software

Paid software does not necessarily mean it's not open source, but usually it isn't.

Microsoft Office

QuickBooks

TurboTax/HRBlock

Adobe Creative Suite

Computer Software

Software that you need to install on your computer typically is not open source.

Creating this type of software is generally considered much more complicated than building software for the web.

Web Software

Any website that allows interaction could be considered a type of software.

By it's very nature, the web is "open" in that you can in most cases "see" the "code" running the "page".

Cloud Software

Cloud software is pretty much web software, but with features that make it more like using traditional computer software.

Usually you can save things on the cloud servers and access it from anywhere, like a mobile device, a hotel desktop computer, or your laptop.

"Apps"

Apps are software that gets installed on your mobile device from an "app store" like Apple Store or Google Play.

Most apps are not open source, as everything runs through the business model of the app store.

Is it open source software or not?

What are some examples of common open source software?

200 million websites

1 out of 10 desktop

browsers

vs. $99-$600+ for pro

audio software

Free Software

• Often misleading, can be tied into adware, malware, spyware
• Usually tries to "upsell" you to paid version
• Not maintained by a community of people
• Some is computer software (installed)
• Some is web software (maybe offers free trial vs. fully free)
• Cloud software typically always contains a "free tier"

Open Source Software

• Typically is "fully free" but has options for paid services like installation, hosting, support, etc.
• Maintained by a community of people (sometimes 100,000+)
• Most often is web-based software
• Sometimes it's installable computer software
• More free+open source software is available for Windows than Mac

20 popular open source packages

http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/20-most-popular-open-source-software-ever-2/

Types of software

• Operating systems!
• Build websites (content management)
• Create PDFs
• Office productivity
• Tech tools (like FTP/SSH)
• Audio editing
• Graphics editing (+3D)
• Play video files
• Edit text files
• Compress and zip files

Linux Operating Systems

Technical skill level required?

http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/20-most-popular-open-source-software-ever-2/

2017: 1,343 open source software projects!

http://www.datamation.com/open-source/open-source-software-list-ultimate-list-1.html

... but, there's a catch!

• Today, "open source software" generally refers to code for web-based software
• The majority of the 1,000+ "projects" on that list are essentially tools for web programmers
• Although not always the case, the technical skill level required to utilize open source projects that are designed to run on web servers is HIGH
• Sometimes very popular open source projects create easy "services" like wordpress.com

Let's review..

• Free vs. paid software
• Computer vs. web vs. cloud software
• Free vs. open source software
• Open source vs. proprietary/closed software
• Apps

Technical skill

Easy to install and use!

Requires knowledge to install

Requires domain knowledge to use

Must be a programmer to use