Why Should Go For Open Source Software?

“Open source is a set of principles and practices on how to write software, the most important of which is that the source code is openly available”

The free software movement was launched in 1983. In 1998, a group of individuals advocated that the term free software be replaced by open source software (OSS) as an expression which is less ambiguous and more comfortable for the corporate world. Software developers may want to publish their software with an open source license, so that anybody may also develop the same software or understand how it works.

Benefits of Open Source Software:

Low Cost
NO need to buy expensive server software licenses or renew. The service includes all required software, and never required any additional software.

Efficient Working
The major reason is it is virus free. Also it works fine with lower configuration hardware. You will not require to take higher configuration hardware.

Reliability
Almost all software releases contains bugs. When a bug is spotted in proprietary software, the only people who can fix it are the original developers, as only they have access to the source code. Open source software is different. As a large number of users can access and change the code, bugs tend to be more visible and more rapidly corrected. One of the slogans of the open source movement is that ‘given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow’

Customization
Closed source applications can only be customized or adapted by the original vendor. Open source applications may be customized by anyone with the requisite skill. Thus, open source software can be readily adapted to meet specific user needs. Even if you cannot program yourself, it is easy to post a feature request on an open source software project’s home page. If you would like something added or customized urgently, you can generally pay an appropriately skilled software developer to do it for you.

Translation
With access to the source code it is easy to translate the language of the software interface. Large closed source commercial software vendors are usually unwilling to translate their products into less widely spoken languages, as the market for them would be too small to guarantee profit.

Easy Learning From Examples
If you are interested in programming, open source code provides an excellent resource from which to learn, and open source projects provide a practical environment in which to test your skills. Just watching the development process can provide an education in itself. If you choose to submit code to an open source project, it will generally be checked and commented on by experienced programmers. Once you have convinced the project community that your code is of appropriate quality, you may be granted full committer rights yourself.

Large Community and become a part of it
By adopting open source software you become part of a community of users and developers who have an interest in working together to support each other and improve the software. The extent to which you engage with this community is up to you, but you may obtain the intangible benefits of goodwill if you do.

There is leading software and development providers who offer a range of powerful Open Source Software that provide zero risk, cost effective functionality. Rather than the expensive and risky approach of building a bespoke site from scratch First Rate uses a proven base system and simply plugs in proven modules as required.
Popular Open source Software:
• Oscommerce – Ecommerce Application
• Zen Cart — Ecommerce Application
• Joomla — Content Management System
• TYPO3 — Enterprise Level Content Management System
• X-Cart — Ecommerce Application
• Cs-Cart — Ecommerce Application
• WordPress – Blog System
• phpBB – Discussion Forum
• Drupal – Content Management System
• Moodle – Learning Management System
• phpNuke – Content Management Portal
• mambo – Content Management Portal