First, open source software is defined by "peer production" through collaboration with the "blueprints" which is available to the public at no cost. From what I read, proprietary software is the exact contrast of open source software. Usually with this type of software, the source code, also known as a "trade secret," is kept from the public. Access to the source code by a third party usually requires the party to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). I believe there holds advantages with both software. In open source, you can get opinions about your product all over the world. I think a good example of the "concept" is wikipedia. It is a working website, where people continue to post information on numerous topics until they get the best explanation or definition. Even though you may have a patent or copyright on the software, there must be some paranoia held in making it ultimately available to the public. So, I believe this is an advantage for proprietary software in being that you cannot access the "source codes." People can still view the software without altering the original product. Also, you may be at a comfort level in knowing it is almost impossible to take this particular idea and "run away with it." However, according to Harvard Business School, software companies are taking a "best of both worlds" approach by creating products using a combination of OS and proprietary software code. I just thought this was very interesting because I never knew you would be able to create a software that implements both open source and proprietary. As I read the article, it states, "In the past, a pure OS model was the big thing, but there were many firms that found it was very hard being profitable." An example they provided was Sun Microsystems, which ended up being acquired by Oracle because it was "too open" which is a major disadvantage of open source software. At the end they still cannot determine if the "mixed" approach is the best way. Overall, controversy will seem to exist within the topic for some time.
Sources:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_software
3. http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/6158.html
I read the Harvard article also. I believe as more companies merge open source and proprietary, they will produce a better product. If computer users convert to these products then companies, like Microsoft, may have to relinquish control.
ReplyDeleteA perfect example of this mesh is Apple's Mac OS X.
ReplyDeleteThey both take o.s. code and also contribute it. The two contrasts are Linux (all open) and Windows (all closed).
One more thing...
ReplyDeleteWhen you say open source and Wikipedia, please know that the software it runs on (MediaWiki) is o.s. I think your point was though instead the content - it's open and malleable.