PROPRIETARY AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
EXAMPLES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
-Linux is the popular multi-tasking UNIX type operating system -GNOME -KDE. -OpenOffice.org -PHP -Nuke -The GIMP - Mozilla -ClamAV -OpenLDAP - Audacity -RedHat.
ADVANTAGES OF PRODUCING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
-The producing company creates software that must be purchased in order to be installed and used, thus giving room for profit -The company can set limit to the licence of use. This will allow the company to control and monitor the installation and distribution of the software sold.
ADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
-The software offers a stable system support if it fails or malfunction. -The software is safe and guaranteed to be safe from dubious threats like programming bugs and viruses thus providing ease of mind for the user. -The software is easier to install and used as the production is planned and extensive research is carried out to ensure users purchase only the best. -Free updates and latest information on the software are usually provided to the user.
ADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
-The source code are available to users and they have the rights to modify them. -This will allow improvements to the software without having to invest large sum of money in research and development. -The modified and improved source codes can be freely redistributed -The open source software is created according to industry demands but allows for upgrades to take place freely when the need arises. Therefore, if bugs in the codes are found, they can be fixed by anyone interested and capable. Fixes and patches to rectify the bugs are rapidly developed. -The software can be used in any way and for any legal purposes. There is no restriction in a unilateral way on how the software could be used.
DISADVANTAGES OF OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
-nobody in particular is responsible for the codes, there is no exact knowledge and assurance on when the codes are going to be fixed if there a bugs in it.Thus, users will have to use the problematic Software until someone rectifies the problem. -The codes are too complicated for novice users to understand. -There is no particular official monitoring the works of a programmer improving the codes. This is because anyone is free to use, modify or even distribute the codes. -Open source usually comes without warranty and after sales support should the software fail or malfunction. This is because the software usually distributed free of charge or sold for very minimal fees
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
-software provided for use, modification and redistribution -software that any programmer can download THE SOURCE CODE from the Internet for free and modify with suggested improvements. -the only qualification is that changes can't be copyrighted,
DISADVANTAGES OF USING PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
-users need to spend a long time downloading and installing security patches to fix bugs announced by the manufacturer. -Any improvements would usually require fees, which is often expensive. -users are not allowed to describe and share the software as that are licenced. -Customising the software is nearly impossible because when users buy proprietary software will receive binary version of the program, not the code as the code is the maufacturer's trade secret.
EXAMPLES OF PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
MICROSOT OFFICE MAC OS X UNIX SOLARIS ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE
also called closed source software. The closed source software offers a stable system with support if the software fails or malfunctions.
