Understanding Open Source Software

• Open Source refers to software with source code freely available to the public, allowing viewing, modification, and distribution under the software's license
• Open-source software is like a recipe book where you can see the full recipe, change ingredients, and share your new version

Key Features of Open Source Software (OSS)

• Most open-source software is free
• Users can inspect how the software works
• Users can modify software to fit their needs
• Developers worldwide collaborate to improve software

Need for Open Source

• Is cost-effective, often eliminating the need for expensive licenses; Linux is free, while Windows requires payment
• Provides freedom and flexibility, preventing users from being locked into one company's ecosystem; LibreOffice is customizable and an alternative to Microsoft Office
• Encourages developer experimentation and new feature additions
• Patches bugs and vulnerabilities quickly due to code review by many
• Has global communities of developers for support; the Python programming language has a large community for beginners

Examples of Open Source Software

• Linux, an open-source operating system
• Mozilla Firefox, a free and open-source web browser
• VLC Media Player, which plays audio and video formats
• GIMP, an alternative to Photoshop
• WordPress, a platform for creating websites and blogs
• Has the benefit of allowing you to change the engine, paint, or features without asking the car company

Open Source Principles

• Governed by principles ensuring accessibility, usability, and contribution
• Software can be freely shared and distributed without restrictions; you can download and share Linux
• Source code must be accessible to everyone, letting developers study and modify it; you can view and edit Mozilla Firefox
• Users can modify software and create new versions
• Open-source licenses should not discriminate; a scientific community can use the same software without restrictions
• Software must keep its original open-source license even after being changed
• Open-source licenses cannot depend on specific technology and should work across platforms

Standard Requirements for Open Source Software

• Software must meet standard requirements to qualify as open-source
• Software and its source code should be publicly available on platforms like GitHub or SourceForge
• Must have an open-source license such as GNU General Public License (GPL), Apache License, or MIT License; Linux utilizes the GPL license
• Requires proper documentation to aid developers and make modifications
• Must allow contributions from a global community of developers; Python is supported by a big developer community
• Operates with multiple operating systems and platforms
• Shares transparency; changes made to the software must be open to the community, such as WordPress modifications

Key Open-Source Standards

• OSI (Open Source Initiative) is a global organization setting guidelines for open-source software
• FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) refers to software that is both free and open source
• Interoperability ensures that open-source software is compatible with other tools and systems
• Compliance ensures security and ethical guidelines for user data protection

Advantages of Open Source Software (OSS)

• Offers advantages making it widely adopted acros industries and by users
• Is cost-effective, usually free of cost, saving on licensing fees
• Linux operating system is customizable to suit servers
• Transparency allows source code viewing to understand software operations; developers can inspect Mozilla Firefox's code for security
• Projects encourage worldwide developer collaboration for innovations
• Python's growth is due to contributions
• Open-source software is reviewed by developers, helping identify bugs quickly; the Apache Web Server is trusted for its security
• Community tools are interoperable with seamless use, like Kubernetes with different cloud platforms
• Allows large communities to provide tutorials, forums, and troubleshooting help
• Does not depend on a single company, so it stays available and updated

FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software)

• Means Free and Open-Source Software.It is free to use and has open source

Characteristics

• Allows users to use the software for personal, educational, or commercial uses
• Allows users to alter source codes
• Allows the distribution of original or modified versions
• Is often free, but developers may earn through support or donations

Examples of FOSS

• Linux
• VLC Media Player
• GIMP
• LibreOffice
• WordPress

Advantages of FOSS

• Combines free software with collaboration
• Encourages global innovation
• Gives freedom, security, and community solutions
• Reduces reliance on a single company for updates
• Lets users customize without restrictions
• Provides great learning for students who get to study code
• Fosters global collaboration, sharing knowledge

FOSS Advantages

• Reduces reliance on individual vendors for updates and support
• Enables users to switch or customize freely
• Provides excellent learning opportunities
• Source code is available for study and experimentation

FOSS

• Open-source projects encourage global collaboration
• Communities where users mutually help each other, fostering a supportive environment
• GitHub hosts many FOSS projects
• Promotes ethical principles through transparency
• Helps with financial limited access to essential tools
• Projects are less likely to disappear, maintained by community
• Many tools designed to work on multiple platforms, like Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Since source code is available, users can verify security and transparency

FOSS challenges

• There may a be learning curve and require technical skills
• Lacks official, dedicated support teams
• Some proprietary software have compatibility issues with FOSS counterparts
• May have less enhanced user interface

Licenses in Open Source Software

• Determining how the Open source software

GPL (GNU General Public License)

• The most widely used open source license
• Software remains free, open and has rules on how it can be redistributed

Key Features of GPL

• Any software from GPL-licensed code must be the same
• Users can run, study change or distribute the software
• Developers can sell GPL-licensed software but must give access to source code

LGPL (Lesser General Public License)

• Similar to GPL but less limiting
• Used for software libraries

LGPL Features

• LGPL allows developers to link LGPL software in other software without the other being open source
• Changes to the library should be maintained through LGPL

Copyrights

• Author keeps ownership of software, but it can be used under certain conditions
• Prevents claiming original codes to their own without following license

Patents in Software

• Grants exclusive rights
• Patents protect specific ideas or methods in software, Restricts the use of open source software

Contracts/Licenses

• Contracts: A legal agreement that defines mutual obligations
• Licenses: Permission granted by creator to use under specific circumstances
• Key difference: negotiation and payment are often involved in contracts, licenses are usually free
• Violating license terms voids the license

Issues Related To Open Source Licenses

• Users follow the set rules, example: sharing under the GPL license or face consequences
• Some projects offer two licenses, an open-source and proprietary
• Some licenses can not be made for the same project

Common Open-Source License Examples

• MIT license is the most simple, with use, modification and distribution minimal restrictions
• The Apache License 2.0 includes patent protection
• BSD License is permissible with fewer restriction regarding distribution

Open Source Application

• Operating systems where the source code is free
• Fedoria is linux based

Fedora Key Features

• Provides the latest software and technologies
• Can be tested using Fedora
• Uses SELinux
• Wide support
• Created with the support a global community

Linux

• Allows the use of programmers
• Is great to experiment for students

Ubuntu

• User friendly
• Free to download
• Ubuntu Server is popular

Key Features of Ubuntu

• Ubuntu is designed to be user friendly
• Graphical user interface looks very similar to all operating systems
• Has an app store-like feature called the Ubuntu Software Center
• Users can tweak Ubuntu to fit requirements

Ubuntu

• Used by home users since it is free and easy to use
• Small businesses since it offers cost effective systems

Fedora and Ubuntu

• Both are used in schools and communities
• Ideal due to different needs

Application of Open Source Operating Systems

• Open source systems widely used
• Offers customization collaboration and Innovation
• Desktop computing: provide an alternative to propriety systems like Window and macOS

Servers

• Dominate the server market due to stability
• They are widely used for hosting databases
• Facilitates developing applications

Cloud Computing

• The platform relies on the operating system

Open Source Operating Systems

• They are free and customizable
• Play a role in cybersecurity and helps test vulnerabilities of networks