The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.

We in the open source community have learned that this rapid evolutionary process produces better software than the traditional closed model, in which only a very few programmers can see the source and everybody else must blindly use an opaque block of bits.

What does this mean to you and your business?

Open Source Software in basic terms means:

• Software that can be modified by you to suit your needs
• Software that is low cost or free to use and distribute. From 1 copy through to 1000.
• Faster solutions to problems or bugs, sometimes even the same day.
• Multi levels of support - from free user groups to subscription based 24 hour incident response.

Open Source is software that is developed by the community for the community.

The deployment of OpenSource Software means:

Can you, as a small business, afford not to use it?

SOPAC(WA) is a member of SLPWA, the Society of Linux Professionals of Western Australia