Do you think you ‘own’ copyrighted software you ‘purchase’?
Think beneath the skin. Do you really own the software for which you
shelled out a significant sum? The answer is a solid NO. No, you are
not the owner of the proprietary software that you think you purchase.
Instead, you purchase only license to use the program for your purposes.
When you pay for a piece of software, what you actually do is paying
a license fee plus support costs.
Most times we don’t think we need to
read the license agreement that comes with proprietary software. As you
read, you will understand that you are only allowed to use the software
as it is. Sure you are promised some support, but how many of end users
actually use such an option?
If you owned the piece of software that you purchased, you would be free
to make any modifications to the software. You will be able to add new
features or remove unwanted features. Think if it is possible with proprietary
software solutions.
With open source software, a developer is free to modify any software
he purchased under open source agree and resell it for a profit. It is
however imperative for the developer to release the software under open
source license. He or she may make any number of modifications and keep
the source code of the developed version to themselves, provided they
use it for their own purposes and not distribute to others.
Thus you will find open source software is not just about reduced costs.
It also gives you better control over your business activities. The most
shining example of enterprise open source software is Google™. The
company that presently diversified into many different business areas
from its original search engine use open source software in their servers
located throughout the world.
According to Google™ it is taking your destiny to your own hands.
There is no need to wait for the software developer company come up with
changes or modifications. In house developers make the necessary modification
in a matter of days or even hours. It would take many weeks for the developer
company to come up with a solution for immediate problems.
Are you ready to use open source software for your enterprise? Are you
willing to take advantage of lower costs, true rights of ownership and
upgrading a solution according to your specific requirements? It is time
to think deeply about the subject.