This Infographic tries to clarify some of the common myths or misconceptions prevalent about Open Source software. Reach us at: services@suyati.com

1. Myths About
Open source software
#09
References:
1. http://www.wiley.com/college/turban/0470287489/pdfs/six_myths__about_open_source.pdf
2. http://www.marklogic.com/blog/5-open-source-myths/
3. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-myths-open-source-software-debunked/
4. http://ccm.net/faq/27757-myth-free-software-open-source-software
5. http://www.linuxit.com/Portals/154143/docs/5-common-myths-open-source-infographic.pdf
6. http://www.oreilly.de/opensource/os_artikel/myths_1199.html
7. http://books.google.com/books?id=3Ntz-UJzZN0C&pg=PA174#v=onepage&q&f=false
8. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/understanding-how-open-source-software-developers-make-money/
9. http://www.forbes.com/sites/rajsabhlok/2013/07/18/open-source-software-the-hidden-cost-of-free/
suyati.com
Myth #1:Open Source Software Comes
Free of Cost
Myth #2:Open Source Means Fully Open Source
Myth #3:Open Source Development
is Free for All
Myth #4:Open Source Software avoids Lock-In
All free software is “open source”
but all “open source” is not “free.”
2011 & 2012 “Future of Open Source surveys” :
Ranks freedom from vendor as #1 reason why users adopted open source.
Myth #5:
Myth #6:
Open Source is for Linux,
Proprietary is for Windows/Mac
Open-Source Technology
lacks dedicated support
Myth #8:
Open Source
Developer-Enthusiasts
Work for Free
Open Source software is not secure
Business model -
Many open source software providers
offer free software and charge for professional
support and services.
Free software= Freedom to use, modify, & distribute
Indicates software is available with open source code
Multiple people can work on source code
License determines if open source is free or not
Most open source offer free stripped-down “community edition”
“Enterprise edition” comes with expensive commercial license
User can modify source code based on license terms
Might require considerable work after download
Frees user from vendor lock-in
Includes additional support and maintenance costs
Open source may not be fully open source
Vendors may sell a mix of open source & proprietary software
Add-ons for many essential tasks may be proprietary
Open source software is not free for all
Source code controlled by original developer/ independent group
They hold the intellectual property over the code
Changes to source code are controlled
Subject to the same copyright laws as closed-source
Open source suppliers opt to share their intellectual property with others
Allows faster time to market
Absence of monopoly prevents price hikes for development & support
Competition ensures attractive price-point for end users
End users left with recourse if original developer abandons market
Code can be taken over, if original developers abandon it
Freedom from vendor lock in is a myth
Open source owners may free themselves from specific vendors
But they are still locked into the app
High app support cost replaces high switching costs of proprietary apps
Open source vs. proprietary is not a Linux vs. Windows face-off
People often assume open source requires Linux or LAMP
Many open source programs run in MS Windows & Mac as well
Many open source providers offer professional support
Enable the use of open source software for mission-critical applications
The professional support comes with a price
Open source users can purchase dedicated support
But in proprietary software, support is locked in with the developer
Open source communities are not overly populated as we assume
Linux claims thousands of active developers, as it is an aggregate of many independent projects
Most open source projects have a few dedicated developers & interested collaborators
They provide problem reports, bug fixes & occasional enhancements
Open source is often free, but all developers do not work for free
Many developers are employed by the code owner
Companies may sponsor developers if the source code is critical
Programmers may offer source code free to end users
Charges apply for:
Myth: Open source is more vulnerable to exploitation than proprietary software,
as the code exposed to public is more likely to be hacked.
Open source is as secure as proprietary due to its:
Binary downloads
Plugins & attachments
Documentation
Ongoing tech support
Collaborative community develops only if:
Myth: Customers are at the mercy of the community
forum for troubleshooting & support.
Example: Wine, a free open source software, allows running some versions of MS-Office on Linux.
Some of the features of Open Source include:
Myth #7:
Myth #9:
Open Source Communities are populated
by thousands of developer-enthusiasts
The project gains
sufficient traction
The code promoter engages
proactively with users
There is some benefit
for participants
secured
Optimal design
Standard software
development methodologies
Official release made only
after extensive checks
Application of secure
coding techniques
Rigorous review of
code changes
before acceptance
Checking for vulnerabilities
on a proactive basis