Open Source: It's Already Open Source: It's Already HereHere

Dave CrossMagnum Solutions Ltddave@mag-sol.com

http://mag-sol.com/talks/bcs/

Some FactsSome Facts

Linux is a great desktop operating system

Anything you can do in Windows, you can also do on Linux

Some More FactsSome More Facts

OpenOffice.org is as powerful as MS Office

Mozilla is a better browser than IE

Evolution does anything that Outlook does

(and is less vulnerable to virus attack)

Or OpinonsOr Opinons

There are many more “facts” like these

But they are just personal opinions

They only convince Open Source fans

(like me)

So let's try another approach

Another ApproachAnother Approach

Who has used Linux?

Who has used Linux today?

Who has used any Open Source app today?

Another ApproachAnother Approach

Who has used PayPal today?

Who has used Google today?

Who has used Amazon today?

These are all Open Source applications

Open Source BusinessOpen Source Business

All of these companies run their business on Open Source software

There are many more like them

What software are they using?

What advantages do they see?

Web Site SoftwareWeb Site Software

An operating system (e.g. Windows)

A Web Server (e.g. IIS)

A Database (e.g. SQL Server)

A Programming Language (e.g. .Net)

What are the Open Source equivalents for these?

LAMPLAMP

An operating system (Linux)

A Web Server (Apache)

A Database (MySQL)

A Programming Language (Perl, PHP and Python)

LinuxLinux

Unix Clone

Originally for x86 architecture

Now runs on many platforms

Well established as an alternative to Unix

Long heritage – GNU Project

Many distributions

Commercial support

ApacheApache

“A patchy server”

Modular architecture that makes it simple to add new features

The web server that all others emulate

Phenomenally successful

Apache Runs the WebApache Runs the Web

Source: Netcraft (http://www.netcraft.com)

MySQLMySQL

Small and fast database server

Compromises RDBMS functionality for speed

Alternatives

SQLite (even smaller, even faster)

PostgreSQL (slightly slower, fully featured)

Most commercial DBs run on Linux

One major exception

ProgrammingProgramming

Perl

Long history of being used for the web

Very high level language

Very fast when used with Apache (mod_perl)

PHP

More like ASP

Code embedded in HTML

ProgrammingProgramming

Python

Similar to Perl

More OO-based

Other Alternatives

Java (not Open Source)

Mono (Open Source version of .Net)

Open Source AdvantagesOpen Source Advantages

Cost

Security

Support

Quality

Control

CostCost

No license costs

Still pay for support and training

SecuritySecurity

Source code is available to everyone

Security becomes very important

“Security by obscurity” is not an option

Holes get fixed quickly

SupportSupport

Most Open Source projects have very active support communities

Most bugs get fixed within a day

Fixes available immediately

QualityQuality

Programmer pride

Constant peer review

Meritocracy

ControlControl

You can see exactly what the program does

You can change what the program does

Documented interfaces and data formats

Not tied to one company's view of the world

ConclusionsConclusions

Everyone uses Open Source software every day

Some large businesses have already chosen to move to Open Source software

Many of these businesses are very successful

There are good business reasons for using Open Source software

QuestionsQuestions