For the longest time, open source is nothing more than a buzzword that rings in the brains of technologists and Linux fans. Rewind to about a decade ago and open source has become a sort of savior for businesses around the world. Without open source, enterprise companies everywhere would struggle to deliver at almost any level.
But what exactly does that have to do with you, the consumer? Quite a lot, actually. But it’s not just about how open source benefits businesses.
Also: 5 Linux Commands You Should Never Run (And Why)
Let’s see how you can benefit from open source.
What is open source?
Before we get into the benefits of open source, let’s explain what open source is.
Think of open source code as a recipe. Imagine you’ve come up with the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies. The recipe uses a few ingredients but offers a unique approach to making this delicious treat. Rather than keep the recipe to yourself, you decide to release it to the world and even invite them to make changes to improve it. The only condition you impose is that anyone who changes the recipe must cite you as the original creator if they post their modified version.
Also: 20 Years in the Making: Real-Time Linux Finally Comes to the Kernel
Hundreds of people make small changes to your cookie recipe, which we’ll call “the original,” and post their versions online, giving you credit for the original. Those new versions get noticed, other people download the recipe, and it goes viral until everyone adopts your recipe (or a version of it) as their favorite.
Basically, it’s open source. Anyone on the planet can access your original recipe and use it as they see fit (as long as they cite you as the creator). While open source typically applies to software, it can also apply to hardware, engineering schematics, architectural designs, 3D printer files, and even cookies.
It’s about cost.
This is often cited as one of the biggest benefits to consumers… cost. Most open source software is free to use, but it’s also free. Even the Linux operating system (also open source) is free to download and install. Imagine never having to pay a dime for the software you use. This is especially useful for larger organizations, such as schools and non-profits, where paying for large numbers of software licenses can be prohibitive.
It’s about freedom
When you use proprietary software, you are bound to the decisions of its creators. If the developers of that proprietary app decide that the app can only do X, then that’s all you get and there’s nothing you can do about it (other than requiring the app to also do Y).
Also: Linux and Open Source Documentation Is Messy: Here’s the Solution
With open source software, the code is available, so you can change how it works. I realize this requires special skills, but sometimes it’s not as hard as you think. I’ve changed the source code of previous applications, with little programming experience, to make them work the way I thought they should.
Open source is not tied to any vendor or restriction. With open source software, you are free to do whatever you need to do to make those applications work exactly the way you need them to.
It’s all about empowerment
Over the years, I’ve always loved the sense of empowerment that open source software gives me. I don’t have to rely on big business services like Google Workspace, Office365, or iCloud. Instead, I can pick and choose the open source applications I need, bundle them together, and empower myself to succeed. For example, I can install a Nextcloud instance for my home network’s cloud-based solution. I can add an office suite to that platform and no longer need Google Docs. I can use GIMP and forget about Adobe. Add a tool like InvoicePlane to the mix and now I can do invoicing.
Also: Linux file system structure explained
There are tens of thousands of open source applications that can be used as building blocks to create an in-house solution to any problem or task you have to perform… all available at low cost or even free.
It’s all about the updates
When a vulnerability is discovered in proprietary software, the update process often gets bogged down in bureaucracy. Meetings are held, investors are notified, management has to come up with a plan, and programmers have to come up with a fix. Once the fix is complete, it goes through the developer’s normal review process, but it can also get stuck waiting for a manager or executive to sign off on the fix before it can be released. This process can take weeks, even months.
Also: Linux kernel 6.11 is out – with its own BSOD bug
With open source software, the process is streamlined because there are no corporate traps to avoid. A vulnerability is discovered, the developers fix it, and a fix is released. I have seen fixes for major security issues released within hours of the discovery of the issue. I updated my system and found that there were security patches applied even before I discovered the issue. Open source operates with an efficiency that proprietary software cannot match. This means that consumers suffer from fewer persistent vulnerabilities in the software they use.
It’s all about evolution
No, it is not biological evolution but software evolution. Open source software evolves much faster than proprietary software because any developer around the world can access the code and suggest changes to improve the application, give it new features or add security. The importance of this cannot be overlooked because it helps open source software evolve very quickly.
Also: I’ve Been Using Linux for 30 Years. Here Are 5 Reasons Why I’ll Never Switch to Windows or MacOS
I’ve seen open source applications evolve like this over the years, where one minute the application is limited in features, and in the blink of an eye it has grown to include a whole host of improvements and features. Even better, the software you use is often made available to the public by the developers. In a few cases, I’ve reached out to a developer (or group of developers) to suggest a feature in a piece of software, only to find out after they’ve implemented my change. Imagine how often that kind of thing happens, and you can see how open source software can evolve at a pace that proprietary software can’t match.
Open source software also has many other benefits such as:
- Most open source projects will always be available. Even if one developer abandons a project, someone else can fork it and bring it back to life.
- Open source software is improved through the community, not through the company.
- Open source is often very ethical.
- Open source is powerful.
You know what I mean. If this has piqued your curiosity about open source, I recommend you look into one of the many Linux distributions, find one you like, install it, and start your open source journey.
