CA investigates: Open-source software
Is there such a thing as a free lunch? Well, that’s what the open source movement would have you believe. It offers programs for any task at no cost beyond getting hold of the installation files (effectively free with broadband), and even complete replacements for Windows or Mac OS X.
The open source movement promotes software without the restrictions placed by proprietary vendors, such as product activation that have become part of normal computing. In fact, sharing software is actively encouraged. We decided to see whether it is all too good to be true, what is available and whether it is still the preserve of techies.
Freedom of use
Long before Windows was created, the open source movement was founded by Richard Stallman with a project called GNU. He decided there should be four essential freedoms for anyone using software: The freedom to run the program for any purpose; to study how it works; share it with anyone; and to make modifications. A special video about the GNU project narrated by actor Stephen Fry can also be viewed.
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