Why Open Source

by Andre Engelbrecht

open source

The simple answer?

Without Open Source, I would not be doing any freelance development!

I have always been very ambitious, and was always looking for ways of starting a web based company. Unfortunately I was severely restricted due to the lack of good funds and knowledge, and proprietary software have always been too expensive. Even though these products are really good at what they do and have tons of features, I was always held back because I could not afford to buy the “full version”.

Enter Open Source!

I only discovered the true potential of Open Source Software later in my life. First I was happy that the software was free. Soon after, I discovered that there was a lack in some features, and many times the different tools and features was hidden away in another place, where I'm not familiar with.

This misconception only lasted a short while though, because as I soon discovered, Open Source Software have a very short development cycle (well most of the good ones). I hardly installed the latest version, and I realized that there is already a BETA for the next O.o

I also discovered, that even though some 'feature' might be lacking, my productivity increased exponentially as I started to learn where things were and how to use them effectively.

Today…

Today I'm using only Free and Open Source applications for any business I do. I am well aware that there are a multitude of applications out there, with tons of features etc, but I have also realized that most of those 'features' are over-hyped and not worth the cost involved.

Personally I also feel that Open Source encourages innovation, just because people are working together and sharing knowledge, rather than keep it secret and locked away from the rest of the brilliant minds on Earth.

Tomorrow…

I hope to help contribute to Free and Open Source applications in the future, in any way that I can. I see us walking towards a new digital world, and I feel that Open Source will play a big part in this. For me it most definitely will!

I only hope that we are prepared for this future, and that we can plan ahead to take full advantage of our collective intelligence.

In closing

In closing I would like to take a moment to thank everyone promoting Free/Open Source Software. Whether it be using it, developing it, or even just testing it, everyone of you play a big part in growing it's popularity and to free us from proprietary shackles.

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