OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Barriers To Open Source Software And Remedies

Barriers To Open Source Software And Remedies

ABSTRACT

The objective of this paper is to study the barriers to adopt Open Source Software and present its remedies. In this paper, we study three different studies to analyze the concept of the barriers in adopting Open Source Software and also present some remedies, as well. The three studies have been first summarized, and then also compared to find the comparative and contrasting features of the three studies. In the end, it was found that all the three studies have put their focus on the same aspect of this issue, and present similar concepts. Moreover, it was also identified that there are no major differences in the three studies, as well.

Keywords: Open Source Software, Insufficient knowledge, Support, Satisfaction with the proprietary solutions, Not a goal of the company, Lack of resources, Company policies.

Introduction

The open source software is that software whose source code and other rights are usually exclusive to those who own the copyright, published under a software license compatible with the Open Source Definition or part of the public domain. This allows users to use, change and improve the software and redistribute it, either as modified or in an unmodified form. It is very often developed in a public and collaborative manner. Open source software is the outstanding example of the development of open source and is often compared to the so-called "user-generated content”. The term "open source software" came from a campaign marketing for free software. A report by Standish Group says that the incorporation of models of open source software has resulted in savings of approximately 60 billion dollars per year to consumers. This paper will study the barriers in adopting Open Source Software by companies, and will also provide some remedies, as well. According to studies, there have been some issues in the software is adopted by different companies. A few studies analyze in this paper to analyze the different barriers for adopting this software (Holtgrewe, Ursula, 2004).

Thesis Statement

The barriers to adopting Open Source Software are mainly the concerns of companies relating to issues with its implementation, cost and unfamiliarity with the software.

Literature Review

First Study

Companies and open source software adoption is always difficult

In November 2008, it was the Gartner Group that told that there were fears among company's vis-à-vis open source software. At the time, the legal risks were stigmatized. It is the turn of Forrester Research released a study showing the two main obstacles to the adoption of open source software:

Security,

Software support,

This suggests that there is always a major lack of communication among companies on the open source model and its operation. What can this take? Open source or free software is it seen as a reduction of cost? Probably yes. It is clear that the understanding can have a business of open source cannot be built in one day. Open source is all too often evaluated on the same criteria as proprietary software masking their ...