Open Source 101

Are you new to open source? Are you a bit skeptical about how "free" software developed by volunteers around the world can become a viable alternative for business computing? If so, we would like to share some of our favorite articles and sites that explain how and why open source continues to emerge in the marketplace.

CIO.com provides a great launching point for understanding the ABC's of Open Source.

Ten Myths about Open Source Software by Tim O'Reilly. An early (1999) demystification of the open source phenomena.

BusinessWeek 10/2005 Special Report describing the "open source ecosystem"

The Economist provides an even-handed explanation of how OS communities work and what they must do to endure.

BusinessWeek's comprehensive report on open source

Free Software Foundation's mission is to preserve, protect and promote the freedom to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer software, and to defend the rights of all free software users.

PostgreSQL has been gaining share in the OSDB space. This article (tongue in cheek) explains 5 reasons why you should never ever consider PostgreSQL.

Pete Loshin compares the merits of Free Open Source versus Proprietary software

Pete Loshin summarizes Open Source Business Model alternatives