What is "open source" and why should you care?
We think open source is very very cool. The concept is simple. Somebody writes a program then publishes under a GPL or Copy Left or BSD license. That way others can freely share improve and distribute the program.
Collaborative development is helping make the world a better place. Having the source code means anyone can contribute, write manuals, improve features, report bugs, share the word, donate time or money. Everyone wins!
Free software
Free means that you are in control. Free software can mean that you have freedoms that closed proprietary systems sometimes may not provide. Free software may also mean that you don't have to pay a licensing fee to use it.
We value freedom and we are committed to helping others know there is a choice. Free software can be the best solution in some situations but there are also times that a commercial package is appropriate. When selecting a commercial application we prefer packages that allow for the easy export of data so the risk of being stuck is minimized.
Open source software can sometimes be distributed in a way that allows supporters to make a living while offering more freedom to users. Thus it is possible for "free" software to have a distribution or support fee.
Having access to the source code means that even if the original developers stop making or supporting it, users can still improve, support or tweak the software. So given the choice, we think that it is worth looking for free software that meets or can easily be adapted the needs of a particular project.
If you are looking for Open source alternatives to commercial software look here