Open Source Code Benefits and Detriments (sort of)OutlineOpen Source DefinitionDefinition Cont.InterpretationsPowerPoint PresentationMotivations to write open source codeCommon AcronymsOSS/FS VS FreewareFree softwareFour FreedomsCommon LicensesApplicationsOSS/FS Accomplishments (Open Source has its Benefits)Business ConceptSept. 2000 Purchasing costsCost Savings of OSS/FSCost SavingSecuritySlide 20Security BreachesReliability Comparisons GNU/Linux VS Win NT Server 4.0QualityFinancial effectsRisks & RewardsOpen Source Code Homework:Open Source CodeBenefits and Detriments (sort of)Robert SimonOutlineDefinitionGeneral OverviewBusiness Aspects–Current Market–Total Cost of Ownership–Security–ReliabilityOpen Source Definition1. Free Redistribution2. Source Code3. Derived Works4. Integrity of The Author’s Source Code5. No Discrimination Against Persons or GroupsDefinition Cont.6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor7. Distribution of License8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product9. The License Must Not Restrict Other Software10. No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of interface.InterpretationsCode only viewable for review not editingCode available to edit and redistribute at will recognizing differences in edited versionsCode available to edit and redistribute with permission and possible compensationUnconditonal manipulation of code released to the public free of chargeMotivations to write open source codeBelievers (19%): –believe source code should be open. Learning and Fun (29%): –for non-work needs and intellectual stimulation. Hobbyists (27%): –need the code for a non-work reason. Professionals (25%): –for work needs and professional status.Common AcronymsGNU: GNU’s Not Unix –(a project to create an OSS/FS operating system) GPL: General Public License –(the most common OSS/FS license)OSS/FS: Open Source Software/Free SoftwareOSS/FS VS FreewareOSS/FS is not “freeware”Freeware is proprietary software given away without cost –does not provide any right to examine, modify, or redistribute the source code.Free software“Free software” is a matter of liberty, not price. Free software does not mean non-commercial. A free program must be available for commercial use, commercial development, and commercial distribution.Four Freedoms1. The freedom to run the program, for any purpose 2. The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs. Access to the source code is a precondition for this. 3. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.4. The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.Common LicensesBSDGPL – General Public License–Most CommonLGPLMITMozPL – Mozilla Public License–More recent highly popularhttp://www.opensource.org/licenses/–Has about 50 commonly used licensesApplicationsOperating Systems–GNU/Linux or “Linux”Internet applications–Apache web serverConsumer and Buissness software–Open OfficeEntertainment–QubeWell-known web sites using OSS/FS:–Google (GNU/Linux) –Yahoo (FreeBSD)OSS/FS Accomplishments(Open Source has its Benefits)Sendmail is the leading email server.Survey found 95% of all reverse-lookup domain name servers (DNS) used bind. (2000)PHP = #1 Server-side Scripting Language. OpenSSH = Internet’s #1 implementation of the SSH security protocol.Business ConceptMarket: past, present, & future:–Companies relied on existing products to formulate business plans–Companies can manipulate existing software to their needs to an extent–Companies develop software to suit their ideal plans not the other way aroundSept. 2000 Purchasing costs Microsoft Windows 2000Red Hat LinuxOperating System$1510 (25 client)$29 (standard), $76 deluxe, $156 professional (all unlimited)Email Server $1300 (10 client) included (unlimited)RDBMS Server$2100 (10 CALs) included (unlimited)C++ Development$500 includedCost Savings of OSS/FSOSS/FS costs less to initially acquire. Upgrade/maintenance costs are typically far less. Does not impose license management costsAvoids nearly all licensing litigation risks Often can use older hardware more efficiently than proprietary systems–Yields smaller hardware costs –Sometimes eliminates the need for new hardware.Cost SavingWashington Post article: Open-source Fight Flares at Pentagon:–“At the Census Bureau, programmers used open source software to launch a Web site for obtaining federal statistics for $47,000.”–“It would have cost $358,000 if proprietary software were used.”SecurityPossible Problems–Security precautions revealed–Spyware readily installed into upgradesPossible Solutions–Customizable after written–Easier to check written code for Spyware…ExampleSecurityApache has a better security record than Microsoft’s IIS, as measured by reports of serious vulnerabilities. A 2002 survey of developers found that GNU/Linux systems are relatively immune from attacks from outsiders.Security Breaches1999 Advisory AnalysisVendorTotal Days, Hacker RecessTotal AdvisoriesRecess Days/AdvisoryRed Hat348 31 11.23Microsoft982 61 16.10Sun716 8 89.50Reliability ComparisonsGNU/Linux VS Win NT Server 4.0ZDNet 10 month test:–NT server crashed an average of once every six weeks •Each failure took roughly 30 minutes to fix –Neither Linux server ever went downOne Year Bloor Research Experiment–GNU/Linux crashed once•Took 4 hours to fix–Windows NT crashed 68 times•Took 65 hours to fixQualityDoes not prove that OSS/FS will always be the highest qualityBUT: clearly shows that OSS/FS can be of high qualityFinancial effectsShort term – bad for the individual companyLong term – Good for the community as a wholeRisks & RewardsRisks:–Ease in misuse of codeRelying on honor Rewards:–Better code and progressOpen Source Code Homework:1. Name 2 pieces of software that are open source.2. Name 2 licenses that people release open source code
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