Open source software

Computer software licensed under an open source license. Software that fits the Free software definition are more appropriately called free software. For more information about the philosophical background for open source software, see open source movement and free software movement.

Examples of open source software:

Text editors:

• GNU/Emacs
• VIM
• TeX
• FreeDOS edlin

Operating systems:

• FreeBSD
• Linux
• NetBSD
• OpenBSD
• FreeDOS

Desktop environments:

• KDE
• Gnome

Web browsers:

• Galeon
• Konqueror
• Lynx
• Mozilla

Databases:

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL

Other:

• Apache - A web server
• The GIMP - A graphics program
• OpenSSH - A secure login shell
• PHP - A scripting language
• Python - A programming language
• XFree86 - A windowing system
• Zope - A web application server
• Eclipse IDE[?] - An extensible integrated development environment

See also: open source, freeware, shareware, public domain, proprietary software.

External links:

• Freshmeat: http://www.freshmeat.net/ -A news site for open source software.
• Sourceforge: http://www.sourceforge.net/ -Home of thousands of open source projects.
• Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS)? Look at the Numbers! http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html by David A. Wheeler provides quantitative data that, in many cases, open source software / free software is equal to or superior to their proprietary competition; it examines market share, reliability, performance, scalability, scaleability, security, and total cost of ownership, as well as non-quantitative issues and unnecessary fears.

Open Source Service Providers

• Open Software Services http://osoft.us/