Startups Should Consider Open Source

The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.

The open source community has realized that this rapid evolutionary process produces better software than the traditional closed model, in which only a very few programmers can see the source and everybody else must blindly use an opaque block of bits.

In Random Thoughts from a CTO, I came across the perfect list of why Open Source is such a compelling proposition for startups and small businesses:

• Lower costs: Open source has been practically free or at least lower initial cost, and you don’t have to pay addition money for major upgrades…
• More frequent updates: Commerical software can sometimes take forever to fix or provide the enhancement that you are needing… Open source seems to respond very quickly to fixes and enhancement request, plus they encourage feedback from end users…
• Larger developer base: Many of the well known open source solutions have practically unlimited access to developers…
• Better response: Open source seems to almost encourage feedback, and you can find or get the answers or training you need quickly….
• More flexibility: Open source seems to thrive on provide lots of bells, whistles, and options to people…
• Better extensibility: Open source seems to provide extensibility out of the box. You can find plenty of plug-ins…

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