Presented by Andy Akhtar of Scottish Centre for Enabling Technolgies: http://www.ictthatworks.org for AmbITion Scotland Partner and Associate organisation networking event 02/11/10. http://getambition.com. www.ictthatworks.org/drupal/opensource

1. Open Source
An overview of Open Source
Presented by Andy Akhtar
Scottish Centre For Enabling Technologies
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2. What is Open Source Software?
✤ Free access to source code.
✤ Right to redistribute code.
✤ Rights to modify code and
redistribute the modified code.
✤ Not necessarily free to use.
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3. 3
Web hosting chooses
Windows Linux
License Type Proprietary Open Source
Web Server IIS Apache
Database SQL Server MySQL
Scripting ASP.NET PHP
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4. Types of License
✤ GPL - GNU General Public License (GPL 2.0 /GPL 3.0)
✤ Apache License, Version 2
✤ BSD - Template License
✤ Mozilla Public License (MPL)
✤ Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL)
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5. What’s available
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6. Open Source Application
✤ Office tools - Word processor, Spreadsheet, Accounting
✤ Databases
✤ Web tool - CMS, Web server, Browsers, Shopping cart
✤ Productivity software - CRM
✤ Development Tools - IDE
✤ LAMP
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7. Proprietary Software
✤ Microsoft Windows
✤ Oracle Database
✤ Sage Accounts
✤ Adobe Flash
✤ Apple Mac OS
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8. Proprietary Software
✤ Source code closed.
✤ Source code access often available to partners only.
✤ Not always charged for. Can still be free.
✤ Distribution limited.
✤ End user agreement.
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9. Benefits of Open Source
✤ Initial Cost - Generally free
✤ Set up time - Download and start using
✤ Available support - Many sources
✤ Security and bug fixing - Fast turn around
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10. Drawback of Open Source
✤ Often written by programmers for programmers
✤ Set up can often be difficult requiring other file
✤ If the community is small, documentation and support may be
limited
✤ If the community is small, security and bug fixes may be insufficient
due to limited peer review.
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11. Total Cost of Ownership
✤ Zero purchase price.
✤ Free to copy, no need to buy extra licenses.
✤ No vendor lock in - Open standards and file formats used.
✤ IT strategy not strongly linked to software supplier.
✤ Runs on older equipment, extending it useful life.
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12. Support andTraining
✤ Online support - Forums, Guides, email and video.
✤ Seminars
✤ Paid for support - Training courses, phone
✤ Consultants.
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13. Scenario
✤ A small theatre company.
✤ Produce some of their own marketing material.
✤ Want to take bookings and payment for tickets and merchandise online.
✤ They want to be able to update their site themselves.
✤ Want to post news and events on web site.
✤ Would like a forum for regular patrons to discuss shows and events.
✤ Would like a gallery to display photographs and video of performances.
✤ Sign up members (Friends of the Theatre).
✤ Would like a central way of storing details about events, meetings, campaigns and contacts: artist, staff and
members.
✤ They have many visitor whose first language is not English. They would like some parts of the web site to be
available in several languages. 13
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14. Scenario
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Linux Apache Web Server MySQL DB Server Language
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15. What’s best for me?
✤ Depends on your type of business.
✤ What do you intend to use the software for?
✤ How important is direct support to you?
✤ Have you got the skills required to use the software?
✤ Is integration and compatibility with other software required?
✤ Is price a major factor?
✤ Does it fit with your IT strategy?
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16. How do I proceed?
✤ Decide what you want the software to do.
✤ Identify potential software, both open source and proprietary.
✤ Compare the features. Do you need the extra features?
✤ What hardware do you need?
✤ Try out the demos available or download and install on Laptop.
✤ Ask for a second opinion.
✤ Try before you buy!!
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17. Thank you
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✤ Further Information and links visit:
www.ictthatworks.org/drupal/opensource
✤ email: andrewa@ictthatworks.org
Tuesday, 2 November 2010