Contacts

Using open source software to create successful commercial products. Open source software that programs open source

The software product market offers a large selection of software (software). Along with the applications, which can be used for a specific fee, there is a possibility to use free programs.

Free Software (Freeware)

For the first time, the term "Freeware" appeared in 1982, he registered as a trademark American programmer Andrew Flepleman (Andrew Fleleman) for the Communication Program developed by him.

You can download for free:

  • beta version of programs
  • simplified analogues of full packages
  • drivers
  • programs whose use will push to acquire additional resources.

Dignity Freeware One thing - no need to pay money, flaws are a bit more:

  • no automatic program update
  • no technical support
  • errors are possible when working.

Almost any business program under Windows has its own free analogues:

  • Archivers (7-Zip)
  • Working with FTP (FileZilla)
  • Antivirus (Cureit, Avast !, AVZ)
  • Text Editors (NotePad ++)
  • Browsers (Mozilla, Firefox, Opera, Googlechrome)
  • Audio players (Winamp)
  • Video players (VLC, Miro, Media Player Classic)
  • Transcoders (MediacOder)
  • Graphic Editors (Gimpshop)
  • Office software (Apache OpenOffice, LibreOffice)

Free Windows applications are available online on developer sites. After downloading the archive and installing software on the computer, all the directories and files in them are automatically generated on the computer. Free android and iOS applications can be downloaded using PlayStore and AppStore marketers.

Downloading free programs, you risk to face the effect of the Trojan horse: the developer includes a distributed package of other programs that are automatically accommodated on the computer when installing the package. It is not always safe!

Special place in the category of free programs occupy Open Source projects. Part of the above software (Mozilla Firefox, 7-Zip, Filezilla, NotePad ++, Miro, VLC, Apache OpenOffice, Libreoffice, Media Player Classic, Gimpshop, Google Chrome) belongs to this category.

Open Source Po

Software can distribute closed source (Microsoft Windows, MS Office - proprietary software), and open source (Open Source). Appeared in 1984 the term "Free Software" (free software) refers to software, which can be obtained free, modify, using the available source code of programs, and distribute further.

Programs are distributed under the GNU GPL license and must meet the following requirements:

  1. There are no restrictions on the use of software in certain areas of activity.
  2. The source code extends together with the executable module or it can be obtained from an affordable source for free / at a reasonable price. The code must be readable.
  3. The modified version applies under general conditions. It is allowed to change the name or version number.
  4. The program is available to everyone.

In 1998, the concept of "Open Source Software" was introduced - open source software. Formally, all free software can be read by open source. It is customary to attribute Open Source programs to free, although it is not prohibited to use them for commercial purposes. Usually, it extends to the APACHE 2.0 license. But there are other options (more on licenses in the world of Open Source, see).

Advantages of working with Open Source projects:

  • this is a good training material.
  • the functions described in the project are not prohibited in their applications.
  • detected errors can be corrected and the correct code to place in the appropriate storage
  • when compiling the program to the text, it is allowed to make changes and upgrade it under specific applications.

Disadvantages:

  • for compilation, additional libraries may be required to be signed on the Internet.
  • if you have any questions when using this software, the answer will need to search on the forums on the Internet.

The concept of Open Source is based on improving reliability and quality according to the detection and error correction by many users. Open Source's open access is constantly tested by a huge number of programmers.

It has long been widely implementing the "Open Code" technology company Google. All its projects of this type, their approximately 200 (initially and KUBERNETES was designed here, and then passed under the control of Cloud Native Computing Foundation) are available on the Google Open Source portal. The resource contains not only program codes, but also documentation for their use and support. How wide you can use the openly provided code - indicated in the license, usually directly posted in the text of the program.

Apple, opening the source code of the SWIFT language, is trying to increase the number of applications available for Apple. The current version of the language currently has limitations: To download its development on the AppStore, you will have to purchase a licensed SWIFT. All the information you need is posted on the SWIFT.org website and in the GitHub cloud storage. SWIFT release was released under Linux.

Conditional Free Software

Some programs distributed free of charge, have limitations:

  • by time of work
  • by the number of launches
  • by functionality

To limit the deadline and the number of launches, Trial-Protection is used - special counters. As a limited on functionality, the software is provided by a demo version or a version with limited service. Sometimes the developer inserts advertising to the program code that makes it difficult to work with the package. To get rid of an advertising banner, you have to pay.

Examples of programs with a license Shareware:

  • WinRar archiver (30 days)
  • Antivirus nod32 (30 days)

AcrobatReader is an example of a program limited by functionality. This program, the lower segment of the Adobeacrobat package, allows only viewing PDF files. For full work with files such types, it is necessary to buy a more complete version of Acrobat.

Large developers provide free of charge for personal use in order to explore. If they are planned to be used for commercial purposes, it is necessary to buy a license.

For example, Oracle allows you to download DBMS distribution and utilities to work with it. At the same time, restrictions on the volume of the array of processed data are superimposed. But to study the principles of working with the database and testing the skill of writing procedures this option with software is suitable.

Actually, downloading "sources" of the open software - Open Source - you should be ready to incur certain costs to use it. No need to acquire a license, but it will be necessary to pay for the work of programmers who will create software products on its basis under a certain task.

conclusions

By purchasing licensed paid software, you automatically get the opportunity to apply for technical support to the developer and regularly, as necessary, update your product. To install it, it is not necessary to possess deep knowledge in the IT area.

By installing free software, pay attention to the date of creation / update and be sure to check the presence of viruses. Such programs are used by both IT specialists and PC users of different levels.

Projects with open source code are of interest to persons who are fond of programming, and professionals. Usually the texts of these programs can be downloaded for free. Compilation of the executable module and the creation of the desired work environment requires certain IT specialist skills.

The undoubted advantage of Open Source projects is their independence from vendor, large companies prefer to create corporate software based on them. This is especially relevant for state corporations due to possible difficulties in acquiring proprietary products due to economic sanctions. The deterrent in the implementation of Open Source is some uncertainty associated with information security: problems are possible when the certification in FSTEC is passing.

The success of the open source software is very noticeable. It did not bypassed even major manufacturers of commercial programs. IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle and Microsoft, recognize its influence and in some cases adopt its methods. It seems that most companies in the structure of which have an IT service, are already well acquainted with open source products, and often they actively use them.

However, the ubiquitous distribution of open source still generates more questions than answers. So let's try to answer the most popular of them.

What is an open source software?

Let's go back in 1997. The talented developer of the Linux Bruce operating system is transferred to a document associated with the preparation and distribution of the distribution version of Debian Linux. Later he deleted all the mention of Debian and presented the concept known today called the Open Source Definition. Among other things, the Definition document said that the open source software should be distributed without any deductions to developers, distributors are obliged to provide all those who want free access to the source code of programs and all further improvements and modernized programs should also be supplied on the same conditions.

In essence, the movement of open source software supporters is a close relative of the Free Software Movement initiative proposed in 1983 by Richard Podlotman. Its main purpose was the free distribution of software, exemption from standard restrictions on commercial programs. The rules for distributing free software are regulated by the General Public License license (GPL), which in October 2006 was approved in his third edition.

Today, dozens of different Open Source Initiative licenses are applied in the world, each of which has developed their own specific rules requiring study from companies, considering the possibility of using open source software. Usually, these rules do not impose tough restrictions on wanting to refer to open source programs. As for the distribution requirements, they need to pay more serious attention to avoid potential problems associated with violation of the licensing rules.

Why exactly open source programs?

The first reason why companies pay attention to open source software is very simple - this is the price. And the payback indicators of investments in an open source model clearly demonstrate. Open source software can be downloaded, installed and used completely free. At first, low costs attracted developers who want to try out new instrumental tools or to design new applications without investing in this. Opening freedom contributed to the fact that many of them began to support the movement of open source supporters. As a result, along with thousands of other projects, the world began to appear with an open source code, for example, the Linux operating system, the Apache Web server, the Java JBOSS application server and the Eclipse development environment.

In the late 1990s, the management of enterprises finally paid attention to the open source programs. In conditions of continuous reduction in IT services budgets, the developers boasted the quality and savings achieved when using open source software, and many companies began to think seriously about the use of open source software components when implementing corporate projects. The first major enterprises that began to implement open source software were The Weather Channel, Cendant Travel, EmployeaSe and Sabre.

During the global growth of the Internet, open source software allows companies to quickly increase the amount of their electronic operations without constant purchasing new licenses for commercial software. Relevant advantages also apply to development and testing. Thus, companies can test new things without additional expenses characteristic of commercial software, and mandatory budget entry in such cases.

Probably, it is not a secret for anyone that the availability of the source program code in the products distributed with open source, in practice, few people use. It would seem that the right of unhindered modification and correction of the program code should be considered a serious advantage, but in reality to companies, instead of supporting software support themselves, it is much easier to rely on the developers community, which in a timely manner updated and debug the program code of all popular products in a timely manner.

Causes of open source

Arguments against open source software are usually easy to recalculate on the fingers.

    Receiving free software resembles a "free distribution of puppies." You can download and install it completely free, but training and user support will eventually cost more than the cumulative costs for commercial software or constitute a fully comparable amount. Such an argument that especially loves to bring Microsoft, acts on the subconscious level. It is right or not, depends on the specific situation and on what an analytical report you are currently reading.

    The organization of technical support is complex. At the beginning of the development of the movement of open source supporters, when the development and support was carried out mainly by groups of volunteers or "communities", this issue was indeed relevant. But although in many organizations and came to the conclusion that the community support is quite enough to meet their needs, today there are many other opportunities in front of them, including support for large open source projects with Hewlett-Packard and IBM. As a result, the assertion that "to suffocate it is enough to overlap one throat" loses its relevance.

    The development of a new functional takes more time compared with commercial software. In fact, it largely depends on the specific type of software you use. The Firefox Web browser is the best example of how fast the open source software can be adapted to the needs of users. You can also remember how promptly the developers of Linux organized support for new technologies, in particular USB ports. In this regard, Linux practically did not lag behind Windows. But as for the corporate software, embedding the support mechanisms of the newest video payment or audio accounts plays a much less important role here compared to ensuring high stability and performance.

    Uncertainty of further development and branching. A wide variety of open source licenses, as well as the ability to actively interfere with end users in the program code, hold corporate clients from the introduction of such programs. But attentive study of licenses for applications with open source lawyers dispels most of these fears. Some open source providers and independent companies even offer compensation for damage, so the open source applications you use may well be a subject of lawsuit.

Where to begin?

Today, in the form of open source products, almost all types of business purposes are presented, starting with email servers and ending with VoIP systems. Many companies first of all pay attention to Web applications, where there are products that exist for quite a long time and have already managed to prove their worth. Usually mention the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP, Perl or Python, depending on the specific situation). A UNIX-like Linux operating system was widespread. One of the most popular Web servers today is Apache. MySQL database management system successfully competes with expensive commercial products. And programming languages \u200b\u200band PHP, Perl and Python scenarios are widely used as an open source Web application development tools. Java-based open source Web sites are often based on JBOSS applications. Having become acquainted with the open source tool, revealing the similarities and differences between them and commercial products, you will discover for yourself and other features. It may be surprised that your developers from time to time on their own fear and risk refer to one or another open source products.

Application servers, of course, good, but what can be said about open-code for desktop computers?

End users often use various open source tools designed for desktop computers. A vivid example of such a solution is the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Sun OpenOffice office package Separate state and commercial organizations prefer Microsoft Office. But although some players and dare to plunge into the uncharted, installing the Linux operating system on their desktop computers, Windows continues to maintain certainly dominant position. Friendly to the end user of the Linux version (for example, Linspire) cannot disrupt the current position, because user training takes time and money. In addition, most commercial software packages - from which many companies depend on - are being developed primarily for Windows and only then for Linux (unless, of course, the version for Linux is generally published).

Is it possible to sell open source products?

Yes, of course, but the Open Source Initiative rules prohibit the obstacles on sale of your code and everything else. Nevertheless, many companies find ways to earn money on open source products. Many, in addition to the actual code, offer corporate support services that are very readily purchased by companies. Others supply two variants of the program code: one in open and free form, and the other, which includes additional useful functions, contains closed components and must be paid by customers. A similar mixed model is becoming increasingly popular. It is actively used by companies such as Sourcefire, Sugarcrm, Alfresco and a number of others.

Other open source resources

Many open source programs can be found in Internet:

    Freshmeat. A huge database of downloadable software, a significant part of which is presented in an open source form.

    SourceForge. Gigantic site for open source software developers, uniting thousands of open source projects. Some of them continues to develop, while others have already ceased to exist.

Open source resources - official and unofficial

    Open Source Initiative. A non-profit organization that considers the main task to further develop open source software and funded by a number of players who have long been operating on this field.

    Open Source Technology Group. Perhaps the world's leading conductor with open source technologies. It is this union that owns Slashdot news site, as well as resources SourceForge and Freshmeat.

    Open Source Risk Management. It offers mechanisms that ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

    Open Source Development Labs. The organization, the main purpose of which is the promotion of the Linux operating system in the corporate client environment.

In the 1990s, the free software was considered to be exotic in a corporate environment, and the only noticeable competitor of proprietary giants led by Microsoft has long been Red Hat, however, from the second half of the 2000s, the situation began to change rapidly. Public software has become a mainstream for many large companies, and dozens of reliable suppliers of open software have appeared, which have achieved a proper high level of expertise and experience in order to serve large and demanding corporate clients.

For 2014, there are quite a few players who, in some directions, successfully compete with commercial software suppliers. In addition to Red Hat, these are such an open source organization, such as Google, Apache Software, Novell, SuSe, Acquia, etc. On the market there are more and more OpenSource analogues of existing proprietary solutions. The communities of the developers of open software become stronger and increase the quality and functionality of the products.

As a rule, the development itself is offered for free, but it is commercialized by supporting and customization. This creates additional competition and, as a result, contributes to the development of open software products.

In almost all sectors and areas of activity, there is the possibility of using on the basis of an open source code. Almost every proprietary software has a valid analogue with open source:

  • Cisco VPN - OpenVPN,
  • Oracle Database - PostgreSQL,
  • Microsoft Hyper-V - OpenVZ,
  • MS Active Directory - Samba,
  • Avaya IP Office - Asterisk, etc.)

Based on specific business tasks, you can compare the cost and deadlines for the implementation of the solution based on proprietary software and OpenSource.

Open software in the countries of the world

USA

In March 2016, the US Presidential Administration presented a preliminary version of the draft law on the use of public departments. Market participants supported the initiative.

According to the document published by the White House, US government agencies can share each other source code for certain projects in order to increase their efficiency and get rid of the need to develop a product re-on. More about this.

India

In October 2011, it became known that the Government of Punjab decided to acquire software from Microsoft, canceling the decision taken in 2008 on the installation of free software for 46,000 computers in 4,956 schools. `We decided to reconsider the previous decision,` - said Baldeo Purushartha, Minister of School Education State.

The Punjab government launched the informatization program for students of grades 6-12 in 2004-2005. The ICT education department of Punjab is implementing a project, in all election schools, computer classes with the necessary equipment, software and broadband Internet connections are organized. At the same time, at the state level, Bharat Operating System Solutions (BOSS), a tested and certified Linux Foundation, which was tested and certified Linux Foundation for work in schools, thanks to its financial accessibility, was widely supported at the state level.

According to the statement of the President of Punjab, as of 2008, the minimum cost of software update with Microsoft license is 16,578 computers at the rate of 1,375 rupees on a computer - was 23 million rupees for five years. For this reason, in September 2008, the Government of Punjab decided to acquire and install BOSS in all public elementary schools and stated that since 2011, all elementary school students will study the use of BOSS. The works were completed in April 2011, including training of 6,600 teachers.

But on August 8, 2011, after a comprehensive analysis of the results of the project, the head of the School Education Department, Punjab, said that the School Education Department would return to the use of Microsoft ... to train children in primary schools. The cost of updating licenses will be about 7 million rupees, 3.77 million of which have already been allocated by the Government.

Moreover, about 90,000 computers will be installed in public schools connected to the Eduasat network through which students will be able to watch direct inclusions from various lectures. According to preliminary calculations, the initial price of Microsoft software and license will be 30 million rupees. This amount does not include the price of equipment, etc.

Earlier, in February 2011, it was decided to use BOSS to work in the EDUASAT network. But now, according to Purushart: `For the best use of installed computers, on which students will master Microsoft, we want to use Microsoft also in Eduasat`.

Note that Punjab was the first state that actively introduced Linux in schools. Currently, BOSS is still used in the Indian states of Haryana, Gujarat, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Germany

According to a recent study of the Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), Germany ranks fourth in the world in terms of SPO penetration in the public sector. In 2001, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of FRG passed on Linux (and with it - all embassies and consulates). McKinsey confirmed the consulting company several times: the foreign policy is significantly saved using Linux, OpenOffice and Thunderbird instead of Microsoft Dialing from Windows, Office and Outlook. It was even said that diplomats spend on IT less than employees of any other government agen.

But the focus is that in operationally free software is sometimes more expensive than definitely paid. Dinosaurs like Microsoft can accompaniment better and cheaper than small companies engaged in Linux support. And sometimes it is more profitable to buy a license. Therefore, for example, the same German foreign policy department this year returns to Microsoft software. Officials rated in money permanent problems with technical support, as well as difficulty in mastering the SPO (many employees complained) and spoke in that spirit that the miser pays twice.

Russia

Decisions of the Government and President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev, domestic open software in 2008 introduced in all schools of the Russian Federation and will be established in all state and budgetary organizations to ensure national security in the field of IT.

Project "Penguin" - the introduction of open

The Penguin project is a project for the implementation of Linux technologies and open-to-school and universities of Russia in 2009-2010. FAO is funded by the Federal Agency for Education of the Russian Federation. For a contract for the Penguin project, three stages must be performed:

  1. Refinement of textbooks and methodical support
  2. Development of technical support and Internet portals
  3. Training 60 thousand teachers technology Linux and open

1. Development of basic computer science textbooks for universities and schools based on open software in accordance with the state standards and the requirements of the EGE on computer science and ICT was implemented in 2008-09. 2. Development of Internet support with basic computer science textbooks and basic open software packages for Windows and Linux was performed in 2005-2009. 3. Trial courses for teachers of informatics and school teachers Technologies Linux and open software were carried out and worked out in 2005-2007. Together with Moscow Pedvuses, MPGU and MGPU with the support of UNESCO, IBM and Linux Center Corporation.

    • Vak, prof., Dok.KOMP.NAK 16:32, October 15, 2009 (UTC)

Open software is the opinion of the President of the Russian Federation

At this meeting D.A.Medvedev said:

"... if we go now fully on a foreign software needle And "laid" for many years, then we will not tear it. And we will develop contrary to global trends. At the same time, declare that tomorrow all computers in schools (and potentially it is a much more serious network of computers) We will transfer to open source programs, with a free license, it is also impossible, because there are problems of dusts, there are technological problems. That is, there is no readiness to be fully either. What to do?

We offer go on a compromise wayAnd this path now began to be implemented. For three years, to purchase a licensed package from basic programs (refer to primarily operating systems, archivers, offices, editors, "Photoshops" - in general, everything that is commonly used by users, including schools), but at the same time time does not stop, but to work on a domestic package of public-access programs (and now we will talk more about it), in order to further, in the end three years later (if it turns out before - even better),

Create such an optimal modelin which schools and potentially, all government agencies will be able to choose that they need: or continue to use commercial products at their own expense, and not at the expense of federal funds, or go to an already absolutely adapted, which is already acceptable for them, based on open access. , Open code ... ".

December 2010: Putin ordered to translate power on Linux

The history of the document on the transition of the authorities for free software lasts since 2007, when in the mininform department began to develop "the concept of development of the development and use of free software in the Russian Federation", which was published in the spring of 2008. However, the resignation of the Minister of Leonid Reiman and the appointment soon At his position, Igor Schegolev entrusted the revision of the concept.

Despite this, in the spring of 2008, a few days before the transfer of power, Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, still president of Russia, mentioned the plan of migration on the SPO of federal institutions in the list of his assignments to the government, thus putting this task to himself.

Packages of open software for schools

Packages open by For schools, designed to install programs in schools and home computers with Windows and Linux operating systems. Linux Live-CD CD is designed to work on open software on Windows home computers without installing Linux on a computer.

Solutions of the Russian government Domestic Public Software in 2008 and 2009. It was sent to all schools of the Russian Federation and will be established in all state and budgetary organizations to ensure national security in the field of IT.

Open Linux operating system

Open office package Problem

Open office package Open Office It can be freely installed and used not only on personal computers with Linux OS, but also on computers with Windows OS. At the same time, documents and files prepared in the MS Office office package can be read and processed in the Open Office package.

Composition of the open office package Open Office:

  1. OpenOffice.org Writer. - Writer text editor with rich opportunities for creating letters, books, reports, newsletters, brochures and other documents, compatible with MS Office.
  2. OpenOffice.org Calc. - Calc spreadsheets have advanced tools for analyzing, constructing diagrams and making decisions expected from high-quality spreadsheets, compatible with MS Office.
  3. OpenOffice.org impress - Impress presentation editor provides all the general means of presenting multimedia, such as special effects, animation and drawing tools. Compatible with the Microsoft PowerPoint file format, and can also save your work in numerous graphic formats, including Macromedia Flash (SWF).
  4. OpenOffice.org Base. - Base database provides tool tools to work with databases within a simple interface. It can create and edit forms, reports, requests, tables, views and relationships so that the control database management is almost the same as in other popular database applications. Base includes HSQLDB as its default relational database mechanism. It can also use DBASE, Microsoft Access, MySQL or Oracle, or any ODBC or JDBC compatible database.
  5. Open Office Draw. The DRAW vector graphic editor with which you can perform everything from simple charts or block diagrams to three-dimensional artwork. Draw can import graphics from many common formats and save it in more than 20 and formats, including PNG, HTML, PDF and Flash.
  6. Gimp. - Raster graphics editor GIMP, program for creating and processing raster graphics. Partially supported vector graphics.

Open text editor Writer

OpenOffice.org Writer - text processor and visual hypertext editor, is part of OpenOffice.org and is free software (manufactured under the LGPL license).

Writer looks like Microsoft Word and the functionality of these editors is approximately equal. Provides the user with modern tools for dialing, editing and formatting documents.

Along with the familiar interface and functionality:

* Creating and designing text and pages paragraphs, * Add partitions and footers, * Inserting images and multimedia objects, * Preview and printing documents, * Record changes and reference of texts, * Automatic design of tables, pointers and footnotes, * adding macros and elements control, * work with tables, * spell check and much more

Style application concept is a remarkable solution that facilitates the creation and formatting of documents. Working with styles is supported in all components of the office package, but it is in OpenOffice.org Writer that it is fully implemented.

Five styles groups: paragraphs, characters, pages, pages, and lists - provide the user with many opportunities for easy document formatting. Special panel "Styles and Formatting" allows you to control styles by changing existing and creating new ones. And the more difficult the document, the more often it is necessary to change it, the more apparent the advantage of the style design becomes.

Another tool - the navigator - provides the ability to quickly transition to the document, choosing headlings, footnotes, sings or other objects as landmarks.

As with other components, for Writer there are a large number of additions (extensions) that improve the basic component functionality or providing additional functions, for example, a grammar check or publishing in MediaWiki.

Writer supports a large number of formats for importing and exporting files, including saving to PDF and DOCX imports. And sending a file by email is carried out with one click of the button.

Open Calc spreadsheets

start: OpenOffice.org Calc - application for working with spreadsheets. With it, you can analyze the entered data, to calculate, predict, reduce data from different sheets and tables, build diagrams and graphs.

CALC is current and in demand in a business environment Component OpenOffice.org for working with spreadsheets. A favorite tool of accountants and managers to create reports.

Step-by-step entry of the formula in the cells of the spreadsheet with the master makes it easier for the formation of complex and nested formulas, demonstrates descriptions of each parameter and the end result at any stage of input.

Conditional formatting and styles of cells allow you to streamline ready-made data, and summary tables and graphs show the results of the work.

More than two dozen of the formats of import and export files, including text import functions allow us to operate with practically any data. Also, using a special tool, you can import data from other sources, such as databases, and you can create a renewable range so that the imported data is always relevant.

Connectors between different spreadsheets and joint data editing (starting from OpenOffice.org 3.0).

A variety of settings for printing ready-made sheets on the printer are available: Scale, fields, footers. A built-in spell check, as in a text editor, improve the quality of the ready-made report.

Open Vector Graphic Editor Draw

OpenOffice.org Draw. - A vector graphic editor, on functionality comparable with CorelDRAW, is part of OpenOffice.org.

Vector Graphic Editor Draw It is a drawing tool using vector graphics. It contains a number of services that allow you to quickly create all kinds of drawings. Vector graphics Allows you to save and display images in the form of vectors (two points and line), and not in the form of a dialing of pixels (points on the screen). Vector graphics simplifies saving and scaling images.

graphic editor Draw. Ideally integrated into the OpenOffice.org system, which allows the exchange of drawings between any system modules is very simple. For example, if you create a drawing in Draw, you can easily use it in the Writer document using copying and insert. You can also work with graphics directly in Writer and Impress modules using a subset of functions and tools from Draw.

The package includes full-featured "connectors" between the figures that can use a variety of lines styles and allow drawing drawings, such as flowcharts.

The need for a vector editor as part of the office package does not cause doubts. The scope of such an editor is rather wide: from the simplest drawings and ads to schemes, diagrams and drawings.

In addition to its own objects, you can insert diagrams, formulas and other items created in other components OpenOffice.org. Draw also supports exports of raster images of most formats, both common and special.

Draw has all the necessary tools inherent in vector editors:

* Connecting lines, dimensional lines, tables. * Work with text and text effects; * Change color fill, shadow, transparency; * Accommodation, binding and control of objects with slides, layers and guides; * Different operations over objects are supported: addition subtraction, grouping and converting figures; * Drawing three-dimensional objects; * Drawing with graphic primitives, beam curves; * Effects: lighting, morphing and duplication;

In addition to its own objects, you can insert diagrams, formulas and other items created in other components OpenOffice.org. Draw also supports exports of raster images of most formats, both common and special.

Using the gallery (object storage) allows you to streamline the available images, and the support of text styles saves time in the manufacture of the same type of objects.

Ready drawing or drawing can be printed on the printer or export to a raster image or, for example, in PDF.

Maximum pattern size in Draw - 300x300 cm.

Starting from version 3.0 OpenOffice.org, Draw supports not only export, but also import PDF (need to install a special OpenOffice.org extension).

Open relational base Base

Base is an open relational database that allows you to create, edit and process tab data.

The users are given a fairly large set of data processing tools and tables: editors of forms, requests, reports, database tables. With their help, you can analyze the entered data, make calculations, predict, reduce data from different sheets and tables, build charts and graphs.

The query editor allows you to create an almost entire spectrum of SQL queries to the databases to select, change, add data. Invested requests and requests with parameters are supported. The visual part of the editor will simplify the starting user constructing process.

Form editor allows you to take advantage of almost any standard database content management tool. It provides elements of text, numeric, binary fields, lists, "drop-down" lists, tables, buttons, calendar, and other elements.

tool for working with external data sources plus built-in DBMS HSQLDB. Using Base, you can add, delete, edit database entries: MySQL, HSQLDB (usually comes with OpenOffice.org), PostgreSQL, DB2, Oracle.

It is also possible to work with DBF, MS Access tables, address books, text files, as well as spreadsheets created in OpenOffice.org Calc or MS Excel.

Access to external data sources is carried out using ODBC, JDBC, SDBC and other technologies. A complete list of supported technologies and data sources depends on the operating system used.

More complex management and data processing is performed using Macros and AOBASIC Programming Language Tools.

The table editor will help create tables and manage them in the built-in HSQLDB database, as well as with some possible restrictions for other databases.

Base has a built-in reports wizard with basic functions for creating reports or tables or queries. But there is a better reporting tool - SUN REPORT BUILDER. This tool allows you to create reports of almost any complexity. It supports grouping, executing embedded user functions, conditional formatting. The result of SRB is the Writer or Calc document, which can later be printed or edited.

Using Base, you can create data sources. For example, by organizing a connection to the external database in Base and filming the required SQL query data, you can work with these data in Ooo Calc.

Open programming systems

  1. FreePascal. 2.0.4 - Free Pascal and Object Pascal compiler - Lazarus or KDevelop is recommended as IDE.
  2. Eclipse - Open complex of open programming systems to develop modular cross-platform applications.
  3. Gambas. - Free Programming System 2) Visual Basic IDE to create software based on Qt, GTK, OpenGL, SDL as well as CGI Web

Minimum Package Open For Schools

Includes programs open

  1. graphic medium Xfce;
  2. fast ABIWord text editor;
  3. gnumeric spreadsheet editor.

Minimum software package for:

  1. Office package: OpenOffice.org 2.3;
  2. Web browser: Firefox 2.0;
  3. Image Editor: GIMP 2.4;

Additional disk contains programs for schools and other educational institutions:

  1. Web pages editor Bluefish;
  2. Programming languages Pascal (Free Pascal and Lazarus), Basic (Gambas), Logo (KTURTLE);
  3. Mathematical computing systems (MAXIMA and SCILAB);
  4. Antivirus ClamAV and Squid caching server, POSTGRESQL DBMS

Optimized for installation and operation on a computer from 128 to 256 MB of memory and the processor from PI 233 MHz.

Linux LiveCD CD

CD Linux LIVE-CD is designed to work on open on Windows home computers without installing Linux on a computer.

CD L inuks Live CD. Optimized to work with a CD to install Linux to a computer from 128 to 256 MB of memory and the processor from PI 233 MHz. Supports work sessions that allow you to save the settings and documents in the home folder between reboots.

An option with the lowest hardware requirements provides acceptable performance even on systems with a memory capacity of 128 MB.

Includes an XFCE graphic environment; This distribution includes an easy and fast text editor ABIWord and the Gnumeric spreadsheet editing program.

In addition, the first disk contains:

  1. Office package: OpenOffice.org 2.3;
  2. Web browser: Firefox 2.0;
  3. Email: Claws Mail;
  4. Working with images: GIMP 2.4;
  5. and more than 1000 programs that resolve the widest range of tasks.

School server.

School server. - Server operating system with a wide functionality, fully customizable through the web interface through which the components control is performed.

Structure:

  1. web applications for helping in the organization of the educational process:
  2. Moodle - a system of remote and interactive learning, contains examples of courses;
  3. MediaWiki is a system for the organization "Knowledge Base", using Wiki technology;

to organize a local network:

  1. DHCP and DNS servers;
  2. squid proxy server (with support for the output of access statistics);
  3. firewall;
  4. network interface management;
  5. exact time server;
  6. file servers:
  7. Samba server (for organizing access to catalogs available on the SAMBA protocol);
  8. FTP server;
  9. interface to create local repository mirrors;
  10. cUPS print server;
  11. MySQL (for Moodle and MediaWiki);
  12. web server Apache2;
  13. interface to update the system (including update setting);
  14. backup;
  15. management of accounts (the ability to import accounts from the 1C system: chronograph);
  16. mail Server with support for anti-virus and spam.
    • Vak, prof., Dok.KOMP.NUK 04:29, July 19, 2009 (UTC)

Open software in Russia

Currently, open software begins to get widespread in the Russian education system, among the reasons why they call the wide illegal distribution of commercial closed import software.

Government solutions. Public open software in 2008 was introduced in all schools of the Russian Federation and will be established in all state and budgetary organizations to ensure national security in the field of IT.

Public software can be freely installed and used in all schools, offices, universities and all personal computers and in all state, budget and commercial organizations and institutions of Russia and in the CIS countries according to the General Public License (GPL).

    • Vak, prof., Doc.Komp.nuk 09:50, July 16, 2009 (UTC)

Open software in schools and universities

Using open by And Linux technologies in Moscow schools and universities began in 2005-2006. After conducting school-seminars "Technologies Linux and Open software", together with IBM and UNESCO, based on MPGU.

In 2007 Solutions of the Government of the Russian Federation, the underlying open software packages were recommended for introducing into all schools of Russia and use for learning computer science and information technologies in all computer science offices of all Schools of the Russian Federation.

Prehistory of basic packages Programs on computer science, their development, implementation and distribution to the School of Russia and the CIS countries began in the late 90s, when the basic programs of programs were developed for domestic personal computer BC, Corvette and TCNC and distributed in the form of open and free software for schools.

All high schools in Russia in 2008-2009. Received basic packages of licensed commercial and free open software for learning computer literacy, informatics basics and new information technology with Windows and Linux operating systems.

In four regions of Russia In 2008-2009 The work on the implementation and use in secondary schools of basic software packages for computer science and computer equipment and training technologies and computer science teachers work on Windows and Linux has been launched.

According to The Doctrine of Information Security of the Russian FederationThe training of computer literacy and computer science must be accompanied by legal libraries in training information in computer, protection against computer viruses, porn sites and information security in local and global computer networks based on free open software.

In 2007, the first computer science textbooks were issued for universities and schools to teach computer science in accordance with state standards of education with free open commercial closed software in Windows and Linux.

    • Vak, prof., Doc.Komp.nak 09:51, July 16, 2009 (UTC)

Definition of Open Source

Definition of Open Source (open) It is used by the Open Source Initiative to determine the degree of compliance with the software license to open software standards (open software). Based on Debian directives for free software that broken part are written by Bruce.

Definition consists of ten license requirements Open by:

  1. Free distribution. This means that the license should not impose restrictions on the sale and distribution of software.
  2. Available source texts. Even if the software is not supplied with the source texts, these texts should be easily accessible.
  3. The possibility of modification. Simple opportunity to read the source texts does not allow experimenting with them and release modifications.
  4. Even in case of inviolability of copyright text, derivatives and their source texts should be freely distributed.
  5. No discrimination against people and groups of people. Some countries, such as the United States, have some restrictions on exporting software.
  6. No discrimination for use. Free license must resolve all types of activity, including genetic and nuclear research, commercial use, etc.
  7. Distribution of a license. The rights associated with open software must be applicable to all users of the program without the conclusion of additional agreements, for example, non-disclosure agreements.
  8. The license should not limit other software products. With the exception of banal incompatibility, the user has the right to choose than to enjoy.
  9. The license must be technologically neutral. That is, the license should not require anything from the interface or technologies used in the derivative program.
  10. The license should not be attached to a specific product. The rights to program code should not depend on whether the program is part of a product. A person spreading the program in the separation from the collection or transferred part of the code to another product, has the same rights as the collection gave.

There is no simple way to find out which one is the best model for developing software for your business, open source or patented.

In Open-Source, there are many developers and programmers who are in the smallen degree of intimidate the idea of \u200b\u200bcommercialization of software, but this creates a threat to the commercial software industry, which is most threatened with the concept of open source software.

The difference between them is quite obvious, since each model has its own share of advantages and minuses. Nevertheless, weighing options between open source and property to find which one is a challenge.

As with all the difficulties of making decisions, you can only be sure that "it depends." It is clear that someone has a slight advantage over another in terms of features and characteristics that definitely define them.

The idea that one completely contradicts the other is not quite true. This article explains the difference between them.

What is open source software?

It all started with Richard Pokalman, who developed the GNU project in 1983, which stimulated the movement of free software, which ultimately led to the revolutionary movement of open source software.

Community People working with software will allow anyone to study and change open source code for any purpose they want. Open source movement violated all barriers between developers / programmers and software providers who encourage everyone to open cooperation. Finally, the open source software label was officially published at the strategic session in Palo-Alto, California, in 1998, in order to facilitate the adoption of this new term, which alone resembles academic freedom.

The idea is to release the software in accordance with the open license category so that everyone can see, change and distribute the source code as needed.

This is a certification mark belonging to an open source initiative (OSI). The term "open source software" refers to software that is developed and is tested by open cooperation, which means that any of the necessary academic knowledge can access the source code, change it and distribute its own version of the updated code.

Any software under an open source license must be openly open among users and is redistributed by others if the distribution conditions correspond to the definition of the open source OSI. Programmers who have access to the source code of the program are allowed to manipulate the parts of the code by adding or changing the functions that would not work otherwise.

What is proprietary software?

Unlike an open source, there is software, the source code of which can only be changed by a person or an organization that has created it.

Owner or publisher of software exclusively intellectual property rights to the source code. We call this software "proprietary software", because only the initial owner (s) of the software is legally allowed for checking and changing the source code.

Simply put, proprietary software is a software that belongs only to a separate person or an organization that has developed it. Proprietary software, as follows from the name, is the exceptional property of their creators or publishers, and anyone who outside the community is not allowed to use, change, copy or distribute modified software versions.

The owner is the exclusive owner of copyright on software, and only it has the right to change or add functions to the source code of the program. He is the only owner of a program that can sell it under certain conditions, which users should follow to avoid legal disputes.

Unlike open source software, the internal structure of proprietary software is not disclosed, and the limitations are superimposed on users of the End User License Agreement (EULA), the conditions of which must be respected by legal end users with respect to software.

Examples of proprietary software include iTunes, Windows, Macos, Google Earth, Unix, Adobe Flash Player, Microsoft Word, etc.

The difference between open source and proprietary software

Open and Proprietary Software Control

The idea is that developers and programmers are allowed to explore and modify the source code as the necessary screams out loud. More control means greater flexibility, which means that non-programmers can also benefit from open cooperation. Own software, on the contrary, limits control only to the software owner.

Safety of open and patented software

Because anyone who has the necessary knowledge can add or modify additional features to the source code of the program so that it works better, it provides better software stability, as the software incorrect can be corrected and replaced. As developers can work without any restrictions, it allows them to correct errors that could miss original developers or publishers.

Support for open and patented software drivers

Open source software packages often have missing drivers, which naturally, when you have an open community of users who have access to each individual code line. The software may include a code modified by one or more faces, each of which is subject to different conditions. The lack of official support or sometimes use of generic drivers can put a project at risk. Proprietary software means support for a closed group, which means better performance.

Ease of use of open source software and proprietary software

Unlike open source projects, proprietary, as a rule, are developed taking into account the limited group of end users with limited skills. They are aimed at a limited range of end users, in contrast to projects made in open source communities. Users outside the programmers community will not even look at the source code, not to mention its change.

Opacity of open and patented software

Restrictions on viewing banned end users to change the code, not to mention its debugging, without control over possible bypass solutions. The internal structure of proprietary software strictly closed access means that they lack transparency, which makes it almost impossible for users to even offer modifications or optimization of software. On the other hand, Open Source contributes to open cooperation, which means smaller errors and faster error corrections with a smaller number of difficulties.

Open source software and proprietary software: Comparative table

Summary of open source software

Open-Source refers to software whose source code is available for anyone who has access and modifies, while proprietary software relates to software that belongs to an exclusively physical person or publisher who has developed it. Unlike open source software, proprietary software is managed by a separate person or an organization that holds exceptionally intellectual property rights to the source code, and no one outside the circle can view this code, and not check it. The main difference between them is that open source projects have the ability to develop, since they can repeat millions of developers located worldwide.

In the programmers, there are people who are ready to provide the results of their work together with the possibility of changing them and improve them. We are talking about manufacturers of so-called open software, which for many years has been the subject of disputes in the global IT community. Some say that over the future open, others - on the contrary, consider it dangerous and unnecessary. But who is the end of the right? It is unlikely that there is a final answer to this question.

So, what is the open software? Perhaps the most common definition of this term reveals its main features. Open software (eng. Open Source Software) is all open source software, software products, on a basis of which are available not only for viewing, but also to change, which allows you to use the already created code for writing new software versions for Corrections of errors and refinement of an open program. It is worth noting that this definition, according to supporters of Open Source, does not fully display the essence of the concept. From their point of view, open software is, in addition to editing the source code, also a whole philosophy, the meaning of which is the creation of a information society through the comprehensive use of open software products in all spheres of human activity.

What is the charm of open software? According to the representatives of this current, the open source allows:
a) adjust the software product for the requirements of a specific user or user group;
b) eliminate the errors of previous developers;
c) refine and improve the software product.

In addition, based on open code is mainly free of charge, which is particularly attracted by small and medium-sized businesses, which, for example, are not able to provide themselves with licenses of commercial software products. Also supporters of the idea of \u200b\u200bthe openness of the source code as the advantage of Open Source Software allocate its safety, that is, open by virtue of its insufficient popularity is practically not subject to viral attacks. And if the threat is still discovered, it is eliminated in the shortest possible time, since there is access to the source code, as a rule, many professionals and lovers who support communication with each other. Accordingly, the threat of security, being already discovered, is rapidly eliminated by one of the community members or joint efforts.

It is worth noting that in the global view, the open software includes directly Open Source Software, as well as other varieties of software products that can be distributed free and provide the source code for making changes. Such software includes free (Free Software) and free programs.

So, the term Open Source (open software) was first applied in 1998 by Eric Steven Raymond (Bruce Perens) programmers. They were confident that the term Free Software (Free Software) in English is ambiguous and in some sense can even scare entrepreneurs who are potential users of such a software. Currently, Open Source is the Open Source Initiative trademark, which is engaged in the distribution of open source. In addition, there is also a special committee that decides whether a license of a particular program can wear the name Open Source.

It is worth clarifying that most of the open software is both free. The definitions of open and free on although they do not fully coincide with each other, but in general moments are close, and most of the program licenses correspond to both varieties.

The difference between Open Source and Free Software lies in priorities. For example, Open Source supporters make focus on open source work as a method for developing, upgrading and maintaining programs. Supporters of the term "Free Software" believe that it is the right to free distribution, modification and study of programs that are the main advantage of free open software, thereby fastening the authorship for a specific software product.

The founder of the Free Software concept is the American programmer Richard Stallman (Richard Matthew Stallman). It was he who for the first time formulated the concept of free software, which reflected the principles of open development programs in the scientific community that established at US universities in the 1970s. Pokalman formulated clear criteria for free software. These criteria stipulate those rights that the author of the free program transmits any user. Thus, using free software, the user receives a "four freedoms": run, study, distribute and improve the program.

I.e:
- "Zero Freedom" - the program can be used with any goal.
- "First Freedom" - you can learn how the program works and adapt it to your goals. The condition for this is the availability of the source code of the program.
- "Second Freedom" - you can distribute copies of the program to help developer.
- "Third Freedom" - the program can be improved and publish your improved version in order to benefit the entire community. The condition of this is also the availability of the source code of the program.

A program that meets all these principles can be considered free, that is, guaranteed open and accessible to the scientific community and simply for interested people and organizations. It is necessary to emphasize that these principles affect only the availability of programs for universal use, criticism and improvement, but does not negotiate money related to the dissemination of programs, including not suggesting and free.

The work mechanism of the free software is that the program product and its source code is protected by copyright, which gives the copyright holder the full power over the distribution and change of the program, even in the case when the source code is available. That is, the author has the right, including selling his product. However, as soon as users are not given the right to receive source program codes, change them and distribute further, the software becomes non-free - regardless of other conditions.

As for the conditions for the dissemination and use of Free Software programs, it is often forbidden to be prohibited, and reverse development, change, re-distribution is negotiated in the license agreement.

Nevertheless, there are programs that fall, according to some experts, under the definition of open, but not free. Such programs applies, for example, Unrar, unpackinger RAR archives. The fact is that its source code is in public domain, but the license prohibits using it to create RAR-compatible archivers.

Of course, the fact that the categories of open software are different, as they suggest a different degree of freedom for user actions. At the same time, sometimes you can observe a significant difference between the definition of free and open software. Open software, that is, the Open Software Software (Open Source Software) is a method for developing software at which the source code created is open, that is, is publicly available for viewing and change. This allows everyone to use the already created code for their needs and, perhaps, help in developing an open program. Free software is the right of the user, but not the obligation of the manufacturer, because The open license does not require that the software has always been provided for free. However, many of the most successful Open Source projects are still free.

Open access to the source code code programs is also a key feature of free software, therefore the term "Open Source Software" (on open source text) later, the term "Open Source Software" (according to open source text) appears to be even more successful for the designation of the phenomenon of free software than the collision offered at one time. FREE SOFTWARE. "

Note that the benefits of free development for the user should not be exaggerated. Not all free programs are equally accessible to making changes to the user, which, on the other hand, is completely unnecessarily related to the license for their distribution. An important role is played by the volume of the program: if there are tens of thousands of lines (as, for example, in OpenOffice.org - analogue of Microsoft Office), then even a qualified technician will need quite a long time to find and eliminate the error. Count on developers who will respond to all comments and user suggestions and immediately correct the program, it is also impossible, as they do not carry any obligations on the quality of the program. In this regard, the patented program can be in a better position.

It is worth noting that all participants in the open program process usually do some specific program of interest or because this software is the tool you need for any activity. The time that was spent on the improvement of the program is not paid, so there is no hope that circumstances will not be changed, and the development will not stop at all. Cases are known when the development of the program began thanks to a single enthusiast author who attracts many to participate in it, then the enthusiasm of the leader goes out, and with it, the development of software is suspended. Unfortunately, today there are thousands of free programs that could not achieve a full-fledged working version. In addition, the program may be necessary, but not to cause interest, which means there is no free developers for it.

Place of free programs in today's market is very significantly, and many commercial and state-owned enterprises use Free Software directly or indirectly. For example, all Internet users, although indirectly, use the Free Bind Program that provides the DNS service. In addition, many organizations (in particular providing services through the World Wide Web) use a free Web server Apache, from which the company's profit can also depend on the servers on the Linux platform.

The benefit of using free and open is obvious: for him, as a rule, do not have to pay, and if you have, it is worth it much cheaper than patented analogues. The main disadvantage, from the point of view of the commercial user, is that the developers of free programs do not carry any obligations except moral. That is, for the quality of software, they are essentially not responding.

For example, in one of the public licenses (GNU), there is even a standard wording that fixes the lack of warranties: "This program is supplied under the terms" as is ". Unless otherwise indicated in writing, the author and / or other copyright holder does not assume any warranty obligations, both expressly pronounced and implied, with respect to the program, including the implied guarantee of the commodity status when selling and suitability for use for specific purposes, as well as any other guarantees. "

By the way, the GNU system is currently more widely known as GNU / Linux or simply Linux is quite common, especially in the server market, and is a fully completed software product. It consists of a large number of GNU project programs (first of all system utilities and GNU Toolchain), Linux kernels - part of the system responsible for performing other programs that include device drivers, etc., - and many other free programs.

Therefore, today there is a tendency when large IT Corporations, such as Intel, Oracle or IBM, are trying to support free software development projects, paying for the work of the staff of these projects in order for the degree of development of developers at a high level. Why do they do it, because open and free software is for them competitive? The answer is simple - they see in this benefit that they are trying not to do the missed, since every day on the open source database there are many programs, some of which can later become strong commercial products.

There are several basic licenses that are used to distribute free to currently: Aros Public License, License BSD, CDDL, COMMON Public License, GNU Free Documentation License, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License, Mit License, Mozilla Public License , Open Directory License et al. For all free licenses, one way or another, is characterized by the compliance of the principles of the copigalft (Copyleft is a punishti from the word copyright). In contrast to the traditional approach to copyright, in which the freedom of copying works is limited, the copigalfta principle uses copyright laws to ensure that it is impossible to limit anyone to the right to use, change and distribute, both the work itself and works based on it. The idea of \u200b\u200bthe copileft is that everyone who spreads the program, both with change and without them, is not entitled to restrict its freedom of further distribution or modifications. The piggyback ensures that each user is free in its actions.

The number of licenses that correspond to the definition of the concept of Open Source (open software) is currently more than fifty. Open Source is the trademark of the organization Open Source Initiative. There is a special committee decisive whether the license can wear the name Open Source. One of the world's largest websites for developers of open software is the well-known SourceForge.net portal. On this site, developers can place and jointly develop their program projects. Currently, SourceForge.net has several hundred thousand projects, and the number of registered users exceeds one million.

Of course, open and free software are increasingly capturing the audience. Programs based on open code are quite successfully used by both private users and commercial, state and public organizations. Software based on Open Source and Free Software is already used as a preset for some models of laptops and netbooks of various manufacturers. In addition, the open source software gradually conquers the automation system for small and medium enterprises.



Did you like the article? Share it