why a software is open source?

Replies

• 

  gaurav.bhorkar

  A open source software is one which can be used by anyone without paying anything
  right???

  The software which are available for free is called freeware. The 'free' in open source philosophy refers to freedom, not money. Open source software may not be always available for free, but almost all cost no money.
  
  Maybe the main objective behind making a software open source is that users can modify it's code and use it as they want. Open-source software is developed by a community (eg. Linux), more people are involved in its development, and many people come with great ideas and tweaks.
  
  How open source software companies earn? If we look at Google, they have other business (contextual advertising) from where the money comes. Mozilla Corporation gets money from donations, Google (as a default search engine), etc. Canonical (developers of Ubuntu) derives money from their merchandises like T-shirts, or CDs.
  
  Good products always get famous!
• 

  Manish Goyal

  Mozilla Corporation gets money from donations

  Donations???
• 

  gaurav.bhorkar

  Yeah, people can #-Link-Snipped-# to support Mozilla foundation. They also have a store where we can buy Tees and other cool stuff, like we have the CE store.
• 

  Kaustubh Katdare

  Good response, Gaurav 😀 ; let me extend this further.
  
  Open Source means the source is open for all to modify and customize as per individual/group needs. Open Source contributors are talented people around the world who just want to do stuff to show their skills and make things available free of cost. Most of the open source contributors do not earn any money out of their hard-work. Its all for the community.
  
  Firefox has a deal with Google. When you use Firefox's search box (embedded in the browser) and then find relevant advertisement links; Google gives a share of its revenues to Firefox. Because Firefox is SO HUGE (over 450 million users); the revenues that Mozilla Corporation (company behind Firefox) makes is significant.
  
  There are tons of open source projects available to which you can contribute to. I believe every Computer Engineers should contribute to at least one project. In face, we may start one open source project here on CE as well.
• 

  Manish Goyal

  Thanks a ton sir
  
  You have all my doubts regarding this
  
  one more question not related to this topic
  
  Is advertisement the only way of earning money through internet?
• 

  Morningdot Hablu

  good question goyal.
  we hear from our childhood that google ,yahoo and microsoft is the biggest company in computer world.
  and the only earning source of these companies are advertisement.
  can any one tell me how many $ google take for a shorter advertisement.
  i know microsoft also create software's but who buy these software's.
  so what are the earning source of these companies.
• 

  gaurav.bhorkar

  goyal420

  Is advertisement the only way of earning money through internet?

  mohit007kumar00

  good question goyal.
  we hear from our childhood that google ,yahoo and microsoft is the biggest company in computer world.
  and the only earning source of these companies are advertisement.

  No not at all. It's true that 90% of all Google's revenue comes from advertising, but they have other businesses too, like Google Apps. Microsoft isn't really into advertising, all they sell is Windows and Office products.
  
  
  

  mohit007kumar00

  can any one tell me how many $ google take for a shorter advertisement.

  I think Google doesn't tell its users about how much amount they pay of each click (on their advertisement).
  
  

  mohit007kumar00

  i know microsoft also create software's but who buy these software's.
  so what are the earning source of these companies.

  We buy these softwares. Although piracy has been on a rise, there are many people who buy only genuine products, and there are lots of such users.
• 

  ms_cs

  nice point big_k. One idea of open source is to hire free developers from allover world, and such a way the product is enhanced further by at cost of zero $$$. Even there is a possibility to commercialize that product after editing and also it depends on license.