The Benefits of Open Source Software
At RTS Labs, we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date technology practices into our work so that we can provide our clients with the most efficient and effective services possible.
That’s why we value open source software. Unlike proprietary software, which is entirely managed by the company that owns and produces it, open source software makes its source code freely available to the public to use and to edit. This access model is more conducive to innovation and improvement than traditional systems.
Because this software is accessible to any interested parties, there is a much larger pool of developers examining the code than a company could reasonably assign to the development of a proprietary software. This means that as long as there is an invested community around it, there will be tremendous resources available to maintain and improve the code. With so many eyes and minds focused on the project, it is easier to fix bugs quickly and to increase the available software library, making the value of the software increase dramatically in a shorter period of time than could be possible if a single company were maintaining all updates and improvements. And since there is no up front financial commitment, you have much more flexibility to incorporate the most appropriate software for your project instead of being limited by previous investments.
Since you won’t have to wait for the managing company to put together and push out updates, there will not be anyone mandating that you adopt updates when they are available. Therefore, you will need to remain aware of what is going on in the community so that you can be sure that you are working with the most up-to-date and efficient solutions. This requires that everyone in the community is, at least to some degree, an active member monitoring the code, ensuring that it remains in the best condition possible.
Some people who express hesitancy over the open source model ground their concern in fears over potential security problems – the thinking being that when anyone can change the code, it is theoretically easy to introduce something harmful into the system. While this concern makes some sense, the level of investment of the community that updates the code helps to ensure that people will constantly be checking for potential security risks. As long as you are aware of potential security issues and actively monitoring the code you use while you are developing, there is no reason that this should prove an increased risk.
At RTS Labs, we value open source software because it allows us to provide every client with innovative, cutting edge solutions. This access model enables us to customize our development experience based on each client’s needs, where we otherwise may have been restricted by our previous financial investments.
If you are looking for a customized software solution, or if you have any questions about open source software, give RTS Labs a call today!