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"Because open source software features open code, more programmers are able to view the code, create new functionality, and fix bugs. This follows the same natural way that science has developed over time."

Taoism of Open Source; Chen Nan Yang; September 29, 2007.


Free Open Source Software (FOSS), sometimes called just Free Software or Open Source, is licensed to remain forever freely available to use, modify, and distribute.  Most FOSS licenses also include a nice kind of legal Golden Rule, that requires all modifications - typically fixes and enhancements - also be made available under the same license.  The trust this generates by both developers and users is the key that enables large and sustainable communities that continually grow the software over time.

From individuals to large enterprises, FOSS is increasingly the standard choice because it is the natural solution - it increases capability, reduces costs, increases security, avoids lock-in, provides long-term stability, and is the least risk, best long-term choice.  More info provided in the following sections.

        

  Software

        

  Collections

        

  Information

Additional information can be found at the following pages.

Commercial Open Source Software (COSS) can contain Free Open Source Software components, however limits availability of key functionality to closed proprietary software, and therefore is described on this site only on the COSS page.