Why Open Source Makes Sense (really, it does!)

Here's another reason why Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) makes sense: According to a recent L.A. Times article, large software companies *may* be encouraging software piracy on emerging markets. These emerging markets will eventually prosper and buy legitimate copies of the software they are using and the ultimate winner? Large software companies that uses proprietary technologies.

A conspiracy theory? Maybe, but then if we look closer at the scenario, it makes one think how easy it is for anyone can get a bootleg copy of the latest version of MS Office in the sidewalk. Installing is as simple as inserting the bootleg disk on the drive and that's it. Getting the latest version of Windows (complete with service packs at that) is just as easy. If one wants to use their FOSS equivalent (Linux and OpenOffice.org), he has to have a fairly fast internet connection and wait for them to get downloaded. Once downloaded, the user has to figure out how to install them. Unsophisticated users will, of course, go for the readily available and "user friendly" bootleg products because they are easier to come by and easier to install.

Most schools' computer subjects teaches MS Windows & MS Office as stated in their curriculum. This virtually forces students to get bootlegged versions of these. Once they graduate and can afford the license, they seem to have no choice but to get the software that they are used to using -- MS Windows and MS Office. Small offices often start out using bootleg copies of Windows and MS Office (among other apps) but eventually switch over to legitimate copies once the spectre of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) looms. It doesn't take a genius to deduce that a large part of the operating expense of a small office will go to licensing these proprietary software.

A couple of years ago, a local insurance company noticed that they are spending way too much for MS Office (amounts to around Php 9,000,000). After a detailed study, noted that their users was not using all the features of MS Office and that they can get the same productivity if they substituted OpenOffice.org with it. So, they spent the time and money to train their personnel and they actually spent around Php 6,000,000 for training the whole company. Now, except for a few personnel who really *need* to use MS Excel, around 95% of their personnel uses OpenOffice.org and the company has saved around Php 3,000,000 in their first year alone. Now, if three million pesos is not enough to prove a point that Open Source makes sense... I don't know what will.

technorati tags: microsoft, windows, linux, openoffice.org, Open Source