These open source softwares have become a very important factor for most users, and this type of programs is responsible for publishing a license with both the code source as with all other rights necessary for its use .
In general, most programs have exclusive use for those who have their copyright . But, in this case the Open Source are totally public. In this way they can be freely developed and distributed, allowing their users to change, redistribute and improve the software.
When such a program is launched, is given access to the community so that they can also make their contributions , either to correct errors or help improve it. In this case, here we will explain a little more about what this is all about and what these applications are for.
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How useful are Open Source programs in computing?
Simply by being a program of open source in computing it becomes a great utility for its users, and that it will be offering all its services without any type of cost. And when working under a license that allows access to the source code gives you the possibility to make modifications to the software with complete freedom .
You also have the opportunity to distribute it as long as is done under the terms set forth in that license . One of the main utilities that we can find in these computer applications is that it allows to share, modify and study what the source code is without any restrictions . In addition, all this helps to ensure that there is a collaboration between users to seek improvements in it.
In other words, Open Source can be said to be created for the community, where community members must offer their services to help solve failures and create improvements in functions . Therefore, the updates and the continuity of these basically depend on this factor.
History of open source How did this computer programming movement begin ?
All this began in the year 1990, where for the first time an open source software for the community was launched. Despite not being one of the ideas more attractive and endorsed by everyone, as for many this was a replacement for what was already known as free software , what many considered as a break free of developers / strong >.
It became a new idea that allowed users to use, write and modify the program for free.
However, today there are open source applications that give users the freedom that they can improve them while Other programs that have this source code available have some restrictions on their use and modification , where they are only free, but not customizable.
Mostly today Open Source is used to define what is a new software different from free softwares. The main idea of this whole concept is to allow them to programmers can read, modify and distribute the source code of a program , thus making it evolve and improve.
In this way, members can make their contributions by correcting the errors and consequently as a final objective a more advanced and perfected software .
Is Open Source and Freeware the same? Main differences between both
It is very important to know the main differences between what is Open Source and Freeware, considering that Open Source is of open source > and that allows its users to reuse and modify it . While the FreeWare are simply programs that can be obtained for for free but cannot be reused.
In other words, it can be said that both movements have noticeable differences, but that both are still important today. And it is that both OS and Freeware throughout all this time have offered very high quality programs such as the operating system of Linux, Firefox, Windows Media Player , among many others.
And Freeware have philosophical differences with open source , where Free Software , has as its main objective prioritize aspects of ethics. While the OS highlights more what are the technical aspects that go beyond the importance of rights of use and licensing .
Usually, Open Source are called Freeware because they can be purchased for free, but not all free softwares are OS .
List of the most popular open source programs currently
As mentioned earlier, there are very important programs currently of open source , they must meet a series of requirements so that they can be OS, these requirements are as follows:
- The source code must be included in the program.
- You must have a free redistribution .
- The license cannot be part of a specific product .
- The license cannot force other software to be distributed as open source only.
- It does not have any type of discrimination.
- They have an integrity with the author’s source code .
- Allow redistribution and modification .
- The license has to be technologically neutral , that is, no acceptance by the support is required of the software.
With these features in mind, here we are going to show you a small list of the most popular OS programs that can be found on the web today.
Linux
Linux is a part of the operating system where it is known as the core and which aims to communicate all the elements of the machine >. It was created in in 1991 by a student from Finland , who created all this operating system under free software , thus achieving many collaborators for his project.
This program has the function of making many people communicate through the computer , using all the electrical signals of the computer and converting them into elements such as sounds, images, symbols , among others to facilitate communication between two or more people.
It is important to mention that the development of this operating system was in the GNU project , which allowed us to recognize what was the work of the movement of GNU and free software, where users were offered freedom. All this would end up being called GNU / Linux .
VLC Media Player
You can say that VLC Media Player is one of the most important open source software today. This free multimedia player has a large number of functions and features that have led it to become a multiplatform, being able to play almost every format available in the market .
It can be used as an audio or video player, to enjoy your favorite videos and movies or your favorite songs.
It has a very simple platform to use, being compatible with almost all platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Unix, among others. It is also capable of playing formats such as MP4, MP3, MKV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WebM, H.264, among many more. In addition, it is highly customizable, where you can add skins, add extensions and create skins with the VLC Skins Editor .
Bitcoin
The bitcoin is currently one of the clearest examples of OS , and that is that the Bitcoin protocol and its software are published freely without any kind of restrictions where any programmer can enter it and create their own modified version of the program or simply to review it and make some modifications.
It currently has a large number of developers working through the Bitcoin protocol, where nothing of this protocol can be managed or controlled behind the mail and there is no owner. Therefore, Bitcoin is controlled by all its users around the world.
It doesn’t matter if any programmer makes important changes to it, since being a lib software re all users are free to choose how to modify it and the version they want from it .
Mozilla Firefox
This web browser is another one of the open source software that we will find available on the network. It is available for versions of Windows 7 and higher , as well as for the Mac and Linux operating system . It also has unofficial ports that are available for the Unix operating system and the like.
As of 2017, Firefox began to make improvements to its interface technology in order to create a more intuitive platform for its users. This web application can be installed completely free and be modified by the user without being affected its original version .
JPEGView
A very popular program and currently used by the majority of Windows users to view the different images stored on the computer . This program can be downloaded for free and is an Open Source. It is a great option to enjoy one of the best image viewers on the market .
JPEGView is a very simple program to use and does not present any problems at the time of use. It is also important to note that it is a very light image application, which will not take up many resources on your PC.
Visual Studio Code
This application is nothing more than a notepad that stands out for being very simple to use and comfortable , where you can start storing any type of event of a free form. However, it should be mentioned that it does not have a large amount of tool without comparing it with other applications of this type, but it gives you the opportunity to edit text and has a large storage capacity.
You also have the opportunity to add some plugins so you can improve your experience on it . In addition, it is recommended for those users who need to program and require a fast and lightweight app that does not take up much space.
SahreX is one of the programs that can not be missing on any computer, and it gives you the possibility of taking screenshots on your PC on any moment. This will allow you to capture those moments you want, ideal for those who prepare web tutorials .
This program stands out mainly for its ease of use and comfort when working with it, allowing you to make some editions in each of the captured images. Best of all, it is also open source so you can install it completely for free.
Libre Office
Another option we find is Libre Office , a tool known to most users and has become the main direct substitute for the Microsoft Office package. Therefore, with this software you have the opportunity to start creating documents, tables, PowerPoint presentations in a very simple and fast way.
Best of all, Libre Office is open source so you can download it for free . In addition, if we compare it with its main competence such as Microsoft Office , this is much lighter , which will help you save resources on your PC and work more comfortably , ideal for those old computers or with low memory capacity .