Open Source: What is “Open Source” and what can I do with such a program?

These open source software have become a very important factor for most users, and this type of program is responsible for publishing a license with both the source code and all other rights necessary for its use.

In general, most of the programs have an exclusive use for those who have Copyright of the same. But in this case the open source they are totally public. In this way they can be developed and distributed freely, thus allowing its users to be able to change, redistribute and improve the software.

When such a program is launched, you are given access to the community so that they too can do your contributionsEither for fix errors or help improve it. In this case, here we are going to explain a little more about what all this is about and what these applications are for.

How useful are Open Source programs in computing?

Just being a program Open Source in computer science It becomes a great utility for its users, and the one that it will be offering all its services without any cost. And it is that when working under a license which enables access to source code gives you the possibility to modifications to the software with complete freedom.

You also have the opportunity to distribute as long as it’s done under the terms established in said license. One of the main utilities that we can find in these computer applications is that it allows share, modify and study what the source code is without any restrictions. In addition, all this helps to have a collaboration between users to look for improvements.

In other words, it can be said that the open source are created for the community, where community members should offer their services to help fix bugs and create feature enhancements. Therefore, the updates and continuity of them basically depend on this factor.

Open Source History How did this computer programming movement start?

This all started in the year 1990, where for the first time a open source software for the community. Despite not being one of the most attractive ideas and supported by all, since for many this was a replacement for what was already known as freesoftwarewhich many considered to be a break developers free.

It became a new idea that allowed users to be able to use, write and modify the program for free.

However, today there are open source applications what do they give to the freedom users that they can improve themwhile other programs that have this source code available they have some restrictions on the use and modification thereofwhere they are only free, but not customizable.

Mostly nowadays the Open Source is used to define what is a new software different from free software. The main idea of ​​this whole concept is to allow programmers to be able to read, modify and distribute the source code of a programthus achieving that the same evolve and improve.

In this way, members can their contributions correcting the errors and consequently as a final objective a most advanced and refined software.

Are Open Source and Freeware the same thing? Main differences between both

It is very important to be able to know the main differences between what It is Open Source and Freeware, Taking into account that Open Source It is Open Source and that allows its users to be able to reuse and modify. While the freeware they are simply programs that can be obtained from free form but they cannot be reused.

In other words, it can be said that both movements have notable differences, but that both are still important today. And it’s so much OS as Freeware Throughout all this time they have offered very high quality programs such as Linux operating system, Firefox, Windows Media Playeramong many others.

And it is that the freeware count on philosophical differences with open sourcewhere the Free Softwarehas as its main objective Prioritize ethical issues. While the OS stand out more what they are the technical aspects that go beyond the importance of the rights of use and the license.

Usually the Open Source Are calls freeware because they can be acquired for free, but not all free software is OS.

List of the most popular open source programs today

As mentioned above, there are currently very important programs for Open Sourcethey must meet a series of requirements so that they can be OS, these requirements are the following:

• The source code must be included in the program.
• must have one free redistribution.
• The license cannot be part of a specific product.
• The license cannot compel another software is distributed as open source only.
• It doesn’t have any kind of discrimination.
• They have an integrity with the author’s source code.
• Allow redistribution and modification.
• The license has to be technology neutralie no acceptance is required from the software support.

Bearing these characteristics in mind, here we are going to show you a small list with the most popular OS programs that can currently be found on the net.

Linux

Linux is a part of operating system where he is known as the nucleus and which aims to be able communicate all the elements of the machine. It was created in the year 1991 by a student from Finlandwho created all this operating system under free softwarethus managing to get many collaborators for your project.

The function of this program is to make it possible for many people to communicate via computerthus using all the electrical signals of the computer and converting it 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 he was in the GNU projectwhich thus allowed to recognize what was the work of the GNU movement and free software, where freedom was offered to users. All this would end up being called Linux.

VLC Media Player

We can say that VLC Media Player is one of open source software most important today. East free media player It has a large number of functions and features that have led it to become a multiplatform, being able to play almost all formats available on the market.

It can be used as a audio or video player, whether 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 as in Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Unix, among other. It is also capable of playing formats such as MP4, MP3, MKV, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WebM, H.264, between many more. Also, it is highly customizable, where you can add skins, add extensions and create skins with VLC Skin Editor.

Bitcoin

The bitcoin is currently one of the clearest examples of YOUand it is that the Bitcoin protocol and its software are published freely without any restrictions where any programmer can enter it and create your own modified version of the program or simply to review it and make some modification.

It currently has a large number of developers working through the bitcoin Protocol, where none of this protocol can be managed or controlled behind the mail and does not have an owner. Therefore, Bitcoin is controlled by all its users around the world.

It doesn’t matter if some programmer makes important changes to it, since being a free softwarere all users they are free to choose how to modify it and the version they want of it.

MozillaFirefox

This web browser is another of open source software that we will find available on the net. The same is available for Windows versions 7 and higheras well as for Mac and Linux operating system. It also has unofficial ports that are available for the system Unix OS 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 be affected its original version.

JPEGView

A very popular program and currently used by most users of Windows to be able to see 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 be able to enjoy one of the the best image viewers on the market.

JPEGView It is a very simple program to use and that does not present any type of problems when using it. It is also important to note that it is a very light imaging app, which will not take up much resources on your PC.

Visual Studio Code

This application is nothing more than a memo pad which stands out for being very simple to wear and comfortable, where you can start hosting any type of event for free. However, it should be mentioned that it does not have a large tool quantity 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 to it so you can improve your experience on it. In addition, it is recommended for those users who need to schedule and require a fast and light app that does not take up much space.

ShareX

sahrex is one of the programs that cannot be missing on any computer, and it is that it gives you the possibility of take screenshots on your pc anytime. This will allow you to capture those moments you want, ideal for those people who make web tutorials.

This program stands out mainly for its ease of use and comfort when working with him, thus allowing you make some edits in each of the captured images. Best of all, it’s also from Open Source so you can install it completely free.

Free Office

Another option we find is Free Officea tool known by most users and that has become the main direct substitute to the package of MicrosoftOffice. Therefore, with this software you have the opportunity to start create documents, table, PowerPoint presentations in a very simple and fast way.

The best of all is that Free Office It is Open Source so you can download for free. In addition, if we compare it with its main competition such as microsoft-officethis is a lot lighterwhich will help you save resources on your PC and work more comfortably, ideal for those old computers or with little memory capacity.