Open Source
Open source in the realm of software is the idea that the code used to run the software should be open and available to the public for the benefit of everyone. By allowing open usage of a softwares source code, different individuals can contribute their knowledge and expertise to a particular project without having to have permission from the company that originated the work.
Today open source ideals can be expanded beyond the realm of just software. Freedom to use information can be found all over the internet. From images and videos, to writing, the open source ideal can benefit many people around the world.
Open source software has helped in contributing to the creation of the internet. In fact the internet was developed under the idea of the freedom of information being available to anyone with an internet connection, and in fact in the early years, much of the information on the internet was offered free to anyone who wanted it.
Presently there are many open source software applications that rival their proprietary counterparts. Some open source applications can even surpass their counterparts in quality. There are plenty of opportunities around for the average user to take advantage of the open source movement.
Software and media can be licensed under different licenses that constitute either open source licensing or free use licenses. There are many licenses that qualify as open source and this list includes: Public Domain, GNU General Public License, Mozilla Public License, and many others.
