Did you know that much of the software that powers the world’s largest companies, protects our personal data and/or encrypts national security information is open to the public? This topic came to us from CNBC in their article, “How open-source software took over the world.”
Just about anyone with the right skill set can download the source codes behind most familiar, massive data interfaces and use them as a starting point for a new project. This is the new world of open-source software, where code is written and distributed freely. So how did a business model that essentially revolves around giving away information and products take over the world? Community is the answer. Open source took over the world because of community.
Community once was church and other social gatherings. Because of the internet it has become possible for users who share a common interest to not merely to share their enthusiasm for something, but to work together to create entirely new, world-changing products and services.
Melody K. Smith
Sponsored by Data Harmony, a unit of Access Innovations, the world leader in indexing and making content findable.
