Open source Vs Commercial Operating
System
In today’s time there are many operating systems,
some are licenced and some are free to use. In technical language these two
terms are abbreviated as commercial and open source OS respectively. These two
types of OS can’t be differentiated properly as they have lot of common points.
But in this blog, we have discussed some crystal clear points which clearly
differentiate these two OS’s. at first let’s take quick overview of open source
and commercial OS.
Open source OS :
Open source software is generally free or has
low-cost licensing options. The source code of this OS has made available to
everybody by its developer. Anybody can study, change, enhance, modify the code
of open source OS. The first one (LAMP) is based on open source technologies
without licensing costs: Linux operating system, Apache Web server, MySQL
database, and PHP programming language.
Commercial OS :
Commercial OS are created and supported by
for-profit companies (e.g., Windows) that typically sell licenses for the use
of their software and that are driven by maximizing profits. It requires
purchasing a license: MAC-OS, Google android OS, Apple iOS. The up-front
license cost of a commercial CMS could run from a few thousand dollars to tens
or even hundreds of thousands. Most enterprise-level CMS systems also charge
significant recurring fees (usually 20% of the initial investment or more) for
support and updates.
Before we compare the two more closely, it is
important to understand the fundamental differences between open source and
commercial software.
Difference between Open source OS and Commercial OS
:
One of the biggest decisions you may face is
whether to use commercial or open source technology. Both the OS’s has there
respective pros and cons. Open source systems are overseen by dedicated
communities of developers who contribute modifications to improve the product
continually and who decide on the course of the OS based on the needs of the
community. Cost of Ownership Cost of ownership is one of the biggest factors in
deciding whether to use open source or commercial software. Open source
software is generally free or has low-cost licensing options. Commercial
software, on the other hand, requires purchasing a license. The up-front
license cost of a commercial CMS could run from a few thousand dollars to tens
or even hundreds of thousands. Most enterprise-level CMS systems also charge
significant recurring fees (usually 20% of the initial investment or more) for
support and updates. Having said this, an open source solution could provide
substantial cost savings to your organization over licensing fees for a commercial
solution. Commercial or proprietary software also equates to better support and
typically offers a robust suite of features right out of the box. If your
organization's needs are very well planned and documented, your IT favors
Microsoft products and commercially supported software, and the up-front budget
for software licensing is not a significant concern, then Microsoft web stack
and commercial CMS may be a good option for you. The Case for Open Source
Technologies another benefit is that you don't have as many limitations on
future website expansion and customization, and you can continue improving your
website "as you go." In addition, you are not tied to a single web
developer using the open source approach, which gives you the flexibility for
further development and web partner selection. Because open source solutions
are supported by communities of volunteers, your initial cost may be lower with
this choice, but you will most likely need to budget for technical resources to
maintain it over time. With a limited budget, however, your financial resources
are better directed toward the best possible website as opposed to acquiring
licenses and paying mandatory fees for updates.
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