RA No. 8

Fundamental Issues with Open Source Software
By Michelle Levesque
URL Source: http://www.citizenlab.org/opensource/

Abstract:

This paper discusses five fundamental problems with the current Open Source Software (OSS) development trend, explores why these issues are holding the movement back and offers solutions that might help overcome these problems. The lack of focus on user interface design causes users to prefer proprietary software’s more intuitive interface. Open Source Software tends to lack the complete and accessible documentation that retains users. Developers focus on features in their software rather than the general public. Lastly, there is a widely known stubbornness by Open Source programmers in refusing to learn from what lessons proprietary software has to offer. If Open source software wishes to become widely used and embraced by the general public, all five of these issues will have to be overcome.

Three things I learned:

1. There are five flaws with the Open Source Software (OSS) development such as user interface design, documentation, feature-centric development, programming for the self and religious blindness.
2. There should be a conscious decision and careful planning before deriving into a open source software.
3. Without adequate documentation Open Source projects are inherently at a disadvantage.

Implications:

Understanding Open Source Software is not an easy task more so being involved in its development. There are so many flaws that we would be encountering. As the article stated OSS are made for programmers, it would make a great deal for the general public to comprehend it due to lack of proper documentation and background. However if we would just be able to learn, avail, be accustom and overcome the different flaws cited above it would be of great advantage financially compared to the proprietary software.