zzz_archive:faqs:evergreen_faq_3
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+ | ====Frequently Asked Questions about Open Source Software==== | ||
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+ | **Also see: | ||
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+ | *[[zzz: | ||
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+ | *[[zzz: | ||
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+ | *[[zzz: | ||
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+ | *[[faqs: | ||
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+ | *[[faqs: | ||
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+ | *[[zzz: | ||
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+ | ===== | ||
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+ | ====The FAQ==== | ||
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+ | **What is open source software?** | ||
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+ | Open source software (OSS) is software that is free to download, free to use, free to modify, and free to view. OSS is **open** in every sense of the word. | ||
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+ | **Can I modify OSS software myself?** | ||
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+ | If you have the know-how, you can modify any truly open source software. However, that doesn' | ||
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+ | **Who gets to decide which changes become part of the core code?** | ||
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+ | Open source software development happens in a collegial, merit-based environment where the most skilled, experienced developers become **committers** -- developers that the community entrusts with the final decision-making to make changes part of the permanent code. | ||
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+ | **Is OSS secure?** | ||
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+ | This may seem counter-intuitive, | ||
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+ | OSS is so secure as a design model that no less than the NSA trusts it, and used the OSS model to develop Linux SE, its own " | ||
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+ | **Do I have to support the software with my library' | ||
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+ | While you //can// support OSS software with local resources, for a number of products, you don't //have// to. Companies such as Media Flex, Red Hat, Acquia, and others provide soup-to-nuts services, including consulting, migration, support, development, | ||
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+ | **What' | ||
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+ | OSS = Open Source Software | ||
+ | FLOSS = Free/ | ||
+ | FOSS = Free/Open Source Software | ||
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+ | All of these terms describe nearly the same sort of software, and are often used interchangeably, | ||
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+ | The original Evergreen developers advocated the GPL license for both pragmatic and philosophical reasons. | ||
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+ | For more information and viewpoints, see http:// | ||
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+ | **I tried OSS once and it wasn't very good. Is all OSS created equally?** | ||
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+ | Open source software varies in quality--just like its proprietary counterparts. Each software product should be evaluated on its own merits. | ||
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+ | **What are some of the common characteristics of enterprise-quality OSS?** | ||
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+ | Look for a program that is written in modern programming languages, features modular, scalable service-oriented architecture, | ||
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+ | **How can I participate in open-source communities? | ||
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+ | There are many ways to participate. If your library has developers, you can contribute "sweat equity" | ||
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+ | **What is " | ||
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+ | FUD is an acronym for Fear, Uncertainty, | ||
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+ | **Is it true that...** | ||
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+ | **Open source software could prevent my library from passing a financial audit?** | ||
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+ | Some vendors of proprietary software have attempted to alarm librarians by inferring that OSS " | ||
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+ | In fact, most commercial proprietary library software programs use OSS products in their own code. If they trust it, you can too. | ||
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+ | **OSS " | ||
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+ | This statement is intended to suggest that OSS is "too new" to be trusted. However, many open source programs have been around for over a decade. Furthermore, | ||
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+ | **OSS is harder to install and maintain than proprietary software?** | ||
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+ | It's worth noting that one library system recently announced that it " | ||
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+ | For library software, our observation is that beyond a certain size, most large library organizations end up investing significant money and staff time in migrating to, maintaining, | ||
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zzz_archive/faqs/evergreen_faq_3.txt · Last modified: 2022/02/10 13:34 by 127.0.0.1