Some states and some companies are turning to open source software for a variety of reasons, some mentioned in this chapter. Some companies (say Microsoft) have gone on the record against open source software. Explain some of the advantages of using proprietary software and cite your advantages with websites that take or mention these positions.
According to businessdictionary.com, proprietary software is, "[a] computer program[s] that are exclusive property of their developers or publishers, and cannot be copied or distributed without complying with their licensing agreements." There is also something called open source software. This is, according to the same website, "software that is available free of charge with its source code for modification and redistribution." Both types of software have obvious and slightly more subtle advantages and disadvantages. There are many websites, blogs, news articles, and essays devoted to arguing that one is better than the other. Proprietary software has many advantages over open source software.
Some advantages are for the developer or publisher. These advantages, according to kedah.edu, include two main ideas. First is income. The creator of software could then sell the created software for others to use. This creates a revenue which can then be used to create better services and improvements to the software (freesoftwaremagazine.com). Kedah.edu also mentions setting the license use as a benefit to the producer. If one sets the use requirements then there is more control over distribution and it also allows the developer to monitor the use of his or her product.
Many advantages are directed toward the consumer, as those are the people that the developer is trying to attract. One of these advantages is a stable support system if the software fails or malfunctions (kedah.edu). This support system is usually not available for open source software but when it is, it is generally not professional or reliable (ivertech.com). Another advantage is the ease of mind that proprietary software gives the user. Companies put great effort into making the software safe and effective for the user. There are few bugs and no viruses. When a bug does appear the developer offers a free update with the latest information, or the latest improvement to the software (kedah.edu). The final main advantage to proprietary software has to do with image. According to linux-magazine.com people have a tendency to stay with proprietary because of brand names. Brand names are know and trusted. Many smaller pieces of open source software have the same features but not the label and to many the label is important.
Disadvantages to open source software is just as beneficial to the argument as advantages to proprietary software is. According to ivertech.com, open source software has no professional support. This makes it hard for a user if something goes wrong. Other disadvantages include a lack of release coordination and erratic updates. This can cause problems to users that do not have the knowledge that programmers have. If a bug were to appear the user has no one to contact and no one that can offer an update or improvement. If there is an improvement it may not come until long after the user gave up on the software or the user may never be able to find that improvement. As shown proprietary software has many advantages over open source software.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/proprietary-software.html
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/open-source.html
http://www.kedah.edu.my/sahc/a_portal/portal_tekvok/ict/nota_com_sys/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20les_57.pdf
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/node/1446
http://software.ivertech.com/_ivertechArticle13894_OpenSourceSoftwarevsProprietarySoftware.htm
http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Blogs/Off-the-Beat-Bruce-Byfield-s-Blog/The-Prestige-of-Proprietary-Software
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