Open source software is free software where it is not only the source code that is available to the public. It is a software that users can use, modify and redistribute because of the human readable source code that is available under a copyright license. The use of the term open source started as a marketing campaign for free softwares. Later on, all softwares that meet the criteria set under the open source definition are all called open source softwares.

What is the benefit of using open source software?

As mentioned, it is free software. You can use, modify or redistribute these open source softwares without cost.

Another benefit in using such a free software is because you can modify or alter the source code, you become a co-developer.

You can help find bugs from these softwares and suggest improvements into the open source software. Thus, other users will benefit from the improvements you suggested as a co-developer.

The use of it are not limited to few applications, as in fact, there are many types of open source softwares that you can use.

Here are a few examples of open source software

Document editing software

PDF, this is one of the popular open source softwares you can use by downloading from the internet

Linux Office Suite

Other word processing softwares such as Notetaking, LaTeX, Spreadsheet and Text Editor

Multimedia softwares include Audio Processors, Linux MultiMedia Studio, Rosegarden, etc.

Video editing open source softwares, there are numerous open source softwares in this category.

Networking and internet softwares, including email and instant messaging softwares

Applied fields such as mathematical, science and statistics softwares are also available as open source.

Data storage and management tools will help you back up your files and thus you do not fear loosing them forever.

Educational softwares of many kind are likewise available

Gaming softwares

Operating systems

There are almost a hundred of open source softwares and because users are free to modify to improve these open source applications, it is not surprising to know that there will be variations and additional open source tools that will come out of this freedom.

You do not only use free software but you can be part of improving the software to benefit as many people.

Of course, there could be bugs that needs adjustments and if you can help point out those bugs and recommend improvements, then you are sure that the coming generations will enjoy application softwares that will improve their lives.