What Is Open Source?

The term open source often refers to software code that is freely available, freely modified, and freely distributed. The Soda Springs Library uses many open source software programs which lower our costs and provides needed services to the community. Our public access computers have OpenOffice, an office suite that contains word processing (like Word), spreadsheets (Excel), presentation (PowerPoint) modules. OpenOffice can open and save Microsoft documents.

Open source software is one part of the open source culture in which people believe that content (such as writing, art, or music) should be freely available to people. Another important belief is that open collaboration in product development (software, books, etc.) can create a superior product over time. This philosophy serves as the backbone to the Internet today as much of the software that the Internet operates on was developed through open source collaboration.

The open source movement not only spurred the Internet onto ever greater access, it is influencing just about every aspect of our everyday lives. Businesses, education, medical technologies all rely on some form of open source product. The movement is related to the CopyLeft movement, but generally believes in some form of intellectual property protection and/or recognition.

You can learn more about the Open Source movement by reading Wikinomics by Dan Tapscott. Tapscott discusses how our economy has been influenced by the open source movement. It is a revealing look at our changing society and economy. He discusses collaborative work in computer, medical, and industrial applications. You can read the print edition from our library copy. The interesting thing is the author has asked readers to help write the last chapter of the book. The last chapter is a Wiki (collaborative document) and you can make your own contribution.

Check our library catalog to see if Wikinomics is check in or to place it on hold.