There are many free software programs available today that are created open source. Anybody with an internet connection can download and use the software at no cost to them. It is developed by programmers who do it because they enjoy it. There are ways to make money from open source software, but this relies on donations rather than mandatory charges. On top of the free software, documentation is provided on how anybody with programming knowledge, can build add-ons and add additional functionality to the existing program base. This is open source software.
Perhaps the most famous open source software is WordPress, a blogging platform that has been around since 2001. But there are a growing number of open source programs that can help you with almost any task. PrestaShop is an open source e-commerce platform that can be used for free by anybody who wants to open an online store. Flowplayer is an open source web video player. Thunderbird is an open source e-mail client from the makers of the popular Firefox internet browser, that is giving Outlook Express a run for its money. There is also an open source office suite to rival Microsoft Office, and an open source operating system – Linux – to rival Windows. In fact, you could run your PC totally on open source programs!
The fact that it is free obviously contributes greatly to the popularity of these software programs. But the real key to their success is more than that. The idea of being able to add your own functionality to software by creating a little add-on is quite a revolutionary idea. There are thousands of WordPress plugins and a growing number of PrestaShop modules that add functionality to the software which the original designers had not thought of, or had not bothered to implement yet.
The idea of mass colaboration to achieve a goal with no financial incentive is a world changing idea that is now spreading into fields outside the software industry, where it may be able to do greater good for mankind. The open source philosophy has the power to change the world.