Posted 11/18/2008 at 09:07:55am

Can Open-Source Software Help a Recession? – David Murphy – 11.14.2008

Scott Bennett – Irving, TX

Regarding the article titled ‘Can Open-Source Software Help a Recession?’ I completely agree with what you are saying about both sides. Open-Source content is a very good way for companies to save a lot of money, but as you said, open-source content isn’t entirely free, much like most of the coupons you get there is always some sort of catch to it.

Open-Source HAS become something very large within the past view years, opening up the restrictions on programs is a huge thing that many people can come to appreciate. In many ways I appreciate the development of a lot of these open-source programs in the fact that they make starting small businesses much easier with the cost savings, and I know that how small businesses are doing is a good first sign of how our current economy is doing, so essentially, you fix the small business, you fix the economy.

Even though not all open-source software is free, with the costs of reference manuals and proprietary versions as you have said, I do believe that a majority of small businesses at least will be able to afford this minor cost in comparison to the commercial software in the enterprise market.