ement of special software to interpret it into machine code.The traditional and most common form of source code control today uses copyrights and the judicial system to protect it. Companies like Microsoft vigilantly protect their vital copyrighted assets by utilizing the court systems any time it feels a threat from an outside source. An alternate form of source code control not only allows others to see, use, change, and resale it but also encourages that behavior. Officially know as "Open Source Software" (OSS), or "Free Software". The later not being a very good description since it is possible, and very common for the software to cost something. Organizations involved in and utilizing OSS express that the free is in reference to freedom not cost. The theory OSS has is to develop high quality, stable software by allowing all to have access to and contribute to the source code.When programmers on the Internet can read, redistribute, and modify the source for a piece of software, it evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing (OSI, 2000, P1)Only until recently the theories of OSS were believed to be lofty ideas only good as ideas. Maybe for a small project or two, but no commercial quality software could come from it. It was just thought to be too difficult to bring together such an effort, especially if none of the people involved would be getting paid. However in the recent years software applications have been created using these theories that rival even the finest commercial software. These "Free" applications are even taking market share from it commercial counterparts. Software such as the Apache server—used for hosting web sites on the Internet—has acquired a majority market share. Apache far and away has #1 web site share on the Internet today. Possession of the l...
