Open Source Software

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Apr 5, 2025

Delve into the fascinating world of open source software, where freedom and collaboration reign. Discover the evolution of software from its early days to the rise of open source in the 1990s. Learn the crucial difference between 'free as in freedom' versus 'free as in no cost'. Uncover how platforms like WordPress and Wikipedia thrive on open source principles. This exploration illuminates the vital role open source plays in powering today's technology landscape and fostering innovation.

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INSIGHT

Early Software Size and Sharing

Software programs written for early computers were small, ranging from 500 bytes to 5 kilobytes.
Early software was often shared freely, as hardware was the main focus.

ANECDOTE

SHARE User Group

The SHARE user group, formed in 1955 by IBM mainframe customers, formalized software sharing.
This reflected the early computing ethos where software wasn't a separate commercial product.

INSIGHT

Unix and Open Source Culture

Unix's development and licensing to universities fostered a culture of open source.
Students learned by modifying code, impacting future software development practices.

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