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Open Source versus Closed Source

Open Source versus Closed Source

There are basically two types of operating systems when it comes to how the code is handled. These are open source operating systems and closed source operating systems. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but they both have situations and areas that they work best in. Open source isn’t for everyone, and neither is closed source. It’s always better to have both sides available so there is some variety.
Open source and closed source operating systems have are completely different, almost like night and day. Closed source operating systems like Microsoft Windows, for example, are developed by an individual or a company. The final product is available to run on a system, however all the source code, the recipe for the operating system, is kept secret and no one except the developers have access to it.
The closed source operating system is exactly the opposite, because the source code is made readily available to the user, and if they have programming knowledge, they can debug it and tweak it into their own style. Basically they can personalize it to fit what suits them and their needs.
Closed source operating systems, such as Windows can definitely meet the needs in a market. Because people pay for closed source operating systems, they can be guaranteed to get documentation and support for the software. One bad thing about closed source software is that developers often rush it out the door before it is ready. This makes the software vulnerable, and the developers have to make patches when these flaws occur.
If the user doesn’t install these patches, they could open their system up to all sort of problems. Another problem with closed source operating systems is the security. Take Microsoft Outlook for example. When you receive a message, there is a previewer that automatically starts investigating what’s in the attachment. Therefore, if there’s anything malicious attached, you’re infected.
Open source operating systems are quite the opposite. They are created for use by the ones who want to use them. The source code of open source operating systems, as the name implies, is open and made readily available to users. This allows them to debug the source code to fit whatever needs they may have that are specific to them. Also, flaws in the source code of an open source operating system are often resolved quickly and cleanly. This happens because of the availability of the code to every user.
There is no specific individual or company that makes open source operating systems, such as Linux. The bad part about this is that there is no documentation or support if a user occurs some sort of a system malfunction. Most of the time, there aren’t many situations that come across open source operating systems that can’t be resolved.
One reason for this is that open source software is much more secure than closed source software. Unlike Outlook, when you receive an email in Linux, you don’t have a preview function. You are forced to save the attachment to disk, mark it as executable, and run it. In open source software, security takes precedence over convenience.
The bottom line is that neither open source operating systems nor closed source operating systems are perfect. As I mentioned before, people have different wants and needs, as well as different skills and abilities. This is why one operating system isn’t for everyone. If you’re a beginner with computers, I would opt for closed source. However if you are proficient in programming, then delve into the world of open source and personalize your own version. Either way, you will find something great about both as well as things you wish could be better.

References
Basha, A. (09/2001). Open-Source Systems vs Closed-Source Systems. Retrieved from http://http://www.enderunix.org/docs/opensource_vs_closedsource.html

Grant, A. (01/2004). Open vs Closed Source Software. Retrieved from http://http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2004/january/software.htm