Rockford Solutions, Inc. : Web Design in Grand Rapids, MI

Open source software isn't just for hardcore Linux users who get together to play Dungeons & Dragons on the weekend. Small businesses everywhere are enjoying the benefits that the open source community has to offer. In my last article, Why Open Source? Part 1, I covered a basic definition of open source and explored some of its key benefits (minimal cost, community support, and innovation). In this article, I'll take a look at how we've leveraged open source software at Rockford Solutions and how other small businesses and organizations can do the same.

As a programmer, I'm often asked about open source software. What is it, exactly? How is different from proprietary software? Is it user-friendly? Is it secure? What about support and upgrades? These are all important questions and sometimes the answers aren't as simple as 'yes' or 'no'. So, allow me to take a minute or two and explain what open source software is, and how and why we make use of it at Rockford Solutions. Then we can start answering those questions and see what advantages an open source approach might offer you.