both a collaboration platform and a publishing medium has allowed development teams that span the globe to develop sophisticated applications to
meet a wide range of business needs. NovaTech is an avid user of open source tools and technologies - quality software that requires minimal capital
investment provides a substantial Return on Investment. Call NovaTech today and let us put Linux and other open source tools to work for you!
Why use Linux?
What is open source software and why is Linux mentioned so much?
Open source is a broad term used to describe software that has been developed or released for use with very limited copyright protections. Open source software can typically be freely distributed without any licensing fees. The source code is also provided to the public so other developers can add or modify the software. They can add other features as long as the original authors are given credit for their work. Some open source software is developed by traditional software development companies who then offer installation and support services for a fee. Other open source software is developed collaboratively by people scattered across the globe.
A computer requires an operating system to manage its hardware resources and run programs. Linux is a UNIX-based open source operating system that is available in several different variations (called "distributions"). Linux is a very efficient operating system and can be installed on a wide variety of hardware platforms. So based on its price and capability, it has been widely adopted by the open source community.
Are Linux and Open Source Software appropriate for the business environment?
You bet they are! Many of the tools you use every day began as open source projects - Internet browsers, e-mail, and web servers all started as open source projects. There are a multitude of commecial software packages that are based on open source tools that have been customized or adapted to solve a specific issue. Since the source code for open source software is also published, it is much easier for people to identify bugs and security flaws and even make recommendations on how to repair them. Unburdened by the constraints of commecial vendors, the open source community can identify and repair flaws in days instead of weeks and months. Linux is a variant of UNIX, a highly stable and secure operating system that has been in use since 1969 - over 40 years (as of August 2009) and still going strong. While Linux is a common platform for open source tools, many of these tools will also run on Windows-based systems.
To a large extent, the success of open source software has made the Internet the rich environment it is today. Wikipedia is a great example of an open source project. Not only is there the Wikipedia site itself, you can download the software that Wikipedia uses (MediaWiki) and make your own wiki. People have created extensions and add ons that you can also download and use. There are hundreds of high-quality applications that are available as open source that perform a wide array of functions.
How can NovaTech help?
We offer solutions for the real world, with no bias towards any particular technology, but an expert understanding of the strengths of each software component and its interoperability within your environment. We have integrated Linux and open source software with clients that make extensive use of Microsoft Windows desktops and servers. We can design, implement, and support solutions that use Linux and other open source software. Call NovaTech today to put open source tools to work for you!
