Open source is not just a method of software development, but a whole philosophy. Its purpose is to enable the free sharing, adaptation, and use of code according to user needs, which distinguishes it from traditional software licenses. Open source software often brings significant savings, while also increasing technological flexibility and allowing for easier adaptation to growing needs. Its application guarantees long-term security and reliable support for critical business systems.
The popularity of open source is constantly growing – not only among technology companies but also among enthusiasts and individuals eager for new knowledge. The transparency and accessibility of this model foster global creativity and collaboration. For those just entering the world of technology, getting acquainted with open source can be an excellent first step towards developing new skills and knowledge, reports Oblak Znanja.
High Security of Tools
For Lider, a comment was provided by Predrag Pale, a professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb, who believes that the high security of tools is one of the key advantages of using open source tools compared to other solutions.
– The advantage is the high security of tools, as the entire community checks and influences changes, which in closed solutions is left to the opinions, competencies, and capacity of the owners. Additionally, there is the possibility of constant enhancement of functionalities, while this depends on the financial interests of the owners in closed solutions, and the guarantee of the availability of solutions forever, as owners often abandon or discontinue closed solutions – said Pale.
He also explains how open source tools influence innovation in the IT industry due to the ability to add new functionalities to existing solutions.
– This facilitates, accelerates, and reduces the cost of innovation. Moreover, the concept itself is actually predominantly collaborative development where the synergy effect of innovators and developers is maximally utilized. It is particularly important that alongside open solutions, add-ons, supplements, and complementary products are developed. Examples in hardware are the PC itself and the Arduino platform – said Pale.
He listed the best open source tools as Linux, Apache, Nextcloud, Moodle, Joomla, WordPress, Libre Office, Audacity, GIMP, Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenProject, Odoo, GnuCash …
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Implementation of Open Source Solutions in the Public Sector
We learned more about open source tools from Svebor Prstačić, the head of the FER Information Support Center. He believes that using free software licenses ensures four fundamental freedoms that have contributed to open source software entering all areas of today’s technology.
– These are the freedom to run the software for any purpose, the freedom to study how the software works and adapt it to user needs, the freedom to distribute copies of the software, and the freedom to distribute copies of modified versions of the software – said Prstačić.
He explains how free software and open source stimulate but also ensure acceleration in innovations in the IT industry.
– Nowadays, it is hard to find a startup or IT company that does not base its products on open source technologies. The alternative would be to develop from scratch, which would significantly slow down the entire process. Given that among open source tools we have all popular programming languages, server services, and the Linux operating system, we can conclude that the impact on the ability to innovate in IT is irreplaceable – said Prstačić.
He cited the Android operating system as a perfect example of an open source platform.
– It is based on Linux, and the Android core itself is open. The openness of the entire platform has enabled an explosion of Android phone vendors, innovation, and mutual competition, market penetration, and ensured that after the ban on installing Google services on phones, Huawei continues to deliver and use Android – explains Prstačić.
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He believes that the best tools are those that are applied correctly, and open source and free software are so comprehensively present and numerous in today’s technology, from the very infrastructure of the internet, smartphones, to end-user programs, that it is difficult to single out the best tools. Prstačić mentioned several user tools and learning tools that individuals and the education system should focus on: educational games for children (GCompris), scientific tools (SciPy), calculation tools (GNU Octave), office tools (LibreOffice), multimedia tools for image editing (GIMP), video editing (Kdenlive), photo organization (digiKam), publishing (Scribus), etc.
– The public sector, our institutions, and the state should focus on implementing ready-made free solutions and open source solutions, and favor them in the public procurement process. Additionally, by developing open source software, we reduce the possibilities and need for multiple funding of the same software in, say, Osijek and Rijeka, stimulate the local IT industry, and promote transparency and collaboration between public administration and citizens. The IT industry in this segment does not need much help; the IT industry understands well that a good part of services and products would not be possible without open source. What is needed is for the public sector to recognize companies that place openness and free software as a standard in their approach and operations, and to encourage change among those who do not do so for other reasons – concludes Prstačić.
