The free and open source software (FOSS) movement was created to resolve the tension between two fundamental needs in software development: cost and reliability. In other words, it is a reaction against the way proprietary software is developed. However, the FOSS movement has grown beyond its original motives.
Today, it has become a way of life for many software developers who cannot afford to buy licenses for their software products. They are happy to take up the challenge of writing good code for free, even if it means they have to make some compromises along the way.
If you are looking to add value to your career but do not know where to start, then checking out the free and open source software (FOSS) movement might be worth your time and effort.
It is a global movement with members from many different fields of study and work. Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities for professionals within this sector as well as those interested in joining them in the future. Here are 7 reasons why you should join the free & open source software (FOSS) movement.
FOSS practices are more effective and less prone to mistakes
Many people wonder why FOSS practices are more effective compared to their proprietary counterparts. In truth, there are a few main reasons for this.
Free and open source software is cheaper and easier to use
One of the most important things to remember when you are trying to adopt a new software development methodology is that it should be cheaper and easier to use.
The more features a product has, the harder it is to use and the more expenses there are associated with it. But when code is free and open source, the less it costs to adopt. This, in turn, allows more developers to use the software and make it better over time.
FOSS applications are safer and easier to find
More often than not, we assume that when we type a search term into a search box, we are looking for free and open source software. In fact, the vast majority of software out there is not free and open source. We just have to look in the right place!
Even though Google offers a free and open source search engine, the vast majority of website owners are looking for cost-effective solutions. Thus, they turn to paid search engines instead. This leads to a great deal of waste and inefficiency in the software development industry. By creating an efficient, search engine-friendly website, business owners can attract more visitors, convert them into customers, and increase profits.
You never know who is going to appreciate your work
It is probably no secret that the software industry is very competitive and constantly changing. Big name developers regularly leave the industry because of rising costs and the difficulty of finding work that offers the same security and stability as a full-time job. However, when employees leave a company, they often leave with their skills and knowledge intact.
This is not the case with contractors, as most contractors do not have any employee-benefits package. Hence, whenever a contractor leaves a job, the employer has no way of retaining them.
And this is a problem because good contractors make great contributions to their companies. This is why it is important to find clients who appreciate the work done by contractors and who are willing to continue to work with them on a long-term basis.
FOSS is a community effort
When we think of open source software, we often imagine it being developed in a solitary fashion. However, the reality is that most FOSS projects are not developed in a single-person capacity. They are developed using a collaborative mode. This is why when you join a FOSS project, you will often find people from different backgrounds and expertise working together toward a common goal.
In a nutshell, there will always be people who work on the project who do not have any development experience whatsoever. This is where the community aspect of FOSS comes into play.
Every developer on the project will have a story to tell, be it about how their specific role helped shape the project or how they found a new niche that allowed them to contribute to the greater good. When you join a FOSS project, you will always find people who find a way to contribute to the greater good even though they may not know how to code a single word.
Conclusion
The free and open source software (FOSS) movement was created to resolve the tension between two fundamental needs in software development: cost and reliability. In other words, it is a reaction against the way proprietary software is developed. However, the FOSS movement has grown beyond its original motives.
Today, it has become a way of life for many software developers who cannot afford to buy licenses for their software products. They are happy to take up the challenge of writing good code for free, even if it means they have to make some compromises along the way.
If you are looking to add value to your career but do not know where to start, then checking out the free and open source software (FOSS) movement might be worth your time and effort.
It is a global movement with members from many different fields of study and work. Moreover, there are plenty of opportunities for professionals within this sector as well as those interested in joining them in the future. Here are 7 reasons why you should join the free & open source software (FOSS) movement.