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Geek Culture / Open Source v. Closed (?) Source Applications

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Killswitch
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Location: School damnit!! Let me go!! PLEASE!!!
Posted: 20th Apr 2005 07:22
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I've been playing around with Linux recently and I've found Debian to be my favourite flavour. I like the whole idea of Linux being free and open source, and I can see some benifits to it - however I can also see a lot of benifits of closed source applications.

Anyway, I'd like to have an informed and lively discussion about the two different types of projects.

BTW: I don't want this turning into a Linux v. Windows topic, nor a flamebait topic - in either case please lock this thread.

~It's a common mistake to make, the rules of the English langauge do not apply to insanity~
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IanG
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 07:26
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the basic argument

open source
*people can modify it to their own needs
*more people can find and fix bugs

closed source
*security holes are kept private
*important code is kept private - which helps with stopping people from copying your work

Used to be Phoenix_insane registered in september 2003 despite what the date says to the left <--
PC - amd athlon 2.0ghz, 512mb, GeForce FX 5200 128mb, 200gb, xp pro sp2
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Killswitch
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 07:29
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My thoughts exaxtly - but which do you prefer, and why?

~It's a common mistake to make, the rules of the English langauge do not apply to insanity~
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stupid kid
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 07:49
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i like open source better because everything that is open source is free.
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Ace Of Spades
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 08:26
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If i am on the developer side, i would definately prefer closed source as the chances of code leaks are very low. Closed source is where the magic happens if you have good developers that know what they are doing...also provides ability to make much more money.

On the consumer side, i would prefer open source of closed source because anytime a bug comes up...any programmer can look at it and say "hmm...i think i will fix this" and it can be fixed, it is not limited to the programmers hired by the developers.

So it really all depends on which side you are on. Best bet would probably be to go partially open source yet keeping the big security stuff closed source allowing for some user interaction but not complete.
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fasdfsdaf
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 10:01
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I think games are meant to be closed source. But most applications, they should be open source to suit the end-user's needs.

[me]"My throat froze!"
[other person]"Force quit it next time..."
A.K.A Death Stalker
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Toby Quan
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 14:06
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Are most end-users able to program? What good is open source if a person cannot program?

What if they find a flaw in a VERY COMPLEX program like Open Office? Are they really going to try and fix it by themselves? Probably not.

It is nice to see that many DarkBasic games include the sourcecode, but I realize that doesn't mean that they are considered "OpenSource". You can learn alot about programming just by seeing how someone else coded something.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 14:15
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Quote: "What if they find a flaw in a VERY COMPLEX program like Open Office? Are they really going to try and fix it by themselves? Probably not."


I dunno about you, but the last time Open Office crashed on me, I didn't bother going in and finding the problem I just stick to MS Office


Yarr join teh New and Improved LoGD!
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ionstream
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 14:19
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Quote: " Are most end-users able to program? What good is open source if a person cannot program?"



The good is that programmers can modify the code to their benefit, and normal users can reap the benefits of free programs.

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EddieB
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Posted: 20th Apr 2005 16:26
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I think applications should be open source if the creator decides to , Other wise how are people going to make money.

People need money for food, Tax, Internet Bills

Many Thanks
Eddie

[href]http:www.graphics-monkey.co.uk[href]
"Him? A guru? Rich is the guru, David T is just good"
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Jeku
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 06:54
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Toby is right--- the average person will not touch the source code. Come to think of it, the average 'programmer' won't, either. How many of you have actually looked at the Linux source? And if you have, did you understand more than 1% of it!?


--[GameBasic - Coming Soon]-- ^^^ banner generously designed by TheBigBabou
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IanG
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 06:59
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but i believe that many people have looked at the blueide source code - i know i have

i think that for some things it is good to be open source - like the irrlicht engine but for others it good to be closed - like os

many people will look at the source code for software if the software is simple, where as if it complex they wont as they will get confused

Used to be Phoenix_insane registered in september 2003 despite what the date says to the left <--
PC - amd athlon 2.0ghz, 512mb, GeForce FX 5200 128mb, 200gb, xp pro sp2
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TKF15H
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 07:42
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Quote: "everything that is open source is free."

Free as in free speech, not free beer, right? Not all open source projects are freely downloadable.

I really dislike the GPL, and I prefer the ZLib liscence. If it's GPL, I prefer closed source software.

AphoticVM status: 30% (Yes, that number just went down.) AphoticBasic status: 10%
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Ace Of Spades
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 07:59 Edited at: 21st Apr 2005 07:59
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Quote: "How many of you have actually looked at the Linux source?"


Im getting around to it.
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TKF15H
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 09:06
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Quote: " How many of you have actually looked at the Linux source? And if you have, did you understand more than 1% of it!?"


I had a lill looksie. Understood everything... only looksied at 1% though.

AphoticVM status: 30% (Yes, that number just went down.) AphoticBasic status: 10%
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GothOtaku
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 13:36 Edited at: 21st Apr 2005 13:37
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Quote: "Come to think of it, the average 'programmer' won't, either. How many of you have actually looked at the Linux source? And if you have, did you understand more than 1% of it!?"

Once upon a time I did. Then I saw the light and switched to FreeBSD. I now specialixe in custom kernel design and compilation and am planning on starting a company that does that.

...and this all started from downloading the Linux kernel source back in 1999 when I was a freshman in high school.
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bitJericho
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Posted: 21st Apr 2005 13:43
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Hmm.. so you're saying it only takes 6 years for a programmer to have enough experiance with the linux source to start planning gearing up for the custom kernal industry

Hardly compelling for me to study the linux source now


Yarr join teh New and Improved LoGD!
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