Open Source Nonprofit Software

Oxford Archaeology, one of Britain’s largest excavation firms, has two main goals.  The firm seeks to find and preserve historical artifacts and educate the public on archaeology and history.  The cost-conscious nonprofit company chose to use open-source software to run the main bulk of their operations, from capturing and storing data to everyday business functions.  The company has specifically chosen to use Ubuntu for their servers and OpenOffice for desktops.

Since their switch, Oxford Archaeology has saved about 15 to 20% of their normal information technology budget.  Additionally, work is easier to manage and there are no licenses to worry about.

If you are interested in learning more about open-source software, the open-source nonprofit software developers at Mpower Open can help you today at 972.220.0340.

Open-source software is commonly used in company infrastructure, including web servers and databases.  However, the software is not frequently used in the network that connects all the intricate pieces.  Networks generally involve routers and firewalls, places where open-source software has not been commonly used.

Several open-sourced routing programs have been created recently, most notably Vyatta.  These set-ups use Linux or FreeBSD and run on standard x86 hardware.  Essentially, with open-source routing, the server has become the router.  As with all free software material, customization is possible, making optimized, high speed networks possible for many companies.  Additionally, open-source routing also provides a more cost-effective alternative for businesses.

If you are interested in learning more about open-source software, the open-source nonprofit software developers at Mpower Open can help you today at 972.220.0340.

IBM’s Roadrunner supercomputer, designed and built for the US Department of Energy, is, according to tests, the fastest and most powerful computer in the world. Located at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, Roadrunner has a top processing speed of 1.6 teraflops (1 teraflop is equivalent to 1 quadrillion calculations per second).

For open source enthusiasts, one of the most exciting developments - Roadrunner uses the open source Red Hat Linux operating system. It will be used by the government to monitor nuclear weapons and to model climate change.

For open source nonprofit fundraising software, contact MPower at 972.220.0340 today.

In the latest jab at Microsoft, even the Wall Street Journal is joining the chorus. Columnist Lee Gomes called on Microsoft to open source Windows 7, the rumored successor to the much-maligned Windows Vista.

Microsoft has historically ignored calls to open source its flagship OS, seeing open source as a threat to its existing proprietary business model. According to Gomes’ analysis, however, there is actually little conflict between an open source project and Microsoft’s proprietary system. All that open sourcing would do, says Gomes, is allow Windows users to “open up the hood and see what was underneath.”

To learn more about the benefits of open source software, contact MPower today by calling 972-220-0340.

When two friends use similar programs, one open-source, one proprietary, a host of differences arise between the two types. Compared with a hard to reach, unresponsive technical support team, open-source developers are usually passionate and eager to improve the functionality of their work. Free software creators have a vested interest in their products besides a paycheck. Additionally, open-source software allows users to take part in the community, whether it is helping squash technical bugs, writing documentation, coming up with new ideas to enhance functionality, or creating artwork for the software.

With increased communication, open source software forms a positive feedback loop because responsive software designers find increased user contributions to their project, which creates a higher level of functionality.

Open source software benefits users because of its increased reliability, developer responsiveness, and sound structure. There will always be bugs in programs but open source is ready and able to immediately fix those glitches. If you are interested in learning more about open source nonprofit software, contact the experienced developers at Mpower Open today at 972.220.0340.