Why free software really isn't (and shouldn't be) free | Linux Today

Why free software really isn’t (and shouldn’t be) free

Written By
Web Webster
Web Webster
Oct 8, 2011

[ Thanks to darkduck for this link.
]

“However, the situation is different if you’re seeking FOSS for
a company. Time is often better spent doing business than digging
through the Internet for the answers you need. So, in this case,
you may require proper support operations. Depending on the size of
the company or complexity of tasks, you may wish to hire your own
specialist, outsource it, or find a combination of the two. Besides
everyday support, you’ll also need help with the actual
implementation of FOSS. If you’re just starting up your business,
you’ll need to work out a concept of your software usage. For
people already in business, it might be necessary to add a
migration strategy to the scope, especially if preexisting software
is in place. Even if software is free, you still need to implement,
configure, run, and maintain it. Ultimately, both FOSS and
proprietary software require some financial investment. But
remember, proprietary software is not yours, even after you
initially shell out a lot of money for it. When a Big Company says
you need an update because they no longer support your version, the
only choice you have is to update the software. However, updated
versions inevitably have higher system requirements, which often
equate to additional investments in hardware.”


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Web Webster

Web Webster

Web Webster has more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience in the tech sector. He’s written and edited news, demand generation, user-focused, and thought leadership content for business software solutions, consumer tech, and Linux Today, he edits and writes for a portfolio of tech industry news and analysis websites including webopedia.com, and DatabaseJournal.com.

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