Open Source

The options for using open source have never been greater, and you owe it to yourself-and your company-to take a close look.

If you’re in need of a software solution, the odds are good that you’ll find an open-source project related to your problem. Free. No sales calls. No negotiations with vendors.

Granted, no service contracts or tech-support numbers either, most likely. But given the low barrier to entry, it’s easy to understand why thousands of companies are tempted to use open source for, at the least, those projects that fall shy of the mission-critical line.

This Special Report takes a close look at the ins and outs of open source for the CIO who’s tempted — but still need a bit of convincing.

Sold! On Open Source

Building an open sourcebased infrastructure has helped mid-market Bonhams compete with the auction industry superpowers.

Free Code for Sale: The New Business of Open Source

Open source is becoming a vital piece of enterprise infrastructures. Open-source development is becoming a moneymaking proposition. Understanding the companies that sell and the communities that create open-source code is becoming a critical part of the CIOs job.

Why Your Future Depends on Open Source

Your future depends on open source because of fundamental economic trends in the IT industry. You need to get on the right side of these trends or face real danger to your organization—and your career. You ignore them at your peril.

It’s Raining Code! ( Hallelujah?)

For companies not inclined to stray far from the warm comfort of packaged products, there are more and more open-source options offered by the vendors themselves.

The Myths of Open Source

Once seen as flaky, cheap and the work of amateur developers, open source has emerged blinking into the daylight. So who’s using open source? Why are they using it? And are the benefits worth the risks? The answers are surprising-and dispel these six myths surrounding open source.

What it’s like to…Move a Company to Open Source

Job number one, said my new company, was to ditch as much Microsoft software as possible. They had just acquired a company that used Linux; it was time for the home office to switch over too.

Open Source Reality Check

CIO Executive Editor (and blogger) Christopher Koch sets some things straight about how you should consider open source and open source licensing in your overall business and IT strategy.