OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARES

Free softwares are a boon for a customer as they don't have to pay a buck for it also there is no licensing problem and easy to install.  In 1998, a group of individuals advocated that the term free software should be replaced by open source software (OSS) as an expression which is less ambiguous and more comfortable for the corporate world. Open source software is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. Open source software (OSS) projects are built and maintained by a network of volunteer programmers. The prime examples of OSS are VLC MEDIA PLAYER, MOZILLA FIREFOX, GCC, APACHE, UBUNTU. Main points about OSS are:-
--> Users should be treated as co-developers
--> Several versions
--> Changes should be implied as soon as possible
Positive points of OSS are:-
Companies that offer open source software are able to establish an industry standard and, thus, gain competitive advantage. It has also helped build developer loyalty as developers feel empowered and have a sense of ownership of the end product. 
Less cost of marketing is there.
Development of software is pretty quick and in accordance with customers need.
Negative points of OSS are:-
Sometimes the software is not tested in various dimensions.
A small project may miss out on funding.