Last week I was making dinner when my mom called me and asked me “what do you actually do?” I was confused because I’ve already told her a million times.

ME: “I work with open source software.”

There was silence.

MOM: “Yes, but what is open source software? My friend asked me what you do and I didn’t know what to say.”

I began to describe open source software… for the 1,000,001st time.

ME: “Open source software is publicly available source code that is free to use, modify and enhance in any way that users or developers see fit. In contrast, proprietary software is source code that can only be modified by the individuals or organizations that created it.”

MOM: “Wait, you’re telling me that people build software and anyone can do what they want with it? For free?”

Victory! Did she finally understand?

ME: “YES!”

Again, there was silence.

MOM: “I don’t get it.”

Back to the drawing board… How can I explain open source software to a layman? Someone who has no idea what software even is?

I picked my brain for an analogy as I looked down at my steak sizzling on the grill.

FOOD!

Photo by Carlos Davila Cepeda on Unsplash

Let’s say that the food you prepare at home is open-sourced. In contrast, food that’s available outside of your home (including packaged food) is closed-source.

Open source food

Imagine that you cook food for your mom. She has access to know whatever she eats, what ingredients are used, how it is prepared, and the procedure used for cooking. You also give your mom the choice to alter or change the ingredients used in the food, as per her liking.

Result? She owns the finished product that’s made to satisfy her own taste.

Closed source food

AKA proprietary food. Your mom may know the contents of the food, but she is not allowed to take a sneak peek into the methods that are used for cooking / making the food. Only cooks / authorized persons and some of the company’s members are permitted to see or look after the methods used to prepare the food.

Result? Your mom only gets the finished product.

… On the other end of the phone, a lightbulb moment occurred!

Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

Why is open source better?

This was the next natural question.

The basic notion behind open source software is transparency and allowing modification and access to a product.

Advantages to open source users

The primary advantage for a user of an open source project is that they can see how it is made. If they aren’t happy with the product, they can modify it or release their own version based on the product’s plans. Open source allows specifications to each user’s needs, can help stop monopolization of the market and gives more user/consumer choice.

Advantages to open source producers

The primary advantage for a producer of an open source project is that people are experimenting with your product and trying to improve it in their own way. By making a product open source, you can benefit from a wide range of researchers, critics, developers and real customers who are providing feedback and feeling connected with your product. In doing so, a producer doesn’t have to rely on small-scale, expensive, slow focus groups or consultancy services.

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