Proprietary software systems can be hacked or cracked multiple times compared to an open source software. Concluding the topic, you should understand the difference between open source and proprietary software is not about one being free and the other being not.
Open source software debuted 20 years ago in February. While arguments attempting to define its actual purpose (free speech versus free beer) sometimes seem perpetual, it has opened up new possibilities for organizations looking for affordable and customizable software code to help run their businesses and drive innovation.
More about Open Source
Initial skepticism regarding free software and questions about the business model ('Why would programmers work for free?') have led to steadfast enterprise adoption of open source software, with an array of options such as 'completely free,' 'free to a certain number of users/functions' and 'free but with paid support licenses.'
As someone who has administered hundreds of Linux servers (which run Red Hat via paid support subscriptions, although it's worth pointing out that CentOS is a totally free alternative with largely the same code base) I can attest to the benefits that open source has provided both to organizations and the technology realm in general. Without it the internet would be a far different place; much more limited, expensive, less robust, less feature-driven and less scalable. Big name companies would be much less powerful and successful as well in the absence of open source software.
SEE: Linux distribution comparison chart (Tech Pro Research)
Sep 26, 2017 Security Software Development. Certainly, and it’s a critical field. Penetration testers (“white-hat” ethical hackers) and cyber-security experts work together for the good of companies and their systems and data. The cyber-security team develop software to keep important company assets safe from theft, viruses and other malicious attacks. Guided and documented software processes can lead to the stated goal. Constant monitoring and improvement of software processes is therefore of a significant interest for organizational performing software development and maintenance. In order to improve the process an objective description and evolution of the existing process is needed. Types of software development processes.
There's something to be said for proprietary software as well, however; it also has a rich history of providing many proven benefits to organizations. If your business is trying to decide whether to go with open source or proprietary products there are some insights which can help you make the decision. Of course it's worth pointing out many companies don't follow the 'either/or' method but rely upon a blend of both open source and proprietary products. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.
Advantages of open source
Cost
Obviously the foremost advantage here is cost. Saving money on software allows organizations to invest money elsewhere such as for high speed networks or faster storage arrays, and also allows them to pay good wages to staff such as the very programmers who will work with (or on) the open source code.
Flexibility
The flexibility of being able to customize and improve source code also brings significant gains, as well as to be able to participate in and provide benefit to overall software communities devoted to the same goals.
No requirements
Avoiding cumbersome licensing requirements or activation headaches is another noteworthy boon to open source, which frees companies from some of the onerous - and potentially punitive, if violated - mandates of proprietary software usage.
Freedom
Finally, I would list freedom as an advantage of open source. Proprietary systems can be entangling as well as confusing and can put companies in a position of dependency upon the vendor or being charged for software components or features they don't need or want. Additionally, a vendor going out of business can negatively impact an organization using proprietary software, but open source software will go on so long as there is a developer community (whether internal or external) behind it.
Disadvantages of open source
It's not all roses in the realm of open source; as the saying goes, nothing is ever truly free.
Support
One disadvantage to open source involves frequently subpar or poor support (except with paid support subscriptions) which often entails less-than-helpful knowledgebase articles or user forums with lackluster response rates. The ability to get a technician on the phone or engaged via a chat is rare.
Documentation
Documentation is also another problem. Many open source products I've used were poorly documented - or not documented at all. In many cases I've found documentation to be outdated and therefore useless as well.
Complexity
Undue complexity can be another issue. Case in point: the open source monitoring software Zabbix can be powerful, but also difficult to learn and administer. When problems occur, trying to straighten them out is a challenge, especially due to the support difficulties I previously described. Developers may also have a difficult time getting up to speed on code which may not be the most friendly to users and programmers, resulting in wasted labor.
Advertising
Annoying advertising components may be another factor which takes the shine off open source (especially in consumer products) but it should be pointed out that companies have to make money somehow, and if the ads aren't intrusive or obnoxious sometimes it's just a part of life.
Easier to detect vulnerabilities
Finally, one of the advantages of open source - transparent, customizable code which is accessible by anyone - can be turned into a disadvantage. If the code contains vulnerabilities which can be exploited, malicious individuals may be able to capitalize upon this. Without a proprietary vendor on the hook for releasing updates, fixes may be slower to arrive (though to be fair a strong developer community can develop solutions more readily as well).
In terms of the advantages/disadvantages of proprietary software, it would be easy enough to reverse the set of points for open source and list them below (for instance the advantage of open source software being free turns into a disadvantage for proprietary software in that greater expense is involved), so here are some unique points to consider.
SEE: Open source champion Munich heads back to Windows (free PDF) (TechRepublic)
Advantages of proprietary software
Single vendor
Often paid software involves a 'one stop shopping' experience whereby a single vendor can provide all the applications and tools you need. There is no better example than Microsoft, which sells operating systems, productivity applications, messaging programs, and the like. By comparison, open source often involves a piecemeal or a la carte approach.
Enterprise-grade products
Proprietary software is often made and tailored for large-scale enterprises with a plethora of features. Vendors are well aware of industry standards and standard company requirements and include these concepts in their programming. This can help companies keep with the competition.
Professional interface
In my experience, proprietary software provides a better, more standard interface which generally fits the needs of most users. Maybe looks aren't everything, but the polish of a paid product often outshines free counterparts.
![List List](/uploads/1/2/5/0/125040311/108729187.jpg)
Routine updates
Proprietary software is often updated frequently and while some might suggest vendors to do so in order to get more money out of customers for paid upgrades, they are also on the hook to patch vulnerabilities and exploits.
No programming needed
Your organization may have no need to customize or add code to software, so that particular allure of open source may be negligible to your business. Proprietary software is intended for out-of-the-box usage without much if any tweaking to use.
Integration across products
Many proprietary software packages integrate with other applications for better ease of use and convenience. For instance, Microsoft's Lync instant-messaging client hooks into Microsoft Outlook, so you can see people's availability status when reviewing emails, and instant messaging conversations are saved to Outlook.
Investments can pay off
One way to look at the issue of cost is that investing in proprietary software which has features open source lacks, or which works more effectively than open source can actually pay off down the road. Let's say you spend $10,000 on software which then yields a return of $50,000 since your company was able to use this product to generate revenue. That's a net profit of $40K. In similar fashion, vendors often reward large-scale, loyal customers with various discounts, incentives, or even free events such as dinners or golf outings.
Disadvantages of proprietary software
Products can be bulky
Proprietary software packages may contain a lot of bloat and unnecessary items. Microsoft Office, for instance, often installs many components few employees actually use, such as Access or Publisher. Yes, you can buy different versions or only install what you need, but many options are confusing and some people just elect to blindly install everything in case they need it.
Cost surprises
Aside from the issue of cost, sometimes pricing plans can contain surprises which can blindside you. There may be monthly or yearly fees, renewal price increases, or other hidden elements which require undue exertion to uncover when examining contracts.
Confusing license schemes
I used to be the main Microsoft licensing individual for a company I worked for and I have taken chemistry tests which were less complex than figuring out their licensing arrangement. It's no exaggeration to say that there are dedicated experts out there whose career involves interpreting these arrangements for other people - that is their sole job.
Dependence on vendors
The flip side to the 'one stop shopping' advantage is that you may end up being overly dependent on the vendor, locked into a closed system. The vendor calls all the shots on the components and features of the software you use, and while they may solicit and respond to feedback such changes can be slow to arrive.
Switching can be hard
Investing in proprietary software creates a repetitive model whereby oftentimes companies continue their investments in products based on the money they've already spent. In other words, fear of having wasted their money compels them to continue using products which may not fully meet their interests. Difficulties switching to competing or alternate software involve fear of having to start all over again, the logistics of replacing one software package with another, retraining staff and other 'don't rock the boat' elements. Some of this also applies to open source software to be sure, but without the financial commitment involved switching can be easier and less impactful in those scenarios.
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With technology skills ranking among the highest that employers are seeking, articulating those skills you've gained through education or experience can pay off in a literal way.
If you're searching for a clerical or office job in management, administration, or other popular fields, there are several guidelines you can follow, like being specific about your skills and ensuring that your grammar and spelling are top-notch.
Details Matter
Always write out each program in which you are proficient. You don't want the people reading your résumé to have to guess what you're talking about; they might assume you know more than you do, or underestimate how skilled you are.
For example, if you want to list on your résumé that you know a lot about LibreOffice, instead of just stating 'LibreOffice,' tout your skills more specifically by writing something like, 'LibreOffice Writer, Calc, Impress, Base, Draw, and Math.'
Always Maximize, but Never Embellish
![Proprietary Proprietary](/uploads/1/2/5/0/125040311/822621127.jpg)
While you should not list office software programs you've merely heard of or dabbled in, don't hold back with those you do know. Find ways to bridge the gap and get it on your résumé.
The rule of thumb on whether to include an office software program is to picture yourself either answering interview questions about it or using it by yourself on the first day of the job. You don't want to go through all this trouble only to disappoint your new boss.
Open the program. If you see tools you haven’t used, take the steps to learn how to utilize them, or don’t list the program at all.
For example, maybe you have used Microsoft Word for years but you've never completed a Mail Merge. While you don't necessarily need professional experience using it, you should take interactive tutorials, attend a local community education course, or find some other practical way to really know an essential tool such as this before stating that you know Microsoft Word.
When building your résumé, also keep in mind that if the job you're after needs someone proficient in an office software-related skill, such as building charts and graphs in a spreadsheet program, blend that same wording into your résumé to show them that you not only know how to do it but that you know what the job entails.
To use the graph example, you might write 'Microsoft Excel Charts and Graphs' instead of just 'Excel' or 'Graphing Experience.'
Prove It
To prove to yourself and others that you know certain programs, make it official with an Office Software Certification. Anyone can write “Microsoft Excel” on a résumé, and most probably do, but most résumés in the stack probably don't say “Certified Microsoft Office User Specialist in Excel.”
Typically, you attend these courses locally, followed by a test, but some you can even get through online participation and testing.
Be Savvy With Spelling and Capitalization
Even excellent spellers and grammarians stumble when it comes to software names, such as listing Microsoft’s PowerPoint as 'Power Point' or 'Powerpoint.' Sometimes we see words written incorrectly so often that we think we know the spelling when we don't.
For that reason, when listing office software on your résumé, double-check the software publisher's primary website for proper treatment of a program's correct spelling, capitalization, hyphenation, and spacing. Missing these little details can sabotage all the other wonderful details you have featured on your résumé.
Diversify and Get More Skills
Microsoft Office is still the most widely used office software program worldwide, but an increasing number of employers have adopted alternative office software suites. Being able to list more than one suite puts you at a great advantage.
Not only does diversification increase your chances of aligning with what the company uses, but even if it doesn't align, it shows that you can learn a new product because you have experience outside of MS Office.
Beyond the Software Suites: More Tech Skills to Incorporate
List Of Proprietary Open Source Software
Office software suites are used within a larger productivity context, so show employers you know that. Consider the following additions to your 'Technical Skills' section:
List Of Linux Proprietary Software
- Operating systems:List desktop and mobile operating systems in which you have productivity experience. Examples include Android, Windows, BlackBerry, iOS, macOS, and Linux.
- Cloud computing: List all environments or online storage solutions you've used, including OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
- Social media skills: Again, only list those for which you can show work-related experience.Social networking sites include Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus, and Pinterest, as well as aggregators such as HootSuite or TweetDeck.
- Additional software: If relevant, include financial software, animation software, desktop video programs, collaboration, and meeting software, graphics software, content management systems, and others.
- Web design: You might be knowledgeable about several web design areas like HTML, PHP, JavaScript, or CSS.
- Typing speed: This is typically listed in terms of words per minute (e.g., 60 WPM). Take a typing speed test if you're not sure.