Birmingham - Anyone who has been around personal computers for longer than 20 years probably remembers the term "Shareware". Shareware was a term used to define software developed by an individual and made available for use in executable form to anyone free of charge and with zero support. Unfortunately, this is the perception that everyone still has when they hear the term "open source". Nothing could be further from the truth.

Open Source is not a benevolent programmer posting their wares on a bulletin board service. Open Source is a new form of software development. It refers to an "organized" group of developers that come together as a team to tackle specific development projects. As these software projects emerge, they then continue to support the product they have developed at no charge.

The first question is always "Why?". The second question, "What's in it for them?" The answers to these are complicated. Some do it to spite large corporate software companies, some for recognition; most do it for the opportunity to partner with the best-of-the-best in a particular field and develop something truly useful.

A unique aspect of Open Source software is that there is a real licensing agreement that governs the use of the software developed: http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php. Another characteristic of Open Source software is documentation. Most projects start out with a formal development plan and evolve into formal release cycles. And, like the developers, users join in to provide testing and documentation.

The final question is always "So what is the down side to Open Source?" This answer is simple.  You use it at your own risk.  If you were to lose your data, there is no such thing as indemnification. The irony is that most open source software is more stable than most corporate software.

This article is a gross over simplification. The fruits of Open Source are born out in names your probably know - Linux, Open Office, MySQL, Apache, etc.