TOPIC 1: Open/Closed source:

List and define the differences between open and closed source. First of all, we will start by defining both of these terms, the open source and the closed source. Many of us assume that the free software packages or applications we know and use every day are open source, but thats not it. We are all aware of these proprietary applications; you purchase a licence in order to run the programme on exactly one computer, unless stated that your licence is valid for use on more than a single machine, its illegal neither to copy nor share these applications or even modifying it in order to solve a compatibility problem, fix a bug or add a feature as these application are closed source, you get the application in a fixed form, allowed only to use it as it is. (David & Ben, 1998) Many of the free application we are using are free-ware; meaning that the application is available to users at no cost (The Linux Information Project, 2004), an example of free-ware applications would be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Skype, some antiviruses and many others, although these application are priced free most of them do have a closed source. We are not able to obtain the source code, upgrade these applications, fix bugs or integrate them with other applications (The Linux Information Project, 2004). The free applications are these applications whose allow the users to have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software (GNU Operating System, n.d.), all of the free applications are open source. There are some commercial open sources applications, these programs are not free, freeware or proprietary applications, they do have a price or fee to be paid in return of receiving a copy of the program, but unlike the proprietary applications. You are allowed to copy, share, edit and modify the application as you like as you are provided with the source code along with the program. (David & Ben, 1998) To simplify things, we have many types of applications and software packages, some of them are zero priced, and the others are not as you would have to pay to use them. These zero priced applications have many types as well; some of them are totally free. While the others are only free to run and be used by the users. The paid applications are mostly closed source, whereas there many commercial open sources applications. Consequently both paid and zero-priced applications could be open or close sourced applications.

 The consequences of an open source system for an end user and a system administrator. The consequences of a closed source system for an end user and a system administrator. Open source systems and closed source systems, both kinds of systems have advantages and drawbacks, the open source system have many advantages over the closed source, for instance, it is much cheaper, less expensive than the proprietary systems (Ubuntu is free compared with the Microsoft Windows where it could cost tens of Dinars), the end user is able to fix bugs, update and upgrade open source applications and systems without the need of relying upon vendors to release an update and most of all , it gives you many choices to choose from. Some system administers found it difficult to manage large scale network with open source systems, as they dont provide a grantee of quality or fitness (Kerr, 2007). Even though there are many tools and applications to do what they want, because of the name-less and limit-less developers working on the same application, it is hard to know the latest version of the applications you are using (Khamis, 2012). On the other hand we have the closed source systems, just like the open source system they have both advantages and drawbacks compared to it, one of its most valuable benefits is the vendor support, the closed source system might be provided with the best customer support in case of need from the applications own developers, manuals and guides are provided from the vendor helping to maximise up time and minimise the down time, nevertheless these systems are very expansive compared to the open source, and if your vendor is gone for any reason, unlike the open source (when anyone could get the code and take over the development) the software will stop getting any update or support. Finally, a well coded application is the best, whether it is open source or closed source, Windows (as a closed system) is very reliable, Linux (as an open source system) on the other hand is the same. MySQL, Ms SQL, and many other applications (from both kinds) are reliable and trust worthy.

Works Cited
David, K., & Ben, P. (1998). Society and open source. Retrieved April 2012, 2012, from BenPfaff: http://benpfaff.org/writings/anp/oss-is-better.html GNU Operating System. (n.d.). What is free software? Retrieved April 22, 2012, from GNU Operating System: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html Kerr, I. M. (2007, June 2). Open Source Software (FAQ). Retrieved April 24, 2012, from Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic: http://www.cippic.ca/en/open-source#anchor_advantages Khamis, H. J. (2012, April 20). (M. J. Sharaf, Interviewer) Isa Town, Bahrain. Retrieved April 24, 2012 The Linux Information Project. (2004, October 8). Freeware Definition. Retrieved April 22, 2012, from The Linux Information Project: http://www.linfo.org/freeware.html