Open Source (Group 5)

The Open Source movement is a really interesting topic. Thanks to it, I am able to use a lot of useful and cheap and compact pieces of software. In my opinion, there are two topics directly related to the Open Source movement: 1)digital divide, 2) monopoly. The prices of software in the United States might be OK for many domestic consumers, but when you think of the developing countries, it is a completely different matter. Why piracy is so prevalent in developing countries? Why using pirated software is almost normal in some countries? It is not that they don't want to buy them, they just cannot afford them. And they do need them... The big software companies in the United States do produce excellent products, but not for everyone. If there is a digital divide, the companies are enlarging it with high prices and non-discrimating prices. Programmers who support the Open Source movement really give a chance to many people in the world and also prevent monopoly.