Open Source Software

~Is: Computer Software that meets the 10 Guidelines of the Open Source Definition

                1. Free Redistribution

                           - allows user to give copies of program away

                           - No Royalties

                2. Source Code

                           -source code freely available (allows changes in program)

                3.  Derived Works

                            - modified copies can be distributed (allows program evolution)

                4. Integrity of the Author's Source Code

                            - user has right to know who original program author is

                            - author has right to alter changes made by others

                5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups

                            - no one can be locked out of program

                6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor

                            - allows commercial use of program

                7. Distribution of License

                            - forbids closing up software by indirect means

                8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product

                            - prevents program from being distributed as part of larger scheme

                9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software

                            - allows distributors of the software have the right to make their own choices about their software

                10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral

                            - no medium-specific ways of accepting the license must be required

Source: http.//www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php