Since 2008, NEOGEO has been developing and implementing geographic data infrastructures and open source platforms. Our teams design custom solutions using free components and are involved in several open source project communities.
But what is open source? Definition, history, values, licenses: here are the essentials in five points.
The definition
An open source solution is software that anyone can use, modify, and share.
Programmers work together to improve it, making the software more flexible and sustainable than proprietary software.
The history
In the 1950s and 1960s, researchers relied on an open and collaborative environment to develop the first Internet technologies and telecommunications network protocols.
This is when the idea of open source was born. This approach led to the creation of some of the most popular and powerful software solutions of our time.
During this era, user groups shared their source code to bring new projects to life.
The values
Open source software is based on a philosophy of sharing and collaboration within the community.
These communities are formed around a common interest in a particular software and work together to improve that software.
The licenses
Open source software does not necessarily mean it is free of charge or can be used without constraints: it all depends on the terms of the license used by the developer.
Indeed, open source licenses have rules to follow. For example, the copyleft clause requires the distribution of modifications under the same license as the original software.
A few open source examples
- Linux, an open source operating system
- QGIS, an open source geographic information system
- OpenOffice, an open source office suite
Open source at Neogeo
Since its inception, NEOGEO has advocated for open source solutions. By utilizing the concept of free software, NEOGEO offers more powerful, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions. The company is involved in several open source communities and actively participates in improving the quality of open source software for the benefit of all.
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