Posted by deadvey

Why Isn't Open Source Software More Prevalent?

Free Software is when "the users have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software" - The FSF

In 2025, most software that most people use has a proprietary licence attatched to it meaning the user is massively restricted in what they can do with the software, they can only do exactly what the developers let them do and no more.  If there was a functionality missing or a security hole in the software, you have to wait for the developers to get around to fixing it, and if your issue is too obscure, forget it!  However, most generic software such as Microsoft Word, Windows or Google Drive have Free and Open Source alternatives (eg LibreOffice Writer, GNU/Linux and Nextcloud respectively), so if there is a free (cost), free (freedom), open source and privacy repecting alternative, why do most people still stick to Proprietary Software?

Quickly, Why Is Open Source ideal?  
I) unless a company is hosting the software for you, Open Source Software is nearly always free of charge as the code is available to everyone and is rarely developed for money, but rather the enjoyment of developing software and helping people; though, if you do find it helpful and have money to spare, you do have the option of donating some money to the developers to keep the project going.
II) Open Source is practically always Privacy Respecting and Advertisment Free, and, if it's not, someone can just clone it and remove those pesky ads, so you never have to worry about having your data stolen.
III) If there is a security flaw in the software or just a functionality you want in it, you can always modify the source code and either redistribute or push these changes upstream so everyone can access the changes, this also has the advantage of meaning that security flaws are usually patched quicker in larger FOSS projects, without having to open a ticket and waiting for the developers to patch it.
IV) Transparency, because anyone can see the source code, this makes the project as a whole much more transparent as you can see any recent changes and what direction the project is going in, this means you actually know what the focus is, instead of having to just trust that they are updating the code.
V) Instead of being the product, you are the owner, this relates to point I and II and makes you as the end user feel much more respected as a person as opposed to as the product to be sold to advertisers or to collect money from.

So Why Don't People Use FOSS Software More?
I think the major reason that people don't use FOSS software is that there is less spread about it, people see adverts about proprietary software, but because FOSS projects don't usually make much money, the only main reason people would know about it is through word of mouth, if software was promoteed purely based on merit, there would be much more knowledge and spread of open source software.  Additionally, most people don't even realise there is an alternative, as a person who researches every piece of software I use and look for potential alternatives, this can be hard to understand, but most people just use the software they use without thinking there is an alternative or that it is even possible to switch.  People also don't like change, if someone has been using Microsoft Office for 15 years and is suddenly asked if they want to try Libre Office, they would probably not as they wouldn't see any reason to try something new so why even bother, especially if they've never heard of the alternative suggestion.  Finally, people don't really care, most people seem unbothered by a lack of control and don't see why it's important, I think it's important to explain to people the differences between Open Source and Proprietry and to help people see the benefits of choosing a more respectful peice of software.

What can be done?
I think the main thing is to try and beat the advertisment of Proprietary Code by speaking to your friends and relatives about Free Alternatives to the software they use and question why they use what they use.  It's also important to be ready to help people who are trying to switch and to show them the benefits and to help them to care about the importance of software transparency and user freedom.

Fly You High - DeaDvey