Open Source Software
What is it? - Could it be of use to me?
Open Source Software is computer software for which the source code is openly available for people to use, modify and/or develope.
The Open Source community of software developers is unique in that they are largely individuals with their own interests and skills who work together in a virtual sense to develop a range of different software packages.
Basic Open Source software packages is generally offered for use free of charge but enhanced packages may be offered on a chargeable commercial basis. Where charges are applicable, the software package is much cheaper than software which is developed purely on a commerial basis - this is because the core of the software has already been written by the Open Source Community.
Some of the "big names" involved in developing software which is based on Open Source include Sun, IBM and Novell