What is open source?
The basic idea behind open source is very simple: when programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. The software can be improved and adapted. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.
Within the open source community it is acknowledged that this rapid evolutionary process produces better software than the traditional closed model, in which only a very few programmers can see the source and everybody else must blindly use an opaque block of bits. Open Source Initiative exists to make this case to the commercial world.
Open source software is an idea whose time has finally come. For twenty years it has been building momentum in the technical cultures that built the Internet and the World Wide Web. Now it's breaking out into the commercial world, and that's changing all the rules. Are you ready?
This text is licensed under the Open Software License version 1.1.
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Open source within the Regional Competence project
The Regional Competence project is based on open source principle. The project is developed around two ICT tools, "Individual competence database" and the "Regional competence database", which are being developed and adapted within each partner region.
The different partner regions have the freedom to make any changes needed to adapt the tools to their specific needs. For example the Italian version of Individual Competence differs greatly from the original version. There are also differences between the servers: the Slovenian "Regional competence database" is running on their own Linux server whereas the Spanish version is running on the Swedish server. The aim with the methodology is to reach flexible solutions within development of ICT tools for SMEs and public authorities.
Another benefit of using Open Source methodology for development of software for the partners of the project is that they are not limited to one developer. They are free to make changes on there own or might find a local partner to help with the programming. In that way they may sidestep the language barrier, which might cause unforeseen consequences.
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