Frequently Asked Questions
How much does open-source software cost? Nothing...nada...zip. Open-source software is free to use and modify to your liking. Unlike other operating systems and software, open-source software does not charge per-seat, per-user, or per-anything.
Is open-source software competitive with other offerings? Yes. Defense Department computers run on it, major motion picture studios use it, some of the largest Internet companies use it; so yes, it is extremely competitive with software for which you have to pay.
Is open-source software frequently updated? Most active and cutting-edge projects are updated nightly. Operating systems and other software is updated as new features and security patches are issued (on average, features are added every month or so, security updates are done as soon as a vulnerability is found).
What about security? Open-source software is some of the most secure software available. With literally tens of thousands of programmers sorting through the code, vulnerabilities are usually found quickly and patched within the day.
Do I have to update my software every time a feature is added? No. In fact, we recommend that unless you really need the new feature, you do not update an already running system. Adding security patches is always a good idea, especially on a computer with access to the Internet. But we usually advise against updating a perfectly running system just for the sake of updating.