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Disadvantages  of   open-  source  software

 Counter-  argument

1 

Has less functionality than commercial software

Simplicity leads to ease of use and fewer errors. Many 

functions not used by the majority of users

2 

More likely to contain bugs compared to 

commercial software since not tested commercially

Evidence does not seem to suggest this is the case. The 

modular design needed by collaborative development enables 

problems to be isolated and resolved

3 

Poor quality of support

Organisations with the resource can fix problems themselves since 

they have access to the code. Companies such as IBM, SuSe and 

RedHat do offer support for Linux for a fee. Finding skilled staff for 

emerging  open-  source technologies can be difficult

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Chapter 3  Managing digital business infrastructure

Activity 3.4

Selecting   open-  source  software

Purpose

This activity looks at a common issue facing technical managers: should they adopt 

standard software promoted by the largest companies or  open-  source software or 

cheaper software from other vendors?