I composed this blog post using OpenOffice.org Writer. No doubt some of you reading this know exactly what OpenOffice is. But before you stop reading this, consider that not only is it a very useful productivity tool, it and other programs like it could be a way for you to work your way into programming as a career.
For those of you who've never heard of OpenOffice, it is part of a growing category known as open source software. Open source software offers many advantages for both those who use it and those who want better software.
Open source software is “crowdsourced” – that is, many people contribute to its creation. They can do so because anyone can obtain, view, and even modify the source code. Lest you think that last part leads to anarchy and worlds of trouble, there are ways that collaborators on open source software can protect the integrity of their work.
If you're new to software development, working on an open source project is a good way to learn both valuable skills that will advance your career and the fundamentals of working collaboratively. That last skill will serve you especially well as you advance as a developer.
A good place to learn more about open source software and how to get involved in open source development projects is the “Teaching Open Source” website. The Introduction to Free and Open Source Software section of the site gives you a good overview of the history of the open source movement and how to become part of it.
A note on the term “free”: “Free” as used here does not mean that the software is distributed free of charge, though most open source software is distributed that way. It means that the source code is freely available for anyone to review, complile, modify or reverse engineer. Free and open source programs are usually distributed under the terms of Creative Commons licenses that permit sharing and modification as long as anyone who modifies the work to distribute it with attribution to the original creator.
Your free and open source for the latest opportunities in high tech is TechCareers.com.
Sandy Smith is an award-winning writer and editor who has spent most of his career in public relations and corporate communications. His work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia CityPaper, PGN, and a number of Web sites. Philly-area residents may also recognize him as "MarketStEl" of discussion-board fame. He has been a part of the great reserve army of freelance writers since January 2009 and is actively seeking opportunities wherever they may lie.
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