Open Source Technology

One of the core elements of innovation tied to the web 2.0 revolution is that of ‘open source technology’. This fundamental concept within the current and prospect digital landscape lays at the foundation of the netamorphosis collaboration model and philosophy as well. We strongly believe that open source collaboration and omnichannel strategies produce better results when communication is streamlined amongst technically appropriated resources ­– which is what we would ensure is taken care of, through our cross-functional team approach, as well as, through our collaborative partnership approach to our working relationship with our clients.

While there are closed source alternatives available for some open source technologies (a quick ’n’ easy example is Android vs IOS), the advantages of open source software is often that it is a more lean, efficient and always up-to-date technology solutions, while also often allowing for more affordable options.

While there are closed source alternatives available for some open source technologies (a quick ’n’ easy example is Android vs IOS), the advantages of open source software is often that it is a more lean, efficient and always up-to-date technology solutions, while also often allowing for more affordable options.

In the more defined context of software development, open source defines a rather specific approach to creating computer programs. In fact, open source typically denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed, modified and enhanced, but at its core translates to a decentralized model that encourages open source collaboration and participation. One of the main principles of both open source website maintenance and software development is peer production, as the open source technology movement in software began as a response to the limitations of proprietary code.

Open source: a technology or software that is not static or pre-defined, but build progressively, and through collaboration as with open source. A program’s source code should be made freely available for developers to enhance it and modify it. However, open source does not mean gratis: it is a common misconception that the derived program will be accessible to end-users free of charge. Often times, the program itself is actually sold commercially. Open source only requires that a program's source code be freely available for those who would like to to view that code, copy it, alter it, or share it, all of which is dependent on the technologies licensing agreement which can vary.

Free software: a 1980s concept, originally used to define the ‘freedom’ associated with a software or digital product, or the possibility for its end users to use it, readapt it, modify it with no-strings-attached. The main difference between free software and open source would hence be the lack of collaboration, as users of free software would access and use the software with no limitations, but independently. The concept of open source is also frequently seen as a direct consequence of free software, because developers would often work collectively and therefore make it ‘open’. Nowadays, however, ‘free software’ is perhaps more commonly used to define full or lite versions of programs available to end-users at no monetary cost. This perceived gratuitousness could be quite flimsy: other types of ‘non-monetary’ costs might be in place such as data collection, also by 3rd Parties – and this was one of the key aspects behind the Cambridge Analytica case against Facebook in 2018.

Today, the open source concept has growingly acquired a significant cultural relevance which goes way beyond its tech origins as it is often both seen as one of the triggers that paved the way towards participatory-types of approaches to once ‘industry-only’ types of sectors such as journalism (i.e. the international news portal Al Jazeera pioneered citizen journalism during the Arab Spring and onwards), and as a crucial milestone towards broader economic consequences such as the rise of sharing economy opportunities and projects, including Airbnb, Deliveroo, Lyft and others. Because of this, open source now has a much broader meaning attached, as it is often used to designate a mindset and set of values which has remix and cooperation at its epicenter. Open source projects, products, or initiatives are those who foster principles of shared participation, quick prototyping, transparency, open exchange, meritocracy, community-oriented development.

As many of us interact with these daily, without these technologies, software and websites both the world and our digital experiences would be extremely different, and arguably more difficult. While some closed source alternatives are out there, the entire digital landscape would completely shift if open source technologies were not readily available, and would be lacking the benefits and positive progress created by the collaborative partnerships that open source technology encourages.

This more comprehensive definition of open source is the nearest to our vision. At neta we intend open source not just as an approach to production, but really as a mindset and framework of operation, one that feeds into our already heavily transparent and collaborative partnership type of work-style. More over, the open source software we would use are best-in-class: we support open source technology and software platforms such as Magento for eCommerce or WordPress for content-rich platforms, an aspect which is fundamental to our practice as a content and technology service provider.

Throughout our work with a client, each decision we make is thoughtful and purposeful. Every service we provide, from strategic planning and financial planning to SEO, eCommerce builds and eCommerce Strategy, is delivered with collaboration in mind. Moreover, neta embraces the philosophy of open source technology in the ways in which we collaborate with our partners, companies and organizations. This technology becomes the core and an integrated part of their web maintenance and resource framework, all of which align our efforts through shared metric-oriented objectives towards broader and joint team efforts and achievement.