Post : The Basic principles of Open-source Software
URL : [link removed]
Posted : February 23, 2021 at 12:58 pm
Author : Hari Shanker
Tags : intro to open source, introduction to open-source, open source

The WordPress Foundation aims to educate the public about WordPress and related open-source software (OSS). Towards that end, the WordPress Foundation created the Introduction to Open-source workshops ( [link removed] ) , which shed more light on the potential of open-source software, particularly in countries where there is less participation in OSS projects. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these workshops have moved online ( [link removed] ) . The WordPress Foundation hopes to see more open-source workshops held online this year to help spread awareness about the importance of open-source software.

What are open-source software and Free Software?

Open-source software is software whose source code is available for anyone to view, modify and enhance. Free software refers to software that complies with “four essential freedoms” - to use, study, modify and distribute software for any purpose without legal restraint. Open-source software is characterized by the public accessibility of its code, while free software focuses on the capabilities for using and sharing the software.

Advantages of Free and Open-source Software over Proprietary software

Proprietary software is distributed in executable files where the source code is encrypted and not available. Free and Open-source software enables users to read and modify the code, thus allowing a host of advantages such as little (or no) cost, faster distribution, greater customization, and easy availability of bugs and security patches, to name a few. 

The Introduction to Open-source workshops cover the difference between different software types, the history of open-source software, its advantages over proprietary software, and how this applies to WordPress. The workshop also explains the differences between free and Open-source software and highlights the different types of software licenses. 

Want to learn more about Free and Open-source software? Participate in an Introduction to Open-source workshop!

There are four ways you can participate in an Introduction to Open-source workshop! 

* You can attend the Introduction to WordPress workshop from the comfort of your home! Learn WordPress now features an Introduction to Open-source video workshop ( [link removed] ) that you can watch at your convenience. 
* Community members can also now host or participate in Introduction to Open-source workshop ( [link removed] ) discussion groups in the Learn WordPress meetup group ( [link removed] ) for a global audience. Sign-ups are now open for the following two discussion groups:

* Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 4:00 PM UTC ( [link removed] )
* Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at 10:00 AM UTC ( [link removed] )

If you would like to host an Introduction to Open-source discussion group for a global audience, please apply to become a discussion group ( [link removed] ) facilitator. 

* WordPress Meetup groups worldwide are also encouraged to organize an Introduction to WordPress watch party + discussion group ( [link removed] ) (based on the Learn WordPress workshop on Introduction to Open-source ( [link removed] ) ) as part of their meetup (it does not need any prior approval). 

Lesson ( [link removed] ) plans ( [link removed] ) for the Introduction to Open-source workshops are available! Meetup group organizers can plan their live open-source workshop based on the lesson plans. 

The WordPress Foundation invites community members across the world to join these open-source workshops and to organize workshops and discussion groups in their communities to help spread our mission ( [link removed] ) of serving the public good with the help of Open-source software.

Meetup groups organizing Introduction to Open-source workshops will be featured on this website. All you need to do is to reach out to us ( [link removed] ) with a brief write-up about your workshop along with pictures, and we'll publish them here!

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