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With traditional proprietary software, the purchaser obtains only
executable code-the ones and zeros that computers understand, but that
are unreadable by humans. The company that develops the software holds
the worldwide monopoly on its source code, and becomes the only place
where the code can be modified, updated, or fixed. With Open Source
software, the source code is freely available, giving developers the
ability to isolate and fix bugs and to customize the software to their
needs. A common illustration equates using proprietary software with
driving a car with the hood permanently welded shut. Under this
scenario, if the engine were to break down, the owner would have to
return the car to the manufacturer for repair. Without access to the
engine, neither the owner nor the car dealer would be able to fix the
problem. Open Source software is like a car with a hood that opens.
Car owners can fix problems themselves, or choose a repair service
that best fits their needs. In the proprietary software model, the
best company to provide support is the company that manufactures the
software. The manufacturer is the only company that truly understands
the source code, has access to it, and can modify or fix it when it
breaks.
In the Open Source software model, there is no single manufacturer.
Distributed teams of programmers around the world develop open Source
software. So there is no exclusive source for expertise,
modifications, or bug fixes. Distribution vendors such as Caldera, Red
Hat, SuSE, and Red Hat are not primarily manufacturers, but rather
packagers and distributors of free software developed by others.

The Open Source model unties the knot between the product vendor and
support services. Because source code is available to all, vendors are
able to focus on a part of the value chain and build competitive
services without fear of proprietary lockouts.
Therefore, the best provider of shrink-wrapped Linux products is the
vendor that best understands packaging, distribution, point-of-sale
promotion, and branding. The best provider of Linux customer services
is the vendor that specializes in service, building deep technical
expertise and superior service delivery systems. The bottom line is
that the Open Source software development model, by creating-and
protecting an open playing field, encourages vendor specialization and
fosters honest competition, ultimately giving the customer more
choice, flexibility, and control.