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• Stability: Open Source software is often more reliable and stable
than proprietary software. This is because Open Source projects have
large numbers of contributors and follow an iterative development,
debugging, and testing cycle. The best-known Open Source projects such
as Linux have more contributors and testers than a traditional
software company could afford to deploy on a project.

• Cost: Open Source software is free. This results in immediate
savings on licensing fees and upgrading costs. And the larger the
project, the greater the savings-for example, there is no charge for
additional client connections to an Open Source database.

• Security: In the proprietary software model, developers compete to
discover and exploit or publicize security holes. The Open Source peer
review process redirects developer competition toward preventing
security breaches in the first place. Additionally, there are no
hidden APIs that can be exploited.

• Flexibility: Open Source code can be modified to fit customer
requirements. Drivers can be developed or modified without
reverse-engineering unpublished APIs. The best-known Open Source
projects such as Linux have more contributors and testers than a
traditional software company could afford to deploy on a project.

• Choice of vendors: In the Open Source model, vendors compete purely
on the basis of their ability to add value to a shared platform, not
on the basis of proprietary secrets.

• Reduced risk: The Open Source development model effectively spreads
risks over a large pool of programming talent. And it provides a hedge
against obsolescence-for example, if a company that develops Open
Source software goes out of business, the code could thereafter be
maintained in perpetuity by other developers. Cisco Systems recently
decided to release print spooler software under an Open Source license
to reduce its dependency on in-house programming staff.