Selecting Proprietary, Open Source, or Free Software for Enterprise Information Systems At first glance, the previous question would probably lead you to believe that proprietary software should be the most obvious choice in choosing between the different types simply for the reference to the most important words. You might even look at the definitions of the three and be convinced that the proprietary software seems to be more convincing than the others. However, given recent developments in software in general, I would have to agree with those who argue that open source should be the first choice for any type of software and that considering proprietary software should only be an option if it has features very specific and valuable features that the open source solution does not offer. [1]Proprietary software is defined as computer software in which the manufacturer has established restrictions on use, private modification, copying, or republication. Open source and free software are pretty much the opposite, source codes are made available that allow the user to use, modify, improve and redistribute them in an unmodified or modified form. These definitions initially led me to believe that proprietary software was more secure than others because its code was not available. Recent observations have shown, however, that even proprietary software developers are starting to realize that open source software development has been so successful that proprietary companies have been paying attention to incorporating open source strategies into their business model. [3] These observations have led to the development of hybrid software that features elements of both proprietary and open source software. As a matter of fact, we're already... halfway through the paper... we're undeniably embracing open source more and more,... Microsoft is building a hybrid open source software development model... June 11, 2008 ...http://www.linux.com/feed/138010 - 27k - Cached - Similar pages5. Open source software: Retrieved May 19, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software6. Open source and free software: Retrieved May 19, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_vs._free_software7. Open source vs. owner: both have advantages By John Carroll, Special to ZDNet, Retrieved May 19, 2008, from [http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/0,2000061733,39148762,00.htm] 8. How l he software economy is driven by proprietary work By John Carroll, Special to ZDNet, Retrieved May 19, 2008, from http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/How_the_software_economy_is_driven_by_proprietary_work/0,2000061733,39148761,00 .htm