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DQ News: How Small Business Owners Can Use Open-Source Code

Open-source code is a big part of the Web 3.0 revolution because it fits one of the key driving factors: collaboration. Open-source code is developed by several people (even thousands) working together to make a usable tool or program. Even when it’s finished, some of these same people (or others) can and will continue to improve on it for the goodness of all. Using open-source code can help you develop programs, tools, and even Web sites that can be used in your small business.

How to Leverage Open-Source Code

Step 1: Find what you’re looking for

What type of software are you looking for? Chances are that whatever you are looking for has some type of open-source code software out there. Go to www.Google.com and type in Open Source and then whatever software you’re looking for—for example, open source content-management system. See whether there is some raw code instead of an out-of-the-box solution. Here are some sites to get the code from:

• www.Koders.com

• www.SourceForge.net

• www.CodeBeach.com

• www.Planet-Source-Code.com

Step 2: Evaluate the open-source programs out there before selecting one

As with physical software, there are typically many alternatives that accomplish the same thing. Do your research, and read the message boards, forums, and so on to choose the best software to manipulate.

Step 3: Get it going

Start using the software as is or hire a programmer to manipulate the code. Typically you are going to want to hire a programmer to help with the coding aspect to make the software even better and to suit your needs. Also bear in mind that many open-source programs can be used with no manipulation.

Here are some of my current favorite open-source software tools

• Firefox: The browser of choice for most.

• OpenOffice.org: Don’t want to give Microsoft any more money? Leverage OpenOffice.org and their suite of tools.

• Joomla: Among the best content-management systems available today.

• Drupal: This is another content-management system. Many programmers have been using Drupal to configure their entire Web sites and shopping carts.

• WordPress: This is the blogging platform of choice.We have developed more than 15,000 WordPress blogs and sites to date. We are also using a software tool called WishList Member to design WordPress member sites.There are hundreds of people all over the world constantly working on and making WordPress better and better.

• PortableApps: Plain and simple, this tool aims to make all your apps portable on a USB drive.You can carry all your favorite programs on a small device and use them on any computer!

• MediaWiki: Originally developed by Wikipedia, it allows for easy collaboration.

That’s it. Using open-source code is actually quite easy. With the growing number of people looking to use open-source code rather than purchasing traditional software, chances are you will find some type of open-source software tool already out there in cyberspace to leverage and/or improve on your needs!

About the Author: Michael Tasner, author of Marketing in the Moment is an avid entrepreneur, author, speaker, investor, and charity proponent who specializes in helping people achieve their dreams in life and goals in business. He founded Taz Solutions, Inc, in 2000, and has built it to a leading web marketing firm with more than 80 employees involved in in all areas of online/Internet strategy, marketing and design. He is author of several books, a certified Guerilla Marketing Coach, and key advisor to several Internet businesses. He has consulted on online marketing with nine Fortune® 1000 companies.

Photo Credit: LaMenta3

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