The open-source community is a very exciting thing. It basically refers to a community of developers that release there "products", almost always applications, to the public for free, with the idea that if anyone can redistribute it, modify it, test it and use it, you will end up with a much more superior product compared to a proprietary product that severely limits its use and privatizes its code. It is similar in nature to the peer-review process of scientific ideas and discoveries. 

A developer will create an application, let's say a content management system, and release it to the public for testing. Hundreds or thousands of people can download the application, use it, modify it, push it to its limits, and normally, they will report back to the original developer with ideas on improvements. This process goes on for the life of the project creating a very stable, secure and superior product.

With an idea like that, how could we not capitalize on such a great thing. What's the downside you may ask, well, the developers do not offer any tech support for their products, and that is where I come in. I pick up the support end of the deal. I do all the installation, modification and design work. I then offer tech support for what I have done for you. Team work.

Here is the official definition by opensource.org:

Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open-source community.

One of our most important activities is as a standards body, maintaining the Open Source Definition for the good of the community. The Open Source Initiative Approved License trademark and program creates a nexus of trust around which developers, users, corporations and governments can organize open-source cooperation.