Introduction
5 great things about OSS
5 myths about OSS
5 ways OSS can help your organisation
5 considerations before migrating
5 steps to using OSS in your organisation
5 important OSS programs

Using open source software within your organisation needs to be carefully evaluated. Experience in the IT sector has shown that everything that is free is not good, but that there are sometimes hidden costs and other pitfalls in cutting costs in the computing environment.

Open source software (OSS) currently powers some of the biggest network servers in the world. However this guide focuses on software for the desktop PC, and the expanding role of OSS amongst ordinary computer users.

OSS can be divided into two main categories: operating systems (the operating environment for the PC) and applications (programmes such as word processors and web browsers).

The most popular operating system to replace Microsoft Windows is called Linux and, like Windows, it can be used equally successfully on the desktop or on the server.

It is important to note that not all Linux applications are free, open source programmes, although the vast majority are. There is a lot of free, open source software available for Windows too. Finally, not all free software is open source. This guide concerns itself only with the use of free, open source software.

Here is a basic guide to assist you in deciding whether open source software is the right choice for your organisation, and to help you make the transition as seamlessly as possible.