"Open source software has countless advantages over proprietary software. While there are disadvantages as well, such as the lack of built-in support contracts and no one to blame when things go wrong (which means no one to sue), in most cases moving to open source software is a smart move. You never need to just accept whatever functionality comes with it; you can modify the software to do whatever your heart desires, and you're never "locked in" with a particular vendor when you need additional functionality. There is a community of people developing, using, and testing the software, which tends to lead to higher quality and faster growth. Plus, it's generally cheaper than proprietary software (often times, free).

However, gaining the full advantages of open source requires a fundamental shift in development practice. And people who are not "in the know" on this point can often get into trouble when they continue to work in a traditional way, and a negative attitude about open source software (it's not me, it's them!) can result."

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