Open source refers to software that has "open" source code. What this means is that the source code is freely distributed and can be viewed, modified, and redistributed by anyone. However, don't begin to think that open source software is only available as source code OR that it is only for tech geeks! Most open source software projects can be downloaded as free, complete programs that are ready to install! (This is called compiled or binary form.)

The table below was created to show which open source software applications fill the same role as its proprietary counter part, and in the following paragraphs I highlight alternatives to the most commonly use applications. I will start with OpenOffice. OO, short for OpenOffice, is a very powerful open source office suite that rivals Microsoft Office®. It can open and create MS Office files with exceptional compatibility allowing easy sharing of files. OO's Writer is compatible with MS Office's Word, OO's Impress is compatible with PowerPoint, OO's Calc is compatible with Excel, and OO's Base can be used as a replacement for Microsoft Access. In addition to the normal office packages, OpenOffice comes with Draw, which is a vector drawing program, and it also comes with Math, which is a program for inserting equations and formulas into your documents. Read what Paul Nelson, from Riverdale Grade School in Portland, Oregon states on the topic of migration to Linux based desktop applications, "We offered very little training. I just showed students that they could save StarOffice files as .doc .rtf and .ppt files for use on Windows workstations. The kids picked up on it right away and enjoyed configuring their desktops and work environments."

For those who teach desktop publishing/graphic design and web site design, there are excellent open source alternatives to the mainstream programs. Starting with desktop/publishing/graphic design, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a software program that has many of the same capabilities as Adobe Photoshop. GIMP can even open and save Photoshop (psd) files. Inkscape is a vector drawing program that is similar to Adobe Illustrator. Finally, for those who need a page layout program, there is Scribus. For website designers there is a program called KompoZer. KompoZer is an alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver.