Linux and other open-source programs are created by loose-knit coalitions of programmers around the world who exchange source codes.

Many have built formidable reputations with their contributions to open-source programs, and those reputations can translate into lucrative job offers.

Both open-source programs have done best in the market for Web server software.

Microsoft's data centers run on proprietary software that is incompatible with the open-source programs and applications adopted by Yahoo.

Unlike most commercial software, which comes as incomprehensible "ones" and "zeroes," open-source programs always include the source code, written in a programming language like C++.

Raphaël Manfredi has been the author of many open-source programs since 1990.

Firefox is an open-source program - noncopyrighted and free from www.mozilla.org - created by a nonprofit foundation descended from Microsoft's old rival, Netscape.

Many of these individuals programmers who start an open-source project usually end up as large companies with open-source programs.

MediaInfo is a free and open-source program that displays technical information about media files, as well as tag information for many audio and video files.

Shutter is an open-source program and is available completely for free.