Open Source is an important movement in software development. You can read more information about it at from OpenSource.org but I will give it my best shot here.

Open Source means exactly that: the source code is open for anyone to see. Often, Open Source software is free, but not always. It is built by developers all across the world and usually controlled by very permissive licensing, allowing others to use it and develop additional features. Writing software and releasing the source code for others to evaluate and contribute to it allow the entire community of developers and users of the software to benefit.

This is in direct contrast to closed source, or proprietary software. Software developed this manner cannot be evaluated for security flaws or bugs, and developers cannot add new features that their customers might need. With proprietary software, you are the mercy of the company that developed, and you have to put an enourmous amount of trust in them that the software you're using is safe from hackers and the like.

Why does this matter ot you? Well, all of the software used to build and maintain Allô! St. Barths is Open Source. This allows us to bring you an excellent software offering that is constantly being improved by the community of Open Source developers. This in turn lets us give you a superior product without having to spend thousands of dollars developing it ourselves, buying expensive software, or hiring outside developers to build it. Therefore, we don't have to pass these costs on to you and can offer many of our services to you for free. Our paid services prices are also greatly reduced.

At the same time, we are developing the software we use to bring you a better product. We contribute these changes back to the community and everyone benefits. When someone else using the same software we are, fixes a bug or adds a feature, we benefit, and therefore you benefit. It this idea of collective community that is one of the greatest benefits of Open Source.

Basically, Open Source applies the spirit of people helping people, and community, to software. Allô! St. Barths firmly believes in the concept of OPen Source and has been an active member of the OPen Source community for over 5 years. Without this important cornerstone of our business, we wouldn't be able to bring you the quality and service you expect at an affordable price -- sometimes for free!

Support Open Source software by encouraging your business to move towards Open Source software like Linux, or Open Office.