Dynnocht Computer Services
British Computer Society

Software Architects & Chartered Information Systems Practitioners

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Free or Open Source Software ?

This is a term used for software distributed with the full source code, and under a licence that allows the software to be modified and redistributed. Free refers to freedom not necessarily price. Free Software provides the freedoms to

  • run the program, for any purpose.
  • study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs.
  • redistribute copies.
  • improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.
Is the Open Source approach any better ?
Yes, it has many advantages: It eliminates recurrent licensing costs. It levels the playing field so that smaller firms can compete for projects. It has upfront Escrow as the source code is available before anything goes wrong. It allows independent verification of functionality and security. It avoids the problems associated with vendor lock-in and being forced to wait for vendor upgrade cycles.
What is Linux ?
Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. It has evolved since then to take account of technological advances as they emerge, PCI-Bus, SCSI and DVD Ram. Linux has many advantages. It is extremely reliable; it conforms to open standards; it is free; it is not dependent on a single supplier; it is simple to integrate; it talks natively to Apple, Windows, Unix and mainframe operating systems; it is portable; and it can be scaled to symmetric processors and clusters.
What is the role of the British Computer Society ?
The British Computer Society is the Chartered Engineering Institution for the Information Systems profession.The BCS sets and maintains the highest standards of professionalism and assists individuals to improve their skills throughout their careers
What are the BCS Codes of Conduct and Good Practice ?
Members of the BCS agree to meet certain duties and responsibilities towards the public, the profession, employers and customers. These are set out in the BCS Codes of Conduct and Good Practice.

The BCS Code of Conduct covers duties of care, conflicts of interest, competence, confidentiality and legal compliance.

The Code of Good Practice is issued under the provisions of the BCS Royal Charter. It encourages awareness and understanding of issues relating to the field of Information Systems.

 

Ubuntu Free Linux Software    Debian    No Patents    UK Free Software Network