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Get ready to celebrate the power of collaboration and innovation during Free Open Source Software Month on February 1! This month-long observance was first established in 2004 to raise awareness about the benefits of using open source software, which is developed and shared by a community for free. It's a great opportunity for individuals and businesses alike to explore different tools and programs that can enhance their productivity without breaking the bank. So join the global movement and discover all the amazing possibilities that come with open source software!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>GNU Project begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Richard Stallman announces his intention to create a whole system-compatible alternative to Unix, which becomes the GNU Project.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Linux Kernel Development</div><div class='timeline-text'>The development of the Linux kernel by Linus Torvalds begins, which eventually forms the basis of the Linux operating system.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Open Source Definition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The term "open source" is officially adopted and the Open Source Definition is created by the Open Source Initiative.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2004</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ubuntu Launch</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first release of Ubuntu, a popular open-source Linux distribution, kickstarted by Mark Shuttleworth and Canonical Ltd.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Android Open Source Project</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is set up by Google, leading to a boon in open-source mobile operating systems.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>GitHub Popularity Increase</div><div class='timeline-text'>GitHub, a web-based platform for version control and collaboration, gains widespread recognition, becoming a key player in open source software development.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Contribute to an open source project</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your coding skills to contribute to an open source project on GitHub or other platforms. This is a great way to give back to the open source community and celebrate Free Open Source Software Month.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a workshop or seminar on open source software</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share your knowledge and passion for open source software by hosting a workshop or seminar. You can teach others about the benefits and importance of using open source software.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an open source conference or meetup</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Connect with other open source enthusiasts by attending a conference or meetup. These events are great for networking, learning new skills, and celebrating all things open source.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize an open source hackathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather a group of developers and organize an open source hackathon. This is a fun and productive way to celebrate Free Open Source Software Month while also making valuable contributions to open source projects.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word on social media</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your social media platforms to spread awareness about Free Open Source Software Month. Share your own experiences with open source software and encourage others to join in on the celebration.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's accessible to everyone</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Free and open source software (FOSS) is available for anyone to use, regardless of their financial situation. This means that more people have access to technology and can learn valuable skills without any barriers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes collaboration and community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the key principles of FOSS is collaboration. Developers from all over the world work together to create and improve software, leading to a strong sense of community within the open-source world. Through sharing ideas and working together, the quality of software continues to improve.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's customizable and adaptable</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>With FOSS, users have the freedom to modify and adapt the software to suit their specific needs. This empowers individuals and businesses to tailor their technology solutions, resulting in more efficient and effective processes.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Open Source Software (OSS) is Worldwide and Diverse</h3><p class='facts-content'>Open Source Software is developed by hobbyists, students, large corporations, and everyone in between from all corners of the globe, highlighting the diverse community behind these projects.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>OSS is Highly Reliable and Secure</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to its transparency and the vast number of people scrutinizing it, security vulnerabilities in open source software tend to be discovered and fixed quickly.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Internet Runs on Open Source Software</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Internet as we know it wouldn't exist without open source software - from server technologies like Apache and NGINX, to the Linux operating system that underpins many web servers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>OSS Inspires Innovation and Collaboration</h3><p class='facts-content'>Open source methodology promotes a culture of collaboration and transparency that has been instrumental in sparking innovation in software development and beyond.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some Biggest Tech Companies Actively Support Open Source</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many large tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, are actively involved in the open source community where they contribute to existing projects or open-source their own tools.</p></div></div>
Free Open Source Software Month is celebrated on February 1 every year. In 2024, it will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Feb 1
Wednesday
2024
Feb 1
Thursday
2025
Feb 1
Saturday
2026
Feb 1
Sunday
2027
Feb 1
Monday
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