Open source is a viable and cost-effective option for business, and mass adoption will occur, delegates at the second Open Source Software Africa Conference were told yesterday.

Open source programmer at the Shuttleworth foundation Thomas Black says open source software (OSS) is ready for mainstream business. “OSS adoption is going to happen; we are just here to speed up the process.”

Gauteng Linux Users Group chairman Ross Addis agrees, adding that proprietary software can stifle progress. “Countries implementing software patent laws are merely retarding their own software industry, and doing themselves a great disservice. OSS is definitely nearing mass acceptance.”

Novell SA MD Stafford Masie says Linux is “absolutely technologically ready” for business adoption, but warns that open source companies need to be cautious in their bid to roll-out OSS. “We are seeing consumers wanting to migrate to OSS on a daily basis.

“But we need to be careful. If a company adopts some OSS and it fails, it will be massive negative publicity. It would be disastrous for all of us.”