Open code translation tools

"Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in."

http://www.opensource.org/

This is a very controversial topic. Many think software vendors overprice their software and do not pay attention to what the users need, those persons have long been fostering an innitiative to create open source software. This means that software is free or very low price, that if you need the software to do something special, then you just go into the code and add the feature yourself. The question I would ask is how many of us would be ready to do such a thing? No doubt everyone would benefit from such a software, specially students, teachers, and those who have just started in the translation trade. In my opinion, there are no conflicts between open source and commercial software. It is up to you to choose, you have the right to keep your code as your asset or decide to share it for free or cheaper than others. Also, it must be taken into account that software developers spend a lot of money in advertising, they generate employment, and can pay for research. I do think that cooperation is the best way to get to a goal, but I also think it is everyone's right to keep a breakthrough as a secret (only for a while though, else humanity would never improve or advance). But as usual, the fairest way to do it would be not to overprice the software, and share breakthroughs in different ways. It is your turn to judge and decide, or even join the cause. Here is a video from Voice of Open Translation 2007. Enjoy!!!