Quiz

Open source and SMBs: Open your mind

Open source software and tools are catching on with small and medium-sized businesses, thanks to its affordability and security. But how much do you know about the open source movement? Test yourself with this month's SearchSMB.com quiz!

1. In September, Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc. predicted that by 2011, what percentage of commercial software will contain at least some open source code?

a. 40%
b. 80%
c. 90%

2. IBM recently announced it will contribute code to what project?

a. OpenDocument Format
b. Workplace
c. OpenOffice

3. Andreas Antonopoulos, senior vice president and founding partner of The Nemertes Research Group Inc. in Mokena, Ill., has advice for CIOs who are considering making the switch to Linux. He says they should carefully evaluate business processes and:

a. supporting applications
b. products and services
c. both of the above.

4. What items verify that an open source software download is whole and complete?

a. MD5 hashes or GNU Privacy Guard signatures
b. PatchLink Update and NetChk Protect.
c. basic and digest authentication

5. Companies considering open source software (OSS) for Web design projects should keep in mind that although it may be free, they'll still have to pay for development and support, writes Herman Mehling. They should weigh those costs against the cost of what?

a. license fees
b. reliability
c. compatibility

6. According to Framingham, Mass.-based research firm IDC, open source software brought in how much money in 2006?

a. $1 billion
b. $1.8 billion
c. $5.8 billion

7. IDC has predicted that predicted that the open source software market would reach how much in 2011?

a. $1 billion
b. $1.8 billion
c. $5.8 billion

8. Bill Crowell, the former CIO of the Oregon Department of Human Services, said governance of open source technology is "absolutely critical." As an example, he cited one of his peers, a CIO of a transportation agency, who found how many instances of open source in use after an inventory of open source technology in his organization?

a. 5,000
b. 10-15
c. 10,000

9. When was OpenOffice launched?

a. 1998
b. 2000
c. 2005

10. Why are Linux systems are more secure than Windows clients?

a. Linux can be set up in a simpler configuration.
b. Because there's a wide variety of Linux versions.
c. Both a and b.

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