Open source is part of the DNA in Redpill Linpro. To us, it is the obvious choice, and open source appeals to people interested in low operating costs, high control, and high adaptability. 
– And there are people like me, who also like open source because of the philosophical aspects, says Andreas Arvidsson, one of our most dedicated open sorcerers.

– I like the very idea of open source. People cooperating for something that everyone benefits from, says Andreas.

Andreas is a senior developer at our Karlstad office. He has been using open source since he started programming as a teenager. The young Andreas had no money for expensive licenses, but with open source, he could download libraries and products and use them.

– It was amazing to me. It was the complete opposite of how most of the society functions. Suddenly, I could use great products people had built and shared, just for fun.

Open source has been a vital part of the Redpill Linpro since the beginning, and our coworkers are specialists in the field. We encourage our clients to use open source and see the possibilities. With open source, you can use a free product and contribute to improvements by letting developers make adjustments to fit your company’s needs. It is generally a cost-efficient way to get a uniquely adapted product. This way, you drive development forward for everyone.

– It’s like a digital community where people help each other. It’s pretty fantastic, says Andreas Arvidsson.

Today, software is part of our everyday life. It has become a part of our infrastructure. You can check where your children are with the help of software, book an appointment at the health center, or buy your bus ticket. To have an app is a given for companies that cater to private individuals – and the same applies to authorities. Different municipalities often have similar digital needs, but there is still little to no collaboration. If society widens its perspectives, we could use open source to collaborate across regions. It would open up opportunities for developing durable and reliable software and keeping the investments in local projects. 

Andreas sees more positive sides in a hypothetical increased use of open source in our common society. 

– You often hear about security problems and data leaks. Imagine if those companies had used open source. Then, anyone would have been able to examine what it looked like. Instead, we must trust that companies and healthcare providers keep our data safe.

However, you would need significant knowledge to understand the code, even if you have gained access.
– Absolutely. It is like the principle of publicity. It does not mean that every citizen sits and reviews finances - but those with the knowledge have the opportunity to do so. That is the point of the publicity principle, says Andreas.

A significant part of Sweden’s infrastructure is already open source, but it is not something an ordinary end user sees. Microsoft with Windows and Apple with Mac OS are giants in desktop. However, Linux, which is open source, is used on most servers.

What do you think about the future of open source?
– It is very bright. I can’t see why people would forever pay huge license fees to international corporations. Today, the ones responsible for IT at large companies and authorities are usually older men who did not grow up with open source code. However, today more or less all new developers use open source code. So, there may not be a revolution but rather a slow evolution in favor of open source. I am sure open source will just become bigger and bigger.