Open source software is available to be used by and/or modified by the general public. Open source software is usually developed with a collaboration of programmers and software users. This collaboration includes testing the software to eliminate bugs in the program code, which usually causes the software to quickly become more refined and user-friendly.
Open source software is free to the general public and is considered safe to use when the usual precautions are taken by those who choose to download it (use antivirus software). The only drawback to open source software may be a lack of formal technical support, which is more of an issue in the early phases of development when more bugs are likely to exist in the software. However, open source software usually has a strong user community which freely provides reliable support if a formal user manual is not available. Help documentation is found in the software under the Help section at the top of the screen or on the open source software developer's web site.
