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Apache

Apache is the name of the software that allows you to run a web service on a UNIX server. Apache is very popular and provides access to most web sites on the internet. A recent Netcraft survey of Web Servers around the world placed Apache Powered sites at over 50 percent of the total. Part of the reason for this maybe that it is freely available, reliable and simple to set up and configure, and it can provide most of the requirements for a web site.

Why is Apache Free?

One of the reasons Apache is free is because it is written and maintained by enthusiasts and volunteers, much in the spirit of many UNIX users. It is distributed under the GNU public licence, which means it can be compiled for free on any UNIX platform, including LINUX (Which is a UNIX platform for the PC.) The Apache group work under an open philosophy: the software is written by volunteers which enables it to be distributed free of charge. The underlying belief is that the Internet should remain an open and global system of communication, not `owned' by any one company. This will help to maintain the philosophy with which the web was originally created and to keep tools for online publishing in the hands of everyone.

Additionally Apache benefits from being an open system in that its users often contribute to it, by writing enhancements, bug fixes, or writing documentation. Potentially anyone in the world can add improvements to the Apache server. In practice the contribution by individuals is fairly slim, however, because the development of the software is carefully monitored to ensure its robustness. But it does mean that Apache ( as with any `freeware') develops organically and by its end-users. This can't necessarily be said about commercial software.