Frequently Asked Questions - Open Source

What is Open Source software?

Open Source generally refers to a program (or collection of programs) whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit. Open Source software is usually developed as a public collaboration and made freely available. By comparison, developers of proprietary (commercial) software have historically not made source code generally available.

Is ImerjaMail completely based on Open Source software?

ImerjaMail uses a number of well established and widely recognised Open Source applications within the email processing system; these include MailScanner and Spam Assassin. However the filtering system, management and reporting application have been commercially developed.

Do you charge for Open Source software?

No, the license cost associated with using ImerjaMail covers the cost of hosting and supporting the service. There is no charge for using Open Source software.

Why use Open Source software?

Open Source applications are developed by a huge community of highly skilled, dedicated and innovative programmers and developers; few, if any, organisations could afford to engage the same number of experts in a commercial venture. Many applications like Linux and Apache are so widely used that many people don’t even realise they are Open Source. Organisations and even Governments across the globe are seeing the advantages of deploying proven, versatile, standards based and cost effective software.

Is Open Source software reliable?

ImerjaMail has used Open Source applications since the product was first developed in 2004. In fact, Open Source software predates proprietary software. Over half the worlds Websites use Open Source software. It is estimated that MailScanner processes globally over 1 Billion emails a day.