Free software, code that can be accessed, edited, and viewed by anyone.
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Software as a Service (SAAS)
Type of cloud computing where a firm uses a 3rd party software to get an online service. This software allows usuers to use software through the internet as opposed to having to download the program.
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Linux
An open sourced operating system that is found in virtually every product (iPhones, etc.). Large topic of contention with companies like Microsoft calling it a "gateway into socialism."
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Scalability
The ability to either handle increasing workload or be easily expanded for an increase in workload.
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The economic measurement of the total cost of owning a software or hardware product. This includes direct (purchasing cost) and indirect (cost of training, support, and maintenance) costs.
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Virtualization
Software that lets a computer function as multiple computers to increase efficency and scalability.
Citation: Gallaugher, J. (2025). Information Systems: A Manager's Guide to Harnessing Technology (with SmartGrader for Excel). (10.1.4). FlatWorld.
Practice Quiz
1. A major tech company like Google allows its engineers to contribute to over 28,000 open-source projects a year. Some people wonder why Google would pay its expensive engineers to work on projects that are given away for free.Which of the following is a primary business reason for this "contribution" strategy?
The engineers are legally required to contribute as part of their personal programming licenses
These open-source efforts often support the firm's money-making initiatives or platforms
Google is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to the Free Software Foundation's morals
Contributing to OSS is the only way for a company to prevent its own code from being "hacked"
Answer: B ~ Firms often pay staff to contribute to OSS because it supports their business goals, such as Google's Android platform supporting its mobile ecosystem. Choice A is incorrect because OSS licenses generally don't mandate labor contributions. Choice C is incorrect because Google is a for-profit firm, and while it supports OSS, it is not a non-profit foundation. Choice D is incorrect because while OSS can be more secure, contributing is a strategic choice, not a technical requirement for basic security.
2. In the late 1990s, the "Unix Wars" caused great distress in the technology industry because different companies created their own versions of the Unix operating system that couldn't work together. This made it very difficult and expensive for businesses to develop software that worked on every server.Which risk mentioned in the study of OSS was the tech industry trying to avoid by supporting a single, standardized Linux kernel?
The "Bus Factor"
Fragmentation
Vertical Integration
Price Elasticity
Answer: B ~ Fragmentation occurs when a software project splits into multiple incompatible versions; the industry supported the Linux Foundation to prevent this. Choice A is incorrect because the "Bus Factor" refers to the risk of relying on a few unpaid volunteer maintainers. Choice C is incorrect because vertical integration is a business strategy, not a software compatibility risk. Choice D is incorrect because price elasticity refers to how demand changes with price, which is a different economic concept.
3. A software developer at a startup is frustrated because they have to write different code for the database, the server, and the web browser. They suggest switching to the MEAN stack so they can use JavaScript for everything.How does the architecture of the MEAN stack differ most significantly from the LAMP stack?
The MEAN stack uses four different programming languages to ensure better security
The MEAN stack is built for static web pages, while LAMP is for real-time apps
The MEAN stack uses a NoSQL/Document database (MongoDB) instead of a relational database
The MEAN stack requires expensive proprietary licenses for the Express.js layer
Answer: C ~ A primary technical difference is the database layer; MEAN uses MongoDB (NoSQL), while LAMP uses MySQL (Relational). Choice A is incorrect because the MEAN stack's advantage is using one language (JavaScript), whereas LAMP uses four. Choice B is incorrect because MEAN was built for highly dynamic real-time apps, not static pages. Choice D is incorrect because the components of the MEAN stack are generally open-source and free.
4. A manager is trying to understand why their company's AI project is failing. They have the latest "Large Language Model" (the algorithm), but the results are consistently inaccurate. A consultant points out that the company's "data stack" is siloed and the information being fed to the AI is messy and unorganized.Which statement best reflects the strategic lesson this manager should learn about tech stacks in the era of AI?
The AI model is the "fuel" and the data infrastructure is the "brain" of the operation
AI success is a "Data Revolution," meaning the infrastructure is just as important as the algorithm
Managers should focus only on which model to buy rather than worrying about data readiness
Open-source stacks like LAMP are unable to handle the structured data required for AI
Answer: B ~ AI is described as a "Data Revolution," where the quality of the data infrastructure (the stack) determines how effective the model (the algorithm) will be. Choice A is incorrect because it reverses the analogy; the model is the "brain" and data is the "fuel". Choice C is incorrect because managers must audit "data readiness" to ensure AI effectiveness. Choice D is incorrect because the text emphasizes understanding the stack's role, not that specific classic stacks are incapable.
5. NVIDIA, a major hardware company, spends a significant amount of money and employee time contributing to open-source projects like Kubernetes. These projects help manage large clusters of computers used for artificial intelligence workloads.Why would a hardware-focused company like NVIDIA invest so heavily in software they don't even sell?
They are trying to put software companies out of business by making all software free
Improving the software ecosystem makes their high-end GPUs more effective and easier for customers to use
The GNU license requires hardware companies to write software for any kernel they use
They want to shift their business model to become a consulting and support firm for Kubernetes
Answer: B ~ NVIDIA contributes to OSS to automate complex tasks (like provisioning GPUs), which makes their hardware more attractive and useful for massive AI workloads. Choice A is incorrect because the goal is better software to support their hardware sales, not destroying the software industry. Choice C is incorrect because the GPL does not mandate that hardware companies write specific management software. Choice D is incorrect because NVIDIA’s primary strategic win is selling more GPUs, not becoming a pure consulting firm.