Open Source vs. Proprietary: Overview

I decided that it was a good time to write a series about open source software options, and their comparisons to proprietary, in 2011, more than 12 years after this whole thing started. And I'll highlight where the comparisons are interesting and compelling, especially for nonprofit organizations.I'll write a series of posts, and cover the following topics:

• Desktop software (OS, Office Suites, browsers, utility software, and other good stuff.)
• Comparisons of open source vs. proprietary development environments (i.e. PHP vs. .NET and that sort of thing.)
• CMS
• Non-profit CRM (including 'SaaS' in the proprietary camp)
• CRM/ERP more generally
• Document Management
• Other web applications
• Open Source Communities, and how they have changed (and not)