Open-source software is a category of computer programs that is developed by loose collections of individual users rather than by technology companies. Unlike technology companies' products, open-source software is often available for free. Since the main goal of corporations is to maximize profits, and since low costs contribute to profitability, corporations should use open-source software rather than technology companies' software whenever possible.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens this argument?
(A) Corporations that use open-source software frequently assign employees to adjust the design of the software to meet the corporation's needs. your answer
(B) Since open-source software is accessible to anyone, computer systems which use such software are more vulnerable to theft of important data or attack by computer viruses. correct
(C) For the choice of a technology company's software rather than open-source software to be worthwhile, the company's product must offer unique features unavailable in the open-source product.
(D) Much open-source software is available for certain tasks, such as word-processing; however, there is little open-source software for many other tasks, such as inventory management.
(E) Corporations that elect to use open-source software for a certain purpose often have many different options to choose between, each with strengths and weaknesses.
Now explanation:
This author of this passage tells us that a class of computer programs known as open-source software is available for free (unlike other software). The author also asserts that corporations' main goal is to maximize profits, and that low costs help to achieve this goal. From these premises, the author concludes that corporations should choose open-source software over other software options whenever they can.
We are asked to weaken the author's argument. The answer should reveal a problem associated with open-source software that the author neglected to mention.
Choice A states that corporations often assign employees to redesign open-source software to meet the firm's needs. This might sound a bit like a weakness, because employees' time is dedicated to the software rather than to their other work. However, the ability to make the software meet the firm's needs would constitute a strength of open-source programs. Choice A can thus be eliminated.
Choice B notes that the collaborative development process behind open-source software exposes this software (and companies that use it) to theft or attack. This is definitely undesirable for firms, and so it weakens the author's argument that this software should be used. Choice B is correct.
Choice C tells us that a corporation should only buy software when it has features unavailable in an open-source product. This implies that the corporation should use open-source software whenever it is comparable to software available for purchase, which is precisely what the author concludes. Choice C thus strengthens the author's argument and can be eliminated.
Choice D notes that the choice between the two types of software is not available in some areas, which the author acknowledges by stating that open-source software should be used whenever possible. Choice D therefore does not weaken the author's argument.
Choice E states that a wide variety of different open-source software is available for some applications. A greater number of options would tend to make open-source software more desirable, so choice E somewhat strengthens the author's argument and is incorrect.
--- This explanation is wrong all the way. We should stick to parameters proposed in question and parameters are cost. So employees spending time to make software useful for their company is additional cost and unnecessary so Answer A.
What do you guys think..
Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens this argument?
(A) Corporations that use open-source software frequently assign employees to adjust the design of the software to meet the corporation's needs. your answer
(B) Since open-source software is accessible to anyone, computer systems which use such software are more vulnerable to theft of important data or attack by computer viruses. correct
(C) For the choice of a technology company's software rather than open-source software to be worthwhile, the company's product must offer unique features unavailable in the open-source product.
(D) Much open-source software is available for certain tasks, such as word-processing; however, there is little open-source software for many other tasks, such as inventory management.
(E) Corporations that elect to use open-source software for a certain purpose often have many different options to choose between, each with strengths and weaknesses.
Now explanation:
This author of this passage tells us that a class of computer programs known as open-source software is available for free (unlike other software). The author also asserts that corporations' main goal is to maximize profits, and that low costs help to achieve this goal. From these premises, the author concludes that corporations should choose open-source software over other software options whenever they can.
We are asked to weaken the author's argument. The answer should reveal a problem associated with open-source software that the author neglected to mention.
Choice A states that corporations often assign employees to redesign open-source software to meet the firm's needs. This might sound a bit like a weakness, because employees' time is dedicated to the software rather than to their other work. However, the ability to make the software meet the firm's needs would constitute a strength of open-source programs. Choice A can thus be eliminated.
Choice B notes that the collaborative development process behind open-source software exposes this software (and companies that use it) to theft or attack. This is definitely undesirable for firms, and so it weakens the author's argument that this software should be used. Choice B is correct.
Choice C tells us that a corporation should only buy software when it has features unavailable in an open-source product. This implies that the corporation should use open-source software whenever it is comparable to software available for purchase, which is precisely what the author concludes. Choice C thus strengthens the author's argument and can be eliminated.
Choice D notes that the choice between the two types of software is not available in some areas, which the author acknowledges by stating that open-source software should be used whenever possible. Choice D therefore does not weaken the author's argument.
Choice E states that a wide variety of different open-source software is available for some applications. A greater number of options would tend to make open-source software more desirable, so choice E somewhat strengthens the author's argument and is incorrect.
--- This explanation is wrong all the way. We should stick to parameters proposed in question and parameters are cost. So employees spending time to make software useful for their company is additional cost and unnecessary so Answer A.
What do you guys think..
