International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Open-source software (OSS) design approach remains famous for its commitment to generating innovation while promoting software development collaboration alongside ease of access. Indicators revealing OSS deterioration represent critical issues regarding its long-term existence and sustainability. The paper evaluates the OSS model's deterioration through examination of major project commercialization alongside funding obstacles and fiercer platform competition from proprietary solutions. The limitations of resources coupled with accountability issues and problems with security and trust have intensified the difficulties confronting OSS projects. The research investigates OSS projects which either became proprietary or failed to start or which successfully evolved into the open-source model exemplified by Linux's enduring resilience despite obstacles. The study evaluates the effects on developers and their peers alongside industry professionals who are facing decreased innovation strength and growing dependency on proprietary tools while often becoming trapped with vendor relationships. This paper suggests revitalization strategies for Open-Source Software by exploring novel funding approaches and building corporate-community alliances together with using blockchain technology advancements. Almost two decades after we took a long and difficult look at OSS developments this investigation stresses the necessity of maintaining this ecosystem and presents strategic directions to keep it relevant for future digital advancements.