Final answer:
Cloud-based software provides services over the internet and allows access from any device, whereas open source software is defined by its freely accessible and modifiable source code. Linux, an open source operating system, changed the high-tech industry's economics by fostering innovation and reducing development costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's confusion lies in the misconception that both cloud-based software and open source software are similar just because they can be downloaded from the internet. Cloud-based software refers to applications and services that run on the internet instead of locally on your computer. The key benefit is that such software can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, ensuring that documents and records are always up-to-date, as seen with services like Microsoft's OneDrive and Goo-gle Drive. On the other hand, open source software is defined by its license, which allows the source code to be freely used, modified, and shared. The development of open source operating systems like Linux has significantly altered the economics of the high-tech industry by providing a free alternative to proprietary systems. This shift has enabled a broad community of developers to contribute to software advancements, fostering innovation and reducing costs associated with software development.