Download - Open Source Shareware Freeware
Open Source, Shareware & Freeware
"Understanding and making sense of it all."
William Stites - [email protected] - Twitter: @wstites
FREEWARE • Free• Developer chose free
distribution• Source Code not available• Distribution from
developers site only
Understanding the differences...
OPEN SOURCE• Source code:
o Available to publico Modifiableo May be redistributed
• Community of developers • Free• Support can be
community based or paid• Open Source Initiative
SHAREWARE • Free for limited/trial period• Developer owns rights• Source Code not available• No collaborative
community• Payment often required
Understanding the benefits...
• Reliability - Community of developers• Stability - No "forced" upgrades• Cost
o Initialo Ongoingo TCO
• Flexibility and Freedom• Support and Accountability
http://open-source.gbdirect.co.uk/migration/benefit.html#stability
Understanding the misconceptions...• "But it's not X and our students
need to know X in order to succeed in THE REAL WORLD"There is no support for open source software
• Not as secure as paid software• Harder to learn & support• Inferior to paid software• Requires Linux, MySQL or PHP• No or slower updates to software • Free is NOT Open Source
o What happens when no longer free, updated, or supported by software company?
Understanding where to start - The backend...
Understanding where to start - The backend...
• Content Filtering*• Firewall*• Network Address
Translation (NAT)* • Intrusion Protection• SPAM/Virus Filtering
* Item currently used by our school.
Understanding where to start - The backend...
Understanding the next step - Course Management & Communications...
Understanding the next step - Course Management & Communications...
Understanding the big step - Software...
Understanding the big step - Software...
Understanding the big step - Software...
• Cross Platform• Complete suite of
productivity tool• Skills vs
Applications• Ability to "Save
as..." & open Office files
Understanding the big step - Software...
Understanding the big step - Software...
Understanding the big step - OS...
Understanding the big step - OS...
• Similar file structure• Common/similar set of
apps• "Skin It!" - make it look
like you want.
Articles, References & Resources
• "Open Source in Education" - Tech&Learning Presentation - http://www.slideshare.net/wstites/open-source-in-education-2877092
• FOSSED Conference - http://www.fossed.com/• “EDUPUNK: Open Source Education” -
http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/1514 & http://jimgroom.net/presentations/
• SchoolForge - http://www.schoolforge.net/• EduForge - https://eduforge.org/ • NYCIST April 2009 Meeting Notes -
http://nycist.wikispaces.com/April+2009+Meeting+Notes• "When Free Isn’t Free: The realities of running open source in school"
- http://www.techlearning.com/article/16504• "How the Open Source Movement Has Changed Education: 10
Success Stories" - http://oedb.org/library/features/how-the-open-source-movement-has-changed-education-10-success-stories
• Find Open Source Alternative Software - http://www.osalt.com/