Open Source, Shareware & Freeware

"Understanding and making sense of it all."

William Stites - wstites@mka.org - 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/