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...


• Content Filtering*• Firewall*• Network Address

Translation (NAT)* • Intrusion Protection• SPAM/Virus Filtering

* Item currently used by our school.


Understanding the next step - Course Management & Communications...

Understanding the next step - Course Management & Communications...

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 - 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/