The Open Source Software (OSS) movement, brought to wide attention with the first release of the Linux operating system, has resulted in an explosion of free or low cost software. Schools can take advantage of these programs to leverage their always tight technology budgets.
OSS can be defined as computer software for which the human-readable source code is made available under a copyright license that permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. A recent study (2008) estimates that open source software saves consumers about $60 billion a year in software costs.
There are advantages and disadvantages with the use of open source software. Some of the advantages of OSS are:
- A low (or no) cost to acquire.
- It is often more reliable since it typically has thousands of independent programmers testing and fixing bugs of the sofware.
- It is flexible because modular systems allow programmers to build custom interfaces or add new features.
- Very specialized programs, with a limited market, can be developed since there is usually no need to sell large numbers of the program to recoup costs or make a profit.
Some of the disadvantages of OSS are:
- Often the end user has no one to hold accountable for defects in the software that may cause problems in the user's environment.
- Support for the software is sometimes very limited and hard to obtain.
- It is often difficult to find training on the use of some open source software.
Regardless of the disadvantages of OSS, there are many outstanding OSS products, specifically designed for the education environment, that can and should be used in the classroom. Fox Run Technologies can help you identify your needs, locate open source software to meet those needs, help you install and configure the software, and provide you the training to effectively use that software. Contact us today.
