JISC e-Learning Focus - Choosing Open Source Solutions
19-May-2005
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Short and well written introduction to Open Source in education from Christina Smart from the UK JISC e-Learning programme. Nothing particularly new here - although good interview with Stuart Yates from the OSS watch project. I like his answer to the question "what are the main drawbacks to OSS?". Stuart replies:
"The main drawback is that open source software is usually free at the point of acquisition.
...It is, however, the real difference between open source and proprietary options...JISC e-Learning Focus
While that might sound like it ought to be a benefit, it can be very confusing for institutions accustomed to paying an annual licence fee for software. It is, however, the real difference between open source and proprietary options."
Interesting that so many 'semi official' bodies and programmes are publishing short guides like this.
The article concludes:
"There are a number of reasons why some institutions are turning to open source learning environments, but scalability and flexibility are particularly important. Scalability because these open source environments allow institutions to have as many users as they like without incurring bigger license fees; and flexibility because institutions can choose to develop the open source environment to meet their particular needs. If you are interested in pursuing this approach at your institution the advice is to find out more about what open source learning environments are available and have a go at using them."
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