The document discusses open source software as an alternative to commercial software for educational institutions. It notes that open source software is free for students and educators, can be customized to needs, and is updated by users. However, it also points out challenges like a lack of single responsibility and works in progress. The document provides examples of open source software and resources to find and learn more about open source options.

1. Open Source for Educators Geoff Cain, M.S. Tacoma Community College

2. The Software Problem Cost Licensing Support Upgrades Who Pays?

3. What is “Open Source?” OLD MODEL NEW MODEL Built by a Company Need from Company Companies Sells Product Companies Create Demand Product Slowly Evolves Created by Everyone Need Evolves from Use Product is Free Companies Sell Services Updated by Users

4. For Example… Operating systems Linux Free BSD Ubuntu (User Friendly) Server Software Content Management Systems Drupal Learning Management Systems Moodle Office Suites Open Office NeoOffice Camtasia/Jing

5. Why Use It? Free for the Students Free for the College Teachers Can be More Creative Expand Assignments Encourage Multimodal Teaching

6. Ups and Downs Good News Bad News Free Responsive to Change Frequent Updates Tailored to Needs of Community Rather Than the Dictates of the Market Works in Progress Cost of Ownership No One Responsible/Blame Authorship Disappears Disorganized Hard to Adopt Institutionally

7. Why Isn’t Everything Like This? Education Media News Hardware Phones Computers Televisions

8. Where Do We Find It? School Forge Open Source Alternative to Commercial Software Source Forge Open Source Software Open Source Software for Educators Open Education Disc

9. Further Investigations The Cathedral and the Bazaar by Eric S. Raymond The Open Source Initiative website Why Open Source Software? By David A. Wheeler Open Source Textbooks – COSTP WA Open Educational Resources – Cable Green