Open source refers to a system of software development where a program is distributed along with its source code so that others may modify it (Carr, 2006).
Historical Background
Since its origins in the 1970s, the open source movement has become a driving force in today’s software scene. Successful applications such as Richard Stallman’s GNU and Linus Torvalds’ Linux have encouraged programmers and corporations to examine the benefits of open source and free software.
Most open source software began in one of two ways. In the first way, programmers unite to create a new piece of software or improve an old program. The motivation is need. The second method of source code creation is by a company with specific software need that are not met by available commerical software (The Open Source Movement, 2007). In this scenerio, a company employs programmers to tailor a program that meets the company's requested specifications. Software was shared and programmers worked together to improve it (The Open Source Movement, 2007). Starting in the 1970's, as computers became smaller and less expensive, competition among computer manufacturers grew. This forced many of them to restructure their business model around software. They began to pulling people from the programming community to create proprietary software (Stallman, 2007). Where before sharing among programmers was allowed and expected, the new business model forbid it. In response to the growth of proprietary software, a group of programmers headed by Richard Stallman initiated the GNU project.
The Free Software Foundation and the GNU Project
It was 1984 when Richard Stallman, a former programmer for MIT, and a group of his colleagues set forth to create a complete computer system based on the Unix platform. In order to raise money, Stallman founded the Free Software Foundation (FSF), a charity orgainization. Although the FSF accepts donations, the bulk of the their income comes from sale of CDs with free software (Stallman, 2007). By the early 1990's, most of the new operating system had been coded. Linus Torvalds, of Helsinki, Finland provided the final piece - the Linux kernel and with it, GNU Linux was born (The Open Source Movement, 2007). After several initial revisions, Linux 1.0 was release in March of 1994 (Wirzenius, 2003). Three years later Netscape open sourced the Navigator browser. The term "open source" was used to avoid the negative connotations associated with "free software" (Wikipedia,2007).
Although the open source movement has not completely replaced commercial software, it has made an imprint on our digital world.
Today over 50% of the world's web servers run on an open source application called Apache (Wyllys, 2005). The Open source web browser Firefox is used by at least 75 million people (Wikipedia, 2007). According to IDC research, Linux, the most popular open source operating system, has captured 6 percent of the desktop market and 25% of the server market (Wikipedia, 2007).
Relevance to education
There are several issues affecting our schools today. Funding is just one of them. Educational institutions will benefit by implementing open source systems in their organization. Open souce software is inexpensive or free. These applications can be modified to meet the needs of the institution. There is no need to spend time or money keeping track of software licenses since true open source applications can be installed without such restrictions. Using open software, like the Linux operating system, and OpenOffice frees money for other endevours such as more technology, staff development, and teacher pay. Open software gives schools access to technology that could not be obtained through other methods. This helps bridge the digital divide between poor and wealthy schools.
The greatest benefit open source has to education is in concept. At its heart, open source is about the free exchange of ideas and group collaboration. Websites such as Curriki.org and MIT's OpenCouseware are prime examples of collaborative efforts of the instructional community (How the Open Source Movement Has Changed Education, 2007).
Open Source is Everywhere
In our digital society open source is everywhere. Businesses, Universities, Governments, and other organizations use applications such as OpenOffice, Linux, Firefox, Thunderbird, and Gaim. Recently, it has become possible to take these applications with you on portable flash drive through Portableapps.
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Comments (8)
Marla Kimmel said
at 12:01 pm on Jul 19, 2007
You wrote: "many people see them as a threat to innovation and progress." It seems like you're presenting the perspective that "trade secrets" are a necessary component of "innovation." You'll need to expand (and support) this thought, because I'd wager that open source advocates would say just the opposite--that innovation and progress occur when people pool their resources and knowledge. Also, when you're looking at specific applications, don't forget FireFox, OpenOffice and PortableApps. They have a more direct educational application than, for example, Apache.
Mildred Jeffries said
at 9:10 pm on Jul 24, 2007
I am sure that you are still working on your page, so can you elaborate a little more on Linux. I have heard some good comments on Linux as an Open Source but I am not that familiar with it.
Daniel Runnels said
at 3:45 pm on Jul 25, 2007
There have been a lot of Database applications created this way. Some companies even allow you to modify the code after the initial puchase of an application. This allows you to tailor an existing software to your specialty needs. This is not totally open source, but this is what I have had experience with. I have even seen some entities create a software application for there use and give it to others or sell it. Open source is great as long as you had no intentions on profiting from an application.
Delia Villarreal said
at 9:56 am on Jul 31, 2007
Open source system will really benefit our schools. Most of our schools have limited funding and can not afford many good resources for our students. This will allow us to use software that in other words would be out of our hands.
Kelly Ellis said
at 1:34 pm on Jul 31, 2007
I can definitely see the great benefits of customizing a software for your school or school district to use. One question I have is what kind of training would someone need in order to be proficient in this programming. Is this just all Unix based? And how much would it cost to get a software designed for them? I hope I am understanding this correctly.
Kelly Ellis said
at 1:37 pm on Jul 31, 2007
Another person or organization you could include in your experts, gurus etc., is a somewhere a person would need to go to learn how to use linux. Some sort of training website or f2f training available.
Laura Sheneman said
at 5:58 pm on Jul 31, 2007
I am completely ignorant on this topic. Are there some examples I could see of what schools do with open source software. I understand it's free. I understand there are some operating systems. What else is it used for?
jason ford said
at 7:18 pm on Aug 9, 2007
Cool stuff luis. I have looked at open source software for gaming and even 3D modeling. Blender is suppose to be excellent. This will be an interesting trend to follow. The more businesses and people start to use it, I wonder if it will stay open-sourced. Do you think greed might step in? Also, I love the Ubuntu. I am nervous though about switching my MAC OS, but it definitely gives me a good reason to run it on my other machine which is a pc.
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Comments (8)
Marla Kimmel said
at 12:01 pm on Jul 19, 2007
You wrote: "many people see them as a threat to innovation and progress." It seems like you're presenting the perspective that "trade secrets" are a necessary component of "innovation." You'll need to expand (and support) this thought, because I'd wager that open source advocates would say just the opposite--that innovation and progress occur when people pool their resources and knowledge. Also, when you're looking at specific applications, don't forget FireFox, OpenOffice and PortableApps. They have a more direct educational application than, for example, Apache.
Mildred Jeffries said
at 9:10 pm on Jul 24, 2007
I am sure that you are still working on your page, so can you elaborate a little more on Linux. I have heard some good comments on Linux as an Open Source but I am not that familiar with it.
Daniel Runnels said
at 3:45 pm on Jul 25, 2007
There have been a lot of Database applications created this way. Some companies even allow you to modify the code after the initial puchase of an application. This allows you to tailor an existing software to your specialty needs. This is not totally open source, but this is what I have had experience with. I have even seen some entities create a software application for there use and give it to others or sell it. Open source is great as long as you had no intentions on profiting from an application.
Delia Villarreal said
at 9:56 am on Jul 31, 2007
Open source system will really benefit our schools. Most of our schools have limited funding and can not afford many good resources for our students. This will allow us to use software that in other words would be out of our hands.
Kelly Ellis said
at 1:34 pm on Jul 31, 2007
I can definitely see the great benefits of customizing a software for your school or school district to use. One question I have is what kind of training would someone need in order to be proficient in this programming. Is this just all Unix based? And how much would it cost to get a software designed for them? I hope I am understanding this correctly.
Kelly Ellis said
at 1:37 pm on Jul 31, 2007
Another person or organization you could include in your experts, gurus etc., is a somewhere a person would need to go to learn how to use linux. Some sort of training website or f2f training available.
Laura Sheneman said
at 5:58 pm on Jul 31, 2007
I am completely ignorant on this topic. Are there some examples I could see of what schools do with open source software. I understand it's free. I understand there are some operating systems. What else is it used for?
jason ford said
at 7:18 pm on Aug 9, 2007
Cool stuff luis. I have looked at open source software for gaming and even 3D modeling. Blender is suppose to be excellent. This will be an interesting trend to follow. The more businesses and people start to use it, I wonder if it will stay open-sourced. Do you think greed might step in? Also, I love the Ubuntu. I am nervous though about switching my MAC OS, but it definitely gives me a good reason to run it on my other machine which is a pc.
You don't have permission to comment on this page.