Quick Look at Different Forms of Software
Open Source Software (OSS) has been around for decades. The ability to take a piece of software and tweak the underlying code and make it your own is a dream come true for many people. An added bonus for OSS is that most often it is free for personal use and may entail some cost when it is used in a commercial environment (Midrack, 2021). Many of the systems that we use on a daily basis from the email servers that send us that bit of information, the ATM where we deposit a check, or the backbone of a Learning Management Systems such as Canvas or Blackboard, might be running an unknown flavor of LINUX.
LINUX is a open source kernel that is the underlying foundation of many operating systems such as CENTOS, Red Hat Linux, and Ubuntu. Furthermore, many of these operating systems are also Freeware, where there is no license required to use them (Fisher, 2022). The differences between the Open Source, Freeware, and Shareware will be addressed in the next few paragraphs, but suffice to say, it is all around us.
Synthesis
From three articles provided to us this week, we are given a peek into the world of Open Source Software (OSS), Freeware, and Shareware. These three items may not seem important to many, but they can be the gateway to a no or low cost education. Due to the nature of these types of software, many people, including students, can begin to learn new and exciting skills for basically the cost of a computer/laptop/tablet and internet access to sites like YouTube.
Open Source usually refers to the open-ness of a piece of software and its ability to be modified without restriction. The source code is usually viewable to the public and permission have been given to alter it to our own needs (Midrack, 2022). The benefit to OSS is that it can be constantly updated through bug fixes, new features added, and smaller more frequent software releases. This allows the program to stay relevant and mostly secure as people are always cleaning and fixing any issues that may arise (Midrack, 2022). OSS differs from Freeware as freeware may not allow for the viewing of the source code.
Freeware represents any program or app that is free (as in cost), protected by copyright, free to use, and free to continue to use without restriction. However, the developer of the freeware may impose limitations on the free version and allow more features in a paid for version. This is in contrast to Free Software that is not under any type of copyright restriction (Fisher, 2022), and can be altered by the end user, which can be referred to as Open and Free Software. Both of these differ from the third type of software, known as Shareware.
Shareware is different from Open Source and Freeware, as it usually entails some level of restriction from the developer or owner of the software. These restrictions may include limited time use, limited functionality, and/or constant reminders to pay for the full version (Fisher, 2023). However, this type of software may allow users to test the waters of a program before buying the full package. An example of this would be Da Vinci Resolve, a video editing program what will unlock more features with payment, but is completely useable as a free program. This would allow an individual to learn the basics and move into more advanced usage for free before buying the "pro" package.
Importance
The access to quality software for little to no cost to students helps reduce the barriers to education. As educators, we have the ability and responsibility, to provide resources that do not hinder the student in anyway and create a positive learning environment. Understanding the benefits of OSS, Freeware, and Shareware in a classroom can only create a more positive learning environment for both educators and students.
As an educator, I can provide multiple resources to my students to learn, for example, Open Broadcast Software, is a recording/streaming program that is free to download and use by anyone. The skills learned from this program can than be used to generate content for classroom projects, recording YouTube videos, and streaming content that could be used for income later in life. While not specifically a piece of software, Open Education Resources (OER) such as textbooks can be freely downloaded, altered, and redistributed by anyone. Again, the use of free or low cast resources can only lead to lower barriers of entry into education.
Evaluation
Upon further inquiry, the three types of software have some overlap and a better understanding of the nuances between them will allow me to make better decisions when advocating for certain programs. I will need to delve into the specifics of each to gain a better understanding and be more critical of the verbiage used. While I consider myself somewhat of a techie, the differences between OSS, Freeware, and Shareware, were never really a concern to me, as I always try to use and suggest the best free software that I can find.
As for academia, the use of Open Source and Free software can be very beneficial to lowering the operating costs to an institution. It could allow for the streamlining of processes, the digitizing of learning materials in such forms as PDF, increase accessibility and allows for flexibility in developing new programs (Cemazar, 2022).
Future Reference:
Works Referenced:
Cemazar, S. A. (n.d.). 3 biggest benefits of open source in education. Rocket.Chat: Communications Platform You Can Fully Trust. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.rocket.chat/blog/open-source-in-education
Fisher, T. (2022, July 7). What is freeware? Lifewire. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.lifewire.com/freeware-definition-4154271
Fisher, T. (2023, January 9). What is shareware? Lifewire. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.lifewire.com/shareware-definition-4154860
Midrack, R. L. (2021, March 8). What is open source software? Lifewire. Retrieved February 2, 2023, from https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-open-source-software-4147547
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