| Is open source the right option for your online | | | | developed it owns the software, and you just |
| training, teaching, or learning efforts? This articles | | | | purchase rights to use it. |
| compares the difference between open source and | | | | The main difference between commercial support for |
| proprietary software. Open source software has | | | | proprietary software and commercial support for |
| become mainstream. Applications such as the Firefox | | | | open source software is that the proprietary |
| Web browser and Linux operating system are | | | | software is obligatory and the open source software |
| available to aid in all areas of operation, including | | | | is optional. If you opt out of paying for support for |
| teaching and learning. | | | | proprietary software, you lose the right to use it in |
| Open source software has become a strong | | | | most cases. The costs incidentally tend to be quite |
| contender in online training and e-learning sectors. As | | | | high for proprietary software. |
| technology continues to evolve, more open source | | | | Perceived advantages of proprietary software |
| offerings will continue to emerge in the area of | | | | include: 1) Reliable, professional support and training |
| e-learning, continuously changing the landscape of | | | | available; 2) Packaged, comprehensive, modular |
| online teaching and learning both in academia and | | | | formats; and 3) Regularly and easily updated. The |
| business fields. | | | | downside however is that it is: 1) Costly, and 2) has |
| Open source software has grown to include: | | | | closed standards that hinder further development. |
| Learning management systems (LMS) | | | | Open sources software has the advantage of: 1) |
| Learning content management systems (LCMS) | | | | Low cost and no license fees; 2) Open standards |
| Course authoring tools | | | | that facilitate integration with other systems; and 3) |
| Tools to create media elements such as animations, | | | | it is easily customizable. The down side is: 1) Lack of |
| audio, and video | | | | professional support; 2) Evolving developer |
| Browsers and players to present content | | | | communities; 3) Lack of release co-ordination; and 4) |
| Courseware libraries | | | | Erratic updates. However, with such a large |
| These resources has some important benefits: | | | | development and user-base, many discussion forums |
| Open source software is free to download therefore | | | | and help sites are available for users. |
| lower in cost. | | | | So what is the right solution for you and your |
| Flexibility and customizability | | | | organization? Generally, for smaller organizations and |
| Extensive active builder and user communities that | | | | projects, Open source solutions seem to suffice. The |
| forms a good technical support base. | | | | difference in cost more than makes up for the |
| Many open source applications run on multiple | | | | perceived disadvantages mentioned above. Larger |
| platforms including Windows and Linux. | | | | organizations seem to require more robust, |
| Adherence to established standards, which is a high | | | | high-quality product with high levels of service and |
| priority for open source software development. | | | | support. |
| Ability to use and link to other open source software | | | | They want responsibility, reliable assistance, and |
| Most proprietary software comes without the source | | | | support from their suppliers. With rapid developments |
| code, which is the code originally written by the | | | | in technology, chances are you can find tools to |
| programmer. Without this code you do not have right | | | | meet your training needs in either the open source or |
| to change the way the software is developed. When | | | | commercial sector. But open source provides unique |
| you buy proprietary software you are essentially | | | | advantages which include filling the low-cost |
| buying the right to use the software in a specific | | | | high-control niche that are difficult, if not impossible, |
| way, and in many cases the company that | | | | to achieve through commercial, proprietary avenues. |