Open Source in Education

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is about to take the world by storm.  I’m not sure when, but it is only a matter of time. Lack of advertising is the primary obstacle to worldwide adoption of free operating systems which come with bundles of free software.  Picture yourself owning a computer that has all the software that you would ever need including programs for web browsing, emailing, word processing (and the related spreadsheets, databases, and slideshow presentations), desktop publishing, music playing, chatting, picture storing and viewing, audio creation and editing, video downloading, storing, and organizing, pdf reading and printing, educational software, and more.  If you are a typical computer user of any age, this free and open source software (FOSS) will do everything that you would ever want and need it to do.  Imagine all of this software running on a computer loaded with a “free” operating system.  You no longer need to imagine this.  Such an opportunity already exists for you to choose “free” over proprietary (as in expensive).

The economy is slumping into a recession.  Less money available is available to families which necessitates a reduction in discretionary spending.   Consumers are looking for ways to save money. $1200-$2000 computers are a luxury of the past.  The biggest indicator of the pending change from proprietary to “free” is the fact that third world countries are now making huge investments in computer hardware and software outfitting their governments (national and local) and schools. Many of these governments have refused to purchase any proprietary software now that they know FOSS can serve their needs.  These new emerging markets calling for quality and lower prices are forcing computer manufacturers to begin to provide what people want and deserve–quality components in powerful computers filled with free software.  At the same time, we are seeing the shape and size of computers changing.  These computer companies that are adjusting to the demands are looking to maximize profits so they are beginning to advertise their products in developed countries.  More inexpensive solutions to our computing needs are on the way.   Another technology advance good for consumers, we are witnessing more and more applications appearing as online tools.  If this trend continues, the demand for proprietary software will dry up.  We are already seeing companies successfully reemerge giving away their software and selling their support for the software.

The Linux kernal and free and open source software (FOSS) will slowly gain momentum and eventually move from last to first.  Linux operating systems that include software packages are called Linux distributions.  Linux and it hundreds of distributions are fast and virtually bug free.  These are quality products and “free” as in “free beer”.    Remember, everything is free except the computer components that run the programs.

Currently the most popular free Linux operating system is Ubuntu.  There are several different Ubuntu versions created to serve your needs.  If you have an old, slow computer there is a version of Ubuntu called Xubuntu.  Edubuntu is designed to work on school servers providing an operating system for a network of computers including a full suite of educational software.  Computers working on this this type of network require no hard drive and are called thin clients. This Ubuntu website allows you to download a PC or Mac version or order a CD or DVD (paying just shipping and handling).  It is quite easy to install Ubuntu as it walks you through the steps.  Once your new operating system and software is loaded (20-40 minutes via CD), you will notice a difference. Even if you only have moderate computing experience, you will discover that Ubuntu is very user-friendly.

The Potential Role of Linux and FOSS in Education

So what does this Linux revolution have to do with education?  If the growing expectation that computer software be free and easily accessible continues, schools with existing hardware will be able to add free and open source software (FOSS) to their servers and individual machines.  No longer will schools expend huge sums of money on software as we have been done for the past twenty years.  There are several websites that describe and/or offer free and open source software.  Efforts such as OpenDisc and the SFD OpenCD Edition provide a free CD full of a large variety of FOSS.  The source software is organized into familiar categories, provide information about each program is provided, and you only need click to begin the download process.  After users (school and home) become aware of the many quality, free programs, they will hesitate to purchase software in the future.  There are free programs that perform the same functions.

For schools that need more computers in their buildings, I suggest that they appeal to the families of the surrounding communities and contact salvage companies and recycling centers.  There are many previously replaced and out-dated computers waiting to go to the dump.  Many of these machines can be loaded with a version of Ubuntu resulting in additional computers for our classrooms.

Now is the time for all of us to make a concerted effort to end the digital divide.  Information and software is freely available to all who have computers and access to the internet.  Old, replaced computers should be recycled passing them along to families without computers or placing them in homes where children do not have the opportunity to get on a computer because parents/siblings dominate computer time.  Even if these computers are not connected to the internet, there are programs in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions that will entertain students and help them gain important 21st century skills.

The newest and farthest reaching Linux distribution is a server-based version of Ubuntu called Edubuntu or a Red Hat Fedora Linux distribution called K12LTSP.  These operating systems are installed on a local school server and link to as many as fifty computers.  The computers on this thin- client network depend on the server for all of their programs and processing.  These computers do not even use their hard drive.  A network card is often all that is needed to turn an old, throw-away computer into a productive workstation.  The process of setting up a thin-client (Linux) network is not as difficult as it seems.  The greatest benefit of a thin-client network is the low cost of deployment and the reduced maintenance on individual computers.  No longer will anyone need to reload operating systems and software onto individual computers.  Corrections and update are done to the server only.  This type of network will save your school thousands of dollars on hardware and software.  Currently opportunities exist for you to bring a server and a couple computers to a two-day conference (ie. FOSSED) and leave with a functioning system ready for deployment.  What a great, inexpensive, and quality computing solution for your school (or business)!

Times are changing!  With the introduction and spread of Linux and FOSS, there is another even better benefit.  FOSS users share the attitude that learning materials and all software should be free, easy to use, and bug-free. Most Linux distibutions and FOSS have websites where users can get support and learn about potential problems.  The highly respected Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shares its courseware online so that anyone can take part in the learning.  What a great concept!  They are leading an even bigger movement to make course materials, notes, and lectures are available for the world to see.  Check out MIT OpenCourseware.

Jump on the Linux/FOSS bandwagon!  Educate others!  If you are curious about Linux and have basic computing abilities, you will be able to operate a Linux system without a problem.  Take a few minutes to install Ubuntu 8.04 and begin exploring a new computing environment.  Like so many others, you may become an OS’er (o-zer–committed Open Source user).  Since the world deserves to have better options than the expensive Microsoft and MacIntosh products and other proprietary software, we need you to become a Linux/FOSS advocate.

Here’s a NY Time article titled the “Time is Right for Linux PC’s to Emerge” (from its technology section) that explains the status of Linux in the PC market.

NY Times article titled “Time is Right for Linux PC’s to Emerge”

I am still amazed how few Mac and Linux computers there are compared to Microsoft-driven computers. Personally, I believe that open source advocates should encourage friends and neighbors to install Linux distributions such as Ubuntu on computers that are replaced by newer hardware. I have found that a used laptop runs great on Ubuntu.

As the article states, internet access today provides most of what most people want and need. I hope that people don’t take this statement to mean that Linux does not have high quality software packages. The Linux operating system and the great variety of Linux distributions (different packages of free software coupled with the Linux kernal) have many strengths.

It’s as easy as Applications –> Accessories –> Terminal and type in a command (option) or filename. You can access folders and servers throughout the world, move files, open, close, and force quit applications, create files and folders, and everything else you might want to do on your computer. You can do more in the command line than you can in the GUI (the graphical user interface–Windows/Vista, OS X for Mac, and Fedora/Gnome).

FLOSS Manual–Linux Command Line

The GUI is simply a pretty and user friendly way of doing what is done in the command line behind the scenes. When you click on an application or folder, the computer runs that command through a click instead of using a typed command line. The GUI prevents you from seeing files that you don’t need to use the computer. If you can do simple “command line” stuff, you have truly graduated to being a “geek”, one step away from becoming a “hacker”. Remember a “hacker” is a geek using command line to solve programming problems. A “cracker” is a person with hacker skills using her/his talents to do bad things.

While in the FLOSS Manuals, check out all the other great open source user information.