Open+Source

Definition:
 * Generally refers to a specific model for software distribution where the source code is included to be viewed, re-used, or edited depending on the specific licensing model.
 * []

Importance:
 * Allows community to alter software to fit their needs
 * “Design and build by democracy”
 * User input
 * Find and fix bugs faster
 * Gives users the freedom to change software instead of waiting for the software company to update it

Champions of Open Source:
 * Linus Torvalds: Linux
 * Richard Stallman: GNU, GPL
 * Sun Microsystems, Apache Software Foundation, Mozilla Foundation

Licensing
 * Copyleft versus Copyright
 * Copyleft: practice of using copyright law to offer the right to distribute copies and modified versions of a work and requiring that the same rights be preserved in modified versions of the work (Wikipedia)
 * ie. Open Source software cannot be altered and then marketed as Closed Source
 * Copyright: set of exclusive rights granted to the author or creator of an original work, including the right to copy, distribute and adapt the work (Wikipedia)
 * Open Source Licenses: Apache, MIT, GPL (GNU Public License)
 * []

Benefits
 * Monetary resources can be allocated to other projects and needs
 * Flexible technology
 * Promotes innovation
 * No commercial pressure for developers
 * Collaborative and leads to incorporation of all different viewpoints
 * Bugs and security flaws are usually found and fixed more quickly

Disadvantages
 * Does not always feel like a polished and final product
 * Could have security flaws
 * Less pressure to create a unique and fully functional product

Classroom Application:
 * Saves money: no need to buy expensive software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Windows software, etc.
 * Teaches students about collaboration and taking charge of their own learning
 * Builds understanding of how software actually work
 * Software that can be used in the classroom:
 * OpenOffice (like Microsoft Suite) []
 * Paint.net (like Microsoft Paint, but better) []
 * GimpShop (like Photoshop) []
 * Chromium OS and Linux (like Windows XP, Vista, 7, etc) [] []
 * 7 Zip (like WinZip) []
 * Edubuntu (Ubuntu for educators) 
 * GoogleDocs (not quite open source, but a great resource) http://docs.google.com

Open Source Software
 * Linux (operating system)
 * Mozilla Firefox (web browser)
 * OpenOffice (document suite)
 * Diaspora (peer to peer social networking)
 * Android (cell phone platform modeled on Linux)
 * Java (popular programming language)
 * MySQL (database management system)
 * Wordpress (blogging software)
 * Joomla (content management software)
 * Google Wave (real time collaboration)
 * Chromium OS (operating system from Google)
 * Many others