Discussing Technology for Teachers and the Classroom
Previously, I posted about GIMP, the Open Source Graphic Editing Package. I love GIMP for its features and price (FREE!). However, I occassionally have the need to use other graphic editing packages. When I am not using GIMP, my editing package of choice is Paint Shop Pro.
If you have a classroom environment with multiple computers, you have probably had times when you have worn yourself out attempting to keep everyone one at a computer on task. If so, check out Synchroneyes.
Ok, how many times do you read about or see something on TV or the Internet about Free Stuff? Now, how many of those “free deals” do you think are actually free? While it is true that “free”, is usually equated with “too good to be true”, this is not always the case with computer software. Below I will detail some differences among common types of “free” software.
Sharware is a common category of software available for downloading via the internet. Shareware is software that is distributed by the honor system. Most shareware delivered free of charge, but the author may require payment in order to continue to use the software. In some cases, payment may be required in order to unlock extra features. Like freeware, the source code is not made available. Some shareware programs also include Spyware and Adware. Therefore, when you use shareware applications, you do not know exactly what might be happening behind the scenes. If you decide to try out Shareware programs… 1.) be sure to keep your anti-virus software up to date, and 2.) Download and Use Shareware sparingly. The more software you download and install in Windows, the slower your system will become (more on this in a later post).
Freeware is software given away for free by the author. The source code for the software is not made available. Like Shareware, Freeware might also contain Spyware and Adware. Therefore, when you use freeware applications, you do not know exactly what might be happening behind the scenes.
Illegally shared software is another option. I will not go into much detail on this. However, I like to use this analogy…
You have just played an intense game of basketball outside in 95 degrees. You see a refreshing bottle of a sports drink on a park table. A local radio station was giving away sports drinks about an hour ago. This bottle has the radio station’s sticker on it, so you know this is one of their free drinks. No one is around and you are really thirsty. Since the drinks were free and the people sitting at the table have left, you don’t feel bad about using that drink to refresh yourself. When you pick up the drink, you notice the cap is loose and the safety seal on the cap has been broken. You examine the level of liquid and cannot tell if any one has taken a drink or not.
Now, would you take a drink from the bottle? Hopefully your answer is a definite “NO”. If I ask why not, most responses might be something like …
I don’t know who was drinking from it.
I don’t know if the drink has backwash in it.
If so, then why would you download software from someone you do not know. Who knows what type of Spyware, Adware, Trojan Horse, Worm, Virus, or other Malware might be attached to that program.
Open Source is free by definition. If the author puts software out as open source, but then says you can use it for 10 days and then must pay $25, this is not open source. In addition, software authors must make the source code of the program available to the public. While most of us will look at the source code and not know what it means, the developer community will usually pick apart any malicious open source software. Word will get out about bad code in the program. Therefore, open source applications tend to be safer to use. With this said, this does not mean that some bad software might slip through the cracks. So, be sure to keep your anti-virus software up to date. Also, just because it is open source, does not mean the program is free from bugs or will not be incompatible with your other applications. As with all software, be careful what you install and how often. Your computer will tend to slow down the more you install software on it.
Some Freeware is good, some is bad.
Some Shareware is good, some is bad.
Some Open Source Software is good, some is bad. However, I feel a lot safer using Open Source than they other two types.
Have you ever wanted to perform a specific task on your computer, but found that the cost of most of the professional software out there was your biggest roadblock? If so, the Open Source community can probably provide you with a very cost effective solution.
The Open Source community consists of software developers who work together to provide a wide variety free software applications. Some of the open source software you come across might seem buggy and amateurish, but a lot of open source software is well written and of professional quality. The quality will vary depending on the project’s popularity. Popular projects such as Linux and OpenOffice get a lot of attention; therefore also get a lot of development time. Current versions of Linux (Operating System) and OpenOffice (Productivity Suite) rival the quality of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
By definition, Open Source Software is free. So if you need software to fulfill a need, try searching on your topic and including “open source” in the search string. For example, if I am looking for Graphic Editing Software on Google, I will get links to several programs from Adobe and Corel*. However, if I alter my Google search for Graphic Editing Open Source Software, the first result if GIMP, an open source graphic editing package.
* Search Engine Results are likely to change by the team you read this post, but you should get the general idea.
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