Open Source Software, Freeware and Shareware

EDUA 6382 - Basic Applications Media & Technology

Open Source Software (OSS)

What is Open Source Software? “Open Source Software (OSS) is software for which the source code is viewable and changeable by the public, or otherwise open.” (Midrack, 2021) The source code is the key to instructing how the software works and describes its features and how they work; it is the programming behind the software that users don’t usually see. Midrack (2021) explains that open-source software allows easy source code modification, updates, and reuse. The General Public License grants programmers and users access and permission to change the source code.

In the Open Source Learning: David Preston at TEDxUCLA video, he discussed the potential of open source learning and how community learning can greatly enhance education for various groups of people. Preston emphasized that technology is a tool to revolutionize learning. He compared this to the invention of the screwdriver, stating that if we had focused solely on the screwdriver, we would have never built the car. David Preston posted the question, “What does it mean to educate global citizens in the informative age?” Digital literacy, which Mr. Preston defined as “the use of tools of our age to the best of our ability and the fullest potential.” (TEDx Talks, 2013)

David Preston asked, “Can we create a learning community that is technologically enabled to share information so that we are all co-authoring our learning experience without compromising on the evaluation side of things?” (TEDx Talks, 2013) Collaboration, or bringing more than one person to work on any project, gives the opportunity for creativity to flourish. David Preston believes that through the use of connectivity tools, learners are capable of achieving great things.

Freeware and Shareware

What is Freeware? “Freeware is a combination of the words free and software, to literally mean “free software” (Fisher, 2023). This means that users can download and use the software without paying licensing fees. According to the Freeware article by Fisher, there is a difference between Freeware and Free Software, “freeware is cost-free software, and free software is copyright-free software.”; that means that freeware is copy-written and available to the public for use at no cost, unlike commercial software.

On the other hand, we have Shareware. However, what is Shareware? “Shareware refers to software that is usually available for free during a trial period” (Fisher, 2023). The purpose behind shareware is to allow users to try out the premium version of the software and become familiar with all the features for a limited time of period.

Software plays an important role in our day-to-day lives. However, in the education system, users often remain unaware of various aspects, such as servers, programming, the organization’s webpage, and its features. It is interesting to note that technology in education is not limited to children’s learning but extends to supporting entire organizations and districts.

For future reference:

References

Fisher, T. (2023). What is freeware? Lifewire. https://www.lifewire.com/freeware-definition-4154271

Midrack, R. L. (2021). What is Open Source Software? Lifewire. https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-open-source-software-4147547

TEDx Talks. (2013, March 22). Open Source Learning: David Preston at TEDxUCLA [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp0-QQQgv7s