I'd agree with the comments that Amber, Sarah and others have made that open
source isn't a universal panacea - but is something that organisations
should consider.
The QA Focus project has published a document on Top Tips For Selecting Open
Source Software originally written by Randy Metcalfe of the JISC-funded OSS
Watch advisory service. This is available at:
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-60/
The document provides advice on some of the issues to consider when
selecting open source software.
Hope this is of interest
Brian
PS This document is one of over 80 briefing document which have been
published. For a complete list, see
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/
---------------------------------------
Brian Kelly
UK Web Focus
UKOLN
University of Bath
BATH
BA2 7AY
Email: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/
Phone: 01225 383943
FOAF: http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ukoln/staff/b.kelly/foaf/bkelly-foaf.xrdf
For info on FOAF see http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ukoln/staff/b.kelly/foaf/
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amber Thomas [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 14 October 2005 16:02
> Subject: Re: open source, open standards, free
>
> Hi
>
> Completely agree with you, Heather
>
> You know what - I meant to type "open source isn't *the* answer to
> *everything*
> (rather than anything!)
>
> glad you pointed that out before I get branded anti- open
> source heart stopped for a second when i realised my error
>
> from such tiny errors come such huge misunderstandings! oops!
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Virtual Learning Environments
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Heather Peake
> Sent: 14 October 2005 15:48
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [VLES] open source, open standards, free
>
>
> Then of course you could get stung with the 'out of the box'
> product that doesn't actually do 'what it says on the tin'
> where the licence fee for larger institutions is astronomical
> and the delay on fixing issues is ridiculous and you can't
> fix it in house (even if someone on your team has the skills)
> because you would invalidate the licence agreement.
> Out of the box don't always let you have a second install at
> no extra cost for 'developing on' and trying out with other
> in house systems so that you don't bring the house down at
> the most inopportune moment.
>
> I'm not saying we should only consider open source, you
> should consider whatever works for your establishment, but
> saying that 'Open Source isn't 'the' Answer to anything' (see
> below) is a tad naive, there are whole rafts of people out
> there using open source for all sorts of things - even one of
> the well known manufacturers of an out of the box VLE stuck
> their product on an Apache web server rather than IIS
> although I believe (according to their web site) it will now
> run on IIS. Open source therefore can be the answer to some
> things as can, out of the box solutions. Paying money for it
> does not necessarily make it better or worth having.
>
> Best regards
>
> Heather Peake
> ILT Development Co-ordinator
> West Nottinghamshire College
> Tel 01623 627191 ext 2292
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Amber Thomas [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 14 October 2005 14:09
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [VLES] open source, open standards, free
>
>
> Hi
>
> Recent postings on this list and others have highlighted the fact that
> open source doesn't necessarily mean free. I think it's worth picking
> apart the concepts of open source, open standards and free.
>
> It's not so straightforward ....
>
> * you could pay for an open source product - pay for the software,
> pay for a hosted service, pay for someone to customise it for you
> * an open source product doesn't necessarily conform to open
> standards
> * a commercial closed box product can confirm to open standards:
> it can interoperate with other systems without you knowing how
> * some commercial solutions will end up cheaper overall that open
> source solutions because good programmers cost money
>
>
> I don't think open source is "the" answer to anything - its
> all part of
> the picture. Its also not right to use taxpayers money to create
> products that the commercial world will produce: this is expensive
> stuff.
>
> I guess this is where the E-Learning Framework comes in.
> There's a good
> article here (2004 but still useful): "JISC programme to
> foster the pick
> 'n mix MLE" http://cetis.ac.uk/content2/20040305162217
>
> If commercial providers have to fit into a bigger framework, then the
> open source community can get on with linking things up and creating
> things that commercial providers won't or can't.
>
> This needs technical experts in institutions who really know how to
> design architectures, integrate systems, stitch interfaces
> together ...
> are there enough of you to go round? :-)
>
> Amber
>
>
> Amber Thomas
> Project Leader
> JISC DEL: Promoting Use of Shared Content in the West Midlands
> Bredon 76
> University of Worcester
> Henwick Grove
> Worcester
> WR2 6AJ
>
> email: [log in to unmask]
> mobile: 07913 842421
> http://www2.worc.ac.uk/wm-share/
>
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