Free Means Free: An Overview of Open Source Technologies Brent HusherJon Goodell Research & Instruction LibrarianWeb Services Librarian University of Missouri Kansas City Miller Nichols Library University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Library
Open Source Technologies Desktop Applications Web Applications Integrated Library Systems Operating Systems Non-open Source Free Applications and Websites
Open Source vs. Free Software Kind of a marketing thing “Free” sounds cheap/bad quality “Open” had/has fewer negative connotations Open software is free to use, modify, and distribute however you like as long as you give credit where it is due and keep it “open” Open source companies generally earn their money through providing support rather than selling software
Desktop Applications Firefox OpenOffice.org Notepad++ GIMPshop Audacity
Firefox Browser – mozilla.com
OpenOffice.org
Notepad++
GIMPshop
Audacity
Web Applications Drupal Joomla WAMP Server
Drupal
Joomla
WAMP Server
Integrated Library Systems Koha Evergreen Greenstone
Koha
Evergreen
Greenstone
Ubuntu Desktop and Server Operating Systems
Non-Open Source Free Applications and Websites Google Docs Skype Creative Commons
Google Docs
Skype
Creative Commons
Disadvantages Unanticipated costs Volunteer online support community Applications may lose developer support Lack of dedicated training and support in most cases No guarantees or numbers
Advantages Nothing to buy, trying things out easier Regular updates and upgrades No restriction on use, distribution No upfront costs besides time Volunteer online support community
Thank you! Brent HusherJon Goodell Research & Instruction LibrarianWeb Services Librarian University of Missouri Kansas City Miller Nichols Library University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Library library.umkc.eduwww.library.uams.edu ,