1. Student Success and the Impact of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Student Success
10/16/2007
Student Success and the Impact of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Palm Beach Community College
Fall 2007 Development Day
October 16, 2007
Presented By: Ali Fazelpour
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Fall 2007 Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

2. Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Objectives
Background
What is FOSS?
Students Benefits
Student Economical Benefits
Student Engagements and Success
Best Practices
FOSS Demo
Portable Applications
Google Docs and Spreadsheet
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

3. Student Success and the Impact of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Student Success
10/16/2007
Student Success and the Impact of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
PC prices constantly in decline despite the fact that they become more powerful
Software prices become increasingly larger portion of PC prices due to the following facts:
More advanced software with higher prices
The number of software that average user needs increases
FOSS as an alternative to reduce software prices and further the reduction of PC prices
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC):
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Fall 2007 Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

4. FOSS vs. Commercial Software
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Student Success
FOSS vs. Commercial Software
10/16/2007
FOSS
Commercial 1.
Full Transparency (Source Code is available)
Black box (Source Code is not available) 2.
Free distribution is allowed
Free distribution is not allowed 3.
Free of charge
Price varies 4.
Active User: Participants have a voice = Student Engagement
End User: Only right to use software per license agreement 5.
Community (Participant, Trainer, Trainee, Developer, and so on)
Vender/Customer relationship
Foss Advantages
Free of Charge
Increases student engagement
Portable Applications:
Increase Mobility
Run applications on any PC
No need to install software on host PC
Web-based Applications: Google Docs and Spreadsheet
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Fall 2007 Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

5. Endowed Faculty Chair Presentation - Ali Fazelpour
10/16/2007
Student Benefits
Substantial cost saving since FOSS is free of charge
Substantial cost saving on training materials (Free of charge or lower prices)
Valuable work experience by actively participating in the FOSS projects
FOSS availability in many languages such as Spanish: To bridge the digital divide
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

6. Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Best Practices
Identify Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) of your interest
Free Software Directory:
Honor Project
Extra Credit Project
Service Learning
Integrate FOSS into course
Share your experience
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

7. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Student Success
10/16/2007
References
“Free/Open Source Software and the Digital Divide”; 22nd Chaos Communication Congress – Berlin, Dec. 2005, Meike Richter
Portable Application – Run applications on any computer:
Web-based Application - Google Docs and Spreadsheet :
Openoffice.org – Free Office Suite:
High Quality Open Source Software for Windows:
Free Software Directory:
PDFCreator – Create PDF files within any Windows application:
Nvu – Web Page Editor:
GIMP – Image editing software:
Free Software Foundation:
Philosophy of the GNU Project:
Free training materials:
OpenOffice.org Free Tutorials:
14) OpenOffice.org Free Tutorials:
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
Fall 2007 Development Day - Ali Fazelpour

8. Development Day - Ali Fazelpour
References …
20 Fantastic Open Source Downloads:
TOP 100+ best Free Open Source Software for windows XP and Vista:
 30 Essential Pieces Of Free (and Open) Software for Windows
OLPC - $100 Laptop Video – CBS News – 60 Minutes: CBS News:
10/16/2007
Development Day - Ali Fazelpour