Post AQK0PQBJFZgOFX2Hq4 by gamerscharisma@gamerscharisma.social
(DIR) More posts by gamerscharisma@gamerscharisma.social
(DIR) Post #AQJ762q6Jg2YsGrb5U by oklomsy@fedi.cheeseland.xyz
2022-12-05T20:16:24.393294Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
In a world where technology is becoming increasingly intertwined with every aspect of our lives, it is important for schools to carefully consider the software they use in their classrooms. One option that should be seriously considered is free software.Free software, also known as open source software, is software that is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This is in contrast to proprietary software, which is owned by a company or individual and is often only available for use through a paid license.There are several reasons why schools should consider using free software in their classrooms. First and foremost, it is a matter of principle. Free software respects the users' freedom and rights, whereas proprietary software often comes with various restrictions and limitations. For example, proprietary software may prevent users from sharing or modifying the software, or may even track their usage without their knowledge or consent.Additionally, free software is often more secure than proprietary software. This is because anyone can view and audit the source code of free software, whereas the inner workings of proprietary software are kept secret. This transparency allows for any security vulnerabilities to be quickly identified and addressed, whereas with proprietary software, vulnerabilities may remain hidden and unpatched for extended periods of time.Another important benefit of free software is that it is often more affordable for schools to use. Since free software is available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute without any licensing fees, schools can save a significant amount of money by using it instead of proprietary software. This is especially important for schools with limited budgets, as it can allow them to allocate more resources towards other important needs, such as hiring teachers or purchasing classroom supplies.In addition to the general advantages of free software, there are also specific examples of proprietary software that have various "anti-features" that make them particularly unsuitable for use in schools. For example, some proprietary software is designed to be addictive, with the intention of keeping users engaged for as long as possible. This can be counterproductive in a learning environment, where students need to be able to focus and concentrate on their studies.Another common anti-feature of proprietary software is vendor lock-in. This occurs when a company uses proprietary formats or protocols in their software, making it difficult or impossible for users to switch to a different product. This can be a problem for schools, as it means that they are effectively forced to continue using a particular product, even if it no longer meets their needs or if a better alternative becomes available.Finally, proprietary software can often be difficult or impossible to customize or modify to fit the specific needs of a school or individual student. In contrast, free software is designed to be easily modified and customized, allowing schools to tailor it to their specific needs and requirements. This can be especially useful for students with special needs or learning disabilities, as it allows teachers to create custom learning environments that are tailored to their individual needs.In conclusion, schools should strongly consider using free software in their classrooms. Not only does it respect the rights and freedoms of users, but it is also often more secure, affordable, and customizable than proprietary software. Additionally, proprietary software often has various anti-features that make it unsuitable for use in a learning environment. By choosing to use free software, schools can provide a better and more effective learning experience for their students.
(DIR) Post #AQJ8KIxhGnPYsymQL2 by tristen@mastodon.social
2022-12-05T20:27:04Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@oklomsy I remember a teacher giving us an assignment to write about the finale of a popular cable tv show. Thing is, not EVERYONE had cable tv or internet. We didn't.
(DIR) Post #AQK0MUk5ptMhWhuUmu by augustine@magincia.cafe
2022-12-06T03:33:52Z
1 likes, 2 repeats
@oklomsy You make some good points, one of them being funding. The biggest issue is funding and IT tends to be underfunded in many schools as a result. This leads to what the cheapest employees can make work and lock-in to Google platforms for the promised low to no cost. Google Apps and Chromebooks were one of the worst technological evolutions to ever take place in schools. I’m a big advocate for open source and I’ve seen it used effectively in schools, but with how hard it is to find staff willing to accept the lower pay the pool of candidates becomes even smaller when moving outside of the software “everyone uses”.This is just my observation from spending many years involved with K-12 IT in the US both as a direct employee and a contractor.
(DIR) Post #AQK0PQBJFZgOFX2Hq4 by gamerscharisma@gamerscharisma.social
2022-12-05T22:20:48Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@oklomsy you seem to use "free software" and "open source" as synonyms, but they aren't. Free software isn't always open source, and open source software isn't always free.While I am fully with the open source movement, at the same time I've seen certain tools/software in sysadmin use where the paid versions are just vastly superior in ways that are critical for what we need from it.
(DIR) Post #AQK0PRAHasSJIdYysS by gamerscharisma@gamerscharisma.social
2022-12-05T22:22:12Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@oklomsy not to mention the fact that certain CTE courses REQUIRE us to teach specific software, like Adobe Premiere Pro for the Video Production classes.
(DIR) Post #AQK0Wqisy3reasHb2O by oklomsy@fedi.cheeseland.xyz
2022-12-06T06:37:32.227435Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@gamerscharisma I am using the definition "free software" as free as in freedom software, or to get into technical terms, software licensed under open-source or free licenses as defined by the FSF & OSI.
(DIR) Post #AQK0gh3XlOq9VadhvU by oklomsy@fedi.cheeseland.xyz
2022-12-06T06:39:20.063010Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@gamerscharisma There can be paid free (as in freedom) software, Red Hat Enterprise Linux is one example.
(DIR) Post #AQKtoyCDPtemSjefcO by gamerscharisma@gamerscharisma.social
2022-12-06T06:50:25Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@oklomsy I've usually seen that called "freeware" personally
(DIR) Post #AQKtoyd9njCvoIGBc0 by oklomsy@fedi.cheeseland.xyz
2022-12-06T16:57:03.932843Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@gamerscharisma But that's not what I mean, freeware is an entirely different thing, lots of free software is provided free of charge but I am emphasizing freedom over money. All free/libre software is freeware but not all freeware is free/libre software