Open Source SoftwareInformation Technologies and the Business Students 2

By Alex Hauteclocque and Marina Andreeva

Professor Darin McRae

Abstract

• History of Open Source Software

• Idea of Open Source Software(OSS)

• Pros and Cons of using OSS

• An Open Source Home PC

• Bibliography

History of OSS

• The father of now known OSS was Linus Torvalds

• Torvalds used an idea of Minux operating

• Linux was born in 1984

Idea behind OSS• Software must include the source code

• users can sell the software and/or give it away without being fined

• Some source codes allow users to modify the software

• OSS can’t discriminate against persons or groups

• OSS must be technology-neutral and not restricted to any individual technology

Pros of using OSS• Free software

• Free downloads

• Fast resolving of technological problems

• Unlimited using of OSS by one user

• Complementary program for existing software on PC

Cons of using OSS• Incompatible with some other programs(NETC 2007)

• Limited ability comparing with exclusive software (NETC 2007)

• Unprotected against hackers stealing trainings

• Limited using by presence in workplace at the moment

• Unprofitable for computer software companies

Choosing an Operating System• Many builds for all skill levels.

• Ubuntu, Linux Mint and PCLinuxOS for beginners.

• Large community for support.

• Slick graphic user interfaces.

• Distributed freely.

Around the Office

Office Suites

• Apache Open Office & LibreOffice.

• Word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and database.

• Save & open Microsoft Office files.

• Many templates and extensions available.

• Free

Email Client

Mozilla Thunderbird• personalized email addresses

(@yournamehere.com).

• Integrated social media.

• Junk mail and phishing scam protection.

• Attachment reminder.

Browsing• Google Chrome & Mozilla

Firefox

• Perform well against Explorer in benchmarks.

• Extensions and plugins, customize browsing experience.

Browser Acid3

Sunspider

HTML5

Vector

V8 HTML5 Compli.

Chrome 25 100 199.8

ms10.85 fps 8621 468/50

0

Internet Explore

r 10100 133.8

ms22.18 fps 6076 320/500

Mozilla Firefox

19100 237.0

ms15.56 fps 8621 393/500

Miscellaneous Software

Antivirus Media Compression

Photo Editing

Antivirus

ClamAV• Protects against Trojans and Malicious scripts.

• Automated scanning and updates.

• Free download.

Media

VLC Media Player

• Codecs to play every file type.

• Light on system resources.

• Converts media between formats.

Compression Software

7-Zip

• Faster than costly Winzip and Winrar.

• Better compression ratios.

• Additional support for 24 other formats.

Photo editing

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

• Feature rich.

• Create graphic art.

• Touch-up photos.

• Distributed freely.

Open Source Gaming• Wide variety, from

flight Sims to FPS.

• Free to play.

• Internet based multiplayer.

• LAN support.

Costs:

Open Source

• Ubuntu $0

• Open Office $0

• GIMP $0

• ClamAV $0

Total: $0

Paid Licence

• Windows 7 $100

• Microsoft Office $249

• Photoshop CS6 $299

• Norton Antivirus $60/year

Total: $700+

Training and Support• Community driven support.

• Training forums, newsletters, and blogs.

• How-to videos

• Online training courses

In Conclusion: A little of A, A little of B• Open source provides great alternatives.

• Effort required to learn new software.

• Choose what you are comfortable using.

• Some open source out performs paid.

Bibliography

• Beal, V. (2012, September 17). 5 free open source alternatives to Microsoft Office. Retrieved April 09, 2013, from PC World website: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2010005/5-free-open-source-alternatives-to-microsoft-office.html

• Bodnar, L. (2013). Top Ten Distributions: An overview of today's top distributions. Retrieved April 09, 2013, from DistroWatch.com: http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

• Free Software Foundation, Inc. Retrieved April 10, 2013 http://fsf.org/

• Lars. (2011, April 21). 10+ Best Free or Open Source Photoshop Alternative Software. Retrieved April 2013, from Tripwire Magazine website: http://www.tripwiremagazine.com/2011/04/10-best-free-or-open-source-photoshop-alternative-software.html

• Northwest Educational Technology Consortium,Retrieved April 11, 2013, http://www.netc.org/openoptions/background/history.html

• Mozilla Corp. (2013, April 14). Thuderbird Feature: Get the most of Thunderbird! Retrieved from Mozilla website: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/features/

Bibliography(continued)• Mezher, D. - http://www.pca.org.lb/docs/dany mezher (5).ppt, Retrieved April 12, 2013

• Operating Systems, Retrieved April 10, 2013, http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

• Rankin, D. (2013, January 09). Gaming Reloaded. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from About.com Open Source: http://opensource.about.com/b/2013/01/09/gaming-reloaded.htm

• Reyes, F. (2010, March 10). Selecting an Open Source Operating System. Retrieved April 09, 2013, from Network World website: http://www.networkworld.com/subnets/opensource/031010-select-an-open-source-os-opensource-subnet.html?page=1

• Weiss, A. (n.d.). 5 Ways to Save Money With Open Source Software. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from About.com Open Source: http://opensource.about.com/od/basics/tp/5-Ways-To-Save-Money-Using-Open-Source-Software.htm

• Widder, B. (2013, March 31). Battle of the best browsers: IE vs. Chrome vs. Firefox vs. Safari. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from Digital Trends website: http://www.digitaltrends.com/web/the-best-browser-internet-explorer-vs-chrome-vs-firefox-vs-safari/