I work for a local State college and the question of the validity of Open Source software comes up over and over and over again.
The question of rather or not higher education is willing to each open source solutions is not one of moeny. Ofcousre we realise that OS solutions will save money. It's the question of two things.
First: Will students really need to know OS solutions in the marketplace, or do we see the trend as continuing with windows/office in the workplace? This is a real argument. I personally feel that OS Solutions are going to be part of the marketplace in future years and that the time is now for Education to start to offer OS solution classes...not replace Enterprise solutions - but offer them side by side.
The second question, and the most important, is rather or not we can find the teaching materials (text books, etc) for the classes and rather or not the classes can be accredited. All the OS solutions in the world mean nothing to education standards if we can't accredit them. That is what I am trying to do...find text books and all the infornmation needed to accredit courses that would teach OO and Linux (as well as other basic Open Source Solutions). So far, I have not had a lot of luck in that department.
So, before getting all upset at higher eduction for not jumping on the OS bandwagon, just remember, there are strict requirements for what we do teach. OS soultions are not at those standards yet...we're still writing that book.
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The question of rather or not higher education is willing to each open source solutions is not one of moeny. Ofcousre we realise that OS solutions will save money. It's the question of two things.
First: Will students really need to know OS solutions in the marketplace, or do we see the trend as continuing with windows/office in the workplace? This is a real argument. I personally feel that OS Solutions are going to be part of the marketplace in future years and that the time is now for Education to start to offer OS solution classes...not replace Enterprise solutions - but offer them side by side.
The second question, and the most important, is rather or not we can find the teaching materials (text books, etc) for the classes and rather or not the classes can be accredited. All the OS solutions in the world mean nothing to education standards if we can't accredit them. That is what I am trying to do...find text books and all the infornmation needed to accredit courses that would teach OO and Linux (as well as other basic Open Source Solutions). So far, I have not had a lot of luck in that department.
So, before getting all upset at higher eduction for not jumping on the OS bandwagon, just remember, there are strict requirements for what we do teach. OS soultions are not at those standards yet...we're still writing that book.