Three Paths of Open Source Software for Schools
You can use open source software in a number of ways. Many open source applications can
happily run on various operating system platforms, such as Windows, Mac OS and Linux.
However, there are many more open source applications which run on open source platforms,
primarily Linux. You therefore have several paths towards using open source software. You can:
1. Use software which will work with existing Windows (and sometimes Macintosh)
workstations.
2. Use software which will work with an installation on a Linux operating system partition, as part
of a dual-boot PC (which can also continue to run the existing Windows platform.)
3. Use software which will work on a Linux-only server and be accessible from Windows or Mac
OS via a web browser.
Using Your Current OS
We perceive that the easiest option for many teachers and schools when starting to use open source
software, is the first approach, namely to install and use software which runs on the operating
system you are currently using. You are able to download and install this software, directly from
the websites nominated.
Using Linux (or dual boot Linux/Windows)
While there are hundreds of open source programs which are available for Windows and
Macintosh computers, there are far more which run on top of the Linux operating system. You are
able to use these programs by installing Linux on some of your PCs, or perhaps making your
existing Windows or Macintosh dual-boot, so they can be made to run with Linux (and therefore
Linux software) as well. This will not affect the current operating system and software you may
already have installed on that computer.
While some time back, Linux was quite complex to install and use. Nowdays, it is no more
complex than Windows, and looks much like the modern Windows desktop.
Open Source Victoria Page 9 of 77 The National Center for Open Source and Education
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77