Tools: Open Source Software

What is Open Source?

The term Open Source originally referred to computer software development, but today it refers not only to software but a set of values about products and their creation and use by others. According to opensource.com:

Open source projects, products, or initiatives are those that embrace and celebrate open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community development.

What is Open Source Software?

Open source software is software that is available for anyone to change.

"Source code" is the part of software you can't see; it's the code that makes a web page display, a document to open, or a video to play. Programmers who can get to the source code can change the way your web page displays, can add new ways you can change a document, and can make your video play correctly in a new video tool.

What is an example of Open Source Software?

Durham Tech is using Sakai, an open source learning management system. Instead of just a few people working on the LMS, programmers, designers, developers, testers, and users all over the world improve the software and contribute updates to the entire Sakai community.

Here is a list of over 50 open source resources you can use, instead of expensive products: 50 Open Source Resources