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Jan 15, 2001
Tech Takes
The Other Free Software
by Randy Edwards
If you've got the time and patience for a bit of a learning curve, your school can implement a broad range of applications--from word processing to a complete online school--for very little or no cost at all.
Among the categories of no-cost software are shareware, freeware, and open source code programs. But true "free" software is a different animal. "Free" software combines the "no cost" meaning of free with the "unrestricted" meaning of free. It encompasses a variety of non-commercially developed applications, from database, spreadsheet, and other fairly straightforward programs, to Web server software that runs monolithic sites such as Yahoo! and MSN Hotmail.
A Different Licensing Structure
Most free software is licensed under the Free Software Foundation's General Public License (GPL), also known as "copyleft." Major points of the GPL are: the software can be used for any purpose, it comes with the source code, and you can modify the source code. Another point is that GPL software can either be sold or given away.
The major restriction of the GPL is that if you distribute modified free software you also have to distribute the full source code of the changes, thus allowing others to use and build upon your work. Of course, you're free to modify programs and keep the modifications secret as long as you don't distribute them.
In a nutshell, true free software is software which contains the full source code and which does not restrict the user in any significant manner. Other software licenses, such as the Berkeley System Distribution License or the Artistic License, also have very few restrictions and qualify as free software, but are less popular.
A Different Development Process
The free software development process is very different from the traditional, closed source code, commercial development model. Anyone has access to a free program's source code, and many developers of free software encourage friendly competition for identifying and fixing bugs. The result is software that is more secure and reliable.
The open model impacts the speed of software development as well. With an efficient peer review process in which any programmer can submit enhancements to software but only the best enhancements are officially adopted, free software often evolves at a lightning pace.
Powerful Software Apps
So with all this hype, just what has the free software world created that would be of use to you in an education setting? The answers may surprise you. Evolved from the robust, multi-user Unix platform, GNU/Linux eliminates desktop security and virus problems. With hundreds of desktop applications available, GNU/Linux is growing as a desktop operating system, presently commanding as much operating system (OS) market share as does the Macintosh OS.
For the Windows OS, two major applications stand out. The first is StarOffice. Licensed under the GPL by Sun Microsystems, StarOffice is a full office suite, complete with word processor, spreadsheet, slide presentation and graphics programs, HTML editor, database, e-mail client, and more. In other words, it has everything you'd expect from a full-fledged, modern office suite--except the cost.
Available for Windows, GNU/Linux, and Sun Solaris operating systems, StarOffice reads and writes all common file formats, so importing and exporting files from other office suites is no problem. Since StarOffice cloned large parts of the Microsoft Office user interface, most Office users can operate StarOffice with a minimal amount of training. StarOffice does have a couple of rough edges, such as its weak help system. However, plenty of third-party books are available, and Sun also sells technical support for the program.
Another truly notable Windows application is the GNU Image Manipulation Program, or GIMP. GIMP is a full-blown, professional-quality graphics package, essentially a clone of Adobe's famous Photoshop, only without the $400 price tag. GIMP is highly polished and has absolutely first-rate documentation. Licensed under the GPL, GIMP is primarily written for GNU/Linux and various Unix operating systems, but there is a full Windows version of the program.
Servers Make the Difference
Where free software really stands out is in the area of server systems. Yahoo! and MSN Hotmail both run on FreeBSD. Although FreeBSD is serious serving, it has its drawbacks for the education environment, such as its complexity and supporting hardware limitations.
The other candidate for a free software server is GNU/Linux, which powers one third of all Web sites. While also known for requiring Unix command-line knowledge for server operation, GNU/Linux is often considered more user friendly than FreeBSD. GNU/Linux is also far more likely to run on the old 386, 486, or Pentium computers still found in many schools, making it a strong contender for the educational networking world.
GNU/Linux will do everything a Windows NT server will do. Using a free software package called Samba, GNU/Linux authenticates Windows client users, provides NetBIOS file and printer sharing, and issues network profiles to clients. Interoperability is a strength of the GNU/Linux server, which functions equally well in AppleTalk and Novell network environments. The area where it really shines, however, is as an Internet server providing services to your IP-based network.
Free GNU/Linux Internet applications include a packet-filtering firewall, proxy server, Web server, and mail server functions. Web-based e-mail applications are also available, allowing teachers to check their mail from any Web browser. Many of these packages tie themselves into free Structured Query Language (SQL) database servers, so users can store bookmarks and address books online and access them via the Web.
Another useful task for GNU/Linux servers is library automation. The Koha system, developed by librarians in New Zealand, provides SQL database connectivity, bar code scanning, multiple libraries, Web-based access, and more.
Tomorrow's Learning Environment Today
Perhaps the most exciting GNU/Linux network application of all is AUC, the Authenticated User Community. AUC is a student-developed online school--complete with classes, schedules, conversation and mail components, a daily newspaper, assignment and homework lists, special teacher access powers, Web-based file sharing, and more.
If your school has an Internet line with a static IP address and a 486 or better computer, you can put together your own dynamic, low-maintenance Web site to keep parents, students, and teachers informed of what's happening at school.
Sources for Getting Started
Since anyone can take free software such as GNU/Linux and sell it, many companies do, adding value by packaging the free software with a manual and/or technical support services, creating different "distributions." You can purchase a full distribution of GNU/Linux on CD-ROM with Internet servers and hundreds of applications for less than five dollars from places like CheapBytes or the LinuxMall. Typically these distributions are sold for $50-$90 with varying amounts of accompanying technical support.
Popular GNU/Linux distributions are Caldera, Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, and SuSE. If you're just learning GNU/Linux, the particular distribution won't matter much. Find your local Linux Users Group and choose the distribution that is most popular for your area. Make sure you're getting the latest version of the particular distribution you choose, since GNU/
Linux evolves very quickly and there are dramatic differences between
versions.
Don't overlook free e-mail support. Generally you can submit a help message to the user support mailing list any time of the day or night and have multiple replies back. Also be sure to purchase a third-party book or two on your particular GNU/Linux distribution.
There is undeniably a learning curve involved with implementing free software. But if you calculate the long-term cost of software versus the training costs, and then factor in the stability of free software, the reduced hardware requirements, the freedom from being locked into one vendor's proprietary solution, and the flexibility gained, a very appealing equation emerges.
 Learn More
For more information about free software and GNU/Linux in educational environments, check out the following Web sites.
- Linux.com A well-done site which gives GNU/Linux news, reviews, and advice. Contains links to various distributions and other help sites.
- K-12 Linux A site focused towards using GNU/Linux in K-12 schools.
- SEUL/edu Home Page Another site focused towards using GNU/Linux in education; contains many reviews of free educational software.
- K-12Linux Project A K-12 GNU/Linux support site. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list.
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Randy Edwards is a former consultant and computer science professor who now works as a school district technology coordinator.
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