We were asked to give our opinion regarding open source software and relate this to the Weller recommendations to the OU.
What is Open Source Software (OSS)? Open Source Software is software that is available for everbody. Everybody can use it and everybody can adapt it to suit their own needs.
Wikipedia gives the following definition: “Open source software (OSS) is computer software for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that meets the Open Source Definition or that is in the public domain. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified forms.
In his paper Weller recommends to use the OSPI project OSS for e-portfolio use. “It also allows us to develop a tool which we both understand and can modify so that it meets our needs”.
The last 4 words in the quote are very relevant and very important if you take a critical look at all the other products. Commercial products often seem to be very rigid and inflexible. OSS provides the user to adapt the software so that it meets the needs. For the OU this solution is, in my opinion, a valid one. However, there are some disadvantages as well. Customer Support, for example, is very important when one tries to implement new applications. I guess the OU has the expertise to fiddle around with Moodle, OSPI or other OSS applications, but most of us don’t. if I take a critical look at the OU blog and compare this with a World Press blog for example then my choice would be very easy. The WP Blog looks fancier than the OU Blog and has much more features. Adding widgets, integrate it with your own website for example is something that I really value. The same goes for My Suff and Mahara or PebblePad. These commercial products don't just look nicer and fancier but do the job as well. Again, using open software and adapting this to match the needs of a institution is a big advantage, but somehow I'm still not convinced and wouldn't just choose for OSPI,Moodle or ELGG on basis of cost analysis or adaptibilty.
Cheers Eugene