Benefits of FLOSS
From Schoolforge-UK
The benefits of Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) can be summarised under three main headings:
Contents |
Lower Total Costs of Ownership (TCO)
Many of our Case Studies make reference to the substantial financial savings achieved by implementing FLOSS solutions in schools.
In May 2005, Becta published an independent study comparing the Total Costs of Ownership (TCO) of computers in several schools that are using FLOSS, against a typical cross-section of schools using proprietary software. Among Becta's principal findings:
- FLOSS does provide an appropriate infrastructure for schools
- Primary schools using FLOSS reduced TCO per PC by an average of 50%
- Secondary schools reduced TCO per PC by an average of 20%
- The greatest savings were in support costs, which are typically 60% of TCO per PC
Note that these findings are average data. In fact, several schools that are using FLOSS have shown even greater savings, for example Handsworth Grammar School (one of the Becta study schools) estimate that a 30 seat network using refurbished computers could be provided to other local schools for around £6,000. This includes training and a year's support!
Given these minimal costs, it is no surprise that schools in developing countries are adopting FLOSS in large numbers. For example, schools in some of the poorest regions of Spain already provide one workstation for every two pupils.
Eliminate dependence on software vendors
Also in May 2005, Computer Economics conducted a survey of visitors to its website regarding the perceived advantages in the use of open source software. While not a scientific sample, the results are nevertheless startling: the greatest benefit that users perceive from using FLOSS is that they are no longer "locked in" to a single software supplier.
In other words, FLOSS users apparently place greatest value upon their freedom to choose the vendor who best meets their needs for software maintenance and support, instead of being dependent upon a single supplier and forced to either wait for desired improvements, or else pay for upgrades or new versions that they neither need nor want.
Closely allied to this perceived benefit is the freedom to adapt FLOSS software to specific requirements. Proprietary software does not permit users to alter the licensed binary code, whereas FLOSS packages come with a licence that gives the user freedom modify the source code, in whatever ways are needed to meet their specific needs.
Modifications that benefit a wide range of users can be fed back to improve the system, so that FLOSS systems often rapidly become more useful and reliable than their proprietery counterparts.
Pedagogical benefits
The pedagogical benefits of FLOSS are harder to measure, but may be most important of all. FLOSS is developed by communities, for communities, in an open collaborative way, and is freely shared with others who embrace the concepts and accept the licence terms. Individuals of all ages and abilities can engage in FLOSS projects according to their own strengths and interests. Projects such as OpenOffice.org have many contributors providing non-software artefacts such as graphics and documentation. Such an empowering way of working is enabled by easy access to global electronic communications through the Internet.
In the educational context, using FLOSS makes it possible to:
- get help and support to resolve problems quickly;
- find a feature that you want or need;
- continue to use and obtain support for older software versions;
- have students and parents using same tools and content at home without extra cost;
- teach and develop transferable ICT skills;
- develop collaborative social skills;
- develop technical skills using fully working code as an example;
- contribute to the global knowlege community;
- ensure broadest accessibility to ICT resources;
- learn by constructing materials for others to use.
UK government policy (and probably that in many other countries too) includes increasing the role of learning by doing, promoting citizenship, international relations and bridging the digital divide. FLOSS provides a powerful medium for furthering this policy while lowering costs. As with all change devising support systems for this takes time and meaningful curriculum development requires staff development to take place. This is an issue for senior managment in schools.
Schools using FLOSS can themselves engage in these activities by forming mutually supportive clusters. For example Parrs_Wood_Technology_College used the the savings they made with a FLOSS infrastructure to develop their ICT expertise. They utilise these new skills to provide support services to schools around them thus providing a valuable community service spreading knowledge and experience.
