Technology Recycling for Excellence in Education
Free Times Three
Open source enthusiasts often talk about two kinds of freedom, which they sum up with the phrases "free as in speech, and free as in beer" (although I prefer "free as in pizza"). By "free as in speech" they usually mean among other things, the freedom to use and modify open source software as they see fit. The source code is open, so you can see it, modify it, adapt it to your needs. You can also make multiple copies, distribute them, and install the software on as many computers as you like.
"Free as in beer (or pizza)" means that there is no charge for the program. While many open source operating systems and applications are available in enterprise versions, which offer various levels of support and/or customization for a price, all truly open source applications have at least one fully functional free version available.
Since I've been using Linux and other open source applications, I've discovered another type of freedom. I call it "free as in childhood," meaning free as in no worries. If I purchase a used computer on eBay or at a yard sale, I'm not worried if the operating system is "legal." If I get the urge to tinker, tweak, or completely overhaul, I'm not worried that I may crash an expensive OS or application, and have to either buy it again or convince some mega-corp that I really, really did buy a copy once, and I promise I'm only trying to fix the one and only one I have. I'm not worried that my 30 day "trial" may run out before I can finish my project. I'm free!
I'm free to try operating systems until I find the best one for the particular computer I'm using. I'm free to try a new OS if it looks like my kids will like it. I'm free to try a new OS just because it looked cool in the magazine! I'm free!
I'm free to tell a school administrator that yes, you can use all those donated computers, and no, you won't have to fork over a fortune in license fees to use that "free gift" someone gave you. The administrator is free to tell the kindergarten teacher "go ahead and let the students explore; if little Susie has a problem with hers, she can log in to another one and keep on learning."
The teacher is free to give her students online assignments, because hardware recycling and open source software means there are computers available at school, at the library, at the community center, at the health clinic, and lots of other places around town. The student is free to sit down at one of these, write his report, save it to Google Docs or Buzzword, download it at school, and turn it in.
Free as in speech, free as in pizza, free as in childhood. No limits, no costs, no worries. That's the real freedom technology can bring.
"Free as in beer (or pizza)" means that there is no charge for the program. While many open source operating systems and applications are available in enterprise versions, which offer various levels of support and/or customization for a price, all truly open source applications have at least one fully functional free version available.
Since I've been using Linux and other open source applications, I've discovered another type of freedom. I call it "free as in childhood," meaning free as in no worries. If I purchase a used computer on eBay or at a yard sale, I'm not worried if the operating system is "legal." If I get the urge to tinker, tweak, or completely overhaul, I'm not worried that I may crash an expensive OS or application, and have to either buy it again or convince some mega-corp that I really, really did buy a copy once, and I promise I'm only trying to fix the one and only one I have. I'm not worried that my 30 day "trial" may run out before I can finish my project. I'm free!
I'm free to try operating systems until I find the best one for the particular computer I'm using. I'm free to try a new OS if it looks like my kids will like it. I'm free to try a new OS just because it looked cool in the magazine! I'm free!
I'm free to tell a school administrator that yes, you can use all those donated computers, and no, you won't have to fork over a fortune in license fees to use that "free gift" someone gave you. The administrator is free to tell the kindergarten teacher "go ahead and let the students explore; if little Susie has a problem with hers, she can log in to another one and keep on learning."
The teacher is free to give her students online assignments, because hardware recycling and open source software means there are computers available at school, at the library, at the community center, at the health clinic, and lots of other places around town. The student is free to sit down at one of these, write his report, save it to Google Docs or Buzzword, download it at school, and turn it in.
Free as in speech, free as in pizza, free as in childhood. No limits, no costs, no worries. That's the real freedom technology can bring.
Add a Comment
About
Empowering Women
Badge
© 2009 Created by Jerry Cobbs on Ning. Create Your Own Social Network
You need to be a member of ProjectTREE to add comments!
Join this social network