Open Source for the End User

Matthew G. SwitlikLearning Management Programmer switlik@oakland.edu

• IT since 1996• Web application development since 2001• PHP Developer at Oakland since June

2010.

I love open source because it provides me with continuously improving tools.  I had tried Linux many years ago but hadn't personally needed it.  PHP and Firefox were my first must have Open Source tools.  Now I had a need for linux and it quickly gained my attention.

What Do I mean “End User”?

• The people who just want the software to work for them. No tinkering or hassles.

• It has to be reliable, and secure, and they may not know how to keep it that way.

• They are increasingly using the cloud.

Open Source for the End User

The four types of people who can benefit from Open Source

• The End User o tools that were once very costly are now available to you

• The Admino Supporting the End User get easier with tools that are constantly being

refinedo a continuing trend of doing more with less. (Apache in 1995)

• The Developero Better tools, faster innovation, better support from community of fellow

users.o Reputation - your work can precede you.

• The Managero Stay flexible by not being tied to a single vendor or license. o Lower long term support costs.o Retraining will eventually be needed no matter what software you

choose. Why not pick the solution that you can count on it indefinitely.

What is Open Source? 

Distributing the source code to the users of the software.  

if(x==true){    print("Hello World!"); }else{    print("Goodbye!"); }

Why? Because we innovate faster when ideas are exchanged.  Good technique will spread.

Most of the time Open Source implies Free Open Source Software.  Meaning you are free to redistribute the software given the terms of the license.  • GPL  (GNU Public License)

• Copyleft ensures users rights to distribute the software and future changes to the software.

• derived works can only be distributed under the same license terms.

• BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution)• fewer restrictions on distribution compared to other free software licenses such as the

GPL.• Allows the redistribution with out the source. You can keep your changes to yourself.

• MIT • requires attribution and inclusion of the MIT license document.  MIT licensed code stays

under the license but can be used in proprietary software.

Is Mac OSX Open Source?Major components of Mac OS X, including the UNIX core, are made available under Apple’s Open Source license. But not the whole operating system.

What about me?

The Android operating system is open source.  Except for version 3.0.  The Apps such as Gmail, the Market, and Google Maps are not open source.

What can I do with Open Source?

Run your computer.• The best way to leverage Open Source is to dive it with an operating

system that is open source.• Seriously, give Ubuntu Linux a spin. LIVE Images require no

commitment • Package managers are like an App Store where everything is free.

The Internet Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and parts of Safari are all open source. This helps to ensure security and standard compliance.  Their competition benefits us all.

Get Some Work Done• Libre Office/Open Office.  You can’t stop open source. • Netbeans/ Eclipse: Or How I Learned to Love the IDE

(Integrated Development Environment)• Apache is run on over 110 million Internet servers (as

of April 2010) (Source, Netcraft).• LIVE CDs, DVDs, and USB Devices can save you in a

bind.o Knoppix, SLAX

Create Something• Edit Images with GIMP

o Windows, OSX, and Linux/Unix

• Edit Video with Kdenlive or PiTiVi o Linux

• Create 3D Models and animation with Blendero  Windows, OSX, and Linux/Unix

• Edit audio with Audacityo  Windows, OSX, and Linux/Unix

Dual or Triple BootMake your computer a swiss army knife of sorts. You can easily have windows and linux installed at the same time.  Tip: Install windows first  If you own an Apple you can have all three operating systems on one machine. What else are you going to do with 2 Terrabytes of storage?

Cost savings.• Windows 7 $99-$320 depending on edition.• Windows XP $89-$250  

o Released October 25, 2001o Main stream support ended April 14, 2009. o Extended support ends April 8, 2014o So for the money you got 7 and half years of patches.

• Apple’s OS X “Snow Leopard” $25-$95 • Adobe Photoshop CS5 $199-$699 

• Adobe Creatie Suite 5.5 $399-$1699• Final Cut Studio $299-$999

 • Visual Studio 2010 Pro $129 (academic) - $710

If it doesn’t cost a lot to get it running more people can try it out.  Creating content is fun.

PLAY!

Games on Open Source and of Open Source

“The Humble Indie Bundle experiment has been a massive success beyond our craziest expectations. So far, 138,813 generous contributors have put down an incredible $1,273,613. Of this, contributors chose to allocate 30.85% to charity: $392,953 for the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Child's Play Charity.”