Navigate 1 - Commercial vs. Open Source Virtual Classrooms

Commercial vs. Open Source Virtual Classrooms

Open Source Software

Strengths 
- "Free" or low cost
- Developed by non-profit community
- Can be distributed and modified for free
- More secure than commercial software due to constant bug fixes as they are found
- Not dependent on a company or author 
- Uses open standards accessible by everyone so there are no problems with incompatible formats
- No complex licensing models
- No need for anti-piracy measures like product activation or serial numbers

Weaknesses 
- May require a technical consultation or an in-house Information Technology (IT) department that can manage hosting, upgrading, integrating, and usage of open source tools
- Not straightforward to use
- May require training (operating systems like Linux cannot be learned in a day)
- Latest hardwares may be incompatible to the open-source platform requiring the reliance on third-party drivers
- May be confusion on what functions are present in which versions (sometimes parallel development on open source software

Commercial Software

Strengths
- Many Commercial Software programs allow for a "Free Trial" period 
- Easy to acquire
- Programs for specific tasks
- Best Interface
- Greater Compatibility
- Greater Hardware Compatibility

Weaknesses
- No multi-platform programs
- Cannot copy
- Impossible to modify
- Restrictions for use
- Redistribution is not possible
- Higher cost
- Technical support
- Proprietary software


Open source applications would take precedence over a commercial product when the ability to modify or distribute is important to the organization or person using it. If you have a trained workforce, open source software would be more cost effective over commercial software as you do not have to purchase multiple licenses.

The biggest issues when choosing between open source and commercial software boils down to cost, technological support, and the ability to modify or distribute. 

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