This week we learned about open source software. Open source software is software that is available for free on the internet. The source code, which is normally kept secret by the copyright holders, is made available so that anyone can edit the software to serve their specific purpose, or just to generally improve it. Open source is a positive thing in that it makes software available to everyone, not just those who can pay, and allows users to edit and improve the software for their use. However, there are dangers with open source software because there is no guarantee that what you are downloading to your computer is safe.
Open source software could definitely be useful in my field, elementary education. I would be able to bring a lot of tools into the classroom, such as the ability to edit photos or record and edit sound, that wouldn't be affordable on a classroom budget if I had to buy the software. It would also give my students the ability, no matter what their socioeconomic status, to use these programs at home or at the library.
This video portrays open source software in a negative light. However, I thought it was amusing and a fun way to look at the side that opposes open source software, since most videos I came across only focused on the positive.
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