Comments on: Is free software really free? Open e-learning development http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/ Michael Hanley's blog about e-learning, web-based elearning, technology in education, e-learning tools, learning 2.0 (blogs and podcasts), & continuous professional development. Sat, 24 Dec 2011 19:09:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: The E-Learning Curve Blog is Two Years Old | E-Learning Curve Blog http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/comment-page-1/#comment-1139 The E-Learning Curve Blog is Two Years Old | E-Learning Curve Blog Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:44:56 +0000 http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/#comment-1139 [...] Is free software really free? Open e-learning development [...] [...] Is free software really free? Open e-learning development [...]

]]> By: Difference Between Free and Open Tools « http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/comment-page-1/#comment-1056 Difference Between Free and Open Tools « Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:36:38 +0000 http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/#comment-1056 [...] 14, 2009 · Leave a Comment Michael Hanley has a new post on the difference between free and open tools. From the post: My view is that both [...] [...] 14, 2009 · Leave a Comment Michael Hanley has a new post on the difference between free and open tools. From the post: My view is that both [...]

]]> By: Michael Hanley http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/comment-page-1/#comment-1042 Michael Hanley Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:20:33 +0000 http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/#comment-1042 Thanks Rodolpho, I agree with you - there is always a cost associated with "free" software, whether it is a cost in terms of time, or restriction of features, or even lack of developer support. As you say, too many organizations fail to see 'below the surface' when evaluating important enterprise-level systems like LMSs. Best regards, Michael -- Thanks Rodolpho,
I agree with you – there is always a cost associated with “free” software, whether it is a cost in terms of time, or restriction of features, or even lack of developer support. As you say, too many organizations fail to see ‘below the surface’ when evaluating important enterprise-level systems like LMSs.
Best regards,
Michael
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]]> By: Rodolpho Arruda http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/comment-page-1/#comment-1041 Rodolpho Arruda Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:36:43 +0000 http://michaelhanley.ie/elearningcurve/open-e-learning-development-is-free-software-really-free/2009/11/11/#comment-1041 Great post! Free software is definitely not gratis software - by the way, the word 'grátis' in Portuguese also means free of cost. Free software means you are free to download it, change it, install it, and use it. Which doesn't mean the modifications, nor the installation nor the usage will be cost free. I have seen a couple of LMS projects fail because the company wasn't aware of the hidden costs (maintenance and software expansion basically) involved. If they just knew what TCO is... Great post! Free software is definitely not gratis software – by the way, the word ‘grátis’ in Portuguese also means free of cost.

Free software means you are free to download it, change it, install it, and use it. Which doesn’t mean the modifications, nor the installation nor the usage will be cost free.

I have seen a couple of LMS projects fail because the company wasn’t aware of the hidden costs (maintenance and software expansion basically) involved. If they just knew what TCO is…

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