New Course in Open Source .. at moodle.org

Anyone looking for an overview and introduction to Open Source, could head over to moodle.org, where Martin Dougiamas has begun a course - inside the moodle environment. You'll need to either login or register .. but it's a good experience once you're in.

big shifts afoot

Big predictions, as the inquirer reports a worldwide shift from Microsoft to Open Source. This article is a comment with attitude - Charles at the Inquirer puts the case that the Redmond giant is about to get very badly stung by a growing movement, as governments and corporations everywhere weigh a zero-outlay software against another which costs hundreds.

(i should say at this point that i am not an anti-MS crusader. i like MS Word - it's my very favourite word processor - and i'm very grateful to the Victorian Government for negotiating a deal on my behalf so i can use it at the educational place i work.)

However, as the Inquirer notes "the competition is starting to force Microsoft into a pricing war, and any moron can tell you a price war against free is not a good thing."

Perhaps the Vic. Govt. could mention - in their negotiations - that they are considering Open Source applications for desktops, office suites, and servers across the state, in government and education departments. Perhaps they could pull out a "detailed return on investment study" as well. Charles reckons the price will drop considerably.

(i would like to add that it would be so great if we could have Apple, Linux and Windows machines all connecting side by side - so people could see the differences, and use each for its best purpose.

.. and a couple of networked computers in each classroom would be great too - this could be a good time to launch an appeal for funds - to supplement the crusty old boxes in our adult learning lab.)

happy new year to all you out there