FOSS History-e-lecture
Free/Open Source Software: A History
By Cheryl, Lauren, and Sarah (the Ladies of Art Education)
Free and Open Source Software, also known as F/OSS or FOSS, is a current movement that offers software that is licensed to grant the right for users to study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code. FOSS describes the same licenses, cultures, and development models as free software and open source software. Despite some complications within the realm of software programming, FOSS is becoming ever more popular in our school systems. Teachers are beginning to use the software as a teaching tool in their classrooms.
By Cheryl, Lauren, and Sarah (the Ladies of Art Education)
Free and Open Source Software, also known as F/OSS or FOSS, is a current movement that offers software that is licensed to grant the right for users to study, change, and improve its design through the availability of its source code. FOSS describes the same licenses, cultures, and development models as free software and open source software. Despite some complications within the realm of software programming, FOSS is becoming ever more popular in our school systems. Teachers are beginning to use the software as a teaching tool in their classrooms.
The
FOSS movement was created by hackers in the 1960’s and can be dated
back to the beginning of the computer industry, but it was not until
the late 1970’s when software became an industry. At this time software
sharing was done within a small community of programmers (hackers) who
would pass software codes back and forth between members. Members would
hack into the software and improve the codes within the software.
Members would then submit the code back to the community. Below is a
brief timeline of events contributing to the FOSS movement:
-1969 and 1970: AT&T Bell lab members Kenneth Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others developed a small software system called Unix.
-1972-1973: Unix was rewritten and became the first widely-used operating system.
-1976: Bill Gates started to change software distribution by accusing hackers of stealing by breaking license agreements. On February 3rd he addressed a letter working against the software sharing culture, or hacker culture. Proprietary software gained popularity.
-1980’s: companies begin to put restrictions on programmers who have software license agreements, usually because the companies were beginning to make money from the software.
-An MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab company called Symbolics was formed. Symbolics took freely available code and made it proprietary, wiping out the software-sharing culture of the MIT lab. This incident eventually led to the Free Software Foundation.
-1984: Before 1984 programmers were paid just for writing the programs. After 1984 programmers began charging for their software splitting the culture of computer programming by separating hackers (software sharing programmers) from money making programmers. As a reaction to the changing times, Richard Stallman popularized the idea of free software by forming the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Stallman and FSF in their GNU project created a license, the General Public License (GPL) that contained a set of rights that Stallman thought all users should have, a copy of these rights can be viewed at the following webpage: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html#TOC3. The program however could not be totally free because it lacked a kernel (the heart of an operating system).
-1991: Linus Torvalds wrote a Unix-like kernel for Stallman’s system making it independent and a major part of the FOSS movement. Working under the GNU project Torvalds released Linux (http://www.linux.org/). Linux was originally a small project but was eventually combined with the FSF and became a big project.
-1998: Open Source Initiative (OSI) was started in response to Netscape’s Announcement that it was planning to give away the source of its browser. The purpose of OSI was to influence the corporate word to pay attention to FOSS and steer a path away from the negative attitude toward the free software movement.
-1999: GNU/Linux’s success meant that FOSS was finally a reality.
-Today: Free software has become a huge industry. The economic advantages and ethical principles that it was founded on are widely recognized.
-1969 and 1970: AT&T Bell lab members Kenneth Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others developed a small software system called Unix.
-1972-1973: Unix was rewritten and became the first widely-used operating system.
-1976: Bill Gates started to change software distribution by accusing hackers of stealing by breaking license agreements. On February 3rd he addressed a letter working against the software sharing culture, or hacker culture. Proprietary software gained popularity.
-1980’s: companies begin to put restrictions on programmers who have software license agreements, usually because the companies were beginning to make money from the software.
-An MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab company called Symbolics was formed. Symbolics took freely available code and made it proprietary, wiping out the software-sharing culture of the MIT lab. This incident eventually led to the Free Software Foundation.
-1984: Before 1984 programmers were paid just for writing the programs. After 1984 programmers began charging for their software splitting the culture of computer programming by separating hackers (software sharing programmers) from money making programmers. As a reaction to the changing times, Richard Stallman popularized the idea of free software by forming the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Stallman and FSF in their GNU project created a license, the General Public License (GPL) that contained a set of rights that Stallman thought all users should have, a copy of these rights can be viewed at the following webpage: http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html#TOC3. The program however could not be totally free because it lacked a kernel (the heart of an operating system).
-1991: Linus Torvalds wrote a Unix-like kernel for Stallman’s system making it independent and a major part of the FOSS movement. Working under the GNU project Torvalds released Linux (http://www.linux.org/). Linux was originally a small project but was eventually combined with the FSF and became a big project.
-1998: Open Source Initiative (OSI) was started in response to Netscape’s Announcement that it was planning to give away the source of its browser. The purpose of OSI was to influence the corporate word to pay attention to FOSS and steer a path away from the negative attitude toward the free software movement.
-1999: GNU/Linux’s success meant that FOSS was finally a reality.
-Today: Free software has become a huge industry. The economic advantages and ethical principles that it was founded on are widely recognized.
FOSS: The Pros and Cons
FOSS Pros (in general)
-Provides communication and exchange of information internationally, promoting new opportunities for economic and social development. Globally, there is a growing interest in Free/Open Source Software.
-Capacities for bridging the digital divide both locally and globally.
-Encourages development in software production for better porting with other programs produced by independent programmers.
-Customization of software to meet different commercial, regulatory and cultural requirements.
-Spend less on installation and maintenance.
-Reliable operation (most of the Internet runs on FOSS).
-Control of data stored in a non-secret format. Distribute your documents and media knowing others can freely access them.
-Communities of users and developers who cooperatively define features.
FOSS Pros (in Education)
-Lower Costs:
It can be very costly for schools to take on new software programs. This is especially true for developing countries.
Check out this pro FOSS in education blog from India: http://foss.in/2005/schedules/talkdetails.php?talkcode=G1030033
Obtaining FOSS is a much lower cost than buying proprietary software and its accompanying licensing fees.
-Reliability, Performance and Security:
FOSS is considered to have better reliability, performance and security than most proprietary software (Wong, 2004). This can be particularly helpful to larger schools.
-Incentives:
Companies involved in FOSS will generally provide discounts or other incentives to educational facilities that use FOSS in an effort to create school graduates who are familiar with FOSS programs. Graduates who are familiar with the system will be more likely to use it in their future careers.
-Open Philosophy:
The open philosophy of FOSS is consistent with academic freedom and the open dissemination of knowledge and information common in academia. “The advances in all of the arts and sciences, indeed the sum total of human knowledge, is the result of the open sharing of ideas, theories, studies and research. Yet throughout many school systems, the software in use on computers is closed and locked, making educators partners in the censorship of the foundational information of this new age (Wong 2004).”
-Encourage Innovations:
An academic environment where FOSS is prevalent will encourage staff and students to tinker and experiment with, and participate in the development of FOSS that may eventually lead to innovative solutions (Wong 2004).
-Alternative to Illegal Copying:
Some schools do not have the funds to pay for the licensing fees that accompany proprietary software. This often results in the use of illegal software copies. The nature of FOSS is to allow the usage of as many copies as are needed.
-Possibility of Localization:
Educational institutions in non-English speaking countries may not be able to benefit from the use of FOSS as most of the original software is developed in English. However, the open nature of FOSS is such that it can be localized. Such localization need not involve the original developer. With proprietary
products, localization is constrained by commercial interests. When the size of the market is too small, there is no incentive for localizing proprietary products for that market (Wong, 2004).
-Learning from Source Code:
Users of FOSS have the capability to study and adapt its source code. Students involved in this process then learn from this. Proprietary software rarely releases source code for its users to study.
-Many educators are devoted to promoting the use of FOSS in schools:
Most of the above listed “Pros” are found in the iosn primer, but FOSS also has the support of a community of educators who do not have a, literal, vested interest in FOSS programs. In fact, Jeff Elkner, a computer science teacher from Arlington Virginia, considers himself an open source “crusader”. Check out his article on redhat.com: http://www.redhat.com/magazine/003jan05/features/arlington/
Another pro FOSS teacher, Leigh Blackall, who is located in Australia, has devoted a blog to teaching and learning online: http://teachandlearnonline.blogspot.com/2005_05_01_teachandlearnonline_archive.html
Scroll down on the blog to read her own “unbiased” entry, from May 25, 2005, on a talk by “OSS Watch” which “provides unbiased advice and guidance about free and open source software for UK further and higher education”. Her entry is titled ...I don't know much about art, but I know what I like... Open Source Software and THE System.
FOSS Cons (in education)
-It may not be the best option for all developing countries:
In Africa, FOSS has been used with success in large, carefully-designed, well-implemented projects. However, its use in small, independent, remote computer labs -- where technical skill are often low -- has proven more difficult. By comparison, familiarity and experience with proprietary software are more widespread and lab managers are more likely to find help from a friend or colleague if they use the most common applications (Schmidt, 2005).
To read more about using Foss and other technology in developing countries, check out this site: http://www.bridges.org/software_comparison/report.html
-It can be expensive to move data from already existing proprietary software to a FOSS system.
-Because it is not as “user friendly” as many other proprietary applications, it may be difficult to incorporate and learn the program without the help of trained personnel. This can make things complicated.
FOSS Cons (in general)
-Title controversy in the free software community:
A few members of the free software community were not in favor of with the name "free software". They took issue with the term 'free' because it is unclear and can mean “free of charge” or “freedom”.
The phrase "Open Source" was devised in February 1998 with the explicit intent of replacing the historically earlier phrase "Free Software," which Open Source
advocates felt was impeding acceptance by the business community.
The phrase "Open Source" was quickly and enthusiastically embraced
both by many developers and by the majority of the English-speaking
press. However, it was unequivocally rejected by Richard Stallman, the
founder of the Free Software movement (free/Libre/Open-Source Software,
2006).
-A shortage of trained personnel (this becomes a pro in education because students who use FOSS, learn FOSS and may eventually bring that knowledge to their future careers).
-Incompatibility with proprietary software using closed standards, formats and protocols (Wong, 2004).
-Lack of business applications for the small and medium business market. Large corporations have programs like “SAP” and “Peoplesoft”. There are also few financial/accounting applications (like Quickbooks). This problem stems from a lack of people who are highly capable enough in both accounting and computer programming to design an appropriate program.
-Documentation and “polish”. FOSS isn’t as user-friendly as commercial software. The programmers who invented FOSS focused more on functionality than a design with ease of use. Established FOSS lacks the extensive documentation and user-friendliness found
in commercial software. The primary focus of early FOSS developers was
functionality. Creating a program that worked well was far more important than
ease of use.
-Some members of the software industry believe the open source movement is a
fleeting trend.
-Corporate supporters of Linux are still losing money
-There are threats of lawsuits against free/open source software developers.
FOSS implementation to Education
Educators have been incorporating FOSS into school programs since the late 1990's. Open space software comes with a source code that is easily accessible so a programmer can manipulate the program to his or her needs. Open source software allows educators to build computer labs for a fraction of what schools would typically pay using traditional software offered by big vendors. Upgrading future software remains free, and legal, ensuring the latest in software technology for years to come.
Open Source technology creates possibilities to rally the talents and experiences of teachers, students, and the extended school communities to develop and exchange flexible, open-ended classroom activities that are designed and specially adapted for each own curriculum.
A wide band of school communities, from elementary to universities, can enrich their educational goals through OSS programs in the following ways:
-Use as a communication tool for distance education.
-Support teacher professional development activities through online forums
-Incorporate as a reference and research tool for school librarians, teachers,
students and administration.
-Aid in the daily administrative work of a school, and district, such as maintaining school financial, administrative, and attendance roll records.
-Use as a tool for supporting individual teacher's work in curriculum development, classroom planning, student assessment, and reporting.
-Aid in administrative responsibilities in communication between staff, students and parents within a school community.
There are a variety of low cost operating programs available for educational institutions that offer stability and flexibility. These various programs also provide learning concepts for computer education in the classroom, while presenting students with access to leading-edge technology in software that will prepare them for system uses beyond their careers as students. Many programs are designed for various applications: Compilations, Desktop, Web Based, and Operating Systems.
A number of good support organizations exist that offer valuable information and links relating to articles and discussions on Open Source Software, and how the OSS applications have been experienced by educators nationally and internationally. Some of these resources include:
Education Technology ~ http://www.educationaltechnology.ca/
Eduforge ~ http://eduforge.org/projects/helpdesk/
Open Source Education Foundation ~ http://www.osef.org/
International Society for Technology in Education~
http://www.iste.org/
Technology in Education Resource Center ~ http://www.rtec.org/
"The advances in all of the arts and sciences, indeed the sum total of human knowledge is the result of the open sharing of ideas, theories, studies and research. Yet, throughout many school systems, the software in use on computers is closed and locked, making educators partners in the censorship of the foundational information of this new age." (Terry Vessels "Why Should Open Source Software be Used in Schools? 2001
edge-op.org/grouch/schools.html.)
FOSS Pros (in general)
-Provides communication and exchange of information internationally, promoting new opportunities for economic and social development. Globally, there is a growing interest in Free/Open Source Software.
-Capacities for bridging the digital divide both locally and globally.
-Encourages development in software production for better porting with other programs produced by independent programmers.
-Customization of software to meet different commercial, regulatory and cultural requirements.
-Spend less on installation and maintenance.
-Reliable operation (most of the Internet runs on FOSS).
-Control of data stored in a non-secret format. Distribute your documents and media knowing others can freely access them.
-Communities of users and developers who cooperatively define features.
FOSS Pros (in Education)
-Lower Costs:
It can be very costly for schools to take on new software programs. This is especially true for developing countries.
Check out this pro FOSS in education blog from India: http://foss.in/2005/schedules/talkdetails.php?talkcode=G1030033
Obtaining FOSS is a much lower cost than buying proprietary software and its accompanying licensing fees.
-Reliability, Performance and Security:
FOSS is considered to have better reliability, performance and security than most proprietary software (Wong, 2004). This can be particularly helpful to larger schools.
-Incentives:
Companies involved in FOSS will generally provide discounts or other incentives to educational facilities that use FOSS in an effort to create school graduates who are familiar with FOSS programs. Graduates who are familiar with the system will be more likely to use it in their future careers.
-Open Philosophy:
The open philosophy of FOSS is consistent with academic freedom and the open dissemination of knowledge and information common in academia. “The advances in all of the arts and sciences, indeed the sum total of human knowledge, is the result of the open sharing of ideas, theories, studies and research. Yet throughout many school systems, the software in use on computers is closed and locked, making educators partners in the censorship of the foundational information of this new age (Wong 2004).”
-Encourage Innovations:
An academic environment where FOSS is prevalent will encourage staff and students to tinker and experiment with, and participate in the development of FOSS that may eventually lead to innovative solutions (Wong 2004).
-Alternative to Illegal Copying:
Some schools do not have the funds to pay for the licensing fees that accompany proprietary software. This often results in the use of illegal software copies. The nature of FOSS is to allow the usage of as many copies as are needed.
-Possibility of Localization:
Educational institutions in non-English speaking countries may not be able to benefit from the use of FOSS as most of the original software is developed in English. However, the open nature of FOSS is such that it can be localized. Such localization need not involve the original developer. With proprietary
products, localization is constrained by commercial interests. When the size of the market is too small, there is no incentive for localizing proprietary products for that market (Wong, 2004).
-Learning from Source Code:
Users of FOSS have the capability to study and adapt its source code. Students involved in this process then learn from this. Proprietary software rarely releases source code for its users to study.
-Many educators are devoted to promoting the use of FOSS in schools:
Most of the above listed “Pros” are found in the iosn primer, but FOSS also has the support of a community of educators who do not have a, literal, vested interest in FOSS programs. In fact, Jeff Elkner, a computer science teacher from Arlington Virginia, considers himself an open source “crusader”. Check out his article on redhat.com: http://www.redhat.com/magazine/003jan05/features/arlington/
Another pro FOSS teacher, Leigh Blackall, who is located in Australia, has devoted a blog to teaching and learning online: http://teachandlearnonline.blogspot.com/2005_05_01_teachandlearnonline_archive.html
Scroll down on the blog to read her own “unbiased” entry, from May 25, 2005, on a talk by “OSS Watch” which “provides unbiased advice and guidance about free and open source software for UK further and higher education”. Her entry is titled ...I don't know much about art, but I know what I like... Open Source Software and THE System.
FOSS Cons (in education)
-It may not be the best option for all developing countries:
In Africa, FOSS has been used with success in large, carefully-designed, well-implemented projects. However, its use in small, independent, remote computer labs -- where technical skill are often low -- has proven more difficult. By comparison, familiarity and experience with proprietary software are more widespread and lab managers are more likely to find help from a friend or colleague if they use the most common applications (Schmidt, 2005).
To read more about using Foss and other technology in developing countries, check out this site: http://www.bridges.org/software_comparison/report.html
-It can be expensive to move data from already existing proprietary software to a FOSS system.
-Because it is not as “user friendly” as many other proprietary applications, it may be difficult to incorporate and learn the program without the help of trained personnel. This can make things complicated.
FOSS Cons (in general)
-Title controversy in the free software community:
A few members of the free software community were not in favor of with the name "free software". They took issue with the term 'free' because it is unclear and can mean “free of charge” or “freedom”.
The phrase "Open Source" was devised in February 1998 with the explicit intent of replacing the historically earlier phrase "Free Software," which Open Source
advocates felt was impeding acceptance by the business community.
The phrase "Open Source" was quickly and enthusiastically embraced
both by many developers and by the majority of the English-speaking
press. However, it was unequivocally rejected by Richard Stallman, the
founder of the Free Software movement (free/Libre/Open-Source Software,
2006).
-A shortage of trained personnel (this becomes a pro in education because students who use FOSS, learn FOSS and may eventually bring that knowledge to their future careers).
-Incompatibility with proprietary software using closed standards, formats and protocols (Wong, 2004).
-Lack of business applications for the small and medium business market. Large corporations have programs like “SAP” and “Peoplesoft”. There are also few financial/accounting applications (like Quickbooks). This problem stems from a lack of people who are highly capable enough in both accounting and computer programming to design an appropriate program.
-Documentation and “polish”. FOSS isn’t as user-friendly as commercial software. The programmers who invented FOSS focused more on functionality than a design with ease of use. Established FOSS lacks the extensive documentation and user-friendliness found
in commercial software. The primary focus of early FOSS developers was
functionality. Creating a program that worked well was far more important than
ease of use.
-Some members of the software industry believe the open source movement is a
fleeting trend.
-Corporate supporters of Linux are still losing money
-There are threats of lawsuits against free/open source software developers.
FOSS implementation to Education
Educators have been incorporating FOSS into school programs since the late 1990's. Open space software comes with a source code that is easily accessible so a programmer can manipulate the program to his or her needs. Open source software allows educators to build computer labs for a fraction of what schools would typically pay using traditional software offered by big vendors. Upgrading future software remains free, and legal, ensuring the latest in software technology for years to come.
Open Source technology creates possibilities to rally the talents and experiences of teachers, students, and the extended school communities to develop and exchange flexible, open-ended classroom activities that are designed and specially adapted for each own curriculum.
A wide band of school communities, from elementary to universities, can enrich their educational goals through OSS programs in the following ways:
-Use as a communication tool for distance education.
-Support teacher professional development activities through online forums
-Incorporate as a reference and research tool for school librarians, teachers,
students and administration.
-Aid in the daily administrative work of a school, and district, such as maintaining school financial, administrative, and attendance roll records.
-Use as a tool for supporting individual teacher's work in curriculum development, classroom planning, student assessment, and reporting.
-Aid in administrative responsibilities in communication between staff, students and parents within a school community.
There are a variety of low cost operating programs available for educational institutions that offer stability and flexibility. These various programs also provide learning concepts for computer education in the classroom, while presenting students with access to leading-edge technology in software that will prepare them for system uses beyond their careers as students. Many programs are designed for various applications: Compilations, Desktop, Web Based, and Operating Systems.
A number of good support organizations exist that offer valuable information and links relating to articles and discussions on Open Source Software, and how the OSS applications have been experienced by educators nationally and internationally. Some of these resources include:
Education Technology ~ http://www.educationaltechnology.ca/
Eduforge ~ http://eduforge.org/projects/helpdesk/
Open Source Education Foundation ~ http://www.osef.org/
International Society for Technology in Education~
http://www.iste.org/
Technology in Education Resource Center ~ http://www.rtec.org/
"The advances in all of the arts and sciences, indeed the sum total of human knowledge is the result of the open sharing of ideas, theories, studies and research. Yet, throughout many school systems, the software in use on computers is closed and locked, making educators partners in the censorship of the foundational information of this new age." (Terry Vessels "Why Should Open Source Software be Used in Schools? 2001
edge-op.org/grouch/schools.html.)
References:
Blackall,
L. (2005). ...i don't know much about art, but i know what i like...
open source software and the system. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006, from
Teach and Learn Online Web site: http://teachandlearnonline.blogspot.com/2005_05_01_teachandlearnonline_archive.html
Cowpland, M. (2000). Linux in education. T H E Journal, 27(11), 62.
Elkner, J. (2005, Jan ). From teacher to crusader: confessions of an open source educator. redhat , 3. Retrieved Feb 16, 2006, from http://www.redhat.com/magazine/003jan05/features/arlington/.
"Free Software." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. nov. 2005. Wikipedia. 11 Feb. 2006.
"Free Software History." Unesco. 2001. Unesco: Free Software Portal. 11Feb. 2006.
Kim, A. H. (2002). Open source presents benefits to educators. T H E Journal, 30(1), 14+.
Elkner, J. (2005, Jan ). From teacher to crusader: confessions of an open source educator. redhat , 3. Retrieved Feb 16, 2006, from http://www.redhat.com/magazine/003jan05/features/arlington/.
"Free Software." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. nov. 2005. Wikipedia. 11 Feb. 2006.
"Free Software History." Unesco. 2001. Unesco: Free Software Portal. 11Feb. 2006
Kim, A. H. (2002). Open source presents benefits to educators. T H E Journal, 30(1), 14+.
"Linux Online Inc.." 1994. Linux Online Inc.. 17 Feb. 2006
Schmidt, P. (2005). Bridges.org study identifies harsh realities of using free/open source software (foss) and proprietary software in public computer labs in africa Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006, from bridges.org Web site: http://www.bridges.org/software_comparison/report.html.
Schmidt, P. (2005). Bridges.org study identifies harsh realities of using free/open source software (foss) and proprietary software in public computer labs in africa Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006, from bridges.org Web site: http://www.bridges.org/software_comparison/report.html.
Stallman, R. "General Public License." 1989. GPL. 17 Feb. 2006<http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html#TOC3>.
Surran, M. (2003). Making the switch to open source software. T H E Journal, 31(2), 36+.
Tellis, P. (2005). Why foss in education is a good thing. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006, from Foss.in Web site: http://foss.in/2005/schedules/talkdetails.php?talkcode=G1030033.
Tong, Tan W. “Free/Open Source Software: Education.” International Open Source Network 2004. 11 February 2006 <">http://www.iosn.net/education/foss-education-primer/>
UNESCAP, (n.d.). Introduction to foss and international open source network. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006, from Unescap.org Website: www.unescap.org/icstd/events/WSIS_2nd_Phase/docs/Suva/APDIP_FOSS.ppt
Wikipedia, (2006). free/libre/open-source software. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006, from today.answers.com Web site: http://today.answers.com/topic/free-libre-open source-software.
Wong, Kenneth, and Phet Sayo. "Free/Open Source Software: A General Intro."International Open Source Network 2004. 11 February 2006 <.">http://www.iosn.net/foss/foss-general-primer/>.
Tellis, P. (2005). Why foss in education is a good thing. Retrieved Feb. 16, 2006, from Foss.in Web site: http://foss.in/2005/schedules/talkdetails.php?talkcode=G1030033.
Tong, Tan W. “Free/Open Source Software: Education.” International Open Source Network 2004. 11 February 2006 <">http://www.iosn.net/education/foss-education-primer/>
UNESCAP, (n.d.). Introduction to foss and international open source network. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006, from Unescap.org Website: www.unescap.org/icstd/events/WSIS_2nd_Phase/docs/Suva/APDIP_FOSS.ppt
Wikipedia, (2006). free/libre/open-source software. Retrieved Feb. 9, 2006, from today.answers.com Web site: http://today.answers.com/topic/free-libre-open source-software.
Wong, Kenneth, and Phet Sayo. "Free/Open Source Software: A General Intro."International Open Source Network 2004. 11 February 2006 <.">http://www.iosn.net/foss/foss-general-primer/>.
