3. Open Source Software
Open source software allows schools to use quality programs at no cost, what is out there?
1. A large list of Apple Mac open source software – Simon Elliott
Other links for Macs from Patrick Tehvand – Open Source Mac Educational software for OSX Pure Mac
2. Miro – web browser and converter for video (free opensource internet tv and video player). Available for macs and pcs.
You can search sites eg YouTube for video and Miro will download it to a cache for several days but at the same time it will convert it to a standard format. Makes it easier for teachers to share YouTube videos with students. You can subscribe to feeds on a particular topic and choose to ‘keep’ the videos that you want.
3. Skype is software that you download and load for free and it enables you to talk through your computer to someone else who also has skype installed. It is very, very easy to use and I tried it for the first time while in Texas. Part of the installation process is to create a skype username and password. You give this name to friends and they give you theirs and you add their name to the address book in skype. You can keep skype running the whole time and it will show you when a contact is online. Press the ‘ring’ button next to a person’s name and it will ring at their end. If your computer has a webcam you also get to see them. It was truly very simple and a great tool to use. There is no cost (apart from having to have internet access to begin with – the conference had free wi-fi) when calling from computer to computer so you don’t need to by any skype time. You can use your computer to skype a phone and this is where it costs.
4. Kerpoof – web based software rather than software you download and install. Kerpoof is online multi-media type software, that allows you to make movies. They have an educators resource page and you can sign up to receive their newsletters or browse through the previous newsletters archives.
