Weekly Blog Week 3 Open Source, Freeware, and Shareware

In this week's article and video, I learned what open source software was, and the distinctive highlight of open source software is that it is free. It costs nothing, and there are no licensing demands. Most open-source software has greater customization, meaning that the software can be customized to fit one's personal or business needs as the source code can be obtained and adjusted. There tend to be fewer problems or glitches with the functionality of the software. If any issues arise, they are regularly resolved fast. Users can make unlimited copies and share them with others.

I also learned the difference between shareware and freeware. Shareware is a method of spreading software where users can try it before they buy it. For example, we have all tried or installed an app and tried it for a week or month depending on what the company offers and decide if we like that product not and pay if we do. We may forget to cancel the service because we didn't like it and get charged. However, shareware offers benefits to both consumers and producers, such as instant gratification, low cost, and customer loyalty. Shareware is not freeware, which is no cost to users, and it is not public domain software, which bears no copyright. It's also not open-source, which allows you to see and modify the underlying computer code. According to Fisher, freeware is software under copyright but available at no cost; free software is software with no limitations or constraints, but might not actually be free in the sense that there's no price attached to it.

Upon conclusion of this week's studies, I need to learn more about how I, as an educator, can utilize all these sources to enhance learning for students. I need to learn more about it because it is a highly needed skill especially for our advanced, tech-savvy, students as they need an advanced tech practice to keep them motivated and interested in learning.

References Midrack, L. R. (2017). What is Open Source Software? Lifeware. Retrieved form https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-open-source-software-4147547 Fisher, T. (2018) What Is Freeware? Freeware programs are available at zero cost. Lifeware. Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/freeware-definition-4154271 Fisher, T. (2019) What is Shareware? Shareware is limited software you're encouraged to share. Lifeware. Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/shareware-definition-4154860