Open Source vs proprietary software. How these affect learners and educators?

According to wikipedia the definition of Open Source Software can be defined as computer software, which the human-readable source is made available under a copyright license. This permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form. It is very often developed in a public, collaborative manner. On the other hand, Proprietary software is computer software on which the producer has set restrictions on use, private modification, copying, or republishing. Similar terms include "closed-source software" and "non-free software". Proprietors may enforce restrictions by technical means, such as by restricting source code access, or by legal means, such as through copyright and patents. www.wikipedia.org.

Even though Proprietary software such as Microsoft word is highly used in educational environments educators and learners today, have another free alternative for digital documents creation. It allows, editing, storing and sharing freely. Google offers a free alternative on a web-based word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool that allows not only the creation and editing of documents but it also encourages collaborative work with multiple people at the same time. http://www.google.com/educators

In my opinion, this is a great alternative of open source software for educator and studentsthat offers an affordable option that can be used, at home, in class or anywhere with an internet connection such as coffee stores and airports.

In addition, the benefits of helping educators to raise the standards of presentation and quality of education for their students to achieve their full potential for free is extremely valuable. Furthermore open source software and material encourage the teaching community, to share content as well as resources to expand the boundaries of education around the world.