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LMS Tool | Compatibility | Usage |
---|---|---|
OLAT | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris, and UNIX. Conforms to SCORM, IMS QTI, and IMS Content Packaging. | Popular within the European higher education community. |
Sakai | Complements commercial software like WebCT, Blackboard, ANGEL Learning, and Desire2Learn. | Adopted by many reputable universities worldwide. |
The criteria by which software can be licensed as open source are set by the Open Source Initiative as follows:
- Unrestricted distribution. Users can distribute or sell the software without paying royalties.
- Source code distribution. The source code of the entire open source product must be easily modifiable. In the absence of the source code, the product must cite a low-cost resource where users can obtain it.
- Modifications. The license allows modifications, and its terms remain unchanged for distribution of improved versions.
- Author’s source code integrity. If the license allows patch file distribution along with the original source code, a user cannot modify the code and distribute it except by giving the new version a new name.
- No personal discrimination. No person or group shall be discriminated against during open source product distribution.
- No restriction on application. Open source software can be used in any field and for any purpose.
- License distribution. The privileges attached to the original programme extend to all who receive the programme, so recipients do not need to apply for a separate license.
- License must not be product-specific. The rights associated with a license extend to products extracted from a larger software aggregate.
- No restriction on other software. No restrictions are allowed on distribution of open source products bundled with products developed on other software platforms.
- Technology neutrality. Licenses should not be issued on the basis of the specific technology involved.[1]
- ↑ Shaheen E. Lakhan and Kavita Jhunjhunwala. Open Source Software in Education. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, vol. 31, no. 2 (April–June 2008)
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