183+Hayes

Why Educational Institutions Should Embrace the Freeware Grassroots Movement || Sherry Hayes, Kaplan University, Texas, United States, sdch75009@yahoo.com || Educational systems have historically led the way for freely sharing knowledge. As the costs of education rise many are curtailed from continuing their pursuit of knowledge. To be successful as a student or educator, we rely upon our computers and our word processing and office suite program. Popular belief is there is only one choice, the priority software, Microsoft Office. However, there is a viable alternative office productivity suite, by Sun Microsystems. This software is offered freely to the open source community and the world. OpenOffice offers more programs than Microsoft Office in its basic package (including a database program). It is also more versatile and allows the user the option of saving the work in formats native to other software programs. OpenOffice is available as a free download or can be purchased about 85% less than Microsoft Office Suites. With a lower price and more useful features and benefits, OpenOffice is the better choice for students who may be on very limited budgets. It is imperative that educators take the time to learn of the benefits of this software package and incorporate it into the educational system. || Paper Forum Paper All ||
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