Using Open Source Software

1
Using Open Source Software

• Daniel E. Martin, Ph.D.
• Department of Management and Finance

2
What is the Open Source License?

• From the Free Software Foundation (www.gnu.org)
• OS license refers to four freedoms, for software
  users
• The freedom to run the program, for any purpose
• The freedom to study programs, adapting to meet
  needs.
• The freedom to redistribute copies.
• The freedom to improve the program, and offer
  them to the public, so the community benefits.
• For a complete definition of Open Source
  Licenses, see www.opensource.org/docs/definition_
  plain.php

3
What Types of Classes can Benefit from Open
Source Software?

• Any/All!
• Browse 3,181 education projects at
• http//sourceforge.net/softwaremap/trove_list.php?
  form_cat71
• Browse 118,717 projects at
• http//sourceforge.net

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How can I install/use Open Source Software

• Two types of software used
• Desktop
• Download from the internet, install via normal
  windows installer
• Web-based
• Must have some knowledge of scripts or
  programming (I have neither, keep this in mind
  when asking questions!)

5
Management 6550 Research Methods and
Communications

• PhpSurveyor Basic Features
• Unlimited number of surveys at the same time
• Creation of a printable surveys
• Unlimited numbers of questions/ participants
• Branching surveys
• Sending of invitations, reminders and tokens by
  email
• Import and export functions to text, CSV and MS
  Excel format
• Basic statistical and graphical analysis

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Management 6550 Research Methods and
Communications Continued

• OpenStat4 Basic Features
• ANOVAs, MANOVA, Analysis of Covariance
• Multivariate analyses (including Factor Analysis)
• Measurement programs (reliability analyses)
• A spreadsheet-type interface
• Descriptive statistics
• Correlations
• Financial programs
• Simulation programs

7
Management 3600 and 6060

• GanttProject Basic Features
• http//ganttproject.sourceforge.net/index.php
• Gantt charts are project planning tools that are
  used to represent the timing of tasks required to
  complete projects.

8
Management 3618 Training and Development (and
all courses)

• Moodle Basic Features
• Social constructionist pedagogy (collaboration,
  activities, critical reflection, etc)
• Suitable for online classes as well as blended
  learning
• Courses can be categorized and searched - one
  Moodle site can support thousands of courses
• Emphasis on strong security throughout. Forms are
  all checked, data validated, cookies encrypted
  etc
• Easy HTML editing

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Why (for students)?

• Cost
• Student interest
• Student exploration
• Taking the software home/to work
• Facilitating student viability in the workplace

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How can I use Open Source to Facilitate my
Research?

• Wikindx Basic Features
• Manages bibliographic data and search
• Stores quotes and paraphrases in searchable
  database.
• Free, stable and open source
• Runs locally and via internet, for sharing
• Exports bibliography in various styles (APA,
  Chicago, etc.).
• Word processor to enables authoring, with
  citation formatting.
• Automatically reformats articles to other
  citation styles.

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Why (for faculty)?

• Cost
• Research tools
• Meeting student needs at no cost to the
  university
• Facilitating student viability in the workplace
• The Governor will probably approve of it
• California considers open-source shift

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Cautionary tale

• (Mis) Steps in Installation
• Found the software
• Downloaded
• Tried to install, failed
• Asked staff to install
• Staff could (once), but were generally too busy
• Bought website with Fantastico script installer
  (60 a year)
• Installed scripts, asked firm to install ones not
  not offered
• Most scripts could be installed
• 90 of the programs requested could be installed

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Other Free Opportunities

• International Personality Item Pool
  ipip.ori.org/ipip/
• The IPIP is a system designed to allow scientists
  to share psychometric data and instruments which
  meets
• the need for a structured system to organize
  findings related to individual differences,
• the need for a universal item format that allows
  for translation across various languages, and
• the need for communication that facilitates
  reporting and retrieval of items and findings for
  further investigation.

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Thank you!

• Another Idea HRIS
• Questions?
• Contact information
• Daniel Martin
• Management and Finance
• College of Business and Economics
• [phone] Office
• [phone] Office
• daniel.martin_at_csueastbay.edu or
  dmartin_at_alineagroup.com