How do free e-learning tools compare with commercial tools?
When you buy commercial software, you get a very high level of customer service. For instance, you will probably get most if not all of the following • someone to talk you through the functionality of the software, provide online or onsite demonstrations, answer all your question and set up trial implementations on your own computers, if require • customisation and configuration services, where required, to meet your specific needs – although this is undoubtedly at extra cost, it may well be that without it you wont be able to go too far on your own with the software • onsite or online user training (again generally at extra cost) but once again may be essential to ensure your users get up to speed as quickly as possible. • a customer support service, which might be offered by email, by phone, via live chat or screen sharing/remote assistance, through webinars and forums, but it will certainly be valuable to keep your users productive. The extras you get with freeware or open source to
