Why is PLU interested in using open source software?
First off many open source projects are simple choices over their closed source counterparts. Like Mozilla Firefox, PLU simply found that Firefox offers more functionality than Internet Explorer. In this manner the choice is relatively arbitrary. The GNU/Linux and openVMS operating systems, for instance, are industry standards that nearly any institution of this size would be hard-pressed not to use. With Sakai the story is a little more subtle. Sakai is arguably a better product than closed source options like BlackBoard and WebCT. But Sakai offered a bit of a trade-off: PLU could pay for the needed upgrades to our BlackBoard system or run with Sakai which would call for another staff member to help administer and tailor it to PLU. With this was the option to tailor the system to PLU’s needs–an option not allowed by closed source solutions. In general, open source software is often a simple alternative for PLU and other times the subtler aspects of a particular system make it more vi
