Open-source software at schools by Lenka Filipova

A new report including 14 countries brought in a new very compelling issue that educational institutional are going to spend more money on open-source software. According to market research company Datamonitor, it is estimated that basic and secondary schools are going to spend together on open-source software cca US$489.9 million by 2012. This task is mainly the matter of interviews with retailers and school officials in the U.S., Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, India, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Italy. The expenditures include many essential parts of getting familiar with the software and the management systems, training and learning. Even though, there is significant enlargement in the interest in the open-source software, it is predicted that by the end of 20121 it will stagnate. Those institutions that are open-minded to this investment expect a proper return and as they are aware of the fact that the licenses are for free, the up- keeping and support might equal the price of the proprietor programs. There are several reasons of choosing the open-source software, such as economical and strategic reason as well s philosophical refusing any encouragement of commercial companies. Another option is determined by the recent dissatisfaction of schools with Blackboard, a major provider of enterprise educational software and services. The rest is keen on due to the rise in government interest. Blackboard's market share is about 70 percent including the requisition of an educational company WebCT for $180 million in 2005. But this company is appealing for those with smaller budget that are not able to finance developers to cerate their own open-source applications. As Justin Davidson, associate analyst at Datamonitor said "It's not the death of proprietary software." It is all in the hands of proper and friendly cooperation.

by Lenka Filipova for SigEx Telecom (http://sigex.com)

SigEx Telecom is quickly becoming the leading telebroadcasting communications provider allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share video clips through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, websites, blogs, video-mails and SMS. SigEx Telecom captures many add-on services for its clients generating royalties and fees in a broad spectrum of marketing services including public relations and promotions.