WebQuest about Open Source Software

Introduction

People all over the world use over a billion personal computers and this number is growing. Each computer requires installing a number of programs which make it possible to perform the whole range of tasks, such as writing texts, browsing the Internet, watching movies, listening to music, playing games, and much more.

Most of the software is produced by software companies which sell the programs and make profit. There are also individual programmers - 'free lancers' who create software and sell it. This market involves millions of specialists, and it drags great sums of money out of people's pockets.

Though, there is an alternative. The open source software movement which consists of a lot of enthusiasts, as well as professional software developers initiated a number of such projects as Linux, Open Office, Mozilla, etc. These people produce a wide range of software products which can be used to perform many various tasks.

These two branches (commercial software and open source software) coexist and compete in the rapidly developing IT world.

You and your group are a part of this 'battle', as long as you use computers at home, at school, at work. Now it is the time to find out, what can be done without bying expensive software or using illegaly copied programs. This is a task for truly reliable experts, and you are one of them.

;-)

Are you ready to say your word for or against open source software?

If 'yes', here is your Task