Research Paper

[iago]

Another topic I just thought of: laptops in classrooms. 

They had a big thing about that at my University this term, but I didn't pay any attention.  They want to force every student to buy a laptop and bring it with them (like local colleges do).  I think that's a horrible idea, though. 

[AntiVirus]

I think I am going to go with Open Source vs. Closed Source.

Thanks everyone!

[iago]

Ok!

If you say closed source is better, I will hate you. 

If you say open source is better, myndfyre will hate you. 

You're screwed!!

(just kidding )

[AntiVirus]

Haha, well once I do more research I will tell you which side I am on.

[MyndFyre]

If you say open source is better, myndfyre will hate you. 

What?!?  OMG!  I support open-source!  I just don't think closed source is as bad as you do!    [edit]I also don't necessarily support GPL[/edit].

Re: laptops -- hah, that would NEVER happen at ASU.  Too many students.

[iago]

If you say open source is better, myndfyre will hate you. 

What?!?  OMG!  I support open-source!  I just don't think closed source is as bad as you do!    [edit]I also don't necessarily support GPL[/edit].

Re: laptops -- hah, that would NEVER happen at ASU.  Too many students.

I was joking

I don't blame you about the GPL, but that's a whole other subject

They just wanted laptops in a single department -- Engineering.  Every student would pay for his or her own as part of their tuition, and it would come with all the software they need. 

[rabbit]

A lot of engineering colleges require laptops.  I know Drexel, Rowan, and Rutgers all require laptops at the expense of the student for their engineering colleges, but, in all fairness, they also provide all the software free including Windows (sadly required), AutoCAD, and the such.  One of my friends is even required to have a tablet, which is a bit rediculous...

[CrAz3D]

I think I am going to go with Open Source vs. Closed Source.

Thanks everyone!

Cool!
What points of it are you going to look at?  Security, market, user friendliness, etc...?



Sidenote:
Our state gave 7th graders a laptop (state money) to use until they graduated highschool...they have been recently recalled here in my city so that the school can keep them for school check out.  I think both uses of laptops here are dumb, there should just be desktop labs for kids to use.
Our local university, I believe, gives you a laptop 'free'.

[iago]

A lot of engineering colleges require laptops.  I know Drexel, Rowan, and Rutgers all require laptops at the expense of the student for their engineering colleges, but, in all fairness, they also provide all the software free including Windows (sadly required), AutoCAD, and the such.  One of my friends is even required to have a tablet, which is a bit rediculous...

Yeah, that's what they want to do here.  But the software isn't free, stictly speaking, the costs are part of the cost to purchase the laptop. 

[rabbit]

Not at Drexel!  They cover XP for students, and then offer student versions of the rest off of their server.

[AntiVirus]

I think I am going to go with Open Source vs. Closed Source.

Thanks everyone!

Cool!
What points of it are you going to look at?  Security, market, user friendliness, etc...?

Well, I am going to cover:
- What Open Source is
- What Closed Source is
- Comparisions between the two
               - User Friendly
               - Security
               - Organization and how it works

And that's basically all I can think of for right now.  Any ideas would help a lot.

[MyndFyre]

Make sure, if you're making an argument paper, that you address which you think is better, or at least which you think is better in given circumstances. 

[AntiVirus]

Make sure, if you're making an argument paper, that you address which you think is better, or at least which you think is better in given circumstances. 

Yeah..

Anyways, does anyone know of any good websites/books/magazines over this?  Try looking for .org/.gove sites, becasue others I have to get okay'd.

Thanks.

[iago]

www.slashdot.org

If look back through the history, they probably have at least 2 or 3 topics about that every week. 

[AntiVirus]

Some sites I found:

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item.jhtml?id=4834&t=technology
http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/cominomanenti.pdf
http://www.scienceinafrica.co.za/2004/january/software.htm

I need to remember these.