Open Source, Closed Minds

I believe in freedom of choice, particularly when it comes to software. And when I have choices for software, I usually choose open source. I like the philosophy behind open software, and I generally find that it provides a good quality product.

In higher education, we place great value on making informed decisions. We encourage students to think for themselves and to be leaders. The college's mission statement even refers to "the education of the next generation of leaders".

So I often wonder why the simple idea of having the freedom to choose a software product is quickly tossed aside.

Academics will conduct rigorous debates over the silliest things. Several years ago, there was some debate among the faculty over the "standard" arrangement of seats in classrooms. Some claimed that the proper arrangement was that they should be facing front and in rows. However, some preferred other arrangements, such as in circles for discussion groups. A debate ensued as to what should be done at the end of a class when that class re-arranged the furniture. Some claimed that when furniture is re-arranged, it should be put back to its standard configuration at the end of class. Others, however, were offended that a particular configuration should be considered "standard", and that no assumptions should be made as to how the next occupant of the classroom would prefer the seats to be arranged. The debate raged on, and at a full meeting of the faculty no less.

At one point of the debate, one of the outspoken members of the faculty stood up to give his opinion on this vibrant subject. He said that by arranging the seats in the classroom front facing and in nice rows, we are teaching our students conformity; we're teaching the to get in line and follow. We should, instead, teach them to think on their own and cultivate new ideas. We should teach them to be leaders, not followers. As such, no classroom arrangement should be considered standard, and each instructor, at the beginning of class, should arrange the furniture as they see fit. This, after all, teaches our students leadership and independence.

So, how does open source fit into all of this? The college's IT department publishes standards for software that is used campus-wide, and those standards say that Microsoft Office is the office suite to be used. OpenOffice.org, LibreOffice, or AbiWord are simply not options. I once suggested that alternatives be made available, so as to offer freedom of choice, but the idea was quickly dismissed. Microsoft Office is our standard office suite, and no other office suite will be supported.

Academics are an odd bunch. When in comes to furniture arrangement, they're all about freedom of choice and independent thinking. When in comes to software, they get in line and follow Microsoft, no questions asked.

Myself, I prefer my classroom arranged facing front and in rows. When it comes to software, I prefer to choose what's right for me. I suppose that makes me quite the radical.