Open Source computer course launched by Birmingham City University’s Technology Innovation Centre
The increasingly all-pervasive nature of computing is stimulating greater interest in Open Source software from both individuals and businesses. This development in software harnesses the power of a network of experts independent of proprietary software organisations and corporations.
Its global community of supporters claim Open Source offers better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility and lower cost than widely-used, commercially licensed products. It is supported by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), a not-for-profit corporation formed to educate and advocate the benefits of Open Source and build bridges among different constituencies in the Open Source community. As a standards body, it maintains the Open Source definition for the good of the whole community and claims its ‘Open Source Initiative Approved License’ trademark and programme creates ‘a nexus of trust around which developers, users, corporations and governments can organize open-source cooperation.’
Now that Microsoft has announced it is to open up the technology of some of its leading software, to make it easier to operate with rivals' products, even greater enthusiasm for Open Source may be expected. It has been reported that he technology giant will, in due course, publish key software blueprints on its website. It has also promised not to sue Open Source developers for making that software available for non-commercial use.
Until recently courses in the application and use of Open Source software in the West Midlands were available through Birmingham City University’s ‘Open Advantage’ arm. That responsibility has now been transferred to its bigger sister, the University’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) – the foundation element of its soon-to-be expanded City Centre campus.
Businesses are growing in their interest in supporting the Open Source approach since it offers the opportunity to save costs and encourages free-thinking in the development of software that does not need its license regularly upgraded. This has led TIC to introduce a new short course module entitled ‘Developing Systems using Open Source’. It introduces the conceptual framework of Open Source systems and covers licences, communities, principles and processes. Students on the course will gain the knowledge and skills needed to install, configure, administer and make full use of the Open Source system and its networking applications.
The first module is being offered as a full-day course running on four consecutive Fridays from 4th to 25th April 2008. The cost is just Ł200; dates for further modules will be announced in due course. Anyone who may be interested in exploring the use of Open Source can find out more about the course by phoning 0121 331 6400 or e-mailing [email protected].
For further editorial information contact:
Andrew Hemmings (t) 0121 331 7550 or Barry Green, (t)0121 202 2409 (m)07974 150 350 or…
e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
website: www.tic.ac.uk
ABOUT TIC:
Birmingham City University’s Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) is a national centre of excellence for technology-based Lifelong Learning and Business Solutions, with Specialist Technologies, for individuals and for businesses. TIC provides cutting-edge resources and specialised knowledge structures to meet the needs of a rapidly developing technology-based society. Its activities come under four main categories:
• Interactive Media
• Design Technology
• Information & Communications Technology
• Advanced Engineering
It is also a prominent education centre in the fields of logistics, the environment and quality. tic is a significant initiative in the UK through which business development services and advanced technologies are made both accessible and affordable to companies of every size and type, whilst benefiting from and being rooted in a lifelong learning organisation - Birmingham City University.
The tic is a member of the Birmingham City University group.