Top Tips For Selecting Open Source Software

by Stuart Yeates on 30 May 2006

Introduction

OSS Watch provides unbiased advice and guidance on free and open source software for UK higher and further education.

OSS Watch is funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) and based within the Research Technologies Service at the University of Oxford.

Does anyone you know use it?

Is new stuff happening?

Make it easy to switch

(both to and from)

Are there forums, chat channels… ?

Are there commercial companies involved?

Use the latest version, if it is more than 6 months old, something is wrong.

(probably)

Does it call itself ready?

Is there a book?

Is there an FAQ?

Can you use it?

Can your students use it?

Almost irrelevant for end users

Highly valued by developers

Is it designed to do exactly what you need?

Is it a general tool that can be made to do what you need?