Derrin Kent ( Links: BLOG / BUSINESS )

What's the deal with free software?

FLOSS = Free "Libre" Open Source Software

When we talk about "Free" Software, we are referring to "Free Libre Software" (as in "Free Speech"), not "Free Gratis Software" (as in "Free Beer"). When we talk about "Free Libre Software", we mean software which can be adapted/changed so that it suits YOUR particular needs.

This means that we can not only put your corporate branding and style onto your versions of these products, we can also cut back, develop up or integrate the products so that they serve your own very particular organisational requirements. You simply don't get this type of flexibility with proprietary software.

All of the software options we mention in the right-hand column of this page are also "Free Gratis" (as in "Free Beer"). Don't get too excited, though because there are costs (albeit costs significantly lower than the costs associated with pay-for software) involved with the installation, support, hosting and staff training required for all of these new software applications.

Derrin can install, support, host and train your staff to use all of these new software applications. Please visit the contact page of this website and talk to Derrin about what you need and how Derrin can help you.

Derrin is continuously developing his own knowledge and skills. He has even got online mentions after his recent attendance on two courses on Moodle and e-Learning and on another he attended on PHP programming

How can free software benefit you?

Free Open Source Software can both cut costs and add value to your business.

You can cut your monthly expenditures dramatically by making good use of free software. You can also add huge value, efficiency and productivity to your day-to-day operations by deploying some of these applications.

A Virtual Learning Environment can help you reduce your staff mileage and sustenance expenditure as well as massively reducing your annual training budget. All this while significantly improving the quality and maximising the positive development potential of both the formal and informal learning processes engaged by your company. As a highly experienced trainer, Derrin doesn't for a single minute believe that many learners can learn by computer alone and without trainers or teachers. He is, though, acutely aware that it is becoming increasingly unprofessional and inflexible to offer learning with trainers/teachers alone and without a 24/7-accessible support package of online learning resources and activities. VLEs can also be put to very productive use as a means towards replacing the need for face-to-face staff meetings. Online meetings and online techniques for progress reviews and the sharing of good practice can replace much of the need for staff to physically bomb up and down the Motorways and A-roads to visit one another.