The End Of Software - Anibal's Blog

"Copyright gives the author of an original work exclusive right for a certain time period in relation to that work, including its publication, distribution and adaptation, after which time the work is said to enter the public domain." Source: Wikipedia

However, not every content must be fully protected,and the author may choose to easy the distribution or allow the collaboration (See Creative Commons licenses).

I'm following a new development in California schools.

In May 2009, The governor of California (Arnold Schwarzenegger) launched a initiative to compile open source textbooks for the state, in order to help cut costs and improve the quality of education. Governor Schwarzenegger said "The idea of open source textbooks is not new, but this could be the first statewide initiative to put open content in classrooms. The state's high-profile adoption of freely available open source textbook material could compel other states to follow and adopt similar initiatives. There are, however, many unanswered questions about the plan and how it will be implemented." "Books available for free to be used at public schools"

I mean.... the content of the public education should be public. Today, It's copyrighted and we pay for it. If you can not pay it, you can not access to the education.

So beyond the initial "cost-cutting" intention, at the end, the benefit will be greater.

Now (August/2009), in the Phase 1 Report, they inform "Of the 16 free digital textbooks for high school math and science reviewed, ten meet at least 90 percent of California’s standards. Four meet 100 percent of standards, including the CK-12 Foundation’s CK-12 Single Variable Calculus, CK-12 Trigonometry, CK-12 Chemistry and Dr. H. Jerome Keisler’s Elementary Calculus: An Infinitesimal Approach."

...

"This report helps districts identify the materials that best meet the needs of their students, providing them with additional options to maintain educational excellence during these difficult economic times and in the years to come. The reviewed digital textbooks are available for schools to use this fall."

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"Since these digital books are downloadable and may be projected on a screen, viewed on a computer, printed chapter by chapter, or bound for use in the classroom, schools can take advantage of these free, standards-aligned resources using existing hardware - even in classrooms without computers or laptops for every student."

In the other hand, we can think there's no way to develop a business around Open Textbooks. It's not a long term trend, no economic ecosystem will grow and support this model..... BUT we already have a successful company. Flat World Knowledge raised $8 million in funding. Its business model is to offer the option for students and teachers to print textbooks in whole or part at a fraction of the cost of a standard hardbound college textbook. In addition it offers audio book versions, study guides, web quizzes and digital flash cards for a fee.

More about Flat World's numbers: ArsTechnica "Flat World schools textbook publishers with free Web editions"

Let's wee how the concept grows.

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