Why free software in education?

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to present some theoretical considerations about the Free Software, its history, the difference with Freeware, its advantages and disadvantages, the kinds oflicenses and use the Free Softwares most frequently used. Due to the use ofFree Software in Venezuelan educational institutions with the aim of getting technological independence in all section ofthe public administration. The Instituto Pedagógico Luis Beltran Prieto Figueroa is incorporating Free Software to start to work with distant education, nevertheless, a question appears: Does the Upebista community know why the incorporation of Free Software, the advantages and disadvantages ofthis acquisition? At the end, it is point out that the liberties that Free Software offers permit the collaboration with other designers to update the programs, avoiding the code and effort repetition for the same purpose.