Open Source Software

In this week's lesson, it was pointed out that Open Office would be an excellent, free alternative to Microsoft Word; and that sites like SourceForge offered more of this kind of free software. We were encouraged to think about how such applications would contribute to the welfare of low budget schools, since free software means students will be able to experiment with a lot of different programs they probably wouldn't have been able to before because of their expensive alternatives. While I do think it is an incredible new concept, I also think it is essential for the student to become well acquainted with the "authentic" programs they will be highly likely to face in the future. For example, in a digital art class, it is important for the instructor to use Adobe programs and not the free applications found on SourceForge, simply because those programs are most likely not to be used in their future experiences with this field and adobe programs are. But, when a teacher is experimenting with a software, it should be encouraged that they use these fantastic free programs. There's no point in getting a cheap knockoff of Word, either, because all young professionals should know how the ins and outs of this essential  tool as it continually adapts itself and becomes increasingly useful to the user's needs.

In my field of art, there is a lot more photo editing, vector illustrating, website making, or any other technological process than there ever was before. Because of its high prevalence in my chosen area, I feel that it is important that I stick to Adobe softwares. Their files are the standard when getting your work printed, they really do have more options than alternative programs -especially with cropping, they are high quality files, and I use it everyday I go to class, making files much more easily transferable between the lab computers and my laptop. Using programs like GIMP would only lead to confusion when I go to the printer's, or class; and simply trying to relearn another complex editing software can create chaos at first, let alone attempting to continually swap between the two programs.

Sometimes, I believe cost does supersede the need for big name software. For example, there is a popular program used in my field of art -sculpture- called Maya. Maya is a 3D rendering program that allows the user to create virtual maquettes of their sculptures before creating the actual object. The file can even be sent to a 3D printer, where it is realized in reality layer-by-layer with the use of ink and acrylic. Amazing, right? That's why it costs up to $3,000 (student priced at $1,300). I cannot, as of now, see myself using this program so much to accost for that huge price tag; but there is an alternative program called Blender that does most of what Maya can- for free.

 Using Maya

Using Blender