Open CourseWare and open education resources are founded on the principles of open source living, so it’s only natural that there are lots of open source courses to be found. In this guide, you’ll find courses on linux, open source philosophy, legal issues, and more.

Introduction

Get a broad look at open source through these courses.

  1. Open Source Communities: Karim R. Lakhani discusses exactly what open source is, its principles, and other key information to understanding open source.
  2. Free as in Freedom, Richard Stallman’s Crusade for Free Software: Find out how the free and open source software movement got started.
  3. Open Source Software: The Challenge Ahead: Here you’ll learn about the challenges that Linux and other open source software will face in the future.
  4. Intro to Open Education: In this course, you can learn all about open education and its related issues and resources.

Open Source Philosophy

Learn more about the thoughts and beliefs behind the open source movement with these courses.

  1. The Future of Ideas: Laurence Lessig shares his thoughts about the future of innovation in a time of competitive control.
  2. Media Education and the Marketplace: Learn about the value of open source software through this course.
  3. Managing Innovation: Emerging Trends: Check out this course to see how open information and open source is becoming more popular, allowing users to innovate for themselves.
  4. Open Source Development and Distribution of Digital Information: Economic, Legal, and Social Perspectives: Learn how open source has an impact on digital information distribution.
  5. Enclosures of the Mind: Governing the Intellectual Commons: Professor Michael Mainelli exlores the future of global advancement in relation to open source.
  6. Perspectives on Free and Open Source Software: Here you’ll learn about important topics in the free and open source software revolution.
  7. Advanced Topics in Learning Object Design and Reuse: Materials in this course feature Olivia the Open, who is an "open source software zealot and open content evangelist."
  8. Culture, Value, and Communication: Learn about intellectual property and more in this course.
  9. Democratizing Innovation: You can learn about user-centered innovation from this resource.
  10. A Fair(y) Use Tale: Follow this course to learn more about fair use.
  11. The Rise of Open Source Licensing: Follow this study to learn how open source has changed the software industry.
  12. First Principles and Design Requirements: Collaborative Filtering & Open Source Code for Electronic Self: Here you’ll learn how to use open source code to encourage self governance.
  13. Software Libre: This course offers an in-depth discussion on free software.

Business

Find out how open source can be applied to business in these courses.

  1. The Software Business: Check out this course to learn about making an open source software business thrive.
  2. Marketing of Free Software: In this course, you’ll learn how to properly market your open source software.
  3. Innovation Happens Elsewhere-Open Source as Business Strategy: Follow this information to find out how to make open source a part of your business.

Politics, Law & Government

These courses share the political and legal side of open source.

  1. Spectrum Abundance and the Choice Between Private and Public Control: Professor Stuart Benjamin covers the debate on treating the electromagnetic spectrum as a commons.
  2. Understanding Open Source and Free Software Licensing: This resource discusses free software and open source licenses.
  3. Getting in the Game: Effective Lobbying for Open Source: Here you’ll learn how to lobby for open source at the state and federal levels.
  4. Ethics and the Law on the Electronic Frontier: This course discusses the law and ethics of intellectual property.
  5. Introduction to Copyright Law: Get an understanding of copyright law from this course.
  6. Alternative Compensation Systems for Digital Entertainment: Here you’ll learn about business models that work with the digital entertainment system.
  7. Open Source Biology: The Role of Law: Find out how open source in biology is affected by the law.
  8. Musicians in Copyright’s Federated Domain: Professor Michael Carroll discusses the concept of copyright in this lecture.
  9. Reflections on Secret Intelligence: Sir David Omand explains how open sources are changing intelligence.
  10. Copyright Liberties: Professor Jessica Litman challenges the conventional paradigm of copyright statutory interpretation.
  11. Communications and Information Policy: Check out this course to get an introduction to the politics of public communiations and information.
  12. Democratizing Innovation and Norms-based Intellectual Property Rights: In this lecture, Professor Eric von Hippel discusses democratized innovation.
  13. We Don’t Provide That Service: the Economic Irrationality of Copyright Rules on the Internet: Professor James Boyle discusses Creative Commons, which he helped to found.
  14. Creative Commons and Authors: Learn about the rights and freedoms of creators of artistic works in this lecture.

Linux

Learn all about Linux through these courses.

  1. An Introduction to Linux: This course offers an introductory look at Linux.
  2. 10 Year History of Linux: In this podcast, Peter Salus teaches the history of Linux.
  3. Building a Linux system from source code: This guide will help you learn how to build a Linux system.
  4. Migrating from RedHat to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10: In this course, you’ll learn about the differences between Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10.
  5. Sound Encounter of the Computer Kind: In this course, you’ll learn how to program a GNU/Linux computer to produce sounds.
  6. Linux Kernel in a Nutshell: Here you’ll learn how to build, customize, and install the Linux kernel.
  7. Linux Online’s Course for Advanced Users: Check out this course to get an advanced look at using Linux.
  8. Make the Switch: Novell’s Guide to the Novell Linux Desktop: Follow along with this self study course to learn basic Linux skills.
  9. Java Application Development on Linux: This course will teach you how to use Java applications on Linux.
  10. Upgrading to Certified Linux Engineer 10: Learn about the difference between SUSE Linux Enterprise Server verion 9 and version 10 in this course.
  11. Linux Network Administration: In this course, you’ll learn all about network administration on the Linux platform.
  12. Linux Online’s Linux Course for Intermediate Level Users: This course will show you how to get the most out of Linux.
  13. Getting Started with Linux: Novell’s Guide to CompTIA’s Linux: Follow this course to learn the basic skills you’ll need to use SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9.
  14. Mobile Web Design and Development: Learn how to design for the open source mobile web with this course.
  15. An Introduction to Linux Basics: Get started with Linux by following this course.
  16. Migrating to SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9: This course will help administrators learn how to use the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9.
  17. Package Management: Follow this course for an overview of packages and applicaton packaging in Linux.
  18. How to Set Up a Mail Server on Gnu Linux System: Follow this step by step guide to installing a mail server on your Linux system.
  19. Gentoo Linux Handbook: Check out this course to learn the many useful applications of Gentoo Linux.
  20. Get Read for Open Source: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (Book 1): Intermediate students can learn SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop by following this course.
  21. Understanding the Linux Virtual Memory Manager: Get a good look at the Linux Virtual Memory Manager with this resource.
  22. Ubuntu Desktop Guide: Follow this guide to learn how to use Ubuntu Linux effectively.
  23. Linux System Administrator Guide: Find out how to effectively administrate Linux with this guide.
  24. Self-Service Linux: Mastering the Art of Problem Determination: Check out this course to learn how to diagnose Linux problems.
  25. An Introductory Guide to Linux Basics: Use this course and its associated forum to learn more about using Linux.
  26. Linux Quick Fix Notebook: In this notebook, you’ll be able to cover all of the problems you encouter in Linux.
  27. Getting Started with the Novell Linux Desktop: Novell’s course teaches basic skills in Linux.
  28. Administració avançada del sistema operatiu GNU/Linux: In this Spanish-language course, you’ll learn all about Linux operating system administration.
  29. Linux for Computer Scientists and Engineers: Find out how Linux can be useful for computer scientists and engineers in this course.
  30. Getting Started With Linux: Follow this self-study course to learn how to get started using Linux.
  31. Upgrading to Certified Linux Professional 10: This course will explain the differences between SUSE Linux Enterprise Server versions 9 and 10.
  32. Bridging NetWare Skills to Novell Open Enterprise Server for Linux: Follow this self-study course to learn how to use NetWare.

Practical Applications

Find out how open source software and other open resources can be put to work through these college courses.

  1. Research Topics in Architecture: Citizen-Centered Design of Open Governance Systems: See how this seminar used a working open source prototype for an online space.
  2. Understanding Online Interaction: This course supports using Linux software for communication.
  3. Office Applications: This course offers a detailed look at a number of open source office applications.
  4. Software Engineering for Web Applications: Learn how to create open source web applications with this course.
  5. Connecting People with Online Resources: Find out how you can help other people use open source software with this course.
  6. Operating System Engineering: Follow this course to learn how to engineer an open source operating system.
  7. Communicating in Cyberspace: This course discusses online communication via open and closed software.
  8. How to Be a Programmer: In this course, you’ll learn the essentials of programming, which can be useful when creating open source software.
  9. Internet Technology in Local and Global Communities: Follow this course to see how open source software can be used to connect local and global communities.
  10. User Applications: Find out about open source applications as they relate to office and home users.
  11. Network and Computer Security: Follow this course to learn about using open source software for security.
  12. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Solutions Using R and Bioconductor: In this course, you’ll learn how to use the Biocondutor project, which is a widely used open source project for genomics and molecular biology.
  13. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems: Check out this course that recommends using open source satellite imagery.
  14. Open Web Mapping: This course offers instructions for creating open source web mapping.
  15. An Introduction to e-commerce and Distributed Applications: This course offers a glimpse at using open source software for ecommerce and beyond.
  16. Preparing a project: This course recommends using open source mind mapping software to get your projects organized.

Education & Research

Find out how traditional universities and top online colleges are using open source educational and research applications with these courses.

  1. Creating open educational resources: Follow this course to learn how you can create your own open educational resources to share with the world.
  2. The London Accord: Sustainable Finance and Climate Change: Learn about this cooperative open source investment project.
  3. Introduction to Open Education: This course provides an overview for creating and using open education resources.
  4. Developing and Deploying Online Courses with JCourse: Learn how to make use of JCourse when creating open online courses of your own.
  5. Producing Distance Education Resources: This course recommends using Linux software to create videoconferencing and streaming lecture resources.
  6. The Impact of Open Source Software on Education: This course takes a look at how open source has improved education around the world.

Using Open Source Software

These courses will teach you how to use open source software.

  1. Three-Dimensional Modeling, Animation and Rendering Using Blender 3D Software: Learn how to use the open source Blender 3-D software with this course.
  2. Free Software for Busy People: This doctor explains why you should use free and open source software.
  3. Unix Tutorial for Beginners: Get started on Unix with this beginner tutorial.
  4. GIMP Manual: This course will teach you how to make use of the open source image manipulation program GIMP.
  5. Freemind Tutorial: Follow this course to learn how to use Freemind, an open source mind mapping tool.
  6. Open Source Security Tools: A Practical Guide to Security Applications: Here you’ll learn how to make use of open source security tools.
  7. GnuCash Tutorial and Concept Guide: Learn all about using GnuCash with this course.
  8. Get Ready for Open Source: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop (Book 2): Novell offers this course for training in SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop.
  9. Audacity Manual: Check out this course to learn how to use Audacity, an open source media player.
  10. Blogs, Wikis, New Media for Learning: This course’s resources highlight open source GIS as a great place to find lerning material.
  11. OASIS OpenDocument Essentials: In this course, you’ll learn how to use the OASIS format.
  12. Open Office Tutorials: This resource will teach you how to effectively use Open Office, an open source office suite.

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