10/20/2017

SLIIT Students Awareness of Free and Open

Source Software

EAP IT1080
Report of the survey

MLB_G1S1_10

Team Members

Saranga S.A.G IT17016230

Gunaratne P.M.D.N IT17003292
Atulugama A.K.M IT17005104
Jayasinghe L.S IT17012966
De Silva N. IT17006880
 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Terms of Reference

A report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for course English for Academic
Purposes, Department of English, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology.

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Acknowledgement

We would like to show our gratitude to Mrs.Ashani Pieris, the module lecturer of English
for Academic Purposes, for giving us good guideline for assignment. We also like to acknowledge
the undergraduates of 1st year 2nd semester for fill and provide valuable information though the
google forum. We are grateful for their cooperation during our project.

Last but not least we would like to offer our deepest gratitude to all the team members
and also, we thank all the people those who have directly and indirectly guided us in this project.

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Abstract

This report is mainly focusing on the analysis of SLIIT Students Awareness of Free and Open
Source Software. Furthermore, an understanding on the purpose of each and every component
is explained through this report.

In addition to the components of the information system, a brief introduction on Free and
Open Source Software, importance of it and an analytical view of ethics and ergonomics are
presented.

Primary objective of this report is to give a proper understanding on how awareness of FOSS [1].
This report also gives an understanding on the impact of Free and Open Source Software.

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Table of Content

1. Cover page

2. Terms of Reference.. 1

3. Acknowledgement. 2

4. Abstract 3

5. Table of content. 4

6. Introduction.. 6

7. Methodology... 7

8. Data Analysis 8

9. Conclusion & Recommendations 9

10.Appendices 10

11.References. 11

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Introduction

Free and open-source software (FOSS) allows users and programmers to edit,
modify or reuse the software's source code[2]. This gives developers the
opportunity to improve program functionality by modifying it.

The term free indicates that the software does not have constraints on
copyrights. The term open source indicates the software is in its project form,
enabling easy software development from expert developers collaborating
worldwide without any need for reverse engineering[3].
Ref: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24181/free-and-open-source-
software--foss

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Methodology

The questionnaire was distributed among the first-year students of SLIIT using
google forum.
In order to share our survey with the undergraduates, the technology that we
used was the social media. Mainly the social media sites like WhatsApp, Viber and
Facebook was preferred for this task to be completed.

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
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IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Data Analysis

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
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IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
Assignment

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 BSc (Hons) in Information Technology
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IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

Conclusion and Recommendations

We can say that because of the fact that many proprietary software can be
obtained without actually purchasing it many students ever though they are
aware of Free and Open Source Software, resort to use the proprietary software
and thus neglect the use of Free and Open Source Software although it has similar
and possibly even better features which may be more suitable for their education.
Also due to the fact that Sri Lanka does not enforce laws against software piracy
students are further encouraged to use proprietary software instead of the similar
Free and Open Source Software available.

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IT1080 English for Academic Purposes Year 1, Semester II, 2017

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_and_open-source_software

https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/floss-and-foss.en.html

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Appendices

[1] FOSS Free and Open Source Software

[2] Source code A list of command lines to be compiled into a computer
Program

[3] Reverse engineering the reproduction of another manufacturer's product following

detailed examination of its construction or composition.

Scan this QR code to view the data collected by the survey

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