Open Source Software in Higher-Ed
George Spake
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
#THEITS14
About Me
ABOUT ME
Web Developer @ UTHSC in Memphis
Student @ University of Memphis
WordPress Fanatic
Open Source/Community Development Proponent
@georgespake
Open/Community Source Software
Open source development is nothing new but it's more accessible and popular than ever.
"Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code." (Derived work/ redistribution /Licensing etc...)
We use open source software everyday
WordPress. Android (AOSP) . Chrome . Firefox .
Wikipedia . Jasig . Etc...
Github
'Build Better Software Together'
Web-based hosting service for software development projects"
10 million + repositories as of December 2013.
Direct access to community development
JASIG
Java in Administration Special Interest Group
Consortium of educational institutions and commercial
affiliates sponsoring open source software projects for higher education
Central Authentication Service (CAS)
phpCAS
WORDPRESS
- Content Management System (CMS)
-
Accounts for around ~20% of all sites on the web
-
~60% CMS market-share
-
User friendly (No coding experience required)
-
Used by higher ed institutions
- Huge open source community
WORDPRESS AT UTHSC
Authentication:
WP-login vs. Active Directory vs. CAS
Requirements:
Secure sign on, NetID login
Popular Active-Directory Authentication WordPress plugin available but CAS would be preferable.
No attractive CAS plugins available (Not-actively maintained, Deprecated code, None using phpCAS)
uthsc-wpcas
Determined best option would be to develop a plugin.
Mostly a matter of integrating the phpCAS library in to the WordPress authentication API
After researching/testing/tweaking existing plugins, WordPress Authentication API was already familiar
In-house knowledge of phpCAS (Already in use)
IU-WPCAS as a template
UTHSC-WPCAS
Developed with an open-source mindset from the start.
After lots of testing/improvements...
It works!
Org Repo
Request process
Going live
No Public Announcement
Contacted IU-WPCAS and AD plugin developers
Positive feedback and emails from other higher-ed IT pros expressing interest.
Concerns / Worries:
"Your code is bad"
"Your code is not secure"
Think Open Source!
"Strength in numbers"
Consider open source options When making IT Decisions
- Pros and Cons
- Risk vs Reward
- Economic Considerations
The trend towards open source models is gaining momentum in higher-ed. (Disruptive?)
Don't dismiss higher-ed open source options
(Jasig, Kuali, rSmart)
Consider open sourcing your work
Develop with the mindset that your code will be public.
Don't make the next person re-invent the wheel.
Become a better developer and strengthen code by allowing others to contribute and scrutinize your work.
You're in good company
Questions?
references/useful links
- Usage of content management systems for websites
- Kuali Foundation . rSmart
- Jasig Community . CAS . PHP-CAS . GitHub
- GitHub . GitHub WikiPedia
- UTHSC-WPCAS
- Open Source Initiative
- Open source in higher education: how far have we come?
- Campus Technology - Open Source Software
http://slides.com/gpspake/open-source-software-in-higher-ed