According to the article, "A Bridge Between Blackboard and Open Source?" Andy Guess describes the merger between Blackboard and Sakai. Sakai, an open source alternative to Blackboard, would allow a user to login a single time in order to access all of their courses and course material (Guess 2008). The goal of this merger is not only increase the ability of Blackboard but to offer better assistance to faculty and students and their learning environment. I was not quite clear what open source was before reading this article. Now I know that it is free editable software that will allow the user to manipulate the software to better suit his/her need. The article finished off by stating, "the connector would be 'bi-directional' giving users the ability to make a 'mash-up' of data from different software systems." I agree with Blackboard to essentially be open and willing to invite open source into their system. I think this invitation will only better Blackboard's features for students, teachers and administrators.
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