eduCommons Moodle OU-Moodle Sakai Connexions
Infrastructure
Programming language Python PHP
PHP
 Python
Database Zope MySQL, postgres, oracle,  MSSQL
MySQL
 postgres, zope
Ease of installation Advanced (basic if using  RPM install) Intermediate
Intermediate
 no install needed –  use cnx.org
Support level (hosting  etc) yes, but small (enPraxis) forums, moodle partners no forums, emails, phone
 author support through  email and phone
Extensibility yes yes
yes
 yes- through collaborations
Programmer documentation Medium, improving Oct-08 Medium no Minimal
 medium
multilingual interface yes yes
no
 yes
customisable look and  feel yes yes
no
 coming through lenses
internal backup and  restore no yes
yes
 yes
standards supported xhtml, w3c wai xhtml, w3c wai
xhtml, w3c
 xhtml, w3c, oai-pmh
reporting support for external  tracking yes
no
 statistics given on  pageviews each week and over all time
Content Management
Workflow (roles) yes no
yes
 yes
Rights/IP Management yes no
yes
 yes
wysiwyg editor yes yes
no
 yes
licensing choice support yes no
yes
 CC-By
encouraging reuse yes no yes yes
 yes
Export support Zip, IMS (eduCommons) no IMS, html, XML Zip
 Module zip, pdf for  modules and collections, multimedia zip for collections
Import support Zip, IMS (eduCommons,  MIT, WebCT, and Blackboard) SCORM, IMS CP zip Zip
 Zip, Word, LaTeX
flexible course structures yes yes
no
 yes
multilingual content yes no
no
 yes
supports paid-for courses no* yes
no
 no
open and closed areas no yes
role-based
 no
offline-authoring no no yes no
 somewhat
accessibility tracking yes no
no
 Yes – through lensing  can select content that is reviewed for accessibility.
User Management
user profiles authentication optional yes
yes
 yes
Groups yes yes
role-based
 yes
Learner tools
Integrated discussion  forums no* yes
no, but comments based on objects
 coming
Tagging/keywords all objects blog, users course yes
 keywords and tags through  lenses
Search basic and advanced search forum, course descriptions extended search no
 basic and advanced
RSS feeds feeds on global, department  list, and course assets forums course lists, course  content yes
 new content, oai-pmh  (dublin core and ims), lens feeds coming
Other interactive activities no* blog, chat, wiki, surveys,  database, glossary and others*
blog, wiki, website
 exercises (show/hide),  glossary and footnote (hover popups)
personalised space optional yes Extended reporting no
 yes
ratings and reviews no within some activity  modules (forum, glossary etc) courses no
 No – in development  with partner
learning pathways no* no yes no
 no
eportfolio no* no
no
 no
contextual help Oct-08 yes
some
 yes
Assessment tools
Assessment engine no* yes
no
 no
Grading no* yes
no
 no
certification no no* Jul-08 no
 no

* ready-made plugins  available