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OPEN YOUR WINDOWS
Reflections on the Use of Free and Open Source Software for Developing Nations
Prof. Dr. Victor van Reijswoud Chairman EACOSS
Uganda Martyrs University [email protected] / [email protected]
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SRoad map
The role of OSS for Development
Examples of OSS in Uganda
Lessons and Way Forward
Victor van Reijswoud3
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SGet the terms right
Open Source Software (OSS)
software from which the source code, that means, the work of the programmer can be seen and when someone wants, modify it
Free software
software that can be distributed and shared freely among friends and use throughout the organization
Proprietary software
Software developed and owned by companies and being sold or licensed to users at a fee
Victor van Reijswoud4
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SThe starting premises
“A regime built around free diffusion of tools has an interesting characteristic: the degree to which a software tool can be utilized and expanded becomes limited only by the knowledge, learning, and innovative energy of the potential users, not by exclusionary property rights, prices, or the power of countries or corporations.” (Steven Weber, 2003)
With Open Source Software tools users in the developing world can become creators in stead of consumers and can lead the poor to development
Victor van Reijswoud5
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SAdvantages and benefits
Reduced costs and less dependency on imported technology and skills
Affordable software for individuals, enterprise and government
Universal access through mass software roll-out without costly licensing implications
Access to data without barrier of proprietary software and data formats
Ability to customize software to local languages and cultures
Lowered barriers to entry for software businesses
Participation in global network of software development
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SDisadvantages and drawback
Available support for OSS
not well organized
Finding the appropriate software
no advertising of software
Documentation
idiosyncratic and sometimes nonexistent
Limited best practices
Hardware – software fit
OSS often lags behind concerning new hardware
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SOSS and Development
Open Source Software has high development potential
lower costs
independence
increased capacity development
stability and security
Strong push from development organizations
India, China, and Brazil lead the OSS revolution through their success
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SLicense fees and GDP per capita
country GDP/cap PC's ('000) effective GDP months
Finland
USA
23,295
35,277
2,197
178,326
848
560
0.29
0.19
Source: Gosh 2003
Traditional models for Cost of Ownerships need to be revisited in the context of the developing world
XP/Office license
Uganda 249 71 18,010 6.13
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SConditions for success (SIDA)
- Intellectual property law framework and enforcement
- Low-cost, widely available Internet access
- Educational infrastructure
- Freedom of information
- English-skilled developers
- Skilled and trainable developer pool
Weakness in one or more of these areas are not a justification for the adoption of proprietary software but for improving on the weakness
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SWhat is happening on the ground?
Aggressive marketing from large software vendors
Through development organizations/money Africa has become an emerging market
OSS corporations fail to connect
OSS examples in Africa are few and small size
OSS misses championing projects and people
Governments do not like the concept
Lack of awareness
Lack of prestige
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SCase study – Uganda Martyrs University
Private Catholic University
80km from Capital city – Kampala
2500 students - 7 faculties
Leader in the ICT innovation in the country
ICT infrastructure main campus
4 computer labs
250 desktop
100 connected laptops
wireless internet connection and WiFi in the making
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SCase Study – Uganda Martyrs University
OSS was introduced when setting up the mail system – neomail
Servers were gradually migrated (secretly)
June 2003 – senate decides to bring OSS to the desktops (OSS policy version 0.1)
Linux (SusE), Open Office, Mozilla....
migration team changed the student computers
new computers get OSS automatically
Migrated about 60% desktop, 90% servers
Victor van Reijswoud13
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SExperiences – Migration UMU
Selection of software alternatives
Knoppix, SuSE
Technical difficulties
hardware and software
Resistance
students and staff
Success/Failure?
University project has attracted a lot of attention and new projects
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SCase study – St Mary's Secondary School
Government (public) secondary school
Day and boarding facilities
'O' and 'A' level
450 students and 34 teaching staff
No computers facilities
Fees €100 boarding - €40 day per term
No expertise in the computing area
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SCase study – St. Mary's Secondary School
Computer facilities are important for the status of the school
Collaboration between ChangeIT and UMU
Lab with 35 computers
Running Kubuntu
Internet access (dish)
Remote maintenance
Internet cafe for income
Full implementation in August 2005
Through standardization a model project for other schools
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SSt. Mary's Pride
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SEACOSS
East African Center for Open Source Software
Started September 2004 to share the knowledge gained from the UMU migration
Goal to promote the use of Free and Open Source Software (OSS) by all organizations
Services:training
certification
advocacy
consultancy
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SIs Africa Ready for OSS?
- Education and skills development needs strengthening
- English language training needs to be encouraged
- Intellectual property needs to be enforced
- The price of Internet access needs to be regulated and investment in infrastructure are needed
- OSS message needs to be promoted in among young developers
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SThe Way Forward
Theoretical potential is evident
To get reality:
Appropriate support for developing countries
Closer collaboration with between other OSS groups (active knowledge exchange)
More lecturing material (start from the basis) and certification programs
Success stories needed (especially in the Development Agencies)
Acceptance of the OSS standards in the rest of the world (or opening up proprietary standards)
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