This APDIP e-Note provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of some of the most used e-Health tools. Important lessons learned in e-Health in the Asia-Pacific region are highlighted through three case studies from Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand. The APDIP e-Note also examines different approaches to e-Health, such as the use of free and open source software and the relationship between e-Health and the Millennium Development Goals. Finally, considerations for policy makers are discussed....
This APDIP e-Note describes a methodology to identify ‘killer’ applications and models of e-governance that may be suitable for deployment and wide-scale replication in telecentres throughout the Philippines. The same methodology can be used to guide other telecentres around the world....
The affordability of FOSS and its openness to modification and localization is contributing to the sustainbility of telecentres, and more broadly, to empowered communities and poverty reduction. This APDIP e-Note explores the benefits of using FOSS applications in telecentres with case studies from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa....
This APDIP e-Note provides a brief introduction to the history of document standards, explores the different standards for electronic documents and details the development of OpenDocument Format for Office Applications (ODF). It also looks at how governments worldwide have started to adopt ODF in public administration....
This publication, with a foreword by Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, systematically analyzes 18 projects in India that use ICT for the benefit of poor people, and provides recommendations on how ICT can be applied to the massive, widespread and seemingly intractable problems of poverty. The publication also ranks the projects by their relevance, service delivery, community participation and empowerment, equality in decision-making and benefits, sustainability, replicability and their prospects for being scaled-up....
THE CODEBREAKERS, a two-part documentary that investigates how countries are using free/open source software (FOSS) for development, first shown on BBC World TV, was translated into Uzbek and aired on Uzbek TV during September/October 2006....
Open Source Software can empower Southeast Asian enterprises, says regional conference FOSS@Work...
The Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme for Asia-Pacific is directed at encouraging original and innovative information and communications technology solutions to development problems. This publication reviews and analyzes 56 projects from 14 different countries funded by the Programme between 2002-2005. Projects are focused on access to information and communication; capacity building and education; policy and social research; technical innovation; environment and agriculture; and health and medicine....
Say over 50 participants from Southeast Asian countries at the first FOSS@Work International Workshop on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for Small and Medium IT Enterprises (SMITES), held at the Heritage Hotel Manila, Philippines from 12 to 15 November 2006....
This publication is a collection of 13 papers developed for a pre-World Summit on the Information Society seminar, developed in partnership with UNIFEM and IT for Change. It showcases perspectives that critique the engagement with new technologies in various development sectors such as the media, work and economy and governance....
This is a compilation of 14 case studies on the successful deployment of free and open source software (FOSS) in select projects from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America. In each case study, the reason for choosing to use FOSS together with the development, implementation and impact of the FOSS applications are discussed. The benefits obtained and challenges encountered, as well as any valuable lessons learned are also highlighted....
Sri Lanka's first outdoor wireless computer network is now up and running. Surprisingly, it is not in Colombo. It is not even in any of the other key places. It was installed in Mahavilachchiya, a little known village, 40 km from the nearest town Anuradhapura, and surrounded three sides by the Vilpattu jungle....
Asia Source II seeks to build the skills and networks of those in the region who are working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors. The event will bring together people from the more technical to the more content-oriented. These range from software developers and system administrators, to trainers, consultants and FOSS advocates, as well as technology/NGO project managers, and tech-savvy activists/NGO workers....
The International Open Source Network (IOSN), InWEnt-Capacity Building International of Germany and University of the Philippines (UP) Manila are hosting a workshop on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) for Small and Medium Enterprises in the IT industry....
The University of the South Pacific (USP) and APDIP-initiated International Open Source Network (IOSN) awarded four projects in the Pacific Island Countries grants to develop free/open source software (FOSS) applications....
Some frequently asked questions....
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) have become a hot topic in the field of Internet governance. As the number of non-English speakers on the Internet grows exponentially, the limitations of the Domain Name System have become evident to many....
In the next few months, APDIP, InWEnt, IOSN Secretariat and IOSN ASEAN+3 will be implementing a number of regional and local free and open source software capacity building initiatives involving the creation of open content training materials, low-cost training and certification programmes, and collaboration of FOSS developers, researchers and small and medium IT enterprises....
A major barrier against adoption and deployment of free and open source software (FOSS) in developing countries is the lack of human resources with FOSS skills. This introductory programme aims to address the problem by training trainers so that they can train others in their countries, and therefore kick-start a self-sustaining development of FOSS human resources. This course introduces Linux trainers to training with open content Linux system administration training materials and low-cost LPI certification examinations....
This e-primer examines different proprietary and free/open source software (FOSS) licenses that use copyright law to regulate the use of software, and discusses how the FOSS movement uses licenses as a way to create a different model of software development. It provides scenarios to highlight possible copyright issues regarding the use of FOSS by end-users, developers and vendors, and addresses common questions and misconceptions regarding copyright and licensing issues. The e-primer also includes two cases regarding government-sponsored FOSS projects....
This e-primer, with a foreword by Peter J. Quinn, introduces readers to what open standards are and why they are important. It explains the standard-setting processes and provides examples of open standards policies, initiatives and formats. It also addresses the challenges faced in implementing open standards....
APDIP led a policy dialogue on open standards at the Regional Conference on Open Standards in Bangkok, Thailand on 2 and 4 May 2006. 54 participants representing 13 countries from government, the private sector, academia and civil society openly discussed and share practices, and came to some common understanding and possible future collaborations....
A two-part documentary, The Codebreakers was aired on BBC World TV during May 2006. It investigates how poor countries are using FOSS applications for development, and includes stories and interviews from around the world. A 40-minute version of The Codebreakers is now available for free download online....
Subscribe to the FOSS e-discussion list....
The summary findings and recommendations from the Free/Open Source Software Asia-Pacific (FOSSAP) consultation have been released....
The ICT R&D Grants Programme is pleased to announce the March 2005 Competition round for ICT R&D grant applicants from the Asia Pacific region....
APDIP and UNIFEM supported a two-day South Asian seminar entitled, "Gender Perspectives on the Information Society: South Asia Pre-WSIS Seminar 2005." The seminar was organised by IT for Change, in partnership with Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era and the Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. The seminar papers are now available online....
This CD is for those interested in running the GNU/Linux operating system and free/open source software (FOSS) applications on their computer. It is a bootable CD that runs the GNU/Linux operation system off temporary memory and does not affect the hard drive....
The University of the South Pacific (USP) in partnership with APDIP-initiated International Open Source Network (IOSN) is pleased to launch the USP-IOSN Microgrant Programme for Pacific Island Countries. This Programme is a competitive grants scheme available to individuals or teams in the Pacific Island Countries....
An international committee comprised of 11 experts selected nine winners from eight different Asia-Pacific countries. The proposals covered a wide range of topics, sectors, and issues....