This APDIP e-Note intends to give a brief introduction to government interoperability frameworks (GIFs), explain how they are classified and provide details of their common features. It also discusses the importance of open standards in GIFs and why governments should consider open standards seriously when designing or evaluating their GIFs....
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 e-primer introduces the idea of Open Content by placing it in a larger historical context of copyright's relation to the public domain. It focuses on implications for policy makers thinking about information policies, and the advantages that the Open Content model may offer, especially for developing countries....
This e-primer, with a foreword by Robert Shaw of the International Telecommunication Union, introduces readers to the network concepts and architectures, and the major networking functions with FOSS. It also discusses network security functions with FOSS, including security best practices and ‘to-do's’....
Over 130 IT professionals of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from more than 27 countries gathered today at Sukabumi, Indonesia for a nine-day Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) conference and training camp called 'ASIA SOURCE II'. The key objective is to promote the use of FOSS for social and economic development and to build a network of FOSS practitioners and trainers with Asia....
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....
Congress is set to conduct hearings on the proposed Free Open Source Software (FOSS) Act of 2006, which mandates the use of open-source software in government. If enacted, the law is likewise expected to benefit small companies. (Source: Tom S. Noda, Computerworld Philippines, 14 November 2006)...
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....
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....
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....
This is a report on open source situation in Bangladesh. The article was published in the Daily Ittfaq on the 11th of June,...
Mozilla Firefox is getting popularity day by day as Internet browser.
Platform Independent, Tabbed Browsing, PopUp blocker, Special Download
Manager, Extension Support, Huge Security support, Latest Scripting,
Customizable Skin and above all it's Open Source is taking FireFox it
the peak of it's......
Schedule and Venue
This one-day workshop will take place on September 16, 2005 after the
regular conference sessions end. Please visit the Workshop website at
http://www.torsimany.ua.es/OSMaTran/ for...
The Free Software Directory is a project of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It catalogs useful free software that runs under free operating systems, particularly the GNU operating system and its GNU/Linux...
This is a list of the useful user groups that help in spreading Free/Libre and Open Source Software. Most are from around India, and could play a useful role in spreading the ideals of sharing and freedom in the FLOSS movement. Would really appreciate any help in updating and correcting this list and keeping it current. Thanks for helping to update this list and keeping it relevant. -- FN (Frederick Noronha in Goa) fred at......
This week we are looking after FLOSS solutions for the implementors of the ICT4D Programmes. During our research we looked after the Open Source solutions used by the government bodies, NGOs and donor agencies working in the following countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and...
The International Open Source Network, which is part of the UN's development programme, has published the guide to free and open source software in...
The case for a developing country to adopt an open source software (OSS) driven Information Technology strategy is a compelling...