Free and open source software (FOSS) for NGOs (Sky Croeser - Internet Studies, Curtin University & Bluestocking Institute)
- 1. Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Non-Profits sky croeser The Bluestocking Institute & Curtin University of Technology, Department of Internet Studies
- 2. What is Free/Libre and Open Source Software? The ideals behind F/LOSS. Some practical reasons to use F/LOSS. Useful tools.
- 3. What is Proprietary Software? Proprietary software: Owned by the individual or company which created it, and uses are restricted. Usually (but not always) sold rather than shared for free. Examples: Microsoft Windows & Microsoft Word, Adobe Flash, many (but not all) components of Mac operating systems.
- 4. What is F/LOSS? Licensed under the General Public License (GPL) or other similar licenses, which generally garuantee that users can study, share, and modify software as long as they use the same license. Examples: Ubuntu, Firefox, Open Office.
- 5. Free/Libre Software "Free as in speech, not as in beer."
- 6. Open Source Software "there are enormous benefits to be gained by opening up one's technology and making it available under the same terms as Linux and a host of other inventions. ... The GPL and open source model allows for the creation of the best technology. It's that simple." Torvalds & Diamond, 2001, Just For Fun, p. 194
- 7. Why use F/LOSS? (Part 1) Because we're idealists, and F/LOSS is all about: controlling technology ourselves, valuing (relatively) democratic decision- making and peer evaluation, community sustaining and building the cultural commons.
- 8. Why use F/LOSS? (Part 2) Because we're pragmatists, and F/LOSS is (potentially): cheaper, built to meet our needs, more secure, more regularly updated, friendlier to open formats.
- 9. Where to start? I use: Ubuntu as my operating system. Open Office for word-processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Gimp for image editing. Firefox for the web. Zotero to keep track of my research.
- 10. Tools for Non-Profits The basics: Open Office and Firefox are a good place to start. NGO-in-a-box from the Tactical Technology Collective. CiviCRM. Crabgrass.
- 11. Conclusion: where to begin? Find existing strengths within your organisation or in your support base. Use support communities online. Be realistic about what you need and what you can sustain.