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Open Source
Section editor
Ann Tothill, APC
AATothill@apc.org
Introduction
A growing number of organizations are turning to Free/Open Source software for everything from computer networks to office productivity tools. Among the advantages of Open Source software are:
- Cost effectiveness
- Security
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Ongoing support and development by a community of users
The ItrainOnline site is powered by APC ActionApps, an Open Source web publishing system.
A good starting point for finding open source software and information about the open source movement is UNESCO's Free Software Portal. TechSoup's discussion board on Open source and free software is a good place to get your questions answered.
What open source is to software the open content movement is to the development and sharing of content such as education and training resources and research publications.
African FOSS Business Models Syllabus
Developed by: ICT@Innovation (FOSSFA & InWEnt)
Type of resource: Wiki website with downloadable content
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
The African FLOSS Business Models Syllabus consists of 6 modules, spread along three thematic parts that can either be downloaded or read online. The following 6 modules are included: Module 1: Introduction to Emerging FLOSS Business Models; Module 2: African Business Models: Case Studies; Module 3: Communicating FLOSS; Module 4: Introduction to General Business Skills; Module 5: FLOSS Specific Business Knowledge and Skills; Module 6: FLOSS Training
Dhttp://www.ict-innovation.fossfa.net/og/co-editors
FLOSS and NGOs: A Compilation of Resources and Community Events
Developed by: Aspiration Tech
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Annotated listing of resources, articles and community events relating to NGOs and free and open source software.
Dhttp://www.aspirationtech.org/node/40
FLOSS Manuals
Developed by: Adam Hyde
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
FLOSS Manuals provides quality free manuals about free software.
There are a lot of people that know a lot about software. There are also a lot of people that need to know about software. FLOSS Manuals aims to connect the two by making writing and reading about software easy.
Dhttp://flossmanuals.net/
FOSS Localization Primer
Developed by: International Open Source Network
Type of resource: PDF 1.3 MB
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This primer introduces the concepts of FOSS and localization, looks at localization efforts in Asia Pacific, and finishes with recommendations for localization initiatives.
Dhttp://www.iosn.net/l10n/foss-localization-primer/
foss-localization-primer.pdf
Free Software for Busy People
Developed by: Mohammad Al-Ubaydli
Type of resource: website
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This site not only features an easy-to-read online book entitled "Free Software for Busy People", it provides free software use scenarios from a primary school teacher, a city mayor, an arab teacher, and a family physician. With these busy people as examples the site highlights a broad range of practical skills and gives readers insight to the vast possibility provided by free software tools. Learn how the city mayor uses "Civic Space" for her campaigns, how the family doctor uses "OpenEMR" to keep track of her patient registry, or how the Arab teacher uses Openoffice.org in Arabic, and plays games.
Dhttp://freedomsoftware.info/
How Open APIs Can Change How Nonprofits Manage Data
Developed by: NTEN
Type of resource: PDF document
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
Nonprofits manage lots of data: research, files, data on constituents, donors, and clients, etc. Choosing
software to manage this organizational data is difficult enough. Getting applications to talk to one another
in ways that are efficient and in support of the organization’s mission is even harder. Application Programming
Interfaces or APIs provide a way to simplify data management tasks. Software vendors and open
source software projects are increasingly using APIs to help their customers/users increase the extensibility
and integration possibilities of their software. This paper examines the problem that APIs try to solve, technologies
behind APIs, vendor strategies, and examples of things you can do with APIs.
Dhttp://www.nten.org/sites/nten/files/NTEN_OpenAPI.
pdf
Open Standards, Open Source, and Open Innovation: Harnessing the Benefits of Openness
Developed by: Committee for Economic Development
Type of resource: PDF report
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This report from CED looks at the meaning of "openness" in the context of the digital economy, explores concepts such as open standards, open source, and open innovations, and makes a series of policy recommendations in these areas. Useful reading for anyone trying to get an overview of the "openness" terrain overall.
Dhttp://www.ced.org/docs/report/report_ecom_opensta
ndards.pdf
OpenICDL
Developed by: Go-Open Campaign / ICDL Foundation Africa
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"OpenICDL is an open source project that aims to develop and maintain a Free/Open Source version of the training materials used to ready students for the International Computer Driving License certification." Materials cover Basic Concepts of IT, Using a Computer and Managing Files (K Desktop Environment), Word Processing (OpenOffice.org Writer), Spreadsheets (OpenOffice.org Calc), Databases (OpenOffice DB), Presentations (OpenOffice.org Impress) and Information and Communications (Mozilla 1.4 and Ximian Evolution 1.4). Materials are available in HTML and PDF versions.
Dhttp://icdl.tsf.org.za/courseware.html
PortableApps.com
Developed by: PortableApps.com
Type of resource: Software downloads
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"A portable app is a computer program that you can carry around with you on a portable device and use on any Windows computer. When your USB flash drive, portable hard drive, iPod or other portable device is plugged in, you have access to your software and personal data just as you would on your own PC. And when you unplug, none of your personal data is left behind." The PortableApps.com site hosts "portable" versions of popular open source tools such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org
Dhttp://portableapps.com/
Tips for Switching to Open Office
Developed by: OpenOffice.org Training, Tips, and Ideas
Type of resource: Web site / Blog
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
This is a very big blog with lots of tips, tricks and ideas about using Open Office effectively. Pne ofthe categories deals specifically with tips and advice on transitioning to Open Office, with technical advice for users, strategic advice for IT managers, tips on how to motivate staff to use Open Office and more.
Browse through the different blog entries and tags to find useful tips and tricks.
Dhttp://openoffice.blogs.com/openoffice/switching_t
o_openoffice/
Free knowledge for ICT literacy
Developed by: The Community Education Computer Society
Type of resource: Portal
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
This portal provides access to free learning resources for ICT literacy using free/libre and open source software to enable people to change the conditions of their lives for the better.
The portal includes a wealth of information about FOSS, learning resocures and tools.
Dhttp://www.flosslit.org.za/
Easy Linux Introductory Guide to Computers
Developed by: Victor van Reijswoud, Mulo Emmanuel, Alex Mbaziira
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This pilot manual is a guide for basic computer literacy - how to turn on a computer and what the different hardware and software elements are - as well as an introduction to common FOSS programmes including navigation and email tools, OpenOffice.org Writer and Calc. The manual overcomes barriers to learning by including a lot of visuals and very little text. It has been pilot-tested with remote NGOs and school children in Uganda.
Dhttp://www.eacoss.org/dmdocuments/Guide_to_compute
r_literacy_V3.2.pdf
Free/Open Software for Education
Developed by: International Open Source Network, UNDP Asia Pacific Development Information Programme
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The International Open Source Network, an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, has produced a 48-page primer on 'Free/Open Source Software and Education', which is now available for free public download. The primer is intended to help policy-makers and decision-makers understand the potential use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in education. Topics covered include where and how FOSS can be used, why it should be used, and what issues are involved. The officials in ministries of education, school and university administrators, academic staff and researchers should find the primer particularly useful, according to the project. The primer site features a discussion forum for feedback and case studies for input into future versions.
Dhttp://www.iosn.net/education/foss-education-prime
r/fossPrimer-Education.pdf
GNU/Linux on old hardware
Developed by: Polishlinux
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article by Borys Musielak looks at the main issues relating to running Linux on older hardware.
Dhttp://polishlinux.org/choose/linux-on-old-hardwar
e/
Linux for IT Managers Training Manual
Developed by: Commonwealth of Learning
Type of resource: Wiki
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This manual course content can be used by learners preparing for other certifications including Linux+ and the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Certification. The main focus of this manual, though, will be to provide real life, hands-on solutions that commonly affect Technical and Mid Level IT Managers. This manual is intended for the following groups of professionals:
* Technical IT professionals (System Administrators, Network Administrators and Technical Specialists);
* IT Security Professionals;
* Database Administrators;
* Computer Programmers and Software Developers;
* IT Consultants; and
* Any other ICT professional with interest in Linux and Open Source Software.
This manual will assume that the learner has previous computer knowledge, but not necessarily in Linux. The learner should have prior knowledge on the use of computers at a basic level. Programmers, novice System Administrators, and new users of Linux looking for comprehensive Linux instructions will find this manual of benefit.
Dhttp://colwiki.org/Linux_for_IT_Managers_Training_
Manual
Linux: pre-installation tips
Developed by: ZDNet Australia
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"No matter which Linux distribution you choose, there are at least 10 things you need to do properly to prepare the operating system for day-to-day use." This ZDNet guide looks at ten key tasks you should perform when you first install Linux.
Dhttp://www.zdnet.com.au/insight/software/soa/Linux
_Pre_installation_tips/0,39023769,39226014,00.htm
LiveCD List
Developed by: FrozenTech
Type of resource: Web directory
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Linux "LiveCDs" are bootable CDs/DVDs of a Linux distribution. FrozenTech's LiveCD List provides an extensive list of LiveCDs and their primary functions (e.g. general desktop, education, security).
Dhttp://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php
Tutorials for Open Office
Developed by: Tutorials for Open Office
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Web site with free learning tutorials on installing OpenOffice and using OpenOffice applications. Concise and brief instructions for self-learners and teachers.
Dhttp://www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org/
Microsoft PowerPoint versus OpenOffice.org Impress
Developed by: Bruce Byfield
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article looks at the similarities and differences you can expect when moving over from Microsoft PowerPoint to OpenOffice.org Impress.
Dhttp://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=04/12/02/1
544200
The wide world of Linux word processors
Developed by: Jem Matzan
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article compares the main word processors - both open source and proprietary - available for GNU/Linux, and looks at what you need to take into account when choosing a word processor.
Dhttp://www.newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=04/12/02/1
544200
Drupal
Developed by: Drupal
Type of resource: Software tool
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Drupal is an open-source platform and content management system for building dynamic web sites offering a broad range of features and services including user administration, publishing workflow, discussion capabilities, news aggregation, metadata functionalities using controlled vocabularies and XML publishing for content sharing purposes.
Dhttp://drupal.org/project/drupal
100 Awesome Open Source Tools for Writers, Journalists, and Bloggers
Developed by: OnlineCourses.org
Type of resource: website with links to tools
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Whether you’re a blogger, journalist, or writer, you know that the days of pen and paper alone are long gone. These days, you have a huge arsenal of tools at your disposal, from word processors, to content management systems, organization, and more, many of them open source and even free. This web page lists and links to 100 open source tools that can make your life as a writer easier.
Dhttp://www.onlinecourses.org/2009/06/09/100-awesom
e-open-source-tools-for-writers-journalists-and-bl
oggers/
AVG Free for Linux
Developed by: Grisoft
Type of resource: Software
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
AVG Free for Linux is the Linux desktop version of the popular AVG Free antivirus tool. Although Linux viruses are less prevalent than viruses targeting Windows, Linux is not immune to malware threats, and as the use of Linux grows the risks increase.
Dhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Editor\'s choice: \"Copyright, copyleft and everything in between\': A multimedia curriculum on copyright alternatives in South Africa
Developed by: The Learning Commons
Type of resource: website and downloadable executable file to save to CD
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
The Learning Commons technology collective offers this downloadable file on open content in South Africa. Written by Kerryn McKay and Heather Ford and animated by Phillipa Moore from Paraffin Interactive, these animated materials offer a fascinating glimpse into the history of copyright, the impact of copyright and technology on local culture and indigenous knowledge, and new alternatives to copyright that enable you to freely copy and redistribute royalty-free content on the internet. Available in multi-media CDRom with printed booklets for facilitators, the tool is geared toward Grade 9 students in South Africa. In \'Copyright and left\' learners engage in interactive games throughout the CDRom, and can take part in fun and challenging group work in order to apply the knowledge that they have learned. The final assignment will demonstrate the learners\' abilities to successfully combine the themes of the curriculum by developing a website for their peers on copyright and its alternatives.
Dhttp://www.learningcommons.co.za
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