www.public-software.in
Public Software for the Public Sector
Public Software for the Public Sector
May 27-29, 2010: Public Software Workshop in Kochi, Kerala
An international conference on 'Software in Public Sector, with focus on Public Education' was jointly conducted by UNESCO/UN Solution Exchange ICTD unit and IT@School Project of Government of Kerala this month in Kerala. The proposed workshop was designed based on the document 'Guiding principles for policy on software for the Public Sector', discussed in Bangalore on Feb 1-2, 2010. The conference was an opportunity to present case studies on adoption of Public Sector Software with a special focus on education to ensure public ownership, transparency, sharing and independent use of public software.
The workshop encouraged practitioners and policy makers to take this discussion forward to frame 'Public Sector Software Architecture (PSSA)' that can help integrate the software/computerisation and the public sector domains in meaningful and coordinated manner.
Workshop objectives:
1. Provide a sharing of the experiences and lesson learned which could provide various stakeholders involved in promoting good governance with a better understanding of public sector software;
2. Discuss the potential and challenges in implementing Open standards and software in public sector by various stakeholders involved in promoting ICTs;
3. Discuss, finalise and adopt 'Guiding principles for policy on software for the Public Sector' which was initiated at the regional workshop on public sector software in Bangalore on Feb 1-2, 2010; and
4. Provide inputs for developing a framework for 'Public Sector Software Architecture (PSSA) document.
The conference will be an opportunity to present case studies on adoption of PSS of with a special focus on education. Delegates will discuss and provide inputs to enable the spread of these initiatives across the region.
To read the concept note, click here.
The workshop encouraged practitioners and policy makers to take this discussion forward to frame 'Public Sector Software Architecture (PSSA)' that can help integrate the software/computerisation and the public sector domains in meaningful and coordinated manner.
Workshop objectives:
1. Provide a sharing of the experiences and lesson learned which could provide various stakeholders involved in promoting good governance with a better understanding of public sector software;
2. Discuss the potential and challenges in implementing Open standards and software in public sector by various stakeholders involved in promoting ICTs;
3. Discuss, finalise and adopt 'Guiding principles for policy on software for the Public Sector' which was initiated at the regional workshop on public sector software in Bangalore on Feb 1-2, 2010; and
4. Provide inputs for developing a framework for 'Public Sector Software Architecture (PSSA) document.
The conference will be an opportunity to present case studies on adoption of PSS of with a special focus on education. Delegates will discuss and provide inputs to enable the spread of these initiatives across the region.
To read the concept note, click here.
May: New Workshops in Jaipur (14-15) and Delhi (18-19)
This month, non-profits and civil society groups will participate in two workshops to discuss Public Software. The events will be will be conducted by Sarai CSDS in association with Mahiti Infotech in Jaipur (May 14-15) and Delhi (May 18-19).
The main question of the debate is ' What is Free Software and why is it relevant to you?'.
General sessions will cover the following issues: Introduction to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS); How to install a Linux based operating system; How to navigate the Linux desktop, using applications and installing software; How to get help and support; How to compute and communicate in a language of your choice.
Specific sessions will address: General office and internet applications; Ubuntu Linux installation (hands-on); Creating blogs and Wikis; Audio/Video editing tools (hands-on); Desktop publishing tools (hands-on); New-age licensing concepts (Creative Commons etc); Migration to FOSS with minimal hassles; and Compatibility of FOSS software with proprietary ones.
The event in Delhi would be held in the Sarai premises, CSDS. To apply for Delhi event, please go to http://bit.ly/bfWv8S. For complete directions, log on to http://www.sarai.net/about-us/contact. To apply for the event in Jaipur, please go to http://bit.ly/9pthVB. The venue for the Jaipur event will be announced later.
For further queries please call Nandeep on 098185 88334.
This month, non-profits and civil society groups will participate in two workshops to discuss Public Software. The events will be will be conducted by Sarai CSDS in association with Mahiti Infotech in Jaipur (May 14-15) and Delhi (May 18-19).
The main question of the debate is ' What is Free Software and why is it relevant to you?'.
General sessions will cover the following issues: Introduction to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS); How to install a Linux based operating system; How to navigate the Linux desktop, using applications and installing software; How to get help and support; How to compute and communicate in a language of your choice.
Specific sessions will address: General office and internet applications; Ubuntu Linux installation (hands-on); Creating blogs and Wikis; Audio/Video editing tools (hands-on); Desktop publishing tools (hands-on); New-age licensing concepts (Creative Commons etc); Migration to FOSS with minimal hassles; and Compatibility of FOSS software with proprietary ones.
The event in Delhi would be held in the Sarai premises, CSDS. To apply for Delhi event, please go to http://bit.ly/bfWv8S. For complete directions, log on to http://www.sarai.net/about-us/contact. To apply for the event in Jaipur, please go to http://bit.ly/9pthVB. The venue for the Jaipur event will be announced later.
For further queries please call Nandeep on 098185 88334.
Public Software alternatives to Proprietary Software
Application area
Proprietary
Free software*
Download
Operating system
Microsoft Windows
Ubuntu GNU-Linux
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Word Processor
Microsoft Office - Word
OpenOffice.org - Writer
http://download.openoffice.org/index.html
Spread Sheet
Microsoft Office – Excel
OpenOffice.org - Calc
http://download.openoffice.org/index.html
Presentation
Microsoft Office – Powerpoint
OpenOffice.org - Impress
http://download.openoffice.org/index.html
Email client
Microsoft Outlook
Mozilla Thunderbird
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
Internet Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/
Archiving
Win-zip
7-zip, Peapod
http://www.7-zip.org/download.html
Media
Windows Media Player
VLC Player, MPlayer
http://www.videolan.org/
Graphics
Adobe Photoshop
GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/downloads/
PDF
Adobe Acrobat
PDF-edit
http://pdfedit.petricek.net/en/download.html
* There are alternatives as well to the products suggested here. for e.g. there are other GNU/Linux distributions as well - Debian, Fedora, Mandrake etc
Multinational vendors often suggest that private software is of 'good quality' and has 'support' and training facilities, whereas free software is of poor quality, is unreliable and has no training or support facilities. However this generalisation is unfounded and simply based on the fact that most people have not used or been exposed to available alternatives. The majority of software purchased in India (and elsewhere) is the operating system of the computer coupled with an office automation package. In this respect, free software is as good as proprietary software. The Governments of many countries have taken specific policy decision to go for Open Office and GNU/Linux. In India, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and many other states have taken clear policy decision to opt for free softwares like Open Office and GNU/Linux. The table above gives some of these options
|
Application area
|
Proprietary
|
Free software*
|
Download
|
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows | Ubuntu GNU-Linux | http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download |
| Word Processor | Microsoft Office - Word | OpenOffice.org - Writer | http://download.openoffice.org/index.html |
| Spread Sheet | Microsoft Office – Excel | OpenOffice.org - Calc | http://download.openoffice.org/index.html |
| Presentation | Microsoft Office – Powerpoint | OpenOffice.org - Impress | http://download.openoffice.org/index.html |
| Email client | Microsoft Outlook | Mozilla Thunderbird | http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ |
| Internet Browser | Microsoft Internet Explorer | Mozilla Firefox | http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/ |
| Archiving | Win-zip | 7-zip, Peapod | http://www.7-zip.org/download.html |
| Media | Windows Media Player | VLC Player, MPlayer | http://www.videolan.org/ |
| Graphics | Adobe Photoshop | GIMP | http://www.gimp.org/downloads/ |
| Adobe Acrobat | PDF-edit | http://pdfedit.petricek.net/en/download.html |
* There are alternatives as well to the products suggested here. for e.g. there are other GNU/Linux distributions as well - Debian, Fedora, Mandrake etc
Multinational vendors often suggest that private software is of 'good quality' and has 'support' and training facilities, whereas free software is of poor quality, is unreliable and has no training or support facilities. However this generalisation is unfounded and simply based on the fact that most people have not used or been exposed to available alternatives. The majority of software purchased in India (and elsewhere) is the operating system of the computer coupled with an office automation package. In this respect, free software is as good as proprietary software. The Governments of many countries have taken specific policy decision to go for Open Office and GNU/Linux. In India, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and many other states have taken clear policy decision to opt for free softwares like Open Office and GNU/Linux. The table above gives some of these options
South India Regional Workshop on "Software Principles for the Public Sector, with focus on Public Education"
Policy makers from the four South Indian States (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Pondicherry met in Bangalore on 1 and 2 Feb for a “South India Regional Workshop on 'Software Principles for the Public Sector, with Focus on Public Education” along with members from academia and civil society. This workshop was co-organized by UNESCO, e-Governance Department, Department of Public Instruction and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (Government of Karnataka), Karnataka Jnana Aayoga (Karnataka Knowledge Commission) and IT for Change (ITfC).
Click here to read the Workshop Report
Click here to read the Guiding Principles for Public Software
Click here to read the session plan and the detailed presentations / synopses of the resource persons of the workshop
Click on the links to read
1. The concept note
2. The Session Plan
3. Case Studies on Public Software
4. Note for the Resource People
5. Press release
6. Policy Brief
7. The Participants List
ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಗಾರದ ದಾಸ್ತಾವೇಜುಗಳನ್ನು ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ.
As software becomes important for almost all organisational processes, its importance to governments is no less. In fact digital tools and systems, if employed appropriately, can be instruments of major governance reform in India. In this context it is important to discuss what are the specific characteristics and imperatives of software for the public sector. Are the corresponding requirement of kinds of software, and its processes of design, development, procurement, implementation, enhancement / customization, audit etc same as in the case of private sector? What are the unique issues vis-a-vis public sector software?
The workshop act as an opportunity to conceptualize principles for 'software for the public sector' and discuss the challenges and posssibilities in adopting software for the public sector on a large scale for maximum societal benefit. Day 1 focused on public education. Day 2 attempted at evolving overall public sector software principles.
The workshop aimed at contributing to a better understanding of how the specific contexts of the public sector, including its principles of universal access, participation, sharing / strengthening commons, transparency, social justice and equity inform the design of software for the public sector. This event also promotedsharing of experiences and lessons in “public sector software” development and implementation programs in southern states of India .
Two documents will be created from discussions: 'Guiding principles for public sector software' and 'Experiences and learnings as well as challenges from public software projects'. These documents will feed into a subsequent international workshop on a similar theme being organized by Government of Kerala, UNESCO, Solution Exchange, and IT for Change in April 2010.
Policy makers from the four South Indian States (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Pondicherry met in Bangalore on 1 and 2 Feb for a “South India Regional Workshop on 'Software Principles for the Public Sector, with Focus on Public Education” along with members from academia and civil society. This workshop was co-organized by UNESCO, e-Governance Department, Department of Public Instruction and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (Government of Karnataka), Karnataka Jnana Aayoga (Karnataka Knowledge Commission) and IT for Change (ITfC).
Click here to read the Workshop Report
Click here to read the Guiding Principles for Public Software
Click here to read the session plan and the detailed presentations / synopses of the resource persons of the workshop
Click on the links to read
1. The concept note
2. The Session Plan
3. Case Studies on Public Software
4. Note for the Resource People
5. Press release
6. Policy Brief
7. The Participants List
ಈ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಗಾರದ ದಾಸ್ತಾವೇಜುಗಳನ್ನು ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ.
As software becomes important for almost all organisational processes, its importance to governments is no less. In fact digital tools and systems, if employed appropriately, can be instruments of major governance reform in India. In this context it is important to discuss what are the specific characteristics and imperatives of software for the public sector. Are the corresponding requirement of kinds of software, and its processes of design, development, procurement, implementation, enhancement / customization, audit etc same as in the case of private sector? What are the unique issues vis-a-vis public sector software?
The workshop act as an opportunity to conceptualize principles for 'software for the public sector' and discuss the challenges and posssibilities in adopting software for the public sector on a large scale for maximum societal benefit. Day 1 focused on public education. Day 2 attempted at evolving overall public sector software principles.
The workshop aimed at contributing to a better understanding of how the specific contexts of the public sector, including its principles of universal access, participation, sharing / strengthening commons, transparency, social justice and equity inform the design of software for the public sector. This event also promotedsharing of experiences and lessons in “public sector software” development and implementation programs in southern states of India .
Two documents will be created from discussions: 'Guiding principles for public sector software' and 'Experiences and learnings as well as challenges from public software projects'. These documents will feed into a subsequent international workshop on a similar theme being organized by Government of Kerala, UNESCO, Solution Exchange, and IT for Change in April 2010.
About FOSS
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is software which anybody has the freedom to use, study, modify and share. The source code of FOSS applications is made available to the user for this purpose. FOSS is often also free or gratis (zero cost). However the 'Free' in Free Software means 'freedom' (just like free speech means freedom to speak and express ourselves) and not 'no cost'.
There are several reasons to use and promote FOSS in educational institutions, governments, businesses, as well as in non-profit organisations. The reasons are even stronger in the case of institutions in the 'public sector' which work for the public interest.
This website is intended for the Indian public sector, and especially for the public sector in Karnataka. It aims to provide resources (technical support, training and development), information about FOSS and about its importance for the public sector. It also aims to build a 'coalition of individuals and institutions' working on similar issues, for creating a strong eco-system to facilitate the success of FOSS in the public sector.
If you believe in the ideals of Free Software, please lend your support and participation to this movement.
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is software which anybody has the freedom to use, study, modify and share. The source code of FOSS applications is made available to the user for this purpose. FOSS is often also free or gratis (zero cost). However the 'Free' in Free Software means 'freedom' (just like free speech means freedom to speak and express ourselves) and not 'no cost'.
There are several reasons to use and promote FOSS in educational institutions, governments, businesses, as well as in non-profit organisations. The reasons are even stronger in the case of institutions in the 'public sector' which work for the public interest.
This website is intended for the Indian public sector, and especially for the public sector in Karnataka. It aims to provide resources (technical support, training and development), information about FOSS and about its importance for the public sector. It also aims to build a 'coalition of individuals and institutions' working on similar issues, for creating a strong eco-system to facilitate the success of FOSS in the public sector.
If you believe in the ideals of Free Software, please lend your support and participation to this movement.
Why should the Public Sector prefer Public Software to ProprietarySoftware
- FOSS provides affordable and sustainable solutions to different sectors' information and communication needs, particularly for those sectors in the 'developing' countries where most people and organisations cannot afford high licensing fees that are bundled with proprietary software.
- FOSS offers low cost access to high performing software for developing nations.
- FOSS lowers administrative costs and enhance local IT skills.
- FOSS has socio-economic advantages: The adoption of FOSS can improve national competitiveness and help support local innovation. By keeping funds in the country and building skills and capacity locally, the preference for FOSS in government systems can boost the local economy.
- FOSS provides affordable and sustainable solutions to different sectors' information and communication needs, particularly for those sectors in the 'developing' countries where most people and organisations cannot afford high licensing fees that are bundled with proprietary software.
- FOSS offers low cost access to high performing software for developing nations.
- FOSS lowers administrative costs and enhance local IT skills.
- FOSS has socio-economic advantages: The adoption of FOSS can improve national competitiveness and help support local innovation. By keeping funds in the country and building skills and capacity locally, the preference for FOSS in government systems can boost the local economy.
