<incom> [ciresearchers] Re: FW: [Gov 482] TR: Open Source in ICT - Bridging thedigitaldivide inAfrica

Mon Apr 14 11:13:36 CEST 2008

Dear all
There's a lot happening on open source in Africa.
The Shuttleworth foundation developed Ubuntu, based on Linux.
There is AVOIR (African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources 
http://avoir.uwc.ac.za) <http://avoir.uwc.ac.za>
and they developed a magnificent open source Learning Management Tool, 
called Chisimba under the leadership of Derek Keats. This LMS is more 
powerful than Moodle, Sakai, and has Web 2.0 functionality - in fact, 
even better than WebCT/Blackboard in my opinion. If I remember 
correctly, it is used at about 15 different universities.
Then , the South African government announced a decision to port most 
applications to the open source platform.

Regards
Jacques

partha wrote:

>This is an interesting discussion. Different FOSS based
>organizations/network are facing similar problems and are trying to curve a
>solution out in their own strategic way.  Let me give you an interesting
>example here. Purpose is to seek your inputs whether you know similar case
>study, reports or research done in the area of FOSS appropriatization or
>long-term support service development for a FOSS based
>network/organization. 
>
>Recently, Bytesforall Bangladesh has received a request from Bangladesh
>Open Source Network (BDOSN- www.bdosn.org) to develop a business strategy
>for that organization. Bangladesh Open Source Network (www.bdosn.org) is a
>non-profit organization that promotes/localizes FOSS software tools,
>applications or services in Bangladesh and helps different Government, NGO
>and private sector bodies in adopting FOSS tools. Their awareness raising
>and motivation part worked very well and now they find themselves into the
>painful trap of their own success in providing support services to others.
>They are getting lots of requests that they cannot handle because they are
>mostly a volunteer- driven organization and run mostly by the subscription
>fees of all members. So here is is the context and we’re trying to work
>together to find out what organization and financial sustainability model
>we can follow without loosing the volunteers spirit of the network. 
>
>I look forward to hearing your experiences on similar projects. 
>
>Partha
>
>
>On Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:04:03 -0700 (PDT), Steve Cisler <sacisler at yahoo.com>
>wrote:
>  
>
>>I certainly agree with Anriette on each item. The point has been made
>>    
>>
>that
>  
>
>>aside from Red Hat there has been very modest commercialization of other
>>open source businesses. Most seem to be design and consulting groups. At
>>the drupal conference earlier this year http://acquia.com/ was introduced
>>with the creator drupal in a key position.
>>
>>I work with social entrepreneurs and most of them have gotten past the
>>ambivalence that many people in NGOs,  collaborative projects, have about
>>money, but they understand the complexity of these issues.
>>
>>
>>Anriette Esterhuysen <anriette at apc.org> wrote: Hallo Michael
>>
>>Yes.. this sounds just like a commercial IT 
>>conference targeting the business community.  
>>And I am not sure how this message ended up 
>>on incom.
>>
>>But, let me be devil's advocate....
>>
>>Is appropriation of FOSS by business not 
>>precisely what we want?
>>
>>How will things change if alternative models, 
>>ideas remain on the margins or the preserve of 
>>activists?
>>
>>Of course the struggle continues and we 
>>should be aware of how innovation rooted in 
>>challenging the status quo can be incorporated 
>>and 'neutralised'.  This is true of FOSS as well.
>>
>>Nevertheless, I think it is great that FOSS has 
>>become mainstreamed in the places like  South 
>>Africa, India and Brazil.
>>
>>This mainstreaming challenges monopolies like 
>>Microsoft much more effectively than uptake of 
>>FOSS in the NGO community.
>>
>>Anriette
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>    
>>
>>>From: incom-l-bounces at incommunicado.info
>>>[mailto:incom-l-bounces at incommunicado.info] On Behalf Of Michael
>>>Gurstein Sent: 09 April 2008 19:36 To: incom-l at incommunicado.info
>>>Subject:  FW: [Gov 482] TR: Open Source in ICT - Bridging the
>>>digitaldivide inAfrica Importance: High
>>>
>>>Hmmm... An "open source" conference for "Bridging the Digital Divide
>>>in Africa" that has a registration fee of (approx.) $1000 USD.
>>>
>>>MG
>>>
>>>
>>>  _____  
>>>
>>>De : Michelle Marais 
>>>Envoyé : mercredi, 9. avril 2008 09:44
>>>Objet : Open Source in ICT - Bridging the digital divide in Africa
>>>Importance : Haute
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Open Source in ICT  
>>>
>>>"Bridging the digital divide in Africa"
>>>
>>>13th to 14th May,2008
>>>
>>>FNB Conference Centre, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
>>>
>>>Please find attached the Open Source programme and registration form
>>>as per above.
>>>
>>>Open Source software presents an opportunity to cut costs, see inside
>>>the software, demystify technology and understand the design so that
>>>all users can adapt technology to meet their own needs. It is widely
>>>seen as the key enabler for developing countries to achieve
>>>technological self-determination. Open source can reduce total cost of
>>>ownership, enhance security, and create a vendor-independent network
>>>based on interoperability and open standards. Open source software
>>>also provides the opportunity to break free from the shackles of
>>>proprietary systems and expensive upgrades. The use of open source
>>>software will "maximise the value of ICT budgets" through savings on
>>>dollar-based license costs and efficiency gains. 
>>>
>>>Hear first hand experience of how successfully open source software
>>>can work with existing applications, seamlessly integrating into your
>>>current infrastructure, and harness the benefits of using open source
>>>in the Public Sector.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Due to the high demand and interactive nature of this event, seats are
>>>limited and seats are only confirmed once the attached, signed
>>>registration form is completed and faxed back to Michelle Marais at
>>>The Business Zone 1073 on +27(21)557 1218
>>>
>>>Kind regards
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Michelle Marais
>>>
>>>Corporate Sales Line Manager
>>>
>>>The Business Zone 1073
>>>"Conference, Corporate Training & Networking Specialists" 
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Tel :+27(0) 861 829 663
>>>
>>>Tel: +27(0) 21 521 4400
>>>
>>>Fax:+27(0) 21 557 1218
>>>e-mail: mmarais at businesszone.co.za
>>>website: www.businesszone.co.za  
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>"It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do
>>>yourself." Eleanor Roosevelt    
>>>
>>>Electronic Communications Disclaimer: The information contained in
>>>this communication is confidential and may be legally privileged. It
>>>is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it
>>>is addressed and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the
>>>intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure,
>>>copying, distribution or taking action in reliance of the contents of
>>>this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. The
>>>Business Zone (registration number: 2005/041326/23) is liable neither
>>>for the proper, complete transmission of the information contained in
>>>this communication, nor for any delay in its receipt, nor for the
>>>assurance that it is virus-free.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.7/1284 - Release Date:
>>>2/17/2008 2:39 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.7/1284 - Release Date:
>>>2/17/2008 2:39 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>>Checked by AVG.
>>>Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.10/1366 - Release Date:
>>>4/8/2008 5:03 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>_______________________________________________
>>>incom-l mailing list
>>>incom-l at incommunicado.info
>>>http://mail.kein.org/mailman/listinfo/incom-l
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>
>  
>

-- 
___________________________
Dr Jacques Steyn
Head: School of IT
Monash South Africa

+27-11-950-4132 Phone
+27-11-950-4033 Fax
+27-83-296-9122 Mobile
jacquezzteyn    Skype

http://sit.monash.ac.za
http://sit.monash.ac.za/staff/steyn/
jacques.steyn at infotech.monash.edu

IDIA: International Development Informatics Association
http://www.developmentinformatics.org/