Arabeyes: The Arabic Unix Project
Developed by: Arabeyes
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Arabeyes is a Meta project that is aimed at fully supporting the Arabic language in the Unix/Linux environment. It is designed to be a central location to standardize the Arabization process. Arabeyes relies on voluntary contributions by computer professionals and enthusiasts all over the world.
Dhttp://www.arabeyes.org/
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
International Open Source Network
Developed by: Asia-Pacific Information Development Programme
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
IOSN is a clearinghouse for information on FOSS, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
Dhttp://www.iosn.net/
Making Sense of Freeware, Open Source, and Shareware
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Brief overview of the terminology and concepts involved, and links to some sources of freeware, open source software, and shareware.
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/articlepage.cfm?articleid=
40&topicid=2
MMTK Open source software materials
Developed by: APC
Type of resource: PDF files and OpenOffice.org files
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
This workshop kit offers materials which trainers can use as the basis of face-to-face workshops. Two units are available: "Introduction to open source software" and "Choosing open source software".
Dhttp://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/open
source.shtml
Open Source Software
Developed by: APC
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This site, from APC's Internet Rights programme provides news and information resources on open source-related issues.
Dhttp://www.apc.org/english/rights/africa/?-1-%27Op
en+Source%27
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
OpenOffice Training Materials
Developed by: ByteBot.net (Colin Charles)
Type of resource: Web site - OOo and PDF files
Target audience: General, Trainers
Cost: Free access
Ready-made OOo slide presentations (also available as PDF files) introducing all the tools in the OpenOffice.org suite. Useful for both trainers and end-users.
Dhttp://training.bytebot.net/
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/
Understanding Open Source Software
Developed by: Groklaw
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Good introduction by Red Hat's Mark Webbink looking at "What is open source software", the fundamentals of copyright law, myths about open source software, and key concepts relating to open source licensing.
Dhttp://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=200312310
92027900
Why You Should Switch to the Mozilla Firebird browser
Developed by: Mozilla
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article by Ben Goodger looks at the features which make Mozilla Firebird a superior browser.
Dhttp://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/why/
Building An Open Source Office: GRO Case Study
Developed by: LINC Project
Type of resource: Web site/PDF
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This case study is a useful starting point for grassroots (and other) organizations who are considering moving over to open source software.
Dhttp://www.lincproject.org/toolkit/linux/gro2/
IDA Open Source Migration Guidelines
Developed by: European Union
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
The IDA Open Source Migration Guidelines provide practical and detailed recommendations on how to migrate to Open Source Software (OSS)-based office applications, calendaring, e-mail and other standard applications.
Dhttp://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/export/files/en/1618
.pdf
Editor's choice: Open Source in Africa: Towards Informed Decision-Making
Developed by: Martin Bruggink / IICD
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"This Brief summarises research carried out in Tanzania, Uganda and Burkina Faso and other countries, asking where, how, and why open source software is being used in Africa. Researcher Martin Bruggink highlights the opportunities as well as the risks facing IT managers in African institutions who are thinking of making the switch to open source."
Dhttp://www.ftpiicd.org/files/research/briefs/Brief
7.pdf
Choosing and using open source software: a primer for nonprofits
Developed by: Nonprofit Open Source Initiative
Type of resource: http://www.nosi.net/primer/NOSIPrimer.pdf
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"Choosing and Using Open Source Software: A Primer for Nonprofits" from NOSIdescribes what open source software is and what impact it may have on the nonprofit sector. It includes case-studies of nonprofits of various sizes that are using open source software, a process for evaluating whether or not open source is right for an organization, and useful resources and information.
Dhttp://www.nosi.net/primer/NOSIPrimer.pdf
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/
Free Software / Open Source Software and Civil Society Organizations - the guide
Developed by: i_CAN
Type of resource: Web site
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This site includes a calendar of events, news, and other resources on Open Source for civil society organizations.
Dhttp://www.work.artnet.org/opensource
How Open Source Can Open Doors for Nonprofits
Developed by: TechSoup
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article by Jamie McClelland and Reuben Silvers
argues that the natural connection between nonprofits and the open source software movement has not yet been fully realized, and that "by developing this connection nonprofits will not only benefit from the advantages of open source software but will be able to uniquely contribute to the development of new and richer open source patterns to the benefit of both nonprofits and the greater open source software movement."
Dhttp://www.techsoup.org/howto/articlepage.cfm?Arti
cleId=426
Licence fees and GDP per capita: The case for open source in developing countries
Developed by: Rishab Aiyer Ghosh
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article in First Monday argues that the open source development community provides an environment of intensive interactive skills development at little explicit cost, which is particularly useful for local development of skills, especially in economically disadvantaged regions. It includes a table on "Licence fee relative to GDP/capita", concluding that the share of licence fees in the total cost of ownership of proprietary software is much higher than in high labour cost countries.
Dhttp://firstmonday.org/issues/issue8_12/ghosh/inde
x.html
Open Source and the Voluntary Sector
Developed by: Openflows, Networks ltd.
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Topics covered in this report include Advantages of Open Source Software, Case Studies of NGOs Using OSS, Open Source Packages and Support Using Open Source Software. While the report has a Canadian focus it will also be useful to readers in other countries.
Dhttp://www.openflows.org/article.pl?sid=03/05/29/1
349220
Open Source in Developing Countries
Developed by: SIDA
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This 2004 report by SIDA looks at the open source phenomenon in general, and as it relates to developing countries in particular.
Dhttp://www.sida.org/sida/jsp/sida.jsp?d=118&a=3055
&searchWords=open%2520source&language=en_US
Open source is on the map
Developed by: Dan McQuillan
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
Open source software is making inroads into the voluntary sector. Dan McQuillan of Lasa’s Information Systems Team and the Multikulti project highlights the potential, the pitfalls and gives some proposals for the future.
Dhttp://www.lasa.org.uk/cgi-bin/publisher/display.c
gi?1427-10103-12611+computanews
Open Source Software: Perspectives for Development
Developed by: Paul Dravis
Type of resource: PDF file
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
infoDev-supported report aimed at decision makers.
Dhttp://www.infodev.org/symp2003/publications/OpenS
ourceSoftware.pdf
Using Open Source Software in Your Nonprofit Organization
Developed by: Dot Org Issue #11
Type of resource: Web guide
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
This article looks at the strategic issues for non-profits in using open source software.
Dhttp://lstech.org/resource_lib/software/open_sourc
e/Using_OSS_NPO.html
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
Lessons from Open Source: Intellectual Property and Courseware
Developed by: Jan Newmarch / First Monday
Type of resource: Web article
Target audience: General
Cost: Free access
"In this competitive age, universities are seeking ways to protect their intellectual property, for fear that it might be stolen or used by others without financial benefit coming back to the university. Increasingly, universities are using mechanisms of secrecy to secure their property. This paper argues that this approach is wrong on both moral and business grounds, and that a better model can be found in the Open Source movement of the software industry."
This article, although mainly concerned with tertiary education, offers insights which apply to training materials more generally.
Training Materials: Learn About Open Source
