Free and Open Source SoftwarePresented by Vidyaratha Kissoon Guyana Technology User Group

9 February 2013

What we will talk about..

What is FOSS/FLOSS? Types of FOSS Why bother with FOSS in Guyana? Making money with FOSS Linux and us

When last have you stolen something or acquired stolen

property?

Definition of FOSS Free Software Movement

− The freedom to run a program, for any purpose;

− The freedom to study how a program works and adapt it to a person’s needs. Access to the source code is a precondition for this;

− The freedom to redistribute copies so that you can help your neighbour; and

− The freedom to improve a program and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this

− libre vs gratuit

Richard Stallman is the founder

Definition of FOSS.. Free redistribution

Source code

Derived works

Integrity of author's code

No discrimination against users

No discrimination against fields of endeavour

Distribution of license

License must be technology-neutral

License must not be specific to a product

License must not restrict other software

Managed by Open Source Initiative, focused on technical issues

Types of FOSS

Operating Systems - Linux, FreeBSD

Databases - MySql, PostgreSQL

Webservers - Apache, Roxen, Savant

CMS – Drupal, Wordpress, Joomla

Elearning – Moodle, Claronline

Internet Apps – Pidgin, Firefox, Opera, Ekiga

Multimedia – Mplayer, totem, xine, gtkpod, VLC

Graphics – GIMP, Inkscape,

Productivity – OpenOffice, Koffice, Abiword

GIS – Quantum, GRASS,

and many others

Why bother with FOSS?

Security Reliability/Stability Open standards and vendor independence Reduced reliance on imports Developing local software capacity Piracy, IPR, and WTO Localization

Why bother with FOSS..

Challenges..− lack of business applications

− interoperability with proprietary systems

− limited documentation and 'polish'

− Limited Marketing

− ......

Making money with FOSS

Develop solutions

− Applications, Customisations,

Develop a service

− technical support demand for Linux system Administration Money on services, not on licences

Innovation – creating solutions

− Applications eg GIS

What is Linux Linux the kernel

− Linux was originally the name of the kernel created by Linus Torvalds and is currently maintained by a team of developers

Linux – the distributions

− the kernel, plus the system libraries, GUI, various databases, web servers, email utilities, desktop software and others.

− Debian, Mint, Mandriva, Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat, SUSE,

− Not all applications are “FOSS” (eg skype )

Linux is used.. Simputer, OLPC Supercomputers Mobile devices By US Navy, Chinese Government Schools in Kerala

Learning to use Linux

Try an installation Learn the command line Do a project – create FOSS/Linux based

solutions and cost them− Web server− Desktop− Linux Terminal Server Project pilot

Certification?

Thanks for listening... vidyak1@gmail.com