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October 2007
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/09/2007 - 10:05
Today, we're releasing the new version of the tried and true NOSI primer. 'Choosing and Using Free and Open Source Software: A Primer for Nonprofits' is a no-nonsense, easy to read report that helps nonprofits understand what free and open source software (FOSS) is, what options are available for their organizations, and how they can access support for using FOSS. The primer includes all of the basics, and also discusses how to look at TCO and strategic value in making decisions about FOSS.
Submitted by admin on Thu, 10/04/2007 - 14:44
Unlike the first primer we released in 2004, this primer will not be printed by NOSI. We will endeavor to have the primer updated with some regularity (like quarterly); volunteers for that effort are welcome.Presently, the primer is in chapters on this site, as well as in PDF form. Feel free to comment about any of the primer.In addition, the primer (in .odt format) is in Subversion.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 13:48
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 12:25
Mailing Lists, Websites and IRC channels available for support of FOSSPlease feel free to comment and add more resources!
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 12:15
Applications - software on your computer that does basic user tasks, like word processing, accounting, etc.CMS - Content Management System.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 12:07
In the almost four years since we wrote the first version of this primer, much of the landscape around the use of free and open source software in the nonprofit sector has changed.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:59
One of the major questions that nonprofits have about implementing FOSS in their organizations is 'How will I get support?' We outline here a variety of ways to get support for FOSS, as well as the increasing awareness and expertise about FOSS in the nonprofit sector.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:52
We have outlined the basics of FOSS, how it's developed, and why we think the free and open source model is valuable for nonprofit organizations. We've also provided some specific concepts and tools to use to make decisions about the adoption of FOSS in your organization, as well as some specific examples of organizations that have adopted FOSS as a part of their technology infrastructure.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:48
Attached to this page is a worksheet you can use to help you look at the TCO, strategic value, and mission-based philosophy of proprietary vs. FOSS vs. web-hosted system. (A note- 'software as a service' includes services such as Salesforce, Google Apps or Kintera.) We hope that this can be a practical, useful tool for making software choices.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:40
There is another factor to consider in thinking about adopting free and open source software that is unique to nonprofits: and that is a philosophical one. Nonprofits exist because they have a specific mission and philosophy, and work to fulfill that mission according to that philosophy. FOSS exists for many reasons, but one of the most salient is not technical, but philosophical.Philosophy of Free SoftwareAs you might expect, there are many schools of thought regarding the philosophical issues related to free and open source software.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:30
BackgroundAdopting free and open source software can be as simple as downloading one software package, installing it, and using it on a single workstation, or as complex as implementing a Linux server cluster to do complex computing, or anything in between. This section will focus on smaller-scale implementations of FOSS, which are more relevant to most nonprofit organizations. All organizations should consider implementing FOSS. But in any organization, it is necessary to make a case for what can be a significant internal change.
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:19
Chapter 2: What is free and open source software and how is it developed?
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:15
Choosing and Using Free and Open Source Software: A Primer for Nonprofits
Written by Michelle Murrain
Published by NOSI (Nonprofit Open Source Initiative)
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/02/2007 - 11:07
'Choosing and Using Free and Open Source Software: A Primer for Nonprofits' describes what open source software is and what impact this type of software may have on the nonprofit sector.Release Date: October 9, 2007This is an updated version of our old primer, published in 2004.It includes:
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