Free Open Source Software is really the way to go for many of our small development partners

WHAT IS FOSS?

Free Open Source Software is really the way to go for many of our small development partners here in Sri Lanka. I learnt this recently at a workshop in May hosted by Lankanet, one of CAFOD’s longest partners in Sri Lanka.

As World Trade Organisations rules get tighter; rules which struggling economies of places like Sri Lanka are impelled to implement, then access to standard software becomes more expensive. However there is really no longer a need for most organisations to run standard proprietary software, such as Microsoft operating systems or MS office packages, and pay the expensive licenses they demand.

All the standard, and many not so standard, software needs can now be satisfied by FOSS, Free Open Source Software. This is truly free software often developed by a global network of enthusiasts seeking to promote access to IT for all levels of society and really bridg the digital divide.

CAFOD’s partners in Information Technology in Sri Lanka, Lankanet, have taken this a step further. They have developed a whole office network, (one server and up to 10 clients), which can provide a fast and efficient modern networked office at a fraction of the price of a standard network of office PCs. This is known as a Thin Client Network where only one Pentium 4 PC is necessary and up to 10 old Pentium 2s or 3s can be networked using LINUX based software.

Included in this package is the Fedora Operating System, which is now almost indistinguishable from Windows XP, and ‘openoffice.com’ which provides a package of software that rivals MS Office. The big plus here is to be able to run on low memory and old PC at speeds, which make them seem practically new. This is simply done by running each of the clients (the older PCs) directly off the main Pentium 4 or equivalent, PC using a router and special LINUX networking software. The second major bonus is the whole system is practically free of virus attacks.

Now the time has arrived when free software can really bring free access nearer to reality but convincing people to change is not easy. Well the people attending this opening workshop were convinced – now to get them trained up to set up networks in their own offices is the next task. Good luck lankanet!