Source Software (OSS) Freedom Day
11 September 2006
The Department of Science and Technology will host the Open Source Software
Freedom Day at the Department of Science and Technology's new offices in
Brummeria, Pretoria on Saturday, 16 September 2006, from 09h00 to 15h00.
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a worldwide celebration of Free and Open
Source Software (FOSS). Its main goal is to educate the worldwide public about
the benefits of using high quality FOSS in education, government, at home and
in business.
The DST following the world trend is through SFD, wanting to create
awareness and promote the benefits of FOSS in South Africa. The DST is
committed to a migration strategy to an Open Source Information Technology (IT)
environment. The National Bioinformatics Network, one of a number of DST-funded
biotechnology agencies, has adopted FOSS as a development platform for R &
D tools in bioinformatics.
FOSS is software that provides one with the source code and the freedom to
modify it and distribute the modified versions. It is free in that users may
freely copy and distribute the software. FOSS will benefit those who cannot
afford to buy the more expensive packages, such as small businesses and
students and promotes small business creation.
Globally the development and use of OSS has reached significant proportions.
The potential benefits and the level of maturity model is such that the South
African Government should recognise it as a viable alternative, which will in
many cases prove to be the preferred approach to software development and
application.
Several applications are already in use in the Government through projects
such as Meraka Open Source Centre and the Centre for Public Service Innovation.
The Meraka Institute has prioritised FOSS as a key programme. The State
Information Technology Agency has also been instrumental in driving the
national FOSS project while formulating its own migration plan.
Government in partnership with industry and society has a key role to play
in promoting FOSS. The South African (SA) Government is the largest procurer of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the continent.
By acknowledging the potential benefits of FOSS, Government can contribute
and benefit significantly, especially in the following areas:
* introducing appropriate policies and legislation that can lead to maximising
the return on ICT expenditure through saving on dollar-based licence costs and
efficiency gains through avoidance of potential lock in and allowing wider
choice
* stimulating the local software industry. This will lead to better export
potential and better capacity locally to satisfy Government's ICT needs, and
will also contribute to significantly to human resource development, especially
in the area of ICT, and
* lowering entry barriers for various kinds of new businesses into the IT
industry.
South Africa is now one of the world's loudest advocates of FOSS. It is
however not alone in this recognition of the benefits of FOSS, and many other
nations, including Brazil, France and large portions of Germany have joined the
FOSS community. Other countries advocating FOSS include China, Chile, Spain,
Thailand, India, and the United Kingdom.
All media is invited to attend.
For media enquires, please contact:
Kristin Klose
Cell: 082 902 9503
E-mail: kristin.klose@dst.gov.za
Nthabi Maoela
Cell: 073 648 2876
E-mail: nthabiseng.maoela@dst.gov.za
For enquiries about the Open Source Software Freedom Day, please
contact:
Dawn Zimmermann
Cell: 082 787 0206
E-mail: dawn.zimmermann@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
11 September 2006
Source: SAPA
