Software Freedom Day
13 September 2007
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has lined up an exciting
programme in celebration of Software Freedom Day on 15 September 2007.
Co-ordinated globally by the non-profit company Software Freedom
International, the goal of the Day is to educate the public about the benefits
of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in all fields, from home and business
through to government and education.
FOSS provides users with the source code and the freedom to modify the
software and distribute the modified versions.
It allows users to copy and distribute the software freely, which is of
particular benefit to students and small business owners who often cannot
afford expensive packages.
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, will deliver
the opening address at the event, which will be held at the DST Building, in
Pretoria, from 09h00 to 15h00.
The official programme boasts a number of activities, including chess
coaching, workshops and games.
The development of chess in schools is widely believed to have a significant
impact on the learning of Maths and Science, and the DST will therefore be
hosting a number of learners, chess players and coaches.
According to the department's Chief Information Officer, Aslam Raffee, there
are a growing number of schools in South Africa and around the world who are
integrating chess into the curriculum.
"However, there is a shortage of tutorial programmes and simple tournament
software for schools, despite the availability of free software chess playing
engines, chess databases and Internet client tools," he said.
There are a number of free software packages specifically catering for
schools, which include school administration software, educational software and
games.
"With this effort we hope to enhance those offerings by providing quality,
cross-platform tools for chess learners and educators," said Mr Raffee.
Coaches, players, learners and programmers will meet and discuss interventions
in this area.
He said the exercise was a good example of how using the freedom offered by
free software could achieve worthwhile, tangible benefits for young people in
SA and elsewhere.
The Department is using Software Freedom Day to create awareness and promote
the benefits of FOSS in South Africa.
This follows Cabinet's approval of a strategy in February 2007 to roll out
FOSS in government.
The State Information Technology Agency has been instrumental in driving the
national FOSS project while formulating its own migration plan.
It launched the FOSS Programme Office at the beginning of September.
The office was developed to co-ordinate all FOSS work in government, create
required skills, ensure that government procures FOSS compliant information
technology and assist all government departments with their migration
processes.
Enquiries:
Aslam Raffee
Chief Information Officer, Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 082 563 5357
E-mail: aslam.raffee@dst.gov.za
Celeste Tema
Deputy Director: Communication and Media Liaison,
Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 083 399 0765
E-mail: celeste.tema@dst.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
13 September 2007
