Information Society Watch

January 15, 2007, Rishab Aiyer Ghosh

The European Commission has released a study of the economic impact of Free/Libre or Open Source Software (FLOSS) on the European ICT sector.

2005, Louis-Dominique Ouédraogo, UN Joint Inspection Unit

This United Nations summary report contributes to raising awareness of the increasing use of open source software (OSS) by public administrations worldwide. Findings highlight some of the requirements to be met by UN system organisations in creating an enabling environment for increased use of OSS based on the new system-wide UN ICT strategy proposed by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).

August 22, 2006, Koen Vervloesem, NewsForge

The Croatian government has adopted an open source software policy and declared a set of guidelines for the development and use of open source software within government institutions. Such a move is based on a primary concern with dependence on proprietary software suppliers.

Peter Sayer, InfoWorld

The French National Assembly has declared its intention to cut administrative costs through the use of open source software. Deputies' computers will be equipped with the Linux operating system, the Open Office productivity suite, the Firefox Web browser and an open-source e-mail application.

June 2006, Mike Jensen, The Association for Progressive Communications

This paper looks at the idea of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to provide bandwidth in Africa, via a two-part system in which national cable landing points are managed by national associations of bandwidth providers, while the cable itself is owned by a mix of operators and private or public investors. The main objective of the SPV is not to make a profit, but to facilitate profits made elsewhere by the participating companies.

2006, Alma Swan, Key Perspectives

The author argues for the benefits of open access in the field of scholarly research, the use of research findings, and broad benefits for human society. The advantages discussed include the greater visibility and accessibility associated with open access; the more rapid and more efficient progress of scholarly research; the improved assessment, monitoring and management of science; and the creation of novel information using new computational technologies.

February 24, 2006, Kathambi Kinoti, The Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)

This article explores several obstacles to women's participation in Free Open (or Libre) Source Software (FOSS) development. Women, both in the North and South, stand to gain tremendously from the FOSS movement and it is hailed as having the potential to deliver appropriate information and communication technology on a grand scale to disadvantaged groups.

June 2005, Anousak Souphavanh and Theppitak Karoonboonyanan, Asian Pacific Development Information Programme

This primer provides a broad perspective on the localisation of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) for the benefit of policy- and decision-makers in developing countries.

May 12, 2006, Bill Thompson, BBC

This columnist describes his interactions with Indian programmers who are using the freedom of Linux distribution licences to create instrumental technologies themselves. He believes India is beginning a new phase in its use of free and open source software.

October 11, 2006, The Registrar

In a major boost to the free and open source movement, the European Union has embarked upon a major initiative to establish and run an open source Observatory and Repository for the benefit of the European public sector undertakings.