Open source software : take it or leave it? : the status of open source software in Africa : a study towards informed decision-making on ICT-platforms
Document type: report
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Abstract:
Open Source Software: Take It or Leave It? The Status of Open Source Software in Africa A study towards informed decision-making on ICT-platforms… This report showcases a few of the many promising initiatives and illustrates some of the challenges facing OS-implementation in Africa, using case studies from Burkina Faso, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. It was found that open source software is not uncommon in Africa. The many open source initiatives, user groups, research projects, applications, discussions and conferences indicate that increasingly open source software needs to be considered as part of making informed decisions about ICT-infrastructure. Open source software is not the best alternative for every organization, in terms of cost, support, willingness to change, expertise, organizational dependency on ICTs, or size of the organization. A decision model is presented to support decision-making. It offers a preliminary indication which type of software is a viable alternative for an organization. Each organization has to calculate for itself, weighing each factor in terms of their unique situation, the total cost of ownership of sticking with proprietary software, versus implementing or migrating to open source software.
Authors:
Bruggink, M.
Series Title:
Research Report
Country:
Burkina Faso
,
South Africa
,
Tanzania, United Republic of
,
Uganda
Category:
General
Serial number:
16
Keywords:
information and communication technologies
,
management
Language:
eng
Organization:
IICD - International Institute for Communication and Development
PAGE:
51
Place:
The Hague
Publisher:
IICD
Year:
2003
Region:
Africa South of Sahara
,
West Africa
,
East Africa
,
Southern Africa
Right:
© 2003 IICD
Subject:
Information, Knowledge and Communication
Title:
Open source software : take it or leave it? : the status of open source software in Africa : a study towards informed decision-making on ICT-platforms