Free Open Source Software Learn

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Free / Open Source Software-- Learn Apply
FOSHTE _at_ ABV IIIT, Gwalior 14th 15th November
2008 Dr. S. Srinivasan Project Scientist,
NRCFOSS srinivasan_at_au-kbc.org
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FREE / OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS)?

• Serve Freedom to use software to meet one's own
  needs
• Study Freedom to study modify the software
• Share Freedom to redistribute the modified /
  original version

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Free / Open Source Software (FOSS)?

• Human-readable Source code made available to
  the user
• Study and modify the software to meet user
  requirements
• Redistribute it , thereby improving and
  adapting the software
• the Software evolves at a rate unmatched by
  traditional
• proprietary software.

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Software Types

• Proprietary
• Owned by Company/individual
• Usually given in binary form.
• Users have restriction on its use
• Cannot modify it
• Cannot copy

• Free/Open Source
• Ensures 4 freedoms
• 0 Use for any purpose
• 1 Study and adapt(modify)?
• 2 Distribute for free or fee
• 3 Distribute the modified source
• source code is mandatory for 1 and 3
• Free as in Free Speech and not as in Free Lunch

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Why Software Freedom?

• Knowledge, Technical
• Personal Freedom, Academic
• Cost
• Software is science and knowledge
• belongs to society
• not property of individuals
• should be available without restriction

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Brief history of FOSS

• ? Richard Stallman Father of FOSS
• started the Free Software Foundation(FSF) in
  1984
• ? Linus Torvalds developed Linux, a Unix-like
  kernel
• ? Perl Python (scripting languages), X
  windowing system, Apache server, MySql /
  PostgreSql, .....
• ? Above all, internet provided the medium
  impetus

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Some popular FOSS products and solutions

• Linux Operating System
• OpenOffice
• Scilab
• Gambas event-driven programming
• Apache server
• Mozilla Firefox internet browser
• IDEs Eclipse, Anjutha
• Koha, Integrated Library System

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NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTRE FOR FREE/OPEN
SOURCE SOFTWARE (NRCFOSS)?

• Implemented Jointly by
• AU-KBC Research Centre, Anna university
• Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
• C-DAC Chennai
• Funded by
• The Dept. of Information Technology
• Ministry of Communication and Information
  Technology
• Govt. of India

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NRCFOSS activities

• Human Resource Development
• curriculum courses, certification programmes
• Localisation in Indian Languages
• translate FOSS packages, develop front ends
• Technology Tools Development
• develop packages, fix bugs, provide support
• Entrepreneurship Development in FOSS
• FOSS business models, services
• Policy Formulation Global Networking
• standardization, licensing, community
  interactions

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NRCFOSS Activities (contd.)?

• FOSS Electives in curricula of Anna University,
  Shivaji University, Rajasthan Tech. Univ., etc
• Training programs for teachers
• Seminars / workshops for students, short term
  courses, projects
• FOSS Lab Server virtual internet
• Migrate to FOSS Scilab, Octave, Umbrella, etc.

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Why Open Source

• Benefits to students
• Study the source code, understand the internals
• Learn programming design technics
• Modify/enhance, Apply the technics in other
  projects
• Learn to create software
• No need to beg industry for project
• Plenty available on net. Contribute - to the
  world.
• in-house guidance and mentors around the globe
• You can continue to work on the project

Academic
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Advantages to Corporates

• Long software lifetime
• no Vendor Lock-in avoided.
• Hardware cost will be less
• Most Important factor
• modify using in-house expertise
• adapt to meet functional needs
• Saves money, increases competitive advantage

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Contact us

• NRCFOSS
• AU-KBC Research Centre
• MIT Campus, Anna University
• Chromepet, Chenai 600 044
• Tel [phone] / 4885 / 6958 / 6959
• Email nrcfoss_at_au-kbc.in
• http//www.nrcfoss.org.in http//nrcfosshelpline.
  in/web/
• Dr. S.Srinivasan, Project Scientist, NRCFOSS
• Mobile [phone] Email srinivasan_at_au-kbc.org
• Thank You