Update on Open Source Software Initiatives in the Philippines

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Update on Open Source Software Initiatives in
the Philippines
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New Initiatives

• ASTIs LTSP software manager BLTCM
• Localization of Debian installer (Tagalog
  language)
• Open Source Software Orientation for NGOs
• Linux Adoption Increasing
• Call centers use of PHP, Perl, MySQL
• OSS Organizations Open Minds registered at the
  SEC

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Policy Update

• OSS as an option (stand of CICT chair and NCC DG)
• Absence of any policy
• It is still left up to the individual government
  agencies whether to use commercial/proprietary or
  free/open source software
• Petition against software patents
• OpenMinds advising government on making bidding
  more OSS-friendly

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E-Government Projects

• Citizen-centric e-government portal (based on
  OSS)
• Tender still being prepared
• ELGU
• Two systems developed and being rolled out real
  property tax, business licensing
• Interest from international development agencies

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E-Government Projects

• Established E-Governance Center of Excellence
• Highlight success stories and model
  implementations
• Red Hat as one of the partners
• National Digital Library Project

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E-Government ProjectsOpportunities for OSS

• Community e-centers
• One-stop shop for the local barangays
  (communities) internet café, telephone, post
• Peoples PC program
• Low-cost PC program
• GILAS project Gearing up Internet Literacy and
  Access for Students
• Aim is to provide computer laboratories to all
  public secondary schools
• Run by the private sector and NGOs

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ASTI Projects

• Bayanihan Linux Versions 1 to 3
• Bayanihan Linux Bluetooth Developers Kit
• ASTI Management Information Systems
• Bayanihan Linux Terminal Server Project

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Bayanihan Linux Version 3.1(www.bayanihan.gov.ph)

• Can run MS Windows Applications
• Remote Desktop access
• Interoperable with MS Windows machines on a
  network
• Secure and nearly virus-proof
• Complete desktop operating system and office
  productivity suite in one easy to install CD

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iBillboard running on Bayanihan Linux

• iBillboard became one of the highlights in the
  recently concluded Philippine Association of
  National Advertisers (PANA) convention, held last
  November 4 to 5, 2004 at the Shangri-la Hotel in
  Mandaluyong City
• The participants of the convention sent in their
  questions from their mobile phones, PDAs or
  laptops to the iBillboard system via Bluetooth or
  Short Message Service (SMS). The questions were
  processed and together with the live video feed,
  were projected in a large screen using a
  customized layout for the said convention.

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Bayanihan LinuxThin Client Manager (BLTCM)

• An open source thin client solution with
  server-based management features for simpler
  installation/ configuration and administration.
  Based on LTSP
• Vision is to catalyze the use of Linux
  thin-client computing in public and private
  organizations. It also aims to maximize computing
  resources by converting old machines into
  diskless client computers, enabling organizations
  to pursue computerization efforts with minimal
  expenses.
• Target markets government (at all levels)
  academe (schools, universities, and colleges)
  small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
  not-for-profits (NFPs)/non-governmental
  organizations (NGOs) libraries and original
  equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

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BLTCM Roadshows

• Recently launched through roadshows.
• Metro Manila
• Cebu
• Davao
• The launching in Cebu was conducted in
  collaboration with the Department of Science and
  Technology (DOST) Regional Office No. 7 and the
  Central Visayas Information Sharing Network
  Foundation, Inc. (CVISNET). A comprehensive 4-day
  Bayanihan Linux Thin Client training was held at
  the University of San Carlos from February 1,
  2005 to February 4, 2005.
• Likewise, another set of training was conducted
  at Davao City from February 10, 2005 to February
  12, 2005 in cooperation with DabaweGNU, Inc., a
  Davao based non-stock non-profit organization
  geared towards the promotion of Open Source
  technologies. A huge turnout of participants, who
  were very responsive of this training, came from
  the different sectors such as the industries, the
  government, and the academe.

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Debian Installer

• Level 1 translated into Tagalog, the Philippines
  National Language

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Academe

• UP
• Ateneo
• Asia Pacific College
• Informatics
• Meralco Foundation
• Lorma Colleges
• Mapua
• STI, AMA

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Policy Initiatives

• Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
• OSS advisory for schools
• Subjects using OSS developed for I T schools to
  use as part of curriculum
• Urge schools to use Bayanihan Linux, CD including
  basic software to be developed
• Individual institutions
• Recommends use of OSS

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Open Source Orientation for NGOs

• On October 28-29, 2004, the Foundation for Media
  Alternatives (FMA) conducted an open source
  orientation seminar for NGOs

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Workshop Objectives

• 1. To orient NGOs leaders and staff about the
  political considerations and technical reasons
  for using Free/Open Source Software (FOSS) versus
  proprietary software
• 2. To train NGO leaders and staff on actual use
  of FOSS alternatives for basic NGO computer
  desktop applications
• 3. To help NGOs develop institutional plans to
  promote usage of FOSS within their organization
• 4. To engender a community of NGO FOSS users to
  facilitate learning support, promote joint
  activities, and further collective advocacy
  towards the dissemination of FOSS to the broader
  development community

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Seminar Outline

• Module 1 What is FOSS? Why FOSS?
  (Socio-Political Orientation)
• Module 2 FOSS in Action (Technical
  Orientation/Hands-On Training)
• 2A Open Source Alternatives Common NGO Office
  Applications
• 2B Open Source Alternatives Operating System
• Module 3 Organizational/Community Planning
• 3A. Institutional Action Planning.
• 3B. Community Planning.

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ASTI Training

• Linux training for computer vendors (Silicon
  Valley, PC Express)
• introduction to open source software,
• common desktop applications,
• Linux file system,
• basic Linux commands and
• installation using Bayanihan Linux 3.1.

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ORGANIZATIONS

• Philippine Linux Users Group (PLUG) -largest
  community of Linux enthusiasts, developers and
  advocates
• UnPLUG University of the Philippines Linux
  Users Group. Developed an OSS application for
  the student elections
• Advanced Software Foundation Inc. - in support of
  ASTI's OSS efforts
• Diliman Computer Science Foundation training,
  consultancy and services on OSS
• DabaweGNU, Inc., - a Davao based non-stock
  non-profit organization geared towards the
  promotion of Open Source technologies.
• Pampanga Open Source eXchange (POSX) - POSX is a
  budding community of OSS users, developers and
  enthusiasts within and around the province of
  Pampanga

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CHALLENGES

• Technical - vendor-driven, what the programmer
  knows
• PC penetration
• Matching skills demand with supply
• Institutionalize ICT in government
• Lack of awareness
• Establishing the proper policy environment

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• THANK YOU!
• Maraming Salamat!