NGOs and Free Software

Subject: [GKD] NGOs and Free Software
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 17:35:19 +0530
From: Frederick Noronha (FN) <fred@bytesforall.org>
To: gkd@phoenix.edc.org

Volunteering and Free Software

Below is a list of ten reasons why volunteering organisations -- called
non-government organisations (NGOs) in some countries -- need to take a
close look and deploy Free Software:

* If NGOs don't subscribe to the principles of sharing freely, reuse and
waste-minimisation, then who will?

* If NGOs take the easy way out and end up on the side of a global
monopoly, then words and deeds don't match.

* 'Freedom' is something NGOs always talk about, in whatever form. In
the software world, this is already a reality. The possibility exists;
are we ready to take a little extra trouble (the initial learning curve)
in opting for it?

* Because NGOs need quality, stable software.

* Because NGOs are even more talent-rich, resource-poor than most in the
Third World.

* Because Free Software works out reasonably priced both in the short
and long term.

* Because Free Software creates local jobs and multiplies local skills.

* Because Free Software is transparent enough for you to (i) learn it,
if you have the technical background (ii) make custom changes in the
manner you wish to, or pay others to do this for you (iii) enable both
you and your staff to learn at a much more deeper, rather than
superficial level.

* Because Free Software is an ethical choice -- not one of convenience.

* NGOs receive and disseminate much information. It helps to be able to
access info (in digital format) without having to (i) break the law (ii)
spend money to purchase applications to 'read' the information. Use of
swatantra software enables that, as South India-based lawyer Mahesh Pai
<paivakil@vsnl.net> points out.

* Because free software empowers computer users and encourages them to
cooperate, as Richard M Stallman notes.

Copyleft 2004, Frederick Noronha
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