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eIFL-FOSS FAQs
What is eIFL-FOSS?Answer: eIFL-FOSS is a program of eIFL.net. The purpose of the program is to advocate for the use of free and open source software (FOSS) in libraries in developing and transition countries. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of FOSS, facilitate eIFL.net member engagement with FOSS development communities, and undertake projects of special significance to eIFL.net members. Working closely with a network of eIFL-FOSS country co-ordinators, the program will build FOSS capacity in libraries; share experiences and expertise; and develop support material for evaluation of and migration to a FOSS integrated library system (ILS). What is FOSS?Answer: Free and open source software (FOSS) is software that is released under licences that ensure that end users always have the freedom to run the program, for any purpose, the freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to their needs, the freedom to redistribute copies of the program to others, and the freedom to improve the program and release those improvements to the wider community. Today FOSS is at least the equal of proprietary software in many sectors, and in some areas the leader. Typical examples include the Apache web server, on which the vast majority of websites in the world reside, or the Mozilla Firefox web browser, or the OpenOffice productivity suite. Is there FOSS for use in libraries?Answer: Yes. Libraries use a wide range of software. They benefit from FOSS that is not specifically for libraries as well as FOSS specifically written for libraries. The former includes such software as the Apache Web Server, the MySQL or PostgreSQL databases, and various content management systems such as Joomla or MediaWiki. The latter includes everything from repository software such as DSpace, GNU ePrints, or Fedora, to integrated library systems (ILS) such as Koha and Evergreen. How does FOSS differ from proprietary software?Answer: Free and open source software is similar in all respects but one to proprietary software. Its difference resides in the licence under which it is made available. And that difference makes a number of things possible which might otherwise not be the case. For example, FOSS tends to be developed in an open manner in which end users of the software are able to participate. They may participate by answering the questions of other end users. Or they may contribute to the documentation surrounding the software and its use. Or, if they are technically inclined, they may want to directly participate in the ongoing development of the code. Each of these software development communities has its own rules of engagement and codes of practice. But virtually all are encouraging of new participation from all corners of the globe. Another difference is that users of FOSS can modify their local copies with changes they would like to see implemented. They can do this because they have access to the source code, and because the FOSS licence under which they received that code permits them to make such modifications as they wish. Another significant difference is that FOSS software can be passed on to others freely. This is true both for the original FOSS software package that may have been received as well as for modified FOSS software packages. As long as the (often minimal) terms of the FOSS licence are met, users can do what they like with this software. Since FOSS software has this redistribution freedom, it tends to be distributed at minimal or no cost. And finally, but possibly most important, users of FOSS can learn from the programming genius of others and use that newly acquired knowledge however they like. Access to source code really is access to knowledge. What is free software?Answer: "free software" is the expression used by the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to characterize software released under licences that guarantee the four freedoms of the Free Software Definition: The freedom to run the program for any purpose (freedom 0); The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1); The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2); The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3). The "free" in "free software" refers to freedom, not price. What is open source software?Answer: "open source software" is the expression used by the Open Source Initiative to characterize software released under licences that meet the criteria of the Open Source Definition: 1) free redistribution of the program, 2) access to the source code is ensured, 3) permission to modify the software and create derived works distributable under the same licence under which the software was received, 4) integrity of the author's source code, 5) no discrimination against persons or groups, 6) no discrimination against fields of endeavour, 7) distribution of license, 8) licence must not be specific to a product, 9) licence must not restrict other software, and 10) the licence must be technology neutral. The Open Source Initiative has an approval procedure for new licences to gain the right to use its certification mark. There are more than 50 approved open source licences. Which term is best: free software, open source software, FOSS, FLOSS, etc.?Answer: Because there are two recognised groups, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the Open Source Initiative (OSI), widely acknowledged as authoritative in this field, many prefer to use the broader acronym FOSS, which stands for "Free and Open Source Software". This is the practice that the eIFL-FOSS program is following. It is not intended to disguise the differences between the goals and aspirations of these two groups, merely to facilitate discussion of software released under licences recognized by one or the other. In practice, most well-used FOSS licences are recognised by both the FSF and the OSI. FLOSS, which stands for "Free/Libre Open Source Software", disambiguates between two meanings of "free" in English. Although free software is usually available at minimal or no cost, the free in free software really stands for freedom. 
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Program managementThe eIFL-FOSS ILS project coordinator is Tigran Zargaryan. The Southern African Greenstone Support Network project coordinator is Repke de Vries, and its regional coordinator is Amos Kujenga. If you have questions about eIFL-FOSS or one of its projects, please feel free to contact us using the following email addresses: |
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