23-07-2012, 10:20 AM
OPEN SOURCE SOLUTION FOR e-GOVERNANCE
OPEN SOURCE SOLUTION FOR e-GOVERNANCE.ppt (Size: 594.5 KB / Downloads: 33)
What Open Source mean?
Open source software (OSS) means the source code of the software is open for viewing and editing. The users have the freedom to edit the source code, rename it and use it as they wish. This is contrary to proprietary software, which does not allow the buyers/users to look at the source code.
OOS can be priced.
Free Software (FOSS) – not priced at all.
The similarity between the two is that both OSS and free software enable the users to view and modify the software code.
Types of Software
Free Software – free as in free speech
Proprietary Software – restricted use, hidden source code
Open Source Software – with source code
Freeware – free as in free lunch
FOSS : It is matter of liberty not price.
Software is “free” if it provides all four freedoms:
Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
Freedom 1: The freedom to study and modify the program.
Freedom 2: The freedom to copy the program so you can help your neighbour.
Freedom 3: The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community benefits.
Characteristic of open source software
Based on open standards
Community driven
Interoperable
Innovative
Localized
Shared Ownership
Open Source Benefits
Business model relies on service fees not license fees.
Open Source is community driven and community serving
Proprietary formats leads to vendor lock-in. what if vendor collapsed? Charge too much? Monopoly?
Software should be a commodity.
Greater independence from companies.
Customizable – community can develop their own add-ons.
80-20 Rule Applies to Open Source Also: -- 80% code of open source software is written by self motivated individual developers, voluntarily .
20% code is written key developers/Project Leaders.
Open Source Benefits Con’d
Interoperability
Software is better when it is transparent.
No hidden elements.
Secure –Nothing is left open for system vulnerability.
Microsoft itself uses Linux server to protect its online operations.
Open Source Disadvantage
Proprietary software has more features and more user friendly.
Difficult to integrate with proprietary software.
Lack of service & support.
Some open source solution not mature enough & continue to improve.
Compatibility issues.
Open Source & e-Governance
(By the people , for the people)
MADE FOR EACH OTHER
Why Open Source is better for e-Governance
Economical –
Localization support- Lack of internet connectivity.
Powering e-Governance
Better Security – No need to install anti-virus
Independence from western companies –
Economic
India’s per capita income is INR 26,430($600), while personal computer costs INR 10,000($227) and proprietary software & office productivity costs approximately INR 11,000 ($250).
A Cost comparison :
Localization
Localization play a major role in adoption, as government can use technology to communicate to citizens in their own language.
Red hat Enterprise Linux Desktop is available in 11 Indian languages – Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil and talugu.
POWERING e-GOVERNANCE
In the area of e-Governance, the government spending on software development can be made more efficient if it adopts the open source model that promotes the sharing of software code. Government departments across different states have the same requirements and instead of each government department developing separate programmes for the same task, they could share the same code base and make minor changes to suit the needs of each state.
Security
Since e-Governance software uses citizens personal data, there must be a efficient Provision of efficient security measures.
Collaborative nature of open source development ensure better security. As the source can be evaluated, vetted & fixed by the open source community. System vulnerabilities often discovered by the community itself not by hackers.
In the Future
Right now there are more software users than programmers
Programming is getting easier all the time. Eventually most people will have learned programming to some extent.
The demand for open source will increase along with the increasing population of consumers who can read and manipulate code.
FOSS Software Development Process Model
Lose (global) community of developers
Existence of a strong project leader but fluid structure
Uses incremental development, frequent releases
Requires code management and bug management system
Developers offer free services, are self-motivated
Often involves a global effort, code exchange via Internet
Uses open source tools