Booting ahead info@openresearch.co.za
 
Your details (We will only use this information to contact you should we need to clarify or expand on issues you send us. We wil not sell or otherwise abuse your information.)

Your name

Your email address

Your contact numbers
Please include dialling codes etc and indicate cellphone/fax/landline
(tel: 011-123-4567 cell: 011-083-1234 for example)

Summary

Organisation/project name:

Area of work (eg Aids counselling, ICT implementation, education):

Open source software used (eg OpenOffice, Apache, Desktop, Linux servers):

Reason for using open source software (eg Costs, political decision, donor encouragement):

Key benefits of using open source software (eg cost savings, viruses):

Key chalenges of using open source software (eg support, compatability):

Conclusion - OSS a good move?

Case Study

Overview
- A brief summary of your organisation or project: Area of work, history and involvement in/with technology.
- Who finances project/organisation.
- Target community/users/audience.

Technology overview

- What do you use technology for? (eg 'mainly for administration' or are you a 'technology specific organisation providing ICT services for development or support to non-profit organisations')
- Number of PCs in organisation .
- Operating systems used and applications that are key to organisation. (ie. The OS and applications required for your day-to-day tasks or to fulfill your mandate.)
- Are your PCs Networked?
- Does your orgnisation have access to the internet and email?

Why does organisation use open source software?

- Why open source? (financial, community- or donor-driven, or political decision) Please explain.
- Where do you use open source software? Applications only? Operating system and applications? Server? Online publishing/Web applications? Explain.
- What particular software does the organisation use in each ofthese areas? Why?

Benefits/disadvantages of using OSS

Please explain in as much detail as you can your experiences with open source software. Try and highlight the benefits and disadvantages you have experienced. Things to look at include cost savings/downtimes/uptimes/viruses/customisation/localisation etc. If you migrated from another operating system please explain what the main challenges were in making the move to open source software. Did you have to make sacrifices (or did you gain) because of the move?

Conclusion

Short summary: would you or your organisation recommend moving to or using open source software? Or would you warn others against it? Did it benefit your work on the ground or hinder it?