1. Open Systems for e-Government in Developing and Transition Countries:
Open Source, Open Standards
and Open Document Format
Wednesday, May 02, 2007

2. OSSI U.S.-based non-profit organization (est. 2001)
Mission: Promote the development and implementation of open source software solutions within U.S. Federal, state and municipal government agencies and academic entities.
Membership represents industry, education and govt IT
target audience: US Federal govt

3. Define “Open” IT is a tool to make life better Define “Open”
Open Source = granted rights to access/modify code
Promotes development communities
Extends product lifecycle
Increases efficiency through continual development
Reduces cost through competition
Open Standards = common interface
Promotes interoperability
Increases access to technology
Economic benefits through increased use and business opportunities

4. Open IT for the Public Govt's role is public administration
Resources are always limited
Provide leadership through strategic innovation
Open Systems provide opportunity through IT accessibility
Open Systems become Public Assets
Public funds to build public IT assets
Technical Assets: Open Systems, Applications, Networks
Economic Assets: Service/Support, Dev Centers, Education
“Teach a Man to Fish” adage

5. Use IT Wisely Government/Public Administration Systems
Network and admin systems
Public safety and public works
Business systems and IT infrastructure/web-based
Education and End User
Desktop and educational applications
Accessibility and compatibility with wide range of hardware

6. Recommendations Identify & sponsor collective OSS app suites
Public administration
Public works systems
Education (
Health & welfare system
Sponsor Public Admin OSS Repository
Sponsor OSS development activities
IT Global Peace Corps

7. Open Source Software Institute
Contact
Open Source Software Institute
John M. Weathersby
jmw (at) oss-institute.org
tel: