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Have you heard people in your office or friends talking about "open source software" and not know what they meant? Well, there are a couple opportunities to learn!
Open sources DOES NOT mean that if you use the software for a database, as an example, that all of your information is "open" to the world. It DOES mean that the code for the base software is free to download and use to anyone, and free to download and improve if you are a programmer. That way the community is working together to improve the software and meet the needs of the users. A good, continuous, circle.
There is open source software for nearly everything you want to do on the computer. Some of it is much more polished and fully developed than others. But all of it is free! If you want to learn more about switching to open source (for word processing, accounting, databases, fundraising, etc.), here are two great resources:
1. NTEN's Open Source Software Series (webinars): Check out this series of online "classes" for 2008 on different open source tools
2. Open Source Software guide: Download this guide to free, open source technology
The open source community is growing and becoming even richer as users, developers, and those interested in free and open technology come together. If you would like to meet with folks or discuss how to integrate free and open software into your organization, you can also check out the Portland Net Tuesday events which offer a great opportunity for bouncing questions and ideas off of people in te nonprofit and technology industry in the Portland area.
