Archive for the ‘FOSS’ category

Kenya: “Apps 4 Africa” Seeks to Improve Lives Through Technology

July 11th, 2010

Contest for African innovators runs July 1–August 31

Software developers in East Africa have an opportunity to shine to the world by developing applications to assist their communities.

According to a communique from Washington, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale launched the “Apps 4 Africa” contest at the Innovation Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 1 2010.

The regional competition seeks to harness the power of African software developers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda and leverage the power of digital technology to improve the lives of ordinary people in East Africa and worldwide. The competition runs through August 31. » Read more: Kenya: “Apps 4 Africa” Seeks to Improve Lives Through Technology

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Posted in FOSS, Software, Sponsorship, software developers

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Kenya: Free and open source software video wins Idlelo award

May 19th, 2010

This story emerged second runners up in the FOSS Reporting Awards in Accra.

Between proprietary and open source-which way to go?

Software is the engine of technology and if properly implemented can grow economies in leaps. But at what cost?

For ages now poor penetration and high cost of technology has seen Africa lag behind in implementing emerging profitable technologies. However hope lies in the horizon in Free and Open Source software which is already changing fortunes for poor masses around the globe.

The debate on whether Africa should make better use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) or not is quickly coming to a close.

see full story at here

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Posted in FOSS

Kenyan Video made from Free and Open Source Software- testimony of what FOSS can do

January 25th, 2010

By James Ratemo in Nairobi Kenya.

Between proprietary and open source-which way to go?

Software is the engine of technology and if properly implemented can grow economies in leaps. But at what cost?

For ages now poor penetration and high cost of technology has seen Africa lag behind in implementing emerging profitable technologies. However hope lies in the horizon in Free and Open Source software which is already changing fortunes for poor masses around the globe.

The debate on whether Africa should make better use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) or not is quickly coming to a close.

FOSS is winning fast and more and more technology professionals are dropping the more expensive proprietary software for this new platform.

In early 2009, Kenya’s FOSS community had reason to celebrate. Finally the first video purely made using the open source software was out testifying the power of this ‘new found freedom’.

See the video below. It talks for itself as it proclaims that what proprietary software can do, FOSS can do even better.

FOSS Video – Kenya (version 0.9) from Alex Gakuru on Vimeo.

“FOSS is non-proprietary “open” software that attracts no license fees, allows enhancements to be shared with all users and can be customised for the user’s purposes without major financial outlay. » Read more: Kenyan Video made from Free and Open Source Software- testimony of what FOSS can do

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Posted in FOSS, Internet, Software

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