Why are you not using Open Source in your NGO?

One of most sought after questions in this sector. I have heard many for and against arguements. Some of them are listed under:

For:
1. It's a way of life or principles/values of Open Source - are what an NGO is all about.

2. It's free! and save us a lot of resources - both time and money - why can't we use it?

3. Access to Source Code, no-vendor-lock-in

Against:
1. I don't care - if it's open source or proprietary as long as it works effectively and efficiently


2. Anyways, i get free licenses or pirate these softwares - why should I learn or study/implement open source?

3. I don't get support or no documentation is available


I am not going into each for and against aruguements, but to suggest or explore what is the best-solution available for the ngo's in Indian Context. I would use the word 'Appropriate Technology' and would delve into it little bit.


You should read my other blogs - particularly of Culture and Organisation Age & Culture before we look at Appropriate Technology.

What are open-source solutions available for NGO's in Indian Context?

- Operating Systems (Systems which power your Computer/Laptop) :  -
    Ubuntu and host of linux based distribution (Desktop and Server editions are available)

- Office Suite - Open Office

- Internet Browser (everbody knows!) - Firefox, Chrome, Safari

- Email Systems - Evolution/Thunderbird for Email Client and Postfix for Email Servers

- Anti-Virus - AVG

- Content Management Systems - Joomla, Plone,Word Press, Movable Type, Mambo, Drupal (many more..)


- Financial Accounting - None which is suitable for Indian NGO's


- Donor Management Systems - None which is suitable for Indian NGO's

- Contact Management Systems - Sugar CRM (some of issues with India - Date format, Currency, etc),

In next week - we will explore much more on this..