Free and Open Source Software in Costa Rican Local Governments

This paper presents and discusses the results from an electronic survey on the use of free and open source software (FOSS) by local governments in Costa Rica. Barriers preventing the use of this type of software are also identified. Comparison of the results from this survey with those obtained from a previous one, conducted under the same project, shows that Costa Rican local governments are increasingly using FOSS. Cost advantages provided by FOSS might be the main reason for this trend. However, other factors need to be considered for justifying the use of FOSS. These factors need to be articulated into organizational strategies —issue in which Costa Rican local governments are falling behind

Usage and limitations of free and open-source software in Costa Rican local governments

This paper presents results about the use and barriers that face free and open source software in the local governments in Costa Rica. Through an electronic survey, information was gathered from such governments, allowing to make a diagnostic of the situation.Este artículo presenta resultados sobre el uso y las barreras que enfrentan los programas de software libre y de código abierto en los gobiernos locales de Costa Rica. A través de una encuesta electrónica, se recopiló información de dichos gobiernos, lo que permitió hacer un diagnóstico de la situación.Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica