Open Source at the University of Johannesburg

Abstract

Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) is an important alternative to propriety software. While companies who develop propriety software are often market leaders, users of such software never own the software but only the right to use the software. FLOSS vendors, on the other hand, often grant users rights to own, use, explore and change software to support themselves and their communities. Currently University of Johannesburg members make use of FLOSS to support administrative, teaching and research objectives at the macro, meso and micro levels. However such use of FLOSS is neither supported through appropriate institutional strategic goals, nor is there any support in the use of FLOSS provided. Senate requested that a Task Team explore the present and future use of FLOSS at the University of Johannesburg taking into account local and international trends