Archive for April, 2005

Using comics to spread the free software message

SchoolNet Namibia is taking a bold new step to entice teachers and students into the world of free and open source software(FOSS). Together with Direq International, Strika Entertainment and The Namibian Youth Paper to produce and distribute Hai Ti! — which means \”listen up!\” in the Oshiwambo language group. The comic strip is designed to [...]

Wiki-ing into Africa?

Wiki – an online system for collaborative publishing – has proved to be very popular among the technically literate and the connected around the world. But what of the many millions of global citizens that don\’t have access to the Internet, or don\’t speak English? And those that aren\’t even able to read or write? [...]

UWC to build free student enrollment system

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) last week announced it would commit a total of R10 million over three years to the development of a free software student enrollment management system (SEMS). Work on the system is to begin immediately by both industry as well as the African Virtual Open Initiatives and Resources project [...]

April edition of Tectonic Magazine on the streets

The launch issue of Tectonic Magazine – Africa\’s first-ever free and open source software magazine – is out and kicking up a storm. The response to the magazine has been hugely encouraging, says editor Alastair Otter. \”From the moment we made the magazine available we have been inundated with extremely positive feedback,\” says Otter. \”Clearly [...]

Nero releases Linux version of CD software

Users familiar with Nero for CD and DVD creation on Windows now have one less excuse not too move to Linux: NeroLinux. Nero has released a Linux version of its software and it is being distributed in South Africa by Phoenix Global Software. And if you already own a Windows copy of Nero 6 then [...]

Second LPI mass examinations at LinuxWorld

Following on from the highly successful mass-LPI examination fest which saw the qualification of 37 new level-one and three new level-two LPI graduates two months ago, Linux Holdings, the local LPI (Linux Professionals Institute) affiliates, and The Shuttleworth Foundation have announced that a second mass examination fest will take place at South Africa\’s first LinuxWorld [...]

The intranet is dead – long live the wiki

A new software implementation is growing in stature to become the reviver of the corporate intranet, smashing the skills barriers between those in the organisation who have the knowledge and those who are qualified to capture and centralise it. The wiki, a piece of software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page [...]

Package deal for LinuxWorld and BrainShare

Novell and Exhibitions for Africa have announced the collocation of LinuxWorld and BrainShare, along with a special offer for delegates that intend to attend both conferences, taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre between the 17th and 18th of May, and 19th and 20th of May respectively. Separately, the conferences would cost attendees R2400 for [...]

Schools Computer Olympiad gets open source focus

SA learners taking part in the CSSA Computer Olympiad this year will be able to put their skills to work on open source software such as Python and stand to win up to R100 000 in prizes. The new focus on open source software for the Olympiad has been boosted by the investment of more [...]

Knysna municipality turns to Linux for collaboration

With a commitment on the table to using open source in its future technology roadmap, the Southern Cape\’s Knysna municipality last year was looking to increase the reach and functionality offered by its collaboration solution. After considering numerous options, the solution chosen was Novell GroupWise, running on a SUSE Linux server. This decision not only [...]

\’Open source, more than Linux, the real winner for business\’

CSC, formerly Computer Sciences Corporation, late last year released a report based on 18 months of research into open source software. Gavin Dudley spoke to Bill Koff while he was in South Africa about the report. CSC, formerly Computer Sciences Corporation, is a fortune 500 company supplying high level IT services to companies and government [...]