Open Source - Generic Tools

The following are links to selected general purpose 'open source' software & tools for use by government employees and citizens: Videos

  • Apache Software - Originally known for being an open-source web server solution, it has now grown into a large collaborative software community with a wide range of complementary projects and products.

  • CiviCRM - A free & open source licensed system for non-governmental organizations (NGO) that engage in advocacy, community and political organizing, and non-profit work.

  • Drupal - A widely used open source content management system (CMS) for web sites.

  • Fedora - An open source Linux-based operating system, coupled with a vast collection of community developed application software products.

  • Java - A free, portable programming language and/or software development platform originally created by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems.

  • GIMP(GNU Image Manipulation Program) - A multi-platform photo & image manipulation tool. It is an open source alternative to Photoshop.

  • GeoServer - An open source Java-based software server that allows users to view, edit, share, and map geospatial data. It uses open standards set forth by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC).

  • JBOSS - An open source platform and development tools with everything you need to deploy, and host enterprise Java applications and services.

  • Libre Office - A comprehensive open source software suite of office applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet) similar to MS Office.

  • Linux - A widely used open source operating system for small and large scale computer systems originally created by Linus Torvalds

  • Mozilla & Firefox - A wide range of open source software products developed by the growing Mozilla 'open' development community. Products include the FireFox web browser, Thunderbird email, etc.

  • MySQL - An open source database management system (DBMS) that offers the full functionality of similar commercial products such as MS SQL, DB2, Oracle, etc.

    • OpenAI - An open source Artificial Intelligence (AI) suite of software tools.

  • OpenMeetings - Free browser-based software that allows you to set up instantly a conference on the web.

  • OpenNMS - An open source enterprise grade network management application platform.

  • Open Office - A comprehensive open source software suite of office applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) that provide very similar capabilities as MS Office.

  • OpenProject - A free and open source project management software solution that can serve as a replacement for MS Project.

  • OpenPublic - An open-source, content management system (CMS) based on Drupal and tailored to the needs of government.

  • OpenSite Solutions - Providing a directory of high quality 'open source' alternative solutions to higher cost commercial products currently being marketed.

  • OpenStreetMap - An open source initiative to create and provide free geographic data, such as street maps, to anyone.

  • SOFA Statistics - An open source statistics, analysis, and reporting software application.

  • SourceForge - The world's largest open source software development web site providing free services and software to meet almost any need to users around the globe.

  • SugarCRM - A commercialized open source customer relationship management (CRM) software suite.

  • TWiki - An open source enterprise wiki, collaboration, and web application platform.

  • VLC - A popular free and open source cross-platform multimedia player that plays most CD, DVD, and many other files & streaming protocols.

  • Wikipedia - A free web-based encyclopedia that anyone can access, edit, or use.

  • Zimbra Collaboration - An open source email and calendar groupware software product.

The webmasters have assumed that individuals visiting this site already have an extensive knowledge and interest in open source and government IT systems.

If you would like to suggest new material or links to be added to this

web site, please email groenpj@cs.com

A previous survey by Gartner, Inc. found that more than half of organizations surveyed have adopted open-source software (OSS) solutions as part of their IT strategy. Nearly one-third of respondents cited benefits of flexibility, increased innovation, shorter development times and faster procurement processes as reasons for adopting OSS solutions. With each Gartner OSS survey taken in the past five years, the amount of OSS that makes up responding organizations' portfolio has increased, from less than 10 percent five years ago to more than an expected 30 percent within the next 18 months. - Gartner Open Source Survey