APDIP e-Note 19

Telecentre Technology
The application of free and open source software

http://www.apdip.net/news/apdipenote19

The affordability of FOSS and its openness to modification and localization
is contributing to the sustainability of telecentres, and more broadly, to
empowered communities and poverty reduction. This APDIP e-Note explores the
benefits of using FOSS applications in telecentres with case studies from
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Telecentre models are successful when the focus, starting from the early
planning stage, is on its sustainability. Two critical factors affecting the
sustainable operations of any telecentre are: (i) its information and
communications technology (ICT) infrastructure; and (ii) the choice of
hardware and software.

Of course, the sustainability of the telecentre is also dependent on many
other equally important factors including service delivery, staff
responsiveness and community acceptance, especially of new technologies.
This APDIP e-Note, however, will focus on the technological aspects.

The choice of hardware and software should not be based on what others are
using, but rather on what is needed and appropriate to the telecentre and
the community it serves in the long run. Recent findings from various
experiences, some of which are mentioned in this APDIP e-Note, show that
free and open source software (FOSS) applications combined with low-cost
hardware have emerged as an intelligent solution for sustainable
telecentres.
This APDIP e-Note explores the benefits of using FOSS applications in
telecentres with case studies from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Brazil,
Egypt and Sub-Saharan Africa. The affordability of FOSS and its openness to
modification and localization is contributing to the sustainability of
telecentres, and more broadly, to empowered communities and poverty
reduction.

APDIP e-Notes are brief snapshots that present analyses of specific issues
related to ICTs for sustainable human development in the Asia- Pacific
region. This online series introduces readers to the who, what, where, why
and how of a wide range of current issues related to ICTs such as Internet
governance, ICTs and poverty reduction, e- governance, free and open source
software, and many others.

Download APDIP e-Note 19 from http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/19.pdf

Download APDIP e-Note 15 - Telecentre sustainability: Financing ICTs for the
poor http://www.apdip.net/news/enotetelecentre

Download APDIP e-Note 14 - Telecentre 2.0: Beyond piloting telecentres
http://www.apdip.net/news/enotetelecentre

Download APDIP e-Note 7 - Open Technologies: Catalyst for transformation
http://www.apdip.net/news/apdipenote7

All APDIP e-Notes are available at http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/

All APDIP e-Resources are available at http://www.apdip.net/elibrary/