The "Open Source" Concept

Open source software is software that is developed collaboratively by developers across the globe. The software itself is available at little or no cost. The source code (the human-readable version of the software) is distributed with the executable form, giving users of the software the freedom to modify, adapt and improve the software to meet their needs.

Open Source for Science (OS4S)

The goal of OS4S –concepts, applications and technologies– is to create a community to support a wider adoption of Open Source Software for science and research specially in Developing Countries.

ICTP-SDU Projects on Open Source

Free Ubuntu Linux Distribution
The action plan is to start promoting and advertising among the international scientific community the use of Ubuntu Linux. The free Ubuntu distribution includes more than 1,000 pieces of software, starting with the Linux kernel and Gnome, and covering every standard desktop application from word processing and spreadsheet applications to internet access applications, web server software, email software, programming languages and tools and much more.
Observatory on Technologies and Open Source for Science (OS4S)
ICTP has a world-wide reputation for its significant contributions to the internationalization of science since 1964, and today its mandate has become even more relevant. It aims to foster the growth of advanced studies and research in the developing countries. ICTP has the resources to provide the needed capacity building to create a critical mass of skilled people on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by training on Informatics, Wireless Networking, Web enabling Technologies and the adaptation of low-cost open source technologies to local needs.
Much of the future for the gateway to science and development relies on the access that scientific institutions and universities have to the Internet.
OS4S answers to academic and scientific institutions in developing countries requesting for help to
  • publish and disseminate their scientific works in the Internet;
  • retrieve scientific material from the Internet (for research, e-Learning and teaching);
  • create scientific e-contents with open source technologies;
  • plan and manage the creation of reliable networks and the training of technical personnel (for individual research and academic institutions, faculties, departments);
  • plan and establish campus computer networks and/or their connection to the Internet (either directly via wireless extentions or through national networks), and address financial and managerial issues of ICT development in academic and research institutions at national level;
  • organize seminars and meetings to promote any valuable action devoted to reduce the digital divide in the scientific environment.
OS4S Training
Innovation towards ICT to support scientific enterprise encountering the big problem of insufficient training of the workforce. The poor connection to international lines in some cases cannot be considered as an obstacle for this modernization, since intra-networks can be adopted with relatively easy deployment and the use of reasonable low-cost devices as an exercise. In particular, open source Linux O.S. is being adopted as a valid alternative becoming more competitive in the sphere of scientific competition world-wide.
However networking with Linux O.S. may not yet be considered as "Easy to Use" compared with commercial Operating systems, it is a surely reliable, very scalable and low-cost alternative. A first hands-on course on Internet Presence and Intranet Services using the available Linux-related and Open Sources technologies to be given by experts is then necessary. This will not only help to create awareness and managerial preparation on ICT available to scientists, but it will also help them to participate directly in the scientific network community as well as to administrate and manage their own point of presence.
With these needs in mind, SDU organizes on-site training on ICT for scientists through the ICTP spin-off Science and Technology (S&T) Collaborium, an initiative of leading experts volunteers and in collaboration with the ICTP-ARPL Radicommunications Unit.