We at i4donline.net are firm believers that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the key to emancipate developing countries from the clutches of economic backwardness. But this information needs to be cost effective, development oriented, collaborative and open for the public. And no talks on open information can make a move without a word on the Open Source (OS). Thus we thought of starting this section on OS or Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS), which would give you a better insight into the efforts that are being made, across the globe, around this open concept.

Although we are using FLOSS and OS interchangeably in the section title, it will be worthwhile to get an understanding of the basic difference between free software and open source. Free software refers to users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software [http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html]. It comes under the GNU General Public License [http://www.linux.org/info/gnu.html], which guarantees the user’s freedom to share and change free software to make sure the software is free for all. Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code [http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php] . The distribution terms of open-source software must comply with the following criteria:

• Free redistribution: The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different sources.
• Source code: The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well as compiled form.
• Derived works: The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
• Integrity of the author's source code: The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of modifying the program at build time.

FLOSS, with its radically new method of production, cooperation and exchange; has attracted attention of intelligentsia, governments and non governmental organisations across the world. It gave rise to groups like Free Software Foundation (FSF http://www.gnu.org/), Linux (open source kernel developed by Linus Torvalds) User Groups (www.linux.org/groups/), International Open Source Network (www.iosn.net/) etc.

Our open source section, as of now, has been divided into three segments – FLOSS Features, FLOSS Updates, FLOSS Education and FLOSS Resources. Under FLOSS Features, we have in depth analytical articles written by FLOSS proponents and experts around the world. This section also comprises case studies of some important FLOSS based developmental projects in the Third World. The FLOSS Updates section consists of news updates on FLOSS around the world and more specifically in South Asia. FLOSS Education has links to articles related to the use of open source in education, important educational projects, articles on users’ guide etc. FLOSS Resources has been further divided into four categories: Media Articles, Resource Papers, Books and Portals. In the near future we will be further expanding the section to give you an appraisal of the utility of FLOSS in local language computing, rural livelihood, micro-finance, e-Governance, health, education etc. If you have any information or ideas on how we can make this a valuable repository, please do share with us. You can reach us at
floss@i4donline.net .