First step toward software independence

First step toward software independence

Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, vmahmud@yahoo.com

Last Tuesday was the Indonesia Go Open Source (IGOS) Open House, held in the lobby of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) building on Jl. Thamrin.

Granted, the attendance of this event was a far cry from your typical IT/computer fair where dozens of vendors compete to gain the attention of literally thousands of visitors, yet the IGOS open house represents a significant step for the country towards using "free" software.

For the first time, there is a specific event focusing on open source solutions, which allows the general public to see how much Linux has entered the Indonesian IT marketplace. And like current business trends, a lot of applications were focused on the Small and Medium Business (SMB) market.

A company called Powernet Indosolusi (www.powernet.co.id) caught my attention, offering not only Linux-based software such as a web-based accounting system and website content management solution, but also IT migration and security advisory services.

These types of services are an ideal market for Linux companies to focus on as companies begin to calculate their total cost of ownership (TCO) of their current proprietary system, considering whether they should switch over or not.

For companies that have yet to enter the IT world, wiring up the office with affordable customized applications would allow them to work more efficiently to compete in this era of globalization.

You can go to Powernet's website and see how their accounting system work online.

Another standout was PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara's (PSN) IGOS software. Designed for internet kiosks (commonly known as warnet), PSN offers four types of solutions that would allow warnet owners to ease into the open source fold.

Two of the solutions, IGOS Laba-Laba and IGOS Kwartet, allows warnet to minimize hardware costs by using a diskless workstations and a thin client architecture (thus can use old PCs) or share up to four clients on a server, each with their own keyboard and monitor.

The warnet solutions come with everything a user needs: a web browser (Firefox), an instant messenger (Gaim, K-IRC), an e-mail application (Evolution), and a productivity program (OpenOffice) just to name a few.

Despite the different programs and operating systems, warnet users will still be able to write letters, access the web and send messages to their friends. No different than regular computers. You can see more about PSN's solution at www.psn.co.id/igos

Even computer schools such as Sisfokampus (www.sisfokampus.net) and the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) IT and Communications Center (www.pptik.ugm.ac.id) are offering their own Linux-based IT applications. UGM's planning management system, built with open source tools such as PHP, MySQL and Apache web server, is said to be utilized by the city administration of Yogyakarta.

But perhaps the most anticipated open source solution is the National IGOS System Desktop (www.igos.web.id), a homegrown Linux distribution that is scheduled to be released in August. This would be Indonesia's answer to the relatively high costs of proprietary software. It would offer all the applications needed for the user, and best of all, its license is not as restrictive or expensive as the one we are normally forced to use. So its legal and safe!

The IGOS Open House shows that there are many affordable programs in Indonesia using open source software. Making computer applications was once the sole domain of first world nations that had the expertise and framework to design and produce software. With the expansion of knowledge and software tools, now anyone can learn to make great solutions at a lower cost.

There is still the perception that open source means free software. This is not always the case, as even programmers and developers need to eat and pay bills. With open source software, developers will be able to freely access a wealth of knowledge and experience online to quickly create solutions towards the needs of an individual, company or country.

It is said that even the National IGOS System Desktop will not always be free, as costs to upgrade, issue patches and training must be paid for in the end. As long as the services are performed and the prices are reasonable, we should not be afraid to pay for what we use.

At the very least, our funds would help the developers and the economy to progress and advance, instead of sending a bulk of the funds overseas to pay off development fees and marketing costs of a proprietary software that has already recouped its investment long ago.