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OSS Watch promotes awareness and understanding of the legal social technical and economic issues that arise when educational institutions engage with free and open source software. It does this by providing unbiased advice and guidance to UK higher and further education.

Key elements of the OSS Watch workplan for 2006-2008 include:

content creation and management

Providing topical and informative briefing notes studies book review reports and presentations on such issues as:

  • sustainability - what are the conditions required for open source software development projects to become sustainable and what are the key models available for sustainability
  • IPR and licensing - how do open source licences interact (in large development projects) and how best can institutional IPR be managed in open source projects
  • business models - how do businesses capitalise on open source software development (as contrasted with how projects themselves become sustainable)
  • practical open source development environments - what is the most appropriate tool set for practical open source development along with practical guidance on how to use such tools
  • institutional engagement with open source - how do institutions best support staff participation in open source software development where this involves contribution of institutional IPR to non-institutional open source projects; what is the best institutional policy mix to support ongoing development and use of open source solutions

If there is an issue you would like to see OSS Watch addressing in the content it creates (or commissions) contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

conferences and workshops

Providing opportunities for focused learning and exploration of key issues through the organisation of national conferences and regional workshops. OSS Watch staff will also always be readily available to participate in events organised by others.

If there is an issue you would like to see address at an OSS Watch conference let us know. Or if you would like to invite an OSS Watch speaker at your event or even a locally organised OSS Watch workshop contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

support for JISC development projects

Providing practical assistance advice and guidance to JISC software development projects that will be releasing outputs under OSI-certified licences irrespective of whether the project is using an open source development methodology on

  • initial bid against a JISC invitation to tender
  • the establishment of a practical development environment for open source development
  • building communities of users/tests and contributing open source developers
  • sustainable continuance of the software development project after JISC funding comes to an end

If you would like focused assistance for your project contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

Providing focused materials advice and guidance on

  • open source business models
  • open source licences
  • open source compatible institutional IPR policies

If you would like to explore open source business opportunities at your institution contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

liaison and collaboration

Providing a valuable point of contact and consultation for JISC projects and services relevant interest groups in the UK building relationships across Europe and beyond.

Whether the need is confidential institutional consultation representation on advisory committees or steering boards or exploring opprotunties for convergence of effort contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

web-based services

Providing access to relevant content through an accessible and usable comprehensive web presence including

Get involved by contributing to the OSS Watch wiki or reuse OSS Watch’s Creative Commons licensed materials on your own website. If you spot a communications opportunity that you think OSS Watch should be exploring further contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

demonstration software

Providing opportunities for staff and students at universities and colleges across the UK to explore and use open source software. This may involve the distribution of installation CDs of open source software for Windows PCs (such as TheOpenCD) and Mac OSX (such as FreeSmug). It may also involve distribution of LiveCDs and install CDs of popular Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu).

OSS Watch is especially keen to highlight open source software developed with contribution from UK higher and further education. If there is an open source project that you believe OSS Watch should be featuring contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

management

Providing appropriate management of this JISC project including regularly reporting to key stakeholders and constant input and interaction with the OSS Watch advisory committee and JISC executive.

If you have input that would help make OSS Watch a better service contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

national survey: 2007-2008

Providing data on the state of open source deployment knowledge and awareness in colleges and universities across the UK.

If you are also researching open source use or development in the UK we would very much like to share our findings. Please contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk

external evaluation: 2007-2008

Providing objective insight into the relative success of this service. Ongoing evaluation of OSS Watch events content and overall effort is a vital tool in ensuring that the service remains true to its mission and meets its objectives.

If you have input that would help make OSS Watch a better service contact OSS Watch today at info@oss-watch.ac.uk