Change is FOSSible!: Software Freedom Day in Davao

Hello guys! Been a long time since I blogged.

Recently I attended the celebration of the Software Freedom Day here in Davao held at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) last 18 September 2010. I am in the interest of Free and Open-Source Software (hereby, "FOSS") and through this convention, I was briefed with the latest trends that shape this dimension of software today.

Lots of lectures were discussed simultaneously during the whole-day activity. Here are the list of lectures I attended:


1. Models of Open-Source Implementation: [The] Segworks Experience by Atty. Sam Matunog*, Segworks Technologies


Atty. Matunog, chairperson of Segworks Technologies Corporation, an IT firm in Davao, shared about the experience of the company in open-source software development. One case they shared with those who attended was about their development of the Segworks Hospital Information System. 

The system started as a simple project. Their reason for developing this system is that the healthcare industry has the largest possible focus in the society today, and it is a growing industry not only for those who are "sick" but also for the "healthy" ones who are on their well-being. The challenge for the company was to develop a system to cater a 600-bed, 2000+ daily visit, Level 4 Tertiary Hospital with a fiber-optic network. The client had only a limited number of resources, and they were interested to Segworks' commitment to FOSS. So they made Segworks their source of building the system.

Atty. Matunog shared some perspectives on software development, pertaining to 2 core dimensions of solving problems: managing the solution and engineering the solution. With that in mind, the development team shared their insights about this project. It was a "really painful pain" for them. There should be an idea of a comprehensive, cutting-edge and cost-effective solution. There should be minimization of costs.

Today, the Segworks Hospital Management System is now used in some of Mindanao's recognized government hospitals, namely, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (formerly Davao Medical Center), the Camiguin General Hospital, and the Bukidnon Public Hospital.

*Atty. Matunog is the father of Mikael Matunog, a ComSci batchmate in UPMin.

2. Open-Source Mobile Operating Systems by Mr. Charles Javellana, ADDU

Mr. Javellana shared to the public on the trends of open-source mobile operating systems, specifically Maemo (soon MeeGo), a Linux-based mobile OS. This OS is the main operating system on Nokia's new N-series phones such as the Nokia N900.

Interestingly, Maemo was built for high-performance, stability, and compatibility with current PC implementations. With the necessary extensions, you can play your favorite legacy PC games on your mobile phone such as Duke Nukem 3D, Starcraft and Warcraft! (DoTA on your cellphone, anyone?) You can also browse the web as if you were on a desktop!

3. FOSS and Social Development by Mr. Dominique Cimafranca, Lecturer, Department of Computer Studies, ADDU


Mr. Cimafranca, a Computer Science lecturer at the Ateneo de Davao University, shared on the concept of "free and open-source software." He shares with us an illustration of how "free" proprietary software really is, to summarise from his blog:

• You get a notebook from someone else, BUT...
• You don't actually get to own the notebook.
• "I still own it; I only give you permission to use it."
• The notebook is only for writing.

That's how proprietary software really is! You don't own the software; you are given only permission to use it.

So, what happens when the software is deemed as Free and Open-Source? He shared us some software that has helped many people in managing critical situations. One is the Sahana Disaster Management System, developed in Sri Lanka in 2004. It is developed by a global team of developers and it is built for managing several disaster areas. It is now in development here in Davao City as Sahana Davao, in coordination with the Davao City Disaster Coordinating Council and Central 911.

Another is the OpenMRS, a electronic medical records system developed from a concept in Kenya in 2004. It was initially conducted to record HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis cases. Today it is in development in 23 countries.

Finally, the CHITS (Community Health Information Tracking System), developed by the UP Manila National Telehealth Center in 2004. It is a barangay-based information system focused for health centers in these areas.

All of these are deemed FOSS.

4. What I Learned I am Learning from Open-Source by Mr. Mark S. Maglana^

Mr. Mark Maglana shared about his insights concerning developing open-source software. He shared to us his currently-developing project, the Redmine Backlogs, a project management system written in Ruby, an open-source programming language, built on Rails framework.

Here are the lessons he learned:

a. Open-Source = Cutting Edge

He quoted from his colleague when they were developing on the project: 

"I didn't expect it to happpen but I really prefer Ruby/Rails now over my previous language/framework."

 FOSS do really have a cutting-edge in software development.

b. Open-Source encourages more disicpline.

With FOSS, you eliminate the instances of broken, brittle functions, spaghetti code, and chaotic architectures.

c. Open-Source = Community

With FOSS, you are supported by a community, not just a single vendor.

d. Open-Source Promotes World Peace (?)

He encouraged everyone to start an open-source project or contribute to one.

^Tweet him @mmaglana on Twitter.

It 's been a great day to celebrate open-source software. So why not come join in next year?

Cheers!

KENNETH