Watch:
The Open Source Observatory and Repository (OSOR.eu) for European public administrations is a platform for exchanging information, experiences and free, libre and open source software (F/OSS) applications.
OSOR.eu supports and encourages the collaborative development and re-use of publicly-financed free, libre and open source software (F/OSS) applications developments for use in European public administrations. It also promotes and links to the work of national repositories, encouraging the emergence of a pan-European federation of open source software repositories.
OSOR.eu offerings
OSOR.eu provides unbiased advice and guidance on the use, development, and licensing of free and open source software. If you want to find out more about open source software, we’re the people to ask. As a repository, we can also help your project build an open development community to test and use solutions, provide feedback, and contribute to improving the software’s quality. OSOR.eu provides:
- a pan-European information platform, with up-to-date news and in-depth case studies on open source;
- expert guidance and legal advice on the implementation of F/OSS solutions, including the European Union Public License (EUPL);
- communities of interest to help you getting familiar with open source applications and projects;
- a state-of-the art development environment, or ‘˜Forge’ , along with a repository and registry for code and documentation for public administrations;
- a Virtual Forge service for those organizations which would like to start their own repository of OSS applications for public administrations, but lack the resources to set up the necessary infrastructure;
- a project search tool covering numerous federated national forges in Europe.
The importance of F/OSS for public organisations
The users of free, libre and open source software (F/OSS) have access to its source code and the right to study, change, and improve its design. This collaboration among the user and developer communities leads to larger user bases, greater interoperability and improved sustainability.
Open source software can therefore:
- reduce the costly replication of public sector software that already exists in similar form elsewhere;
- lower the cost of eGovernment solutions; and
- help spread good practice throughout public administrations.
OSOR.eu helps public organisations reap these benefits by improving dramatically the sharing and reuse of public sector software and related information across Europe, providing a variety of resources covering a wide range of issues relating to open source software use and development.
Source
OSOR.eu – Open Source Observatory and Repository