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Open Source Software in the European Statistical System

Open Source Software in the European Statistical System. by Leonhard Maqua, Eurostat. What is OSS? The three freedoms of OSS. Free, non-discriminatory access to the software including the source code Freedom to modify the program

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Open Source Software in the European Statistical System

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  1. Open Source Software in the European Statistical System by Leonhard Maqua, Eurostat

  2. What is OSS?The three freedoms of OSS • Free, non-discriminatory access to the software including the source code • Freedom to modify the program • OSS is free of obligations to the creator (no commitment to any obligations, like maintenance, warranty etc)

  3. Three good reasons for the European Statistical System to care for OSS • Publishing software developed in our IDABC project X-DIS ensures the long-term sustainability • OSS is the ideal method for National Statistical Institutes to co-operate in the development of software • Publishing software as OSS is advantageous for public administrations

  4. It is advantageous for public administrations to publish their software as OSS • Minimal liability at a maximum of trust • OSS enables non-discriminatory public procurement – no binding to a contractor even in the case of continuation of development • Better packaging in documentation allows for easier take-over in the case of changes in the development team or contractor • No (explicit or implicit) long-term commitment to further develop the software

  5. OSS Action Plan under IDABC • Extension of the existing ad hoc repository of raw data collection software under the CORD Task Force into a general CIRCA IG “OSS and Statistics” • Building up a repository of links to all kinds of statistical OSS • Decision to release Eurostat software as OSS (subject to a Commission decision), starting with applications developed under IDA and IDABC • Inventory of products developed within the ESS for which release as OSS could be envisaged; • Investigation of the willingness of Member States to release software as OSS; • Establishing guidelines for packaging source code and making available documentation for developers and end users

  6. A CIRCA Group on OSS • Interest group “OSS and Statistics” • Can be found under http://circa.europa.eu/dsis • Read access is free - all information is public • Contributions are welcome, contributors are asked to subscribe t the group • Discussion forum (Newsgroup) open to all registered CIRCA users.

  7. Some Guidelines for Publishing OSS • Choose a good name • Choose a suitable license • Choose a development platform widely and/or freely available • Tell your programmers that the code will be published as OSS • Create a website with short description and download facility for documentation and • Communicate with the users of your software, they may become contributors

  8. The Next Steps • Eurostat officially publishes GESMES and SDMX tools under EUPL • Survey on existing and potential OSS in statistical administrations • Eurostat intends to publish a fair number of other applications under EUPL • ITDG will discuss OSS extensively, a joint issue paper with some Member States will prepare the grounds for an OSS strategy paper for the SPC.

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