Free apps and software program for nonprofits
In line with the Nationwide Days calendar, February is Free and Open Supply Software program (FOSS) Month. Open supply software program (OS) generally is a incredible useful resource for nonprofits that want expertise simply as for-profit companies do, however usually have fewer assets to pay for costly options.
So what’s open supply software program? You are in all probability already utilizing a number of the hottest open supply packages with out even realizing it.
- WordPress (weblog and web site design)
- Firefox (Web browser)
- Android (cell machine working system)
These are all open supply software program. OS software program builders (i.e. copyright holders) make supply code obtainable for anybody to view or edit. The software program or software can be free for anybody to make use of, copy or distribute. OS software program is commonly developed in public collaboration. For instance, should you click on About Firefox on the browser’s Assist menu, you may see that the Firefox Web browser is “designed by Mozilla, a worldwide group working to make the online open, public, and accessible.”
The thought behind this type of software program improvement is the idea that builders working for a for-profit enterprise and the enterprise itself concentrate on defending their property and earnings along with or as an alternative of constructing the software program the very best high quality. it may be. OS advocates consider {that a} bigger group of builders who depend on colleagues to search out and repair issues within the code will create a extra helpful and high quality product for everybody.
The large benefit of open supply software program is, in fact, that it is free. The truth that the code is public signifies that lots of and even hundreds of builders and customers can check, consider, debug, and enhance your last software. Listed below are the highest 5 causes open supply advocates give for the advantages of open supply software program, along with the zero-dollar price ticket:
- Safety. the extra individuals who can see and check a chunk of code, the extra possible it’s that safety flaws might be discovered and glued.
- Reliability. it’s peer-reviewed, bugs are fastened instantly, not in distant future variations.
- Id. it may be personalized.
- Low useful resource depth. open supply software program can usually run on previous computer systems widespread in non-commercial workplaces.
- Freedom of selection. no obligation till you are positive (attempt as many alternative packages as you want, they’re free).
Nevertheless, there are downsides. The most typical, in my expertise, is that there’s in all probability no assist desk or technical help telephone quantity for customers to name. An OS software program assist desk may be the identical weblog or web site the place builders and testers obtain code and focus on bugs they discover.
Under is an inventory of some OS apps and software program that many nonprofits will discover helpful. They’re all broadly used, award-winning packages. Simply keep in mind, that does not imply they’re all routinely proper for YOUR nonprofit. Think about who’s in your workers (whether or not clerical or consultants).
- set up the software program
- save the software program and any knowledge
- put together new customers
- use the software program regularly
Additionally think about whether or not this software program must “speak” to different software program in your group. Will the packages be appropriate? You probably have current knowledge that must be transformed to a brand new bundle, who will do it?
Now that we have warned you concerning the dangers, listed here are our favourite open supply software program packages:
- LibreOffice. an workplace productiveness suite, together with a phrase processor, spreadsheet, presentation, database, and extra, primarily based on OpenOffice and successors. Awarded Finest Free Workplace Suite by CNET Journal
- GIMP: GNU Picture Manipulation Program photograph and picture editor. Runs on GNU/Linux, OS X, Home windows, and extra. Named a 2013 Finest Free Software program Choose by PC Journal
- Audacity. a digital audio editor created by a professor and pupil at Carnegie Mellon College. Chosen as one among PC World Journal’s 100 Finest Merchandise of 2008
- Shotcut. cross-platform video editor and encoder. Named TechRadar Obtain of the Day
- Thunderbird. an electronic mail and chat shopper developed by Mozilla (maker of Firefox). PC World Journal’s prime 100 merchandise of 2005 and 2008
- KeePass: Password Supervisor. Password supervisor beneficial by the German Federal Workplace for Info Safety and the French Company for Community and Info Safety. KeePass has the very best rating on G2 Crowd’s password administration community
- Rocket.Chat. multi-platform internet chat, video conferencing and group communication. InfoWorld Journal BOSSIE 2016 Award
One of many greatest nonprofit wants is a constituent relationship administration (CRM) system that permits a company to maintain observe of donors, prospects, volunteers, and different constituents in addition to communications contributors. Listed below are free and open supply CRMs you possibly can discover when it is time for a brand new CRM at your nonprofit.
- Suite CRM (previously Sugar CRM) is without doubt one of the hottest, although it is not particular to nonprofits.
- CiviCRM was developed particularly for non-profit organizations
If you wish to study extra, many non-profit and charitable organizations promote the open supply software program motion. Listed below are a number of the greatest and longest-lasting ones.
- Apache Software program Basis. offers help to the Apache open supply software program product group
- Doc fund. a German charity based by a big group of free software program advocates
- The Eclipse Basis. an unbiased non-profit group funded by membership charges that permits a vendor-neutral and open group to run the Eclipse Undertaking created by IBM.
- Free Software program Basis. works to make sure freedom for pc customers worldwide, significantly by selling the GNU Free Working System
- Linux Basis. helps many open supply initiatives, together with the 25-year-old Linux working system
- OpenCourseWare Consortium. a worldwide community of instructional establishments, organizations and individuals who promote openness in schooling, together with the collective improvement and use of open instructional supplies.
- OpenHatch. matches up-and-coming open supply software program builders with communities, instruments, and schooling
- OpenSource Issues. presents monetary, authorized and organizational help for Joomla. content material administration system for web sites
- Open supply initiative. represents the open supply group, maintains the open supply definition, and creates open supply licenses
The “open supply” label is claimed to have been coined in a method session held shortly after the announcement of the supply code for the Netscape internet browser in 1998. Within the almost 20 years since, the Free and Open Supply software program market and merchandise have matured. Nonprofits can profit from high-quality, free* software program obtainable for productiveness, part administration, and different essential duties.
*Simply keep in mind that not all free software program is free or protected to make use of.
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