2013 - Geoinformatics

14
A r t i c l e
By Xavier Torret
Requena, Josep Lluís Sala
Sanguino and Carlos
López Quintanilla
This article presents a management model about open source technologies for
the consideration of the government. The use of these types of technologies provides
the user with technological authority, as well as transforming him or her
into a provider with added value and a source of innovation and development.
In addition, in Public Administration, when attempting to implement these types
of tools, a new framework is created whereby new relationships with suppliers,
based on information sharing, is established. The training of the municipal manager
is a key element in implementing this change.
Open Source Tools
A R e a l i t y f o r L o c a l M a n a g e m e n t
3. Freedom to study. The source code is available. How it has been
created can be studied and an understanding of all of its structure
can be obtained.
4. Freedom to Modify. As there is access to the source code, it can be
changed for improvements or customizations, and the new code will
also be free and accessible.
The only restriction imposed by free software is that it cannot be privatized.
Free software will always be free.
There are many examples of free software, from technology for Apache
servers to operating systems such as Linux corporate databases such
as MySQL, Postgre SQL, Desktop programs such as Openoffice, gvSIG,
or Mozilla Firefox, as well as other types of content management technologies
such as Moodle, Drupal or Joomla.
Interface gvSIG Management System of Urban Pavement
Introduction
The objective of this paper is to present public officials with as much
information as possible on open source technologies and the benefits
obtained by opting for this type of technology. This document focuses
on the management of urban services, where a great deal of responsibility
is assigned to the manager, rather than the city, and where the
efficiency and quality of service can be monitored by the public.
Open Source Tools
Open Source Tools are applications whose sources are freely released:
– only software that is free can be freely released, and this is carried
out through licenses that comply with the following four freedoms:
1. Freedom of use. They can be used as many times, as often and for
as long as desired.
2. Freedom of distribution. They can be distributed to as many others
as want to use them and as many copies as desired.
Advantages of using open source tools
These tools are a reality of the present, but more importantly the choice
of the future; an option which will allow us to put effort into what really
matters. In this sense, the software which will manage the information
will not be as relevant as the data generated. Without a doubt, the
data will be the most important.
As these tools are open source and comply with interoperability standards,
they provide us with the independence of the supplier, and thus
we can have a broad professional structure at our disposal which
always offers the best technical service possible.
As they are free sources, they allow for scalable implementation, which
will allow us non-convulsive migration living with proprietary models.
Additionally, we can align the functionalities to the necessary services,
which means that we will have software adapted to our needs.
As there are no license costs, the savings we make will allow us to
change spending into investment, enabling the training of employees
or contracting businesses and local personnel. This approach will provide
new opportunities. Free software provides opportunities.
Finally, we should point out some further ideas to break away from the
myths which have historically been associated with free software.
June 2013