Using Open Source Software, Powering Potential and the Raspberry Pi Foundation Bring Technology to Schools in Tanzania

Thanks to open source, Powering Potential and the Raspberry Pi Foundation are able to bring computers and a library of digital education content to rural schools in the East African nation of Tanzania. Recently, the Foundation funded a project now distributing Raspberry Pi computers with uploaded educational content alongside portable projectors and screens to 56 schools across the Zanzibar archipelago and two mainland regions of Tanzania. The Segal Family Foundation also provided matching funds, which enables the project to reach twice as many schools.

Thoughts on Leaving the OSI Board

After six years (two terms), this week marks the end of my time on the Board of Directors of the Open Source Initiative (OSI). While I plan to remain involved with open source issues and with the Board, the end of my service on the Board is a significant personal milestone, so I thought that I would briefly reflect on the past six years for open source, and especially the OSI.

When I was nominated for the OSI Board in 2010, the Board was a small, select group whose early members made important contributions to the open source community, notably the Open Source Definition and the approval of licenses that conformed to that Definition. The Board’s activities were supported by a couple of corporate donations. Since all of the Board members had “day jobs” that brought in their personal incomes, everyone was quite busy and it was often difficult to make progress on various initiatives.  It’s a testament to the hard work of the earliest members of the Board that the OSI was well-recognized as the steward of licenses and the OSD.

OSI at OSCON 2016

This year, OSCON moves to Austin, Texas and we’ll be there! (Plus, we’re attending Community Leadership Summit the weekend before the conference.) Join us from May 16th to 19th, as we’re delighted to announce that OSI will once more have a booth in the Expo Hall. We would really love to see you there!

Rather than the usual 20% discount for OSI members, OSCON have generously given us a 30% discount code for our member to use when purchasing Gold, Silver, and Bronze conference passes.

Don’t Forget To Vote!

With just a few days to go in our elections, here’s your gentle reminder to vote on who you would most like to see on the board of the OSI….