Open Software
Introduction to the Open Software Center
Activities
Specific activities of the Open Software Center are described below.
(1) Promoting Open Source
(2) Promoting Open Standards
(3) Partnerships and International Collaboration
(1) Promoting Open Source
a) |
Database Service: OSS iPedia We are providing OSS related information for public via Internet by OSS iPedia database. It includes best practices and case studies of OSS utilization, reports of OSS performance evaluation tests, OSS application catalog, our research results on OSS and open standards, moreover, OSS related resources including IPA Fonts(high quality free fonts for Japanese characters). |
b) |
Development Support : OSS Open Lab OSS Open Lab is a remote accessible service equipped with various OSS and applications on virtual machines and provides development environments for OSS developers and training tools for OSS training courses via Internet. |
c) |
Human Resource Development - Model curriculum To develop IT engineers capable of using OSS and open standards, we have been preparing a model curriculum, and it has been used as a base of C-J-K common Model Curriculum. We are also supporting training programs at universities and career schools based on this curriculum. - OSS contributor awards To encourage young talents, we select outstanding contributors for OSS and give awards annually. |
d) |
Legal Issues We have the study group to address legal issues such as license terms and patents from an international standpoint so that both vendors, developers and users can use OSS without concerns. |
(2) Promoting Open Standards
a) |
Guidelines We seek to enhance and promote open standards for public organizations to ensure effective and fair public procurements following the Basic Guidelines for Government Procurement of Information Systems issued in 2007 by Ministry of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. For this purpose, we are preparing guidebooks including Interoperability Framework for Information Systems and Technical Reference Models (TRMs) to help public organizations to adopt systems with rich interoperability. |
b) |
Evaluation Service of SOA Platforms We provide technical evaluation of software/service integration platforms needed for IT system based on SOA and provide a list of evaluated software products. Products on the list are used as candidates of which purchaser can get benefit of income tax reduction. |
c) |
Standardization of Ruby Language We are developing the specification document describing Ruby Language, aiming to make Ruby International Standard. With its excellent descriptiveness and ease of use, Ruby language attracts many programmers, mainly in the Web application construction area. The current version of the Ruby Draft Specification is available for download. |
(3) Partnerships and International Collaboration
a) |
Japan OSS Promotion Forum The Japan OSS Promotion Forum was launched in cooperation with system vendors, users, and academics. Our center is serving as a secretariat for the forum. |
b) |
Northeast Asia OSS Promotion Forum forms Northeast Asia OSS Promotion Forum. Our center supports various activity of the forum such as cooperative study and annual meetings. |
c) |
Mutual Cooperation Agreements Our center has signed Mutual Cooperation Agreement with various organizations in the world including Fraunhofer Fokus(Germany), TLF(The Linux Foundation, United States), SFLC(Software Freedom Law Center, United States) and NIPA(National IT Industry Promotion Agency, Korea). |
d) |
QualiPSo Japan Competence Center Our center has joined QualiPSo Network in February 2010. We will provide information service and development support as a member of QualiPSo Network. And we are planning to start OSS labeling service with the QualiPSo Network members. |