FROST Project Details

A project to research the risks and benefits associated with open source software solutions has been approved as a joint government and IT industry initiative. The project is the Future Role of Open Source in Tasmania (FROST) Project.

Introduction

The deployment of open standards and the use of OSS is becoming common practice in a number of private and government organisations around the world.

These solutions can provide economic, social and business benefits that should be further examined in Tasmania. A joint government and ICT industry project has been established to research the risks and benefits associated with OSS solutions. The project is called the Future Role of Open Source in Tasmania (FROST).

Background

The key objective of the FROST project is to determine the social, economic and business risks and benefits associated with growing the open source software market in Tasmania and to increase awareness of these risks and benefits to relevant stakeholders as appropriate. The project activities will focus on research, education and awareness and will include a literature review, local market research survey and an open source software forum to be held in Hobart on April 6th 2006.

The market research survey is currently underway. It is hoped that the survey will assist provide information regarding the current usage, perception, readiness for adoption, ability to support, and potential for development of the open source software market in Tasmania. You can participate in the survey by clicking on this link . The results of the survey will be published to this website and also discussed at the Forum in April this year.

The Forum will also be used to promote awareness and understanding of OSS and to address issues that arise as a result of the research undertaken. The Forum will also be an opportunity to showcase OSS solutions using case studies and/or pilot programs discovered via the market research. The Forum will involve all stakeholders including representatives from within government, the community, local business and the Tasmanian ICT industry. If you are interested in finding out more about the FROST project, our market research survey or the Forum, please contact the project manager, Carole Williams on 6233 2527 or carole.williams@dpac.tas.gov.au