A national open source software policy institute is to
be opened in the UK to help aid development and
standards.
The National Open Centre (NOC) is to be opened in January 2007in
Birmingham and the official launch will take place at the House of
Commons.
Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council and
chairman of the Digital Birmingham board said, “Open source
software offers choice for our communities and businesses, and
allows free software to be used for recycled computers.”
The NOC’s founding partners include the National Computing
Centre, Birmingham City Council, University of Central England,
Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, and Digital Birmingham.
The NOC will address areas including strategic development and
implementations, including document formats, interoperable systems,
public sector procurement, digital rights management, security and
communications protocols.
Sponsorship is being sought from the private and public
sectors.