Open Source Nonprofit Software

One of the world’s leading supporters of open source software is scheduled to speak at “The Orange Conference,” hosted by MPower for their clients, partners, and various members of the nonprofit community. Bright is also a leader of IBM’s mission to promote innovation using Linux and open source software.

The three day conference will take place September 24-26, 2008, in Frisco, Texas. The theme of this year’s conference is “Freedom to Fundraise” and will focus on helping nonprofits learn more about using constituent relationship management software to grow their donor and volunteer base.

Bright is expected to share examples of how private and public organizations have benefited from the use of open source software. He will touch on how open source software allows nonprofits to run more efficiently and effectively, as well as explain why open source software is really the future of software for nonprofits.

To learn more about open source software, contact MPower by calling 972.220.0340.

Open source software continues to grow in popularity, so it is no surprise that higher education institutions have begun to use open source software in a variety of contexts to ensure that graduates have an easy transition into the “real world.” This kind of recognition from the higher education institutions proves that open source software is going to play an essential role in the future.

Graduates, particularly from business schools, are learning to utilize open source software to launch start-up business before they even graduate. Professors note that the use of open source software promotes productivity, as students learn to customize their software to help create and maintain efficient businesses.

Higher education institutions are looking to the future and preparing a new generation of tech savvy graduates to help the open source community continue to grow and expand.

If you are interested in learning more about the open-source nonprofit software developers at Mpower, call 972.220.0340.

A lower court’s decision regarding a copyright case was overturned on Wednesday by a federal appeals court. The case has the potential to strengthen the legal foundation of open source software. The appeals court has ruled that the conditions of the artistic license are enforceable by copyright laws. This ruling strengthens the principles of open source software and other applications that the public is able to edit and redistribute.

The ruling stems from a case of alleged copyright infringement committed by a company which used another man’s software in order to develop commercial software against the original artistic license. While the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that the man’s license was “intentionally broad,” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned the ruling and stated that the terms of the artistic license are enforceable under copyright laws.

This ruling sets the standard for future licensing disputes. It strengthens artistic licenses and provides company’s the ability to protect their rights.

For more information on your open source software, contact MPower Open at www.mpoweropen.com

MPower users Precept Ministries International, Turning Point, and Amazing Facts have recently contributed three new product innovations for MPower’s nonprofit constituent relationship management software. MPower is proud to provide these new innovations to current and future users and are confident that these contributions will allow nonprofits to continue to grow and develop their own innovations as open source software developers.

One of the new contributions is an event management solution for nonprofits that will allow them to easily manage the details of their numerous yearly events, including conventions, tours, classes, and conferences.

The second innovation that will be available to MPower users is an application that allows for mobile access to donor profiles. This contribution will allow fundraisers to access constituent information at any time, whether in the office or out of the office.

The third innovation is an eCommerce solution for nonprofits that will allow constituents to easily donate or buy fundraising items online.

For more information on your open source software, contact MPower Open at www.mpoweropen.com

Microsoft is working to develop a new line of basic software in the attempt to counter the successes of open source software developers. The new basic software will be priced much lower than other Microsoft products in order to compete with the often free price of open source software. While this may be an interesting strategy for the long time software giant, open source software has given individuals and companies the power and freedom to customize their software.

Microsoft notes that much of the open source software available merely mimics current Microsoft software, threatening their commercial software business. Although Microsoft believes that their new products are “low cost” solutions to the open source software threat, the basic line is still expensive compared to open source software, which is often available at no cost at all.

For more information on your open source software, contact MPower Open at www.mpoweropen.com