Jordan Times
Friday, October 28, 2005
Open source for Arab media given impetus
AMMAN (JT) — A brainstorming workshop on
advancing open source software for independent Arab media was held in Aqaba this
week,
Organised by the Arab world's first Internet radio station, AmmanNet, the event
witnessed discussions designed to advance the use of open source tools in a
variety of Arab media outlets.
Fourteen senior Arab developers and media practitioners agreed on the critical
value of using open source software to develop Arab media, according to a
statement released by AmmanNet.
Special attention was given to the products produced by the Prague-based Media
Development Fund (MDLF). Martin Hala and Sava Tactic from MDLF reviewed their
campware products, especially `campsite,' which is being used by media outlets
throughout the world.
AmmanNet founder and director Daoud Kuttab gave a presentation on the workings
of the Amman-based radio station, which is successfully using campsite software.
Meanwhile, TamamTech CEO Raed Nesheiwat presented the Arabic version of
campsite, which his company has been using with several Arab media outlets
including AmmanNet and the Palestinian based Amin.org website.
Participants, comprising developers from Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Qatar, Libya
and Jordan, conferred on the need to further develop, Arabise and customise
campsite and other campware programmes including preparing Arabic language
documentation and manuals.
Developers also agreed to begin a concerted effort to promote open source
software in the Arab media, to help create centres of excellence. Plans for a
pilot project using open source software will be attempted during the coming six
to eight months with the Islam Online portal.
Also, conference to be held in Cairo was planned for early 2007, the statement
said.
The media and information programmes of the Open Society Institute funded the
workshop.