Public Software Centre (PSC), IT for Change pro-actively works with public institutions at two levels – policy and programme. At the policy level, PSC works with the government system to define 'Guiding principles for public software', which would guide ICT Projects in the public sector, in their design, development and implementation activities. The Centre also works with governments to formalise these principles through public software policies.

At the programmatic level, PSC helps public institutions adopt public software applications. PSC supports small and medium size entities in the developmental and academic sectors - NGOs and CBOs for who the costs of proprietary software is forbidding and who need help to adopt public software. The applications initially pertain to the basic software used by most organisations – the operating system, office applications, web browsing, email, image, audio-visual editing, content management systems (websites) etc and then move on to more advanced tools as and when required. There are variety of public software applications available in each of these areas and there is a need to identify the appropriate applications based on need and promote their adoption. The wider availability of publicly owned tools also can be used by NGOs in a variety of work areas, including desktop publishing, audio-video editing, website design and administration etc, instead of being limited to few proprietary tools. Many organizations work with schools or children and they need to use simple public software educational tools that can help in learners build their knowledge in different areas.

The Public Software Centre is also working with NGOs and CBOs through the 'Knowledge Management and Knowledge Networking' program, which aims to help these organisations use public software tools for their knowledge management and knowledge networking activities. The Public Software Centre is also working with the education department in Karnataka to promote the use of free educational tools in schools and colleges.
 

About Public-Software.In site

The Public-Software.In is an online community that aims to support the adoption and promotion of public software in India, particularly amongst public institutions – i.e. those that work for the public interest. It aims to support individuals and organisations in sharing learnings and resources on public software, including :

1. Discussion on what is public software and arguments regarding its adoption and promotion.

2. Debates on the challenges and possibilities of adopting public software in large scale by governmental and non-governmental institutions and provide examples of best practices from Indian and international governments.

3. A set of resources that contribute to the knowledge on public software, including guidelines, tutorials, reports, projects, researches, case studies, and other materials resulted from workshops and other advocacy strategies.

4. Policies relating to public software adopted by public institutions

5. Spaces to interact with organisations and individuals involved in public software issues, through blogs, comments, and forums.

6. Information on events and news related to public software.

7. Testimonials of the ones who have already adopted it.

8. Material on public software in Indian Languages such as Hindi and Kannada (more can be added with contributions from network members).

9. Technical support and resources to promote the adoption of public software by public institutions

Public Sector for the purpose of these guidelines, is defined broadly as comprising of institutions working for public interest. While this includes not only governments but also academic institutions, civil society (NGO/CBO), community media institutions etc; there is a special role for the government as the key public sector actor in promoting public software.