Free software, freely available
2008-08-24 14:15
Cape Town - Open source software costs nothing to own, and now costs nothing to obtain thanks to a group of entrepreneurs determined to get around the problem of expensive bandwidth in South Africa.
The Freedom Toaster originally started in 2005 as a project by the Shuttleworth Foundation as a software kiosk where anyone can burn - or "toast" in Linux jargon - open source software such as Linux and other information onto CDs and DVDs.
"One challenge in developing countries is that free software is generally distributed online, and in those countries the bandwidth is often expensive or non-existent so free software does not reach those communities that most stand to benefit from it," said Mark Shuttleworth. "The Freedom Toaster is a way of making free software, and in fact many forms of free content, available in these places."
As the toaster gained momentum, developer Jason Hudson realised there was an opportunity to turn it into a business venture.
Breadbin Interactive
"We found people who are interested in the toaster tend not want to build one themselves," he told News24, explaining that the code and information on how to make a toaster was made available online so that anyone can produce one for about R18 000.
In 2007, after numerous toaster successes abroad and locally, Hudson formed Breadbin Interactive with his partner Brett Simpson.
"We redeveloped it into a sturdier, more robust and visually appealing kiosk," he said. The new and improved toaster has gotten Unisa's interest. The distance learning university has ordered 30 toasters for their students to download course materials upon registration.
"It's quite exciting because students don't have to wait for the postman to deliver course materials two weeks later," said Hudson. "They can get their stuff and get started straight away.
Free to the user
The company has also been approached by the Western Cape government for a kiosk in the Cape Gateway office in Long Street.
In keeping with the spirit of open source culture, downloads still remain absolutely free to the user - the company makes its money from charging content providers a hosting fee.
Aspiring musicians and bookworms can download music editing software, music samples and free electronic books, made possible by Creative Commons non-proprietary licensing. Windows users can also access open source applications for Windows at any of the some 80 toasters scattered across the country.
The first toaster as well as the new prototype are at the MTN ScienCentre in Cape Town's Century City, while a donated toaster at the Nazeema Isaacs Public Library in Khayelitsha has proved to be popular with locals.
Hudson hopes to have more of a presence in townships in the future.
"We want to approach institutions such as NGOs and universities to help us in getting these machines out there," he said.
While the restrictive telecommunications environment in South Africa hinders computer literacy, Hudson and his team are determined to allow the man on the street open access into the technology age.
"We believe having a choice in the type of content and the type of software you use shouldn't carry a price tag," he said.
Freedom Toaster website
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