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- OATS - Open-Source Assistive
Technology - only one way forward! -
Andrew Lysley
ACE R&D Co-ordinator
Stephen Druce
ACE Projects Officer
An overview
What is “Open-source software”?
What is “Open-source Assistive Technology Software”?
Why this project and who might benefit?
Where next and how you can help?
What is open-source software (OSS)?
• Open-source Software (OSS) is computer software written for any operating system (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc.)
• Under a license anyone can change and/or share the software freely
• Open-source software must make its source or programming code freely available
• End-users have the right to modify and redistribute the software
• Open-source software is well established with a large amount of established software available.
Source Forge – biggest OSS websitewith over 110,000 projects
- SCHOOL FORGE -an OSS website for UK Schools
What is the “OATS” Project?
• First web-based open-source software Repository (library) and Forge (dating agency) dedicated to Assistive Technology
• “One-stop shop” for users, clinicians, & developers
• Pilot project to assess service desirability
The OATS Repository- A Library -
The OATS Repository- A Library -
• Listing software in a central web-based database
• Offering simple and easy methods to find appropriate AT software
• Standardising in one place downloading and installation of AT software
• Providing a level of quality assurance to guide potential end users
OATS Repository- SAW 5 -
OATS Repository - Dasher -
The OATS Forge- A Dating Agency -
The OATS Forge- A Dating Agency -
• To attract volunteer software developers
• To develop new AT software based on specific end user needs
• To provide a dynamic discussion forum for end users and open-source developers
Other OATS Services
• Symbol and picture libraries
• Software resources - such as free selection sets and user configurations
• AT software that is not open-source but is free will also be included (eg ZenKeys)
OATS Website Structure
What next?
• Pilot website launch in December ‘05
• Six-month “live” evaluation
• Final report on pilot
• Exit strategy…….
How you can help & participate?
• Spread the word!
• Send examples of OATS
• Send examples of free AT software
• Join the OATS SIG NOW!• oats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk
• www.oatsoft.org
OATS Project Consortium
• The ACE Centre, Oxford (Project Co-ordinator)
• ACT, Birmingham
• Dpt. Of Applied Computing, University of Dundee
• Swedish Institute for Special Needs Education, Gothenberg
OATS Contact details
Andrew LysleyOATS Project Co-ordinatorThe ACE Centre92 Windmill RoadHeadingtonOxford OX3 7DRTel: 01865 759802Email: lysley@ace-centre.org.uk OATS SIG: oats-sig@lists.becta.org.uk Website: www.oatsoft.org (going live in December 2005)
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