This is a completely subjective document but I hope is sparks a discussion.
I have always been a big proponent of the need for Open Source software applications in the nonprofit community. Open source can provide thousands of dollars in savings, and provide capability that would otherwise be out of reach for most nonprofit orgs.
This list is in no perticular order or ranking structure. The following are just the five applications I have found the most use for in my consultancy.
- Wordpress - This application is probably the most widely used and supported blogging tool on the internet. You can even get a hosted blog on the website for free.
http://www.wordpress.org - OsCommerce - This Ecommerce Shopping application has all the major features you would expect in an expensive shopping cart application. Including Full search, Product Reviews, and Bestseller lists.
http://www.oscommerce.com - Drupal - The cleanest look and feel of the open source content management systems. Also the best content manager for search engine results.
http://www.drupal.org - Openoffice.org - I transact every day with microsoft office users. but I am not paying microsoft. Every consultant that places this into an office and saves thousands for the organization should be branded a hero.
http://www.openoffice.org/ - PHPList - With this Opt-In mail system I have been able to help clients save thousands in email fees. One of my clients has over 5,000 emails opened each week by donars because of this application.
http://www.phplist.com
I use many more applications, but these probably more often than the others.
I am always on the lookout for new tools to help my clients, I would love to here about other open source applications people have found to be useful.
Maybe separating out the OS categories
When I was at CompuMentor, we used to have discussions about the difference recommending server-side OS applications (OS Commerce, Drupal, PHPList) vs. desktop applications like OpenOffice (and even something like Ubuntu).
Server-side apps make absolute sense to implement using OS apps - typically because while the set-up is complex, but the day-to-day management can easily be handled by nonprofit staff. However, until recent changes in both nonprofit tech staff abilities and OS desktop ease-of-use issues, we could not reliably recommend OS desktop apps across the board for nonprofits.
I know things have changed in both those worlds - but I also know that NeoOffice (OpenOffice's Mac version) is a very frustrating and slow piece of software to use. In another example, a couple of guys using Ubuntu could not connect to our Apple wireless hub at a recent conference (sure, Apple can shoulder some of that responsibility). Unfortunately, I still see the desktop apps requiring as much time and learning-curve investment as the server-side apps; it makes sense for the server side, because the org can pay one person who has that time and expertise. But asking all the nonprofit staff to invest in that learning curve to manage their desktops has an impact on the org's day-to-day working.
Again, this is my (somewhat tired) old refrain about desktop OS applications. I'm seeing things change, for sure; bit by bit, instead of having a part-time MCSE help with nonprofit desktop support, we're seeing an open source expert take up that role. :-)