Photos: Centre launched to promote open source

An institute that aims to promote the national use of open-source software was launched at the Houses of Parliament on Monday.

The National Open Centre (NOC), backed by the National Computing Centre, has won the support of the European Commission and members of parliament.

The NOC, which will be based in Birmingham, aims to help form public policy on the use of open-source software and open standards, acting as a think tank for discussions. The centre is currently running a programme of seminars to bolster knowledge of open-source products and services.

The concept of the NOC was originally touted in October, when the National Computing Centre outlined its plans to develop the concept with Open Advantage, a West Midlands-based open-source development centre, and Birmingham City Council, which began an abortive £500,000 Linux project in 2005.

The group originally planned to launch the NOC in January, but the launch was subsequently delayed until this week. The NOC is seeking further funding, and is currently seeking an award from Advantage West Midlands, a regional development agency.

Although the NOC will be based in Birmingham, it is keen to maintain a national remit and develop links with key suppliers, business users, MPs and the European Commission. It will be run by a 26-strong unpaid advisory board.