Open Source Applications Foundation


The Open Source Applications Foundation was a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by Mitch Kapor whose purpose was to effect widespread adoption of free software/open-source software.

OSAF Mission

The mission of the OSAF was stated this way:
  1. Create and gain wide adoption of open source application software of uncompromising quality.
  2. Carry forward the vision of Vannevar Bush, Doug Engelbart, and Ted Nelson of the computer as a medium for communication, collaboration, and coordination.
  3. Design a new application to manage personal information including notes, mail, tasks, appointments and events, contacts, documents and other personal resources.
  4. Enable sharing with colleagues, friends and family. In particular, meet the unique and under-served needs of small group collaboration.
  5. Demonstrate that open source software *can* serve a general audience in the consumer market.
  6. Offer a choice of platforms and full interoperability amongst Windows, Macintosh, and Linux versions.
  7. Leverage our resources by using an open source model of development.

    History

Founded in 2002 by Mitch Kapor to effect widespread adoption of free software/open-source software.
In January 2008 Mitch Kapor ended his involvement with the Foundation, stepped down from the Board, and provided transitional funding. In the restructure that followed, Katie Capps Parlante became acting President. There were at one time with Sheila Mooney as President.

Projects

From 2005, OSAF participated in Google's Summer of Code programs by allowing several interns to work on OSAF projects during the summer.

OSAF Funds

Major contributors to OSAF included: