GovAccess is a non-profit corporation (seeking 501(c)(3) status) which is dedicated to helping
government entities use non-proprietary software for service delivery.
Manifesto
GovAccess suggests that a few principles should guide software development for public services:
Software paid for with public funds is never "finished" or "done" but must always be modifiable
to reflect the changing needs of the community and the development of enabling technologies.
Software paid for with public funds should be licensed such that the software can be used
for any public purpose, by any stakeholder, without restriction.
Development of software for public purposes should be contracted in small enough increments
that the software being developed is understandable by all stakeholders, so that all
stakeholders can participate in the design and testing of the software.
Development of software for public purposes should be driven by tests designed by all
stakeholders and payment should be dependent on the passing of all tests.
Stakeholders include not just managers and technologists involved in the process, but also
staff who directly interact with the software being developed and members of the public,
in whose name the software is being built.
As of now (2024-04-30), the links below are TBDs, but if you are interested in seeing how this
effort to make our goverments more open, more transparent, and more efficient, all while using
software that is not massively overpriced, contact ray@ganymede.org.