Open Toaster
Access to information and digitalization, better known as Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), is a prevailing issue of our everyday life. For many people, however, computerization remains a remote and undiscovered terrain, not to mention practice and experience.
Though a wide variety of projects and programs are dedicated to improving the level of ICT in the developing world, many of them are only concerned about the increase of the hardware stock. But ICT-empowerment is much more than pure keyboards and screens access, skills and adaptation needs to be provided as well.
To provide ICT skills and proliferation Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) offers a faster and reasonably cheaper solution: the Open Toaster.
This device is not only capable of distributing software, but can distribute any kind of digital content as well. Therefore it can be effectively used by the instructors of the university for e-learning purposes or provide literature, media modules, curricula, etc… according their own needs.
Three Open Toasters, made in Ethiopia, will be placed in both of the Faculty of Technology campuses in Addis Ababa and in the ecbp building, besides Alem Cinema. Students and the general public will be allowed to bring their blank cds along and easily burn different software for free. Using the indications shown on the touch-screen, everyone will be able to update and download writing, office software and even e-books in a matter of minutes.
As another of the on.e initiatives linking e-solutions to the university reform, the Open Toaster represents a huge step towards accessible information, away from expensive software (out of reach of most for the Ethiopian). Free access to software and digital content raises the effectiveness and quality of education.
The first Open Toaster was launched during the University Days (15th-18th of November, 2006) in the Northern campus of the Faculty of Technology in Addis Ababa.