Networks of Open Source Health Care Action

This paper reports on an effort to create a network of both developers and users of a public health information system. Through an analysis of capacity, recruitment, and power in the network, issues related to choice of technologies, global-local tensions, and parameters of institutional collaboration, we illustrate a number of challenges. Comparing OSS principles to a “Networks of Action” approach, conditions for learning in organizing training and development of software with participants from Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as the involvement of advanced students in such efforts are discussed.