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Volunteer Management Software?
ewilts asks: "I've been actively looking for volunteer management software but am consistently coming up empty. The vast majority (by far) is Windows desktop based and typically layered on top of a Windows database engine like Access or FileMaker. I'm specifically after something web-based (Linux/Apache) since there is no centralized volunteer office and the volunteers have systems including Windows 95, Macintosh, Linux, and everything in between. So far, eBase seems to be best solution, being open-source but it's Windows-centric, not web-centric. Any pointers to low-cost or free software to help manage a couple of hundred volunteers would be greatly appreciated."
Why do I get the feeling that so many of these requests are people simply looking for 'free as in beer' solutions?
Because for a lot of people, that is the chief benefit of Free/Open Source software. The vast majority of folks do not choose software based mostly on an abstract idea of morality, but on some other factors, depending on the situation. When it's a group with little money, a package which costs no money to use seems pretty logical. For others, a package which provides the most efficient working environment as possible (no matter how Free, Open, or expensive it is) is the most important thing.
The whole point of free software is to share and give something back to the community.
What makes the post's organization not part of the community? Why are they outside of it, not deserving to benefit from the sharing?
I don't know about you, but I largely write my open software because I enjoy a) programming and b) using the end product. I don't do it because I expect someone else to write some software for me down the line in return. Likewise, there are plenty of folks who don't know how to code- or cannot/willnot learn- or simply don't have the time. The rather suboptimal software development systems which are the norm on the available popular platforms today do not encourage people new to programming to take it up to try making a few tweaks or a small script here or there.
What kind of "Free Software" attitude is:
"You say you want a program that does x, y, and z? Write it your self! Sure, a couple such packages exist already, but you gotta pay to play, buddy!"
Working toward a usable PDA environment in the spirit of Newton OS: Dynapad
It's free for nonprofits. If you're a corporation, check out the VMC link on the home page.