About the Software
How was the software built?
The Tracking Progress Initiative Software was built by combining
- The survey-taking tool Limesurvey
- Custom-made development on top of Limesurvey
- Open Source standards
What is "Limesurvey"?
Limesurvey is the leading open source survey software.
LimeSurvey allows users to quickly create intuitive, powerful, online question-and-answer surveys that can work for tens to thousands of participants. The survey software itself is self-guiding for the respondents who are participating.
What is "Custom Made Development"?
On top of Limesurvey we have built some developments for easing the collection of data as well as to help users track their progress on complying to the guidelines.
What is "Open Source"?
The General Term
The term "open source" refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible.
The term originated in the context of software development to designate a specific approach to creating computer programmes. Today, however, "open source" designates a broader set of values — what we call "the open source way." Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.
What is "Open Source Software"?
Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. As such, you can extend the software according to your needs.
"Source code" is the part of software that most computer users don’t ever see; it’s the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software - a "programme" or "application" - works. Programmers who have access to a computer programmes source code can improve that programme by adding features to it or fixing parts that don’t always work correctly.
What is the difference between "Open Source Software" and other types of software?
Some software has source code that only the person, team, or organisation who created it - and maintains exclusive control over it—can modify. People call this kind of software "proprietary" or "closed source" software.
Only the original authors of proprietary software can legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. And in order to use proprietary software, computer users must agree (usually by signing a license displayed the first time they run this software) that they will not do anything with the software that the software’s authors have not expressly permitted. Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software.
How can I customize The Tracking Progress Initiative software?
In order to customize the software, you may download the source code from the Tracking Progress Initiative Github Repository, and update it freely. If you believe any of the extensions you do may be useful for others, please consider sharing the extension with the Central Team by sending a Pull Request.
Click here for a guide on how to install the Tool on a local server.