Fsf-friends June 2003

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

11 participants
57 discussions

Runaway ESR
by Amol Hatwar 09 Jun '03

09 Jun '03

Wonder if any one of you came across this @ Slashdot. It's about ESR adding his own jargon descriptions to the well-known jargon file he maintains. You can see the post here: http://slashdot.org/articles/03/06/08/1534249.shtml?tid=99 For people too lazy to point their browsers here's a short description: ---Starts-- As reported by NTK, ESR appears to have embarked apon the process of recasting the Jargon File in his own image, adding terms like "Aunt Tillie" and "GhandiCon" that he dreamt up and seemingly no-one else uses, and various terms from (of all places) the warblogging community, where he is active. He's also updated the "Hacker Politics" page to be more closely aligned with his own views. --Ends-- Regards, Amol Hatwar.

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SCO evidence
by Amol Hatwar 09 Jun '03

09 Jun '03

Seems that SCO has given evidence to analysts at the Aberdeen Group; some 80 lines of it. More details here: http://eet.com/sys/news/OEG20030606S0039 As of now, I think SCO's making a mountain out of a mole-hill. But then here is one concern presented in the article: <i>If SCO (Lindon, Utah) prevails in its legal efforts, many observers believe the action could, at best, result in hundreds of multimillion-dollar licensing payments from Fortune 1000 companies and, at worst, damage the foundation of open-source software.</i> Well, I knew OSS was based on wrong principles--kind of a leg-in-leg, but this will certainly raise questions on the immunity of Free Software from such claims. Any expert opinions here? Amol Hatwar.

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Re: Invitation to participate in Pista 2003
by CK Raju 08 Jun '03

08 Jun '03

On Thu, 2003-06-05 at 23:35, Jose Vicente Carrasquero wrote: > We are sorry to take some of your time, we think it would be interesting > for you to know that we have extended the deadline, therefore, we send you > once more, the invitation to participate in PISTA 2003 and the respective > Call For Papers, as follows: > > The Organizing Committee of the International Conference on Socio Political > Informatics and Cybernetics: Pista '03, is pleased to invite you to > participate in this international event that will be held in July 31, > August 1-2, 2003, in Orlando, Florida, USA. > > This is an international conference organized jointly with the > International Conference on Computer, Communication and Control > Technologies: CCCT '03 (July 31, August 1-2, 2003). > > Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are transforming our > societies, therefore papers about research results, solutions and problems > of the applications of ICT in Politics and Society are highly encouraged. > > We are making emphasis on the area of Informatics and Government , mainly > Open Source for National and Local eGovernment Programs which is related > to your specific area. > > You are also invited to organize a panel or an invited session. Panel > sessions with panelists coming from both: ICT researcher/practitioners and > political consultants or politicians are highly encouraged. > > You can find more information about Pista '03, in our web site > http://www.confinf.org/Pista03/WebSite2003/default.asp . > > Could you please deliver the Call for Papers I am including herein, to your > colleagues? > > If you consider that the deadlines are tight and you need more time, > please, let me know about a suitable timing for you and I will inform you > if it is feasible for us. > > This deadline is exclusively for the people who are being invited through > these letters hence, this deadline won't be published in our web site. > > Best Regards, > > Professor Jose Vicente Carrasquero > General Chair Pista 2003 > > CALL FOR PAPERS > > International Conference on Socio Political Informatics and Cybernetics: > Pista '03 > July 31, August 1-2, 2003 - Orlando, Florida, USA > Jointly with The International Conference On Computer, Communication And > Control Technologies: CCCT '03 > > http://www.confinf.org/Pista03 > > Pista '03 Organizing Committee invites authors to submit their original and > unpublished works, innovations, ideas based on analogical thinking, > problems that require solutions, position papers, case studies, etc., in > the fields of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). ICT > researchers are invited to present their research results. > Practitioners and consultants are invited to present case study papers and > innovative solutions. Corporations are invited to present political > information systems and software based solutions. Public servers are > invited to present case studies, information systems developed for specific > purpose, and innovative ideas and designs. Political and social scientists > are invited to present research or position papers on the impact and the > future possibilities of ICT in Societal systems and political processes. > Politician and political consultants are invited to present problems that > might be solved by means of ICT, or solutions that might be improved by > different approaches and design in ICT. > > All are invited to organize panel or invited sessions. Panel sessions with > panelists coming from both: ICT researcher/practitioners and political > consultants or politicians are highly encouraged. > > Submitted papers must describe work not previously published. They must not > be submitted concurrently to another conference with refereed proceedings. > > Pista '03 Organizing Committee invites authors to submit their original and > unpublished works, innovations, ideas based on analogical thinking, > problems that require solutions, position papers, case studies, etc., in > the fields of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). ICT > researchers are invited to present their research results. Practitioners > and consultants are invited to present case study papers and innovative > solutions. Corporations are invited to present political information > systems and software based solutions. > Public servers are invited to present case studies, information systems > developed for specific purpose, and innovative ideas and designs. Political > and social scientists are invited to present research or position papers on > the impact and the future possibilities of ICT in Societal systems and > political processes. Politician and political consultants are invited to > present problems that might be solved by means of ICT, or solutions that > might be improved by different approaches and design in ICT. > > All are invited to organize panel or invited sessions. Panel sessions with > panelists coming from both: ICT researcher/practitioners and political > consultants or politicians are highly encouraged. > > Submitted papers must describe work not previously published. They must not > be submitted concurrently to another conference with refereed proceedings. > > You can find complete information about the conference in our web page > http://www.confinf.org/Pista03 > > > * Pista '03 ORGANIZATION > > General Chair: Prof.: Jose Vicente Carrasquero > Organizing Committee Chair: Prof: Frederik Welsch > > Organized by the IIIS: The International Institute of Informatics and > Systemics > > * CONFERENCE AREAS AND TOPICS > > Informatics And society > Social Informatics. Cyber-Civics. > Digital Libraries. > Communicating Culture. Culture Shifts and the Transformation of Politics. > Digital Cities. > Global E-Quality. E-Development. > Internet and society. What is New about the New Media. > Societal and political impact of Mobile communications. > Politics and the Internet. Politics in Mediatized Cultures. > Computer mediated Communications. Political Communication and Public > Spheres. > Informatics for Education. Computer Mediated Education. The e-literate > society. > Networking Schools, Universities and Communities. > Citizenship in the Information Society. Citizenship, New Media and > Political Action. > Informatics, Voting and Political Parties > Informatics and Political Campaigns. > Online Campaigning. On-line Polling. Political Advertising. > Leaders, Elections and Parties and New Media. Informational Power. > E-democracy and E-participation. Democracy and New Media. > The effects of mobile communication on public participation and > political mobilization. > Political Information. > Informatics And Government > Electronic Government. Web-Enabled Government. Local E-government. > Telematics for Development. Telematics as Agent of Social Change. > Open Source for National and Local eGovernment Programs. > Citizens and Public Administration in the Information Age. > Open Source for National and Local eGovernment Programs. > Political Forces shaping Innovations and Diffusion of Information and > Communication Technologies. Information Politics. The Politics of Inf. > E-administration. E-public services. Web Self-Service in the Public > Sector. > E-Gov. Information Assurance. > Process Models and Software for E-democracy. E-communities. > Software for Dialog and Argumentation. > Intergovernmental Informatics. > Citizens and Governance in an Open Knowledge-Based Society. > E-reality and E-economy. > Cyberspace Security. > Ethical and Legal Issues related to Informatics > Ethical, Legal and societal Challenges of Cyberspace. > Legal Informatics. > Legal Knowledge and Information Systems. > Cyber-Ethics. Ethical issues in computing and Informatics. > > > * ABSTRACTS AND PAPER DRAFTS SUBMISSION FORM > > Papers might be submitted via web page > http://www.confinf.org/Pista03/WebSite2003/Submission.asp, as extended > abstracts (500-2000 words) or as full papers drafts (2000-5000 words). > > Reviews will be done for both kinds of submissions. > > Invited Sessions proposals can be done filling the form given in the web > page http://www.confinf.org/Pista03/InvitedSession2003/organizer.asp > > More information about Invited Sessions Organization could be found at the > web http://www.confinf.org/Pista03/WebSite2003/ISOrganization.asp > > > * IMPORTANT DATES > > June 15, 2003: Submission of extended abstracts (500-1500) words or paper > drafts (2000-5000) words. > > June 15, 2003: Invited session proposals. > > June 25, 2003: Notifications of Acceptance. > > July 05, 2003: Submission of final versions: hard copies and electronic > versions. > > July 31, 2003: Conference Starts > > August 2, 2003: Conference Ends > > Some invited sessions might have a different timetable according to its > organizer and chair > > > * PAPERS REVIEWING AND PUBLICATION > > Submitted papers will be reviewed. Accepted papers, which should not exceed > six single-spaced typed pages, will be published by means of paper and > electronic > proceedings. Authors of accepted papers must sign a copyright release form. > > > * REGISTRATION FEES > > The registration fees will be $290 before the deadline, and $340 after the > deadline. > > This fee will include exclusively: > > * A CD-ROM version of the Proceedings > * One volume of the hard copy version of the Conference Proceedings. > * Coffee breaks > * Welcome Reception > > Each registration fee might include just one paper, which presentation will > be included in the conference program and published in the conference > proceedings. > > > * AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT > > The only audiovisual equipment provided for most meetings will be an > overhead projector and a screen. Video projection or any other equipment, > if needed, will have to be supplied by the presenter. > > > * CONFERENCE CONTACT > > Details can be found at the Conference web page: > http://www.confinf.org/Pista03 > > Answers to specific questions can also be requested by e-mail: > > pista(a)confinf.org > sec.pista@ confinf.org > > We are looking forward to meeting you at Pista '03 conference, in Orlando. > > Organizing Committee > ---- > > ****** Message from InterScan E-Mail VirusWall NT ****** > > ** No virus found in attached file noname.htm > > This is virus free message scanned by Zyberway > ***************** End of message *************** >

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FLOSS... and the digital divide
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 08 Jun '03

08 Jun '03

"DOES FLOSS (Free/Libre and Opne Source Software) offer developing countries any significant alternative in addressing crucial problems, such as the alleviation of poverty, the democratization of society, the reduction of literacy, confilict reduction, access to knowledge, dealing with natural calamities and other emergencies, etc? Does FLOSS have the potential to help bridge the digital divide? "In our view, the answer to most of the above questions is a definite YES, but without attributing some magic-wand status to any technology, especially Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), including FLOSS." -- Niranjan Rajani, in the introduction to his study 'Free as in Education: Significance of Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Developing Countries' For details contact niranjan dot rajani at maailma dot net (online versions available) -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frederick Noronha (FN) | http://www.fredericknoronha.net Freelance Journalist | http://www.bytesforall.org http://goalinks.pitas.com | http://joingoanet.shorturl.com http://linuxinindia.pitas.com | http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks ------------------------------------------------------------------------- T: 0091.832.2409490 or 2409783 M: 0 9822 122436 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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PHP vs. ASP .NET
by Amol Hatwar 07 Jun '03

07 Jun '03

I recently came across this article defending PHP against ASP .NET. Pretty interesting stuff. :) Must read for pedagogues, purists and pundits. Here's the link: http://blogs.phparch.com/index.php?m=200305#128 P.S. PHP5 is something to be watched. I guess it'll break the mold once again! Cheers, Amol Hatwar.

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IBM offers free-of-cost GNU/Linux kit
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 07 Jun '03

07 Jun '03

---------- Forwarded message ---------- IBM offers free Linux kit IBM is offering a free beer 4 CD evaluation set of middleware for Linux including the DB2 database, WebSphere tools, Lotus Domino and other applications. The Linux Software Evaluation Kit comes with tech support, and there are also free two-day seminars taking place around the world this month to support the release. The European event is taking place in Paris next week on Wednesday the 11 and Thursday the 12. http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/offers/linux-speed-start/ _______________________________________________

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FSF mentioned in The Register
by Venky Hariharan 05 Jun '03

05 Jun '03

FSF is mentioned here. Venky http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/30991.html We've seen the future, Indian Prez tells Gates - and you're not in it By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco Posted: 03/06/2003 at 03:19 GMT Each year, while Bill Gates parties at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Richard M Stallman makes a trip to Porto Alegre. Stallman takes part in discussions on alternatives to globalization, US-style, at the World Social Forum. His travel choice appears to be paying off. Last week Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam called for a halt to the "devastating" impact of proprietary software. He revealed that he had what he called "differences" with the Microsoft founder when the two met last November. "The most unfortunate thing is that India still seems to believe in proprietary solutions," said President Kalam. "Further spread of IT, which is influencing the daily life of individuals, will have a devastating effect on the lives of society due to any small shift in the business practice involving these proprietary solutions. It is precisely for these reasons open source software needs to be built which will be cost effective for the entire society." ""It is precisely for these reasons open source software need to be built which would be cost effective for the entire society. In India, open source code software will have to come and stay in a big way for the benefit of our billion people." Kalam led India's missile program and was elected President by India's national MPs and state assemblies last July. Reflecting on the reaction to India's missile technology innovations, Kalam has remarked, "It is really amusing that the Americans think that it is only with their technology that India can succeed." Pledge Not for the first time, Gates was following in Stallman's footsteps. Both visited India last Fall. In November, Microsoft pledged $400 million of investment in the world's largest democracy, including an education scheme that involves Microsoft software, a move criticized by the Free Software Foundation Of India. In response to some skeptical questioning from the Indian press about the investments, Gates had this to say:- "It is only because of Microsoft's approach that the computer industry has become a worldwide industry." And he probably believes it, too. In Bill's model of globalization, he is the world. ®

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A Cure for What Ails Microsoft
by Soundara Rajan N.S. 04 Jun '03

04 Jun '03

A Cure for What Ails Microsoft By Jay Wrolstad NewsFactor Network June 2, 2003 Microsoft must be cautious in delivering any code to the open-source community. "They have spent billions developing their software, and they don't want to give away the crown jewels," said Yankee Group senior analyst Laura DiDio. _________________________________________________________________ No longer able to dismiss out of hand the attacks coming from all directions -- or to counterattack with impunity -- Microsoft may be well advised to extend an olive branch to the open-source community, say some industry analysts. It is no secret that open-source software is gaining ground on the server, on the desktop, and in PDAs and next-generation phones. Given the vast array of tools and the network of applications developers at its disposal, said Forrester Research analyst Ted Schadler, Microsoft could generate increased interest and revenue by assuming a more giving attitude. First, it could make its common-language runtime (CLR) more widely available. Embracing the Mono project designed to replicate the NET framework on Linux also could be a smart move. Beyond the Desktop Schadler told NewsFactor that the development-focused benefits of the Microsoft architecture are still a strong lure for buyers. "The company has a tremendous ability to build tools for application development and is the best at helping developers build easy-to-use applications quickly," he said. The challenge now is to move beyond the PC and notebook to build new software that connects the desktop to phones and handhelds. "Microsoft needs to get its software on as many devices as possible, not just the operating system," Schadler said. To compete in the Java world, which is where many of these devices are, he said, the company could take advantage of open source by offering some of the lower layers of the CLR to that community and make it easier to port their software. "It's a proliferation strategy, and once their technology is out in the open, Microsoft can then sell more development tools and support services," said the analyst said. Cautious Approach Yankee Group senior analyst Laura DiDio, agrees, up to a point. "Microsoft cannot adopt a bunker mentality, or aggressively attack open source, because open source is not going away," she told NewsFactor. "And the company is providing ammunition to those who consider it the evil empire out to preserve its monopoly status." But Microsoft must be cautious in delivering any code to the open-source community. "They have spent billions developing their software, and they don't want to give away the crown jewels," DiDio said. For handhelds and phones, there could be an advantage in releasing some of its CLR, as long as some controls are established, she suggested. A potential problem with this strategy is that if the code were released, there could eventually be as many versions of Windows and .NET as there are of Linux. "They should offer just enough to enable interoperability," DiDio cautioned. Shared Knowledge One concern for Microsoft is that it only supports its own platform and has shown little inclination to consider other standards, said Forrester analyst Stacey Quandt. "It would be to their advantage to embrace more applications developers, including those in open source," she told NewsFactor. Microsoft already has a shared-source initiative enabling systems integrators to modify some of the company's software for handheld devices. The company knows that a growing number of its customers are leaning toward alternative platforms, such as Linux, and it therefore has to consider supporting other operating systems as replacements for Windows in new devices, Quandt said. The Mono Factor Then there is the Mono project, sponsored by software firm Ximian and designed as an open source, Linux-based version of Microsoft's .NET Web-services development platform. Microsoft is keeping a close eye on the project, says Forrester's Schadler. It would enable .NET to run on virtually any operating system. "If their architecture is out there, Microsoft ultimately wins, because they still own the servers, tools and channel relationships," he said. "Microsoft is interested in this because they want to keep all of their options open." Mono could be a hedge strategy for Microsoft, DiDio agreed, but she pointed out that there has not yet been a stampede toward Linux. A Yankee Group study reports that only 7 percent of server users have adopted the platform, and just 3.5 percent of organizations plan to install Linux on the desktop. Bridges To Build Microsoft could relinquish some Mono project secrets, DiDio said, but may be reluctant to do so since the Linux community has yet to satisfactorily define ownership of the platform. Quandt is not so sure. "I don't see them jumping on [the Mono project], she said, because it undercuts their Windows business." The bottom line is that Microsoft needs to forge some bridges with the open-source community, said DiDio. "It has become a case of 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em,'" she said. ===============================================================

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Volunteers needed for GNU/Linux workshops in kerala
by Sajith V K 04 Jun '03

04 Jun '03

"Freedom matters" Hi, "Kudumbasree", a movement of women in Kerala plans to conduct GNU/Linux workshop for its members, in all 14 districts in Kerala during 2nd and 3rd week of June. It will be a 2day workshop including two demonstration sessions and two hands-on training sessions. We need to make a list of persons in all districts who can help. If you can, please mail me back. Expense will be paid. Arrangement of Venue and facilities will be handled by "Kudumbasree". ------------Regards SajithVK------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Attention NRIs! Send money to India. http://server1.msn.co.in/msnleads/citibankrca/citibankrca2.asp Do it in a jiffy!

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SITEWATCH: Perl-mongers ... from South Africa
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 04 Jun '03

04 Jun '03

This initiative welcomes involvement from India and elsewhere. Thanks to Nico Coetzee for the link. FN URL : http://za.pm.org za.pm.org - perl mongers of south africa Contents [1]home [2]about za.pm.org [3]mailing list Perl Links [4]Perl.org [5]CPAN - search page [6]Google's Perl Groups Perl Mongers [7]pm.org 2003-06-01 Ok, it's the start of a new month, and I think we have reached the point where we can actually start to do things :) At this stage I want to propose the following: we decide on certain focus areas, and based on a 'call for papers' style of working, we get some volunteer articles on a subject matter, and then publish the papers on this site, for discussion on the mailing list - together with any other usual questions you might have, of course. I see it go something like this: we decide which topics should be focused on in the medium term ( next 3 to 4 months or so ). Who ever feels they want to, can then write a short 'article' or tech-paper on the topic, and mail it directly to me. I will publish it on this site, and post a general announcement to the list. The list members then read the paper/article, and we discuss it on the list. After a couple of months/weeks I will archive those discussions separately from the main archive. In that way we build up a resource that even newbies can start to use. Please join us on the mailing list, and give your opinions on this idea. 2003-05-17 WOW ! The marketing paid off this week, and we are now 40 odd members strong. This is a bit more than I expected - but who's complaining :) From 20 May to 27 May 2003 I will be away for a [8]Open Source Seminar in Helsinki. Subscribers and new members - behave! 2003-05-11 I have started some PR, at this stage mainly on the GLUG Mailing list. I reckon there should be sufficient Perl interest in the local Linux community to boost our numbers. We have up to now only 7 subscribed users. Please people - help me get the word out! 2003-03-23 It seems there is life here afterall :) Anyway, still not much new around here. At this stage we have the mailing list ready and the basic site structure, so we can start to market this site now. Please familiarize yourself with our [9]aim, goals and objectives before you subscribe to our mailing list, or before you recommend us to a friend. Well, that's all for now. The updates on this site will be slow and low volume as most will happen on this mailing list. I am looking forward to see you there ! 2003-03-10 This site will shortly evolve in a comprehensive Perl resource for south africans. in the mean time you may join our mailing list here: [10]http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/za-pm see you around... Copyright � 2003. All rights reserved. [11]za.pm.org nico coetzee [ nico at itfirms dot co dot za ] References 1. http://za.pm.org/index.html 2. http://za.pm.org/about.html 3. http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/za-pm 4. http://www.perl.org/ 5. http://search.cpan.org/ 6. http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Programming/Languages/Perl/?tc=1 7. http://www.pm.org/ 8. http://www.itfirms.co.za/research.html 9. http://za.pm.org/about.html 10. http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/za-pm 11. http://za.pm.org/index.html

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Fsf-friends June 2003