Fsf-friends September 2008

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26 participants
58 discussions

Fwd: Walking from Kasargod to Trivandrum for Freedom
by Praveen A 25 Sep '08

25 Sep '08

A wonderful initiative happening in Kerala, and I believe we did not see an effort this huge to spread Free Software to such a wide audience have happened before. I hope all of you would try to join in at least one of the locations of the Walk. (You could even plan a tour around this, there are many beautiful places in Kerala to visit). At the minimum join the mailing list at freedomwalk.in and share your ideas and pass of this message to your friends. Cheers Praveen ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anoop John <anoopjohn(a)gmail.com> Date: 2008/9/23 Subject: FOURTH ESTATE CRITIQUE Walking from Kasargod to Trivandrum for Freedom To: fourth-estate-critique(a)googlegroups.com Dear All, This is my first mail to the group and I think this warrants a short introduction about myself. Anoop John, running a small IT business in Trivandrum by the name Zyxware Technologies. I had started this company with a definite vision to actually drive the change I wished to see in this world. I don't know if you remember this but we were the company who released the Chikungunya Tracking Software as Free Software to the Govt of Kerala last year. You can read more about the company at www.zyxware.com and more about me at www.anoopjohn.com and www.thondomraughts.com This time we are planning on a mobilization campaign across Kerala to promote social and environmental activism in the state. A team of us are walking from Kasargod to Trivandrum and are planning to organize programs in Schools, Educational Institutions and other Non Profit Organizations to build awareness about the issues. Additionally we hope to connect with activist individuals and organizations across the state and give them an opportunity and a common platform to collaborate with each other. I am writing to this group because I know that there are quite a lot of activists in here and we need help from you to organize the programs in your respective areas. If you are interested you can read more about the project below or you can check out the site at www.freedomwalk.in If you are interested you can please subscribe to the mailing list - freedomwalk(a)googlegroups.com by sending a mail to freedomwalk-subscribe(a)googlegroups.com If you know somebody who will be able to help us with this please forward this information to your friends. Hoping to hear a positive response from this group. Warm Regards Anoop John FREEDOM WALK - A Walk to Claim, to Ensure and to Preserve Freedom Background Our society is ridden with problems - social, economical, environmental. People have always been trying to solve these problems. Sometimes they have been successful while sometimes they have not been. The level of activism and the sensitivity of the people towards these problems have been going down progressively. Good can survive on their own while evil has to collude to survive. This lack of a need has resulted in a definite lack of communication and collaboration among activists in diverse areas. Free Software as a community driven initiative has been growing in leaps and bounds over the last decade or so. This has been made possible because of the use of technology for efficient collaboration and communication in the community. The parallels between Free Software activism and Social and Environmental activism are very close, but their individual progresses have been very different. Objective 1) Run a mobilization campaign across the state to build awareness about the issues that we are addressing. 2) Use this campaign to connect with and connect together individuals and activists across the state 3) Offer Technology as an efficient means and a supplement to the existing systems used by the activist organizations Hypothesis 1) There is lot of inherent goodwill in the society. If we can tap into this goodwill to promote social causes we should be able to scale up any kind of social operations massively 2) There is inherent goodness in everybody. If we offer the right kind of opportunity for people to offer their capability, services and resources in a way and scale convenient and comfortable to them, they will. Idea Identify a campaign that will be bizarre that people would find it novel. I am making myself available for this project as the crazy IT guy who gave up a life in the US, a job in the US and who came back to India to try to do the impossible. Additionally do something that people don't hear very often. So we have figured out this idea of walking from Kasargod to Trivandrum covering all district capitals and conducting awareness seminars in Educational Institutions and other organizations along the way. Politicians have done this, Adventurers have done this, Activists have done this - but an IT entrepreneur with the above profile - not before. This idea have been thrown out to peers and the only response that we have been getting is - Crazy - and we think that is good. What is this freedom that we are talking about? It is the freedom to live our lives to its fullest without harming anybody else and without violating any of our accepted social norms. There are several areas of life where we invoke this freedom. We are primarily concerned with three different areas - Freedom from Social Evils, Freedom to live our future without having to worry about environmental catastrophes and energy insecurities and Software Freedom. Our offer to activist Individuals and Organizations 1) Ride on this program to promote their activities locally and across the state. 2) Use this program to connect with like minded individuals and organizations across the state 3) Upgrade their operations by using technologies and services that are being offered Organizational aspects We are trying to partner with organizations who have reach and presence in local areas across the state to organize the programs. Currently we are partnering with Free Software communities across Kerala. These communities are going to utilize this vehicle to promote the free software movement in the state. Free Software communities are already well connected and they have reasonably good presence across the state. These organizations will be able to organize public functions and local gatherings where the general public can be included. An agreement has almost been reached with WWF to partner with them to channel all the environmental activism and queries that are going to be generated. WWF has presence in schools across Kerala through their social forestry and nature clubs. They should be able to organize programs in schools where these clubs are active We are trying to mobilize support of other social activist organizations and individuals to use this opportunity and organize their programs along the way. Attracting Media Attention The walk and the people who are walking and the collaboration platform are areas which we think are going to be attractive to the media. Media has also been very attracted to Free Software and has been promoting Free Software liberally during our activities in Trivandrum and we are hoping to bank on Free Software for this program also. Promotion over the web We will be using web as a primary channel to promote this project. The whole walk will be covered virtually everyday and reports, photos and videos will be updated to the website - www.freedomwalk.in - to let people across the state and the world know about this. The site is designed to let people interact with the people walking on a real time basis. Collaboration Platform There is no point in bringing people together just for the event and forgetting about them after that. The whole point of this exercise is to connect activist individuals and organizations together and build awareness among the general public. The event should serve the purpose of building public awareness. For connecting individuals and organizations we are developing and are planning to launch an online collaboration platform that can be used for free by this target section of the population. In addition this platform could also possibly give an opportunity for people in all sections of the society to contribute towards causes and we will have an opportunity to validate our hypothesis no 2. General Strategy for the program We are going to follow a more or less impromptu strategy for organizing the talks and seminars and public functions. There are three reasons for this :- 1) We don't have good centralized resources for doing this. 2) We don't have very strong local connections. 3) The organization is going to get easier once the public visibility and the momentum of the program increases. Pending items in organization 1) Actual details of talks/seminars have not been finalized 2) Actual details of organizations who will be organizing the programs 3) Contact information of people who will be organizing the programs 4) Approximate dates during which the walk will pass through a district have to be finalized Impromptu items that are going to be fun and exciting 1) Places of stay have not been identified 2) Path through certain districts are flexible Strengths 1) Very strong in web based collaboration and building web based systems to rapidly mobilize online 2) Permanent team in Trivandrum to act as the Virtual Operations Centre(VOC) 3) Strong brand presence and reach in the Free Software Communities across Kerala. -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.zyxware.com http://www.anoopjohn.com http://www.thondomraughts.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Be the change you wish to see in the world", M. K. Gandhi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "FEC-Fourth Estate Critique" group. To post to this group, send email to fourth-estate-critique(a)googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to fourth-estate-critique+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/fourth-estate-critique?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~--- -- പ്രവീണ്‍ അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില്‍ <GPLv2> I know my rights; I want my phone call! <DRM> What use is a phone call, if you are unable to speak? (as seen on /.) Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

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Adobe's position on software patents has changed?
by Anivar Aravind 24 Sep '08

24 Sep '08

A quote from todays Hindu report by Anant parthasarathy http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461930300.htm Naresh Gupta, Sr. Vice President, Print & Publishing Business Unit Adobe, and Managing Director, Adobe India, a leader of the imaging software and solutions business, says: "We believe in safeguarding of intellectual property rights. Adobe invests significant resources towards innovation and we expect protection of our Intellectual Property Rights, to be able to sustain business." The position of Adobe on software patents in 1994 published by James Huggins is here http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/tek1/software_patent_adobe.htm Let me make my position on the patentability of software clear. *I believe that software per se should not be allowed patent protection*. I take this position as the creator of software and as the beneficiary of the rewards that innovative software can bring in the marketplace. I do not take this position because I or my company are eager to steal the ideas of others in our industry. Adobe has built its business by creating new markets with new software. We take this position because it is the best policy for maintaining a healthy software industry, where innovation can prosper. The problems inherent in certain aspects of the patent process for software-related inventions are well-known, the difficulties of finding and citing prior art, the problems of obviousness, the difficulties of adequate specifications for software are a few of those problems. However, *I argue that software should not be patented, not because it is difficult to do so, but because it is wrong to do so.* In summary, these are my main points: * the software industry thrived without patents, creating its fundamental base in an era of no software patents; * software patents harm the industry, with no corresponding benefit; * software embodies mathematical algorithms; * the law, starting with the Constitution, argues against patents for software-related inventions; * and last, the proper form of protection for software is copyright. I strongly feel we need to write an Open letter to Adobe asking for its policy change. Anivar Aravind http://anivar.movingrepublic.org -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown FOSS industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds.

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International day against software patents story in Hindu
by Anivar Aravind 24 Sep '08

24 Sep '08

Bangalore edition of The Hindu dedicated its public eye page for the cause of Software Freedom The Lead story is In the context of International Day against software patents see http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461910300.htm 2 Other stories are related to Free Software http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461920300.htm http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461820300.htm As Usual there is a pro-software patent story too written by Anand Parthasarathy http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/24/stories/2008092461930300.htm Anivar -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown FOSS industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds

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Would this constitute as FUD
by shirish 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

Hi all, I read this in an article http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Interview/J_Schwartz_CEO_Sun/articlesho… [quote] Free software (as in free beer) may come with a zero price, but may have its source code as closed. [/quote = J Schwartz, CEO, Sun ] Comments, suggestions, reactions all invited as usual ;) -- Regards, Shirish Agarwal This email is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ 065C 6D79 A68C E7EA 52B3 8D70 950D 53FB 729A 8B17

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Re: [Fsf-friends] A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation?
by V. Sasi Kumar 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

I wrote: > That seems to be true. This is a CPM event and the objective god only > knows. and > This would appear to be part of an attempt to float a parallel process > to take over the Free Software movement in the country. While I too > have no objection to anyone helping the Free Software movement in the > country or even independently promoting Free Software (as many groups > are already doing), what this group is doing is really sabotaging the > whole movement itself by causing confusion among FS supporters. This > is unethical and could even be illegal (using our logo without our > permission). This is very unfortunate. I am writing this mail since my earlier mail is being interpreted to mean that the CPI(M) is trying to sabotage the Free Software Movement in the country. That was not at all what I meant. Since I wrote it in a hurry as I am on the verge of leaving on a rather longish journey. I don't think a large party like the CPM would try to capture a small organisation like FSF India. But the convention has several known CPM leaders (such as Dr. Debesh Das) and CPM supporters (such as Sri N. Ram). So it would appear that the people who are doing this have a CPM background. Why they would want to create such a problem, god only knows. I am sure the top brass in the party would never knowingly permit such activities. I am sorry if I sounded otherwise. Best -- V. Sasi Kumar Free Software Foundation of India http://swatantryam.blogspot.com

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Celebrating Software Freedom Day @ Gnu/Linux Habba - Mysore
by Omshivaprakash H L 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Celebrating Software Freedom Day @ Gnu/Linux Habba <http://platonic.techfiz.info/2008/09/22/celebrating-software-freedom-day-gn…> More that 150 people were introduced to Gnu/Linux @ Mysore We all celebrated Gnu Birthday and recalled how Gnu/Linux came into existence and What is Software Freedom, FSF etc. It was great fun being with all newbies and showing off various tools and Gnu softwares. We did watch "Elephants Deam" and "Big Buck Bunny" in the afternoon while others enjoyed the installation sessions. You can find some of the packages demonstrated here: http://dev.sampada.net/GNU_Linux_Habba/September-2008/List_of_Packages http://platonic.techfiz.info/2008/09/22/celebrating-software-freedom-day-gn… Uploading more pictures and event related info on http://habba.in soon. - -- - -- "A well-directed imagination is the source of great deeds" - -- With Best Regards, Omshivaprakash.H.L | ಓಂ ಶಿವಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಎಚ್. ಎಲ್ | ॐ शिवप्रकाश् एच्. एल् Website : http://www.techfiz.info Blog : http://platonic.techfiz.info Phone: 91- 9902026518 AIM : fizworks ICQ : 265216744 IRC : #techfiz server: irc.freenode.net channel: #linux-india #ubuntu-in #gnu-india #kannada -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkjXMFsACgkQ7OA72yfkJqNwpwCgjtgZ9B3zlmeFlIyNfV8zYO1T o64An3zEh3IOb9HzkEr6p26l7p2Zi2VW =ksa7 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Interview with Walter Bender of Sugar Labs
by Anivar Aravind 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

"What is work in the real world? Using Word and Powerpoint? Or learning to engage in critical thinking and use computation as a thing to think with? Where are the jobs going to come from? Can we raise a generation of children who are creative, expressive, truly unbounded in the potential, who know how to problem-solve? What country (or company) would really want to build a dependency on Microsoft when they could appropriate the tools and knowledge locally and be self-deterministic? What country wouldn't want to have the option of supporting their local languages and cultures? " http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080920181151638 Anivar Aravind -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown FOSS industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds.

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Request to announce about Barcamp to be held on 4th & 5th October 2008
by Loknath ＠BCM4 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

Hello, I hope you all are doing great. Like earlier, we are coming out with BarcampMumbai 4 . Barcamp <http://www.barcamp.org/> as you would know is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from participants. *The long wait is over & BarCampMumbai4 is finally here with a completely new face for itself. Barcamp Mumbai4 <http://barcampmumbai.org/>- It is a two day event this year.* Registration has been started. Get started here. *www.barcampmumbai.org* You can follow barcamp @ -*www.twitter.com/bcm4* *Schedule: 4th and 5th October. Venue- School of Management -IIT Bombay Powai , Mumbai * *I request you to post this announcement in your blog /website/ web-reporter / e-newsletter .* * * -- *Loknath Swain * *9833181107* On Behalf of Planners Barcamp Mumbai4

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[Fwd: Event Update: Gnu/Linux Habba - Mysore]
by Omshivaprakash H L 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 - -- - -- "A well-directed imagination is the source of great deeds" - -- With Best Regards, Omshivaprakash.H.L | ಓಂ ಶಿವಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಎಚ್. ಎಲ್ | ॐ शिवप्रकाश् एच्. एल् Website : http://www.techfiz.info Blog : http://platonic.techfiz.info Phone: 91- 9902026518 AIM : fizworks ICQ : 265216744 IRC : #techfiz server: irc.freenode.net channel: #linux-india #ubuntu-in #gnu-india #kannada -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkjW65QACgkQ7OA72yfkJqMh3wCdFtg3mFoMxs073oDyjxIPeDhU eNkAn18xCappoPvMZLP+TE3hL5nTveAI =FSkQ -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Slick marketing or Public Awareness?
by Mani A 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

I think the author of this article* is a bit confused between 'Marketing Linux' and 'Spreading Awareness' and doing them in 'Slick/Sick' ways. The AIDS awareness campaign has been extremely successful in many parts of India... and they were marketing nothing. But too many educated people and in responsible positions are still hardly aware of the importance of FOSS and Linux. * See http://www.itwire.com/content/view/20711/1090/ and the comments too. Quote: "To some people, all marketing is evil. You write something brilliant and then keep it under a bushel. How will the rest of the world know? And doesn't the rest of the world need to know? When there are all kinds of spinmeisters trying to market things that can only be described as crap, what's wrong with putting the best possible marketing brains to work for a good product? The example which I always trot out at times like this is Betamax which beat VHS hands down. But it didn't win the marketshare needed to become the dominant standard." Best A. Mani -- A. Mani Member, Cal. Math. Soc

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Fsf-friends September 2008