Fsf-friends October 2009

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interesting declaration
by Nagarjuna G. 28 Oct '09

28 Oct '09

check this declaration http://co-ment.freeknowledge.eu/text/7/ -- Nagarjuna G. http://www.gnowledge.org/

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[x-post]Free Technology Academy website & course descriptions published!
by Anivar Aravind 27 Oct '09

27 Oct '09

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Hinde ten Berge FTA Announcement #2: Website and course descriptions published --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Free Technology Academy website launched! The Free Technology Academy (FTA) is proud to announce the official launch of its website. It's available at http://www.ftacademy.org. There you will find all the information related with the project, including news, next activities, press resources and many more. All the contents are released under a free Copyleft license, so feel free to share and reuse all the FTA materials. 2. FTA course programme published The Free Technology Academy aims to establish a full educational programme on Free Software and Open Standards. This programme can be followed as a whole or only partially, and these studies can be expanded at one or more of the partner universities. The first set of courses is finally available. At http://www.ftacademy.org/courses/modules you will find the description of each module included in the FTA master level programme. The current modules are: 1) The concepts of Free Software and Open Standards 2) The GNU/Linux Operating System 3) Network Technologies 4) Web applications development 5) Economical aspects of Free Software 6) Legal aspects of the Information Society 7) Software development 8) Case Studies Each educational module in the FTA programme stands on its own and can be followed independently, provided that the learner has the required previous knowledge. Introductory courses require almost no previous knowledge, besides the basics necessary to access the FTA campus itself, while more advanced modules are meant for IT professionals seeking to acquire specific skills. The materials of each course will be published in the next few months under a free content license. The registration for the first courses will be announced soon, so stay tuned! 3. Contact information To know more about the FTA, visit the official site at http://www.ftacademy.org. To receive information on when registration will open exactly, keep an eye on the website or subscribe to the Announce list at http://mail.freeknowledge.eu/mailman/listinfo/fta-announce. If you have questions, or you are interested to become a partner organisation in the FTA network, write us at contact (at) ftacademy.org 4. About the Free Technology Academy A Consortium formed by three universities and led by the Free Knowledge Institute (FKI) has received the support from the EC's Lifelong Learning Programme to offer an international educational programme on Free Software. Following the Open Educational Resources movement, all learning materials will be freely available through the Internet. The use of Free Software (also referred to as Open Source software or Libre Software) is expanding rapidly in governmental and private organisations. However, still only a limited number of IT professionals, teachers and decision makers have sufficient knowledge and expertise in these new fields. The Free Technology Academy aims to address this gap by providing high level courses that fit into larger Master Programmes at the participating universities.

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[X-post] FSMK Newsletter Volume 5
by Vikram Vincent 27 Oct '09

27 Oct '09

Dear Friends, FSMK releasing its fifth consecutive news letter. URL:- http://fsmk.org/Newsletter_October_2009 We are glad to receive your comments whether it is a criticism or praise.. Write to us and distribute this edition to as much of your contacts as possible. We welcome you to have your name on one of the articles in the forthcoming editions. Thanks and Regards, FSMK EB Team.

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wifi restrictions
by Nagarjuna G. 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

http://dot.gov.in/miscellaneous/publicnotice.pdf and also see this http://www.medianama.com/2009/10/223-indian-government-wants-telcos-to-regi… -- Nagarjuna G. http://www.gnowledge.org/

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Letter to the European Commission opposing Oracle's acquisition of MySQL
by Anivar Aravind 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

The following is a letter that KEI, Richard Stallman ORG have sent to the European Commission, asking the European Commission to prevent Oracle from acquiring MySQL as part of its acquisition of Sun. The European Commission has the authority to require a divestiture of MySQL, so that it would not be part of the merger, in order to ensure that MySQL would operate independently, or be sold to a different company that would not face the same conflicts as Oracle does. http://www.keionline.org/ec-mysql <snip> KEI sees the MySQL acquisition as an important precedent for the application of competition laws to free software. Traditional market analysis looks at revenue based market shares, which are meaningless for software distributed gratis or licensed under prices that reflect fees for services. Many important free software services are supported by some type of commercial business model, and can be fragile, if acquired by a firm that has an interest in diluting or destroying the longer run viability of the free software project. </snip> <snip> We recognize the support Sun provides to increase competition in numerous markets through its support of FLOSS and open standards. We also recognize that Oracle's acquisition of Sun may be essential for Sun's survival. However, Oracle should not be allowed to harm consumer interests in the database market by weakening the competition provided by MySQL. For the reasons elucidated above, we ask that you block Oracle's acquisition of MySQL. </snip> http://www.keionline.org/ec-mysql -- "[It is not] possible to distinguish between 'numerical' and 'nonnumerical' algorithms, as if numbers were somehow different from other kinds of precise information." - Donald Knuth

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Fwd: [FSF] Why is free software important to you? Submit your response to our new video campaign!
by Nagarjuna G. 22 Oct '09

22 Oct '09

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Holmes Wilson <campaigns(a)fsf.org> Date: Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 1:20 AM Subject: [FSF] Why is free software important to you? Submit your response to our new video campaign! To: info-fsf(a)gnu.org, info-member(a)gnu.org The FSF is launching a new advocacy campaign, and we'd love to have you involved. One of the most important tasks for us at FSF is to help foster the understanding that free software is crucial to a free society, and that citizens should switch to free software at home and in their own work, for freedom's sake. But in many ways, most of this work has always been done by the millions of free software users around the world, telling others why they care about free software and what they use it for. So, why not make all that energy, specificity, and persuasion part of our message to the world on FSF.org? And what better way to do it than with videos from free software supporters, published using free formats and an exciting new free standard for online video? In 2-5 minutes, using a camcorder, digital camera, or webcam, you can create a video about why you or a friend love free software. Then submit your video and invite friends to do the same! Submission guidelines: * <http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/video_testimonial_guidelines/> At the Women in Free Software Summit and the Boston celebration of Software Freedom Day 2009, FSF volunteer Dana Moser roved the event asking participants the following questions, and making videos of the responses: * "What do you do with free software?" * "Why do you like free software?" * "Why is software freedom important to you?" Blog post with Dana's videos: * <http://www.fsf.org/news/video_testimonials_campaign/> Direct links to the video files: * <http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/what_like_sm.ogv> * <http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/important_sm.ogv> More about Dana: * <http://curiousart.org/resume.html> We look forward to watching your contributions! Thanks, Holmes Wilson Free Software Foundation P.S. We've been collecting written testimonials for a while -- check out the link below. If you'd like to submit a written testimonial, email testimonials(a)fsf.org. * <http://www.fsf.org/resources/testimonials> If you'd also like to put up a short video to be part of our end of year fundraising campaign, instructions are here: * <http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/year-end-fundraising-videos/> info-fsf mailing list info-fsf(a)gnu.org Unsubscribe: http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-fsf -- Nagarjuna G. http://www.gnowledge.org/

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Fwd: fsmk and the current school program
by Vikram Vincent 19 Oct '09

19 Oct '09

Combining FSMK's opinion from two mails and forwarding FYI. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Senthil Sundaram Date: 2009/10/14 Subject: fsmk and the current school program Dear All, Had a discussion with Guru . Writing to the group stating what we believe in . We might have got something wrong and open to correcting the same. This also gives us a chance to explain what a movement means . -s 1) We always make group decisions, I am communicating to him on behalf of the group. 2) We dream to be a movement. 3) We cannot loose the right of being critical of the government - especially when its having such a confused policy on implementation of FOSS. It for Change has done so and put up a paper. 4) FSMK, our current focus is colleges and a movement from there [ and skills as well] 5) We would like to continue dialogue and are very thankful for Guru and others talking to us - however as and when there is scope for a teachers movement in FOSS - that would be close to our hearts - Guru explained that the current situation is a starting point . 6) dreaming to be a movement we cannot be a implementing agency of a confused policy [ guru said look at this as influencing the government]. We understand the tricky ground IT for Change others are working and are thankful for the same. 8) i also explained FSMK is a part time group and volunteer based and the limitations thereof. --------------- next steps: 1) FSMK will be out of the MoU with the government - as we don't want to take money - and work in the spirit of a movement - as a group trying to be a movement we don't want to take money and let that drive us - A MOVEMENT is about certain IDEAS - OUR IDEAS WILL DRIVE US - We will reserve the right to CRITICIZE the GOVT - FOR not implementing the RIGHT IDEAS. Money small or big is important as we are accountable. Many a time it corrupts good activists and movements. There are many paper orgns which exist for their own interests or individual interests - for example many created out of the Tsunami money in TN . Dreaming to be a budding movement( don't know if we really are!)that's not good for us. Whenever we take money we need to have the infrastructure to make sure its accountable - I am sure all NGOs engaging in the current space will be doing so. However fsmk doesn't have the resoruces to do so and hence chooses to be voluntary.Lets hack. As soon as we are ready we will join. 2) Guru explained about nice and open officers in the government - I said we don't see such officers immediately - though we are open to working with anybody who is open - REQUESTED FSMK folks to be part of discussions with SUCH OPEN OFFICERS - so that we can have a change of PERCEPTION - if reality is so. 3) Guru said he would like to interact with us on the role of government and put forth his points - on the positive aspects of GOVT OFFICERS - and the chances for building a FOSS movement in that space. I said we can arrange a discussion - for FSMK - or for everybody in Bangalore. 4) In spirit we will be part of the program on a best effort basis and this will not be our main focus given our current skills and focus area, which is building GLUGS in colleges . We will not be part of the MoU. We will be volunteers. We would like to be part of the current group ( not part of an official consoritum/mou given our skills, prioritites). We like movements and we can partner more effectively in a movement space. We understand that in the current scenario that's evolving. Hence the core or support distinction can only be made as we evolve and depending on what we evolve into. Its suits us best to be voluntary and we will eat all the food that's given in the trainings and not spend from our pockets;), don't worry. 5) We understand the importance of NGOs/civil society working/lobbying with government to implement Foss and educate the officers. However we are clearly aware of the 50:50 policy position of the current government and the resulting lack lustre implementation of Foss in schools [BOOT] and we strongly believe in the role movements can play in changing as they did world over, even in FOSS. 6) However we don't mind joining our friends in Foss and nothing gives us more happiness than such solidarity - without compromising on what is close to our heart. Once again thanks for all the support and patience and lets continue the discussion if any of you feel we missed something.

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Kerala school training material
by Raj Mathur 14 Oct '09

14 Oct '09

Hi, Can someone point me to a comprehensive collection of materials used for training in Free Software in schools in Kerala? Any and all of these would be appreciated: - Teachers' training material - Teachers' training curricula and time frames - Ditto for the Train the Trainers programme - School curricula on and using FS - Accompanying textbooks, training guides, etc. Anything else that is available apart from this would be great. Thanks, -- Raju -- Raj Mathur raju(a)kandalaya.org http://kandalaya.org/ GPG: 78D4 FC67 367F 40E2 0DD5 0FEF C968 D0EF CC68 D17F PsyTrance & Chill: http://schizoid.in/ || It is the mind that moves

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An Appeal: Flood Relief Fund
by Vikram Vincent 12 Oct '09

12 Oct '09

Free Software Movement - Karnataka An Appeal: Flood Relief Fund Dear friends, Karnataka has been reeling under floods of an unprecedented nature leading to large-scale death and destruction. This is a situation which was unforeseen and many districts of North Karnataka are totally submerged and lakhs of people are marooned without food or relief. About 15 districts have been submerged and more than 6 lakhs people have become homeless. Estimated damages are to the tune of Rs. 25,000 crore. The Government machinery is doing its bit, but the sheer magnitude of the calamity makes it almost impossible for it to be handled by the Government alone. There is no assessment of the actual loss of lives and property as many areas are still inaccessible. The threat of epidemics is also something that looms large in such circumstances. It becomes the duty of all patriotic citizens to rise to the occasion and assist in such relief efforts. Free Software Movement-Karnataka is organizing collection of relief for the flood victims in an effort to provide succour to the suffering. A Relief Team will leave to North Karnataka in the Third week of October and along with the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti disburse relief in the affected areas. We request you to contribute generously in this endeavor so that we can share their suffering and mitigate it to some extent. Our volunteers will be approaching you individually for your contributions and also seek your support to meet concerned officials in your establishment to make it a meaningful effort. Any such donations through DD/cheque, in the name of 'Free Software Movement Karnataka' may please be sent to us. FSMK issues receipts for the same. In anticipation of your support and cooperation, Thanking You, Sd/- Senthil, Convenor, FSM-Karnataka. M:9900262828, 9448810822, 9448163453 http://fsmk.org

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Fwd: Petition to Cancel Proprietary Tender by NIC given to CJI and DG NIC
by Vikram Vincent 06 Oct '09

06 Oct '09

--------- Forwarded message ---------- From: kiranchandra <kiran(a)swecha.net> Date: Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 8:35 PM Subject: Petition to Cancel Proprietary Tender by NIC given to CJI and DG NIC For Publication Eminent personalities including Justice V R Krisha Iyer (former Supreme court judge) and Dr. Pushpa M Bhargava (former Vice Chairman National Knowledge Commission) have called upon the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to cancel its tender (Ref. No: NIC/TPS/2009/18) form purchase of laptops with preloaded software for the Supreme Court of India. They were part of those who have signed an online petition, which was launched on 24-09-09, opposing this proprietary tender. Justice V R Krisha Iyer in his comment termed this tender reactionary and has pleaded with the Prime Minister to intervene in the name of access to Freedom of Information and Free and Open Source Software. Sixteen organisations (http://www.swecha.org/wiki/index.php?title=Petition) and 370 individuals (http://swecha.org/node/23/signatures) have signed the petition. The petition has also been sent to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Shri K G Balakrishnan and the Direcetor General of NIC Dr. B K Gairola. There is confirmation from the respective offices that the petition has been received. The tender relates to purchase of proprietary brands of laptops (Apple laptops) and the software installed (Windows XP) in it. Any fair tendering practice should allow competition and only give system specifications. In this tender, the only brand name given is Apple and only operating system given is Windows XP from Microsoft. This makes the tender a single source tender and is clearly anti-competitive since there is wide choice of hardware, software and operating systems in the market. Therefore, this is not a single vendor situation and no exception should be considered on this count. Moreover, the above mentioned tender is for laptops to be used by the Supreme Court of India. As the supreme judicial body of the country, the Court must set a proper precedent and not allow such unfair tendering practice. The tender also goes against stated government policy of encouraging free and open source softeware, and open standards. The National Knowledge Commission in its report on e-governance submitted to the Prime Minister stated, “Because of the enormous size and scope of the E-governance effort in India and because of the availability of globally recognized software talent of Indians,we must actively encourage open source software implementations and open standards wherever possible.” The Department of Information Technology, in its Elevent Five Year Plan (2007-2012) has remarked that, “If computer adoption has to reach from current 1% of population to say 5% in next five years, we have to seriously pursue some other route, viz., that of Free/Open Source Software (FOSS).” The current tender’s preference for proprietary suppliers will encourage vendor lock-in as their data and files can be read by only their software. Such a step by the Supreme Court would set the clock back in the country, where increasingly Government organisations and others are turning to Free and Open Source Software. In this context, it might be noted that Allahabad High Court has already successfully converted to FOSS and Open Standards (http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/faq.htm) Institutions like NIC under the Ministry of Information and Technology have to ensure the adoption of software that complies with open standards. It was therefore demanded that the current tender should be scrapped forthwith and a new tendering process be initiated without naming any brands and incorporating Free and Open Source Software. Organisations & Important Persons endorsing the petition (Web link : http://www.swecha.org/wiki/index.php?title=Petition ) * Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer's comments "The present move by NIC is reactionary. I feel there is much substance in the points made in the petition and plead with the Prime Minister to intervene in the name of access to Freedom of Information and Free and Open Source Software". * Former Vice Chairman of the National Knowledge Commission Pushpa M Bhargava's comments "I am all in for free and open source software" * Swecha (http://swecha.org/) * Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom (DAKF) * Appropriate Technology Promotion Society (ATPS), Kochi (http://www.atps.in/) * Free Software Industries Association (FSIA), Kerala (http://www.fsia.in/) * Open Software Solutions Industrial Co-operative Society (OSSICS), Kochi (http://www.ossics.com/) * Free Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu (FSFTN) * IT for Change, Bangalore * Knowledge Commons, New Delhi * Free Software Movement Karnataka (http://fsmk.org/) * Linux User Group @ IIT Delhi (http://www.lug-iitd.org/) * Centre for Internet and Society (http://www.cis-india.org/) * Free Software Foundation of India (http://www.gnu.org.in/) * IIT Madras Linux Users Group (http://iitmlug.a.wiki-site.com/) * Linux Campus Club SJCE Mysore (http://www.lccsjce.org/) * [Free Software Movement West Bengal] * Linux Users' Group, NITK Surathkal Yours Sincerely Y.Kiran Chandra Chairman (Swecha) (On behalf of the endorsing individuals and organisations)

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Fsf-friends October 2009