Arun's mail raises two different types of issues
1. His concern about me or organisations represented by me. 2. His concern regarding the matter to be discussed while formulating IT policy for Keralam.
His concerns and comment about the OSS is baseless. Representatives of OSS already had discussed these issues with him. His pre-judicious approach has forced him to be suspecious on OSS. So here, with permission of all of you, I would like to use this platform to make it clear what OSS is and what are its activities and our understanding of backgrounds that made Arun pre-judicious on us.
Regarding the term 'Free Software', due to some specific reason we have not used it. Now also we are not convinced with that term. The practical meaning of the term 'Free' is dfferent in Richard Stallman's millieu and our surroundings. We agree with the term 'Swathanthra' which is mentioned in fsf-india's website. But now we have also forced to use the term 'Free Software' because the practical meaning of 'Free' is changed atleast when it is associated with software in our surroundings also . (May be due to recent upsurge of discussion on this subject). This is how the terminology and thus the language takes its shape. This does not mean that we have any attachment to the terms like 'Free Software' or 'Open Software'. We think 'Software under GPL' is more conveying than these terms.
We are distributing all software developed by OSS, under GPL since the formation of OSS (ie in early 2000). It is accroding to the statements in the OSS's bylaw. Its Arun's duty to prove his statment that OSS is taking opportunistic stand. Arun, you may recall the discussion between us at Bose Bhavan, Ernakulam, when I have clarified all these things to you. Let me make it clear that, It is not our duty to hand over the software to Arun. GPL does not mention that software should be given to a particular person or Institution. We are distributing our package along with service for a price. The customer gets its source code, they can modify it and they can re-distribute it under GPL.
OSS (full name Open Software Solutions Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd. Chottanikkara) is an Industrial Co-operative Society which is a good example for social entreprenuership in the field of Information Technology. The Society is having around 40 members among them one is honourary member. All the regular members, who were now associating with OSS is fully depended on OSS. They have no other income. The honourary member does not accept any payment from OSS. So it is the responsibility of OSS to provide income to its member. So we provide software solution for local needs for a price. Arun need not have any worry on it. It is totaly dfferent from a transnational or local proprietary company.
In fact OSS was formed with a defenit purpose of forcing the developers of EIID projects under GPL regime. If Arun or anybody else is much interested, we can provide full history of EIID, ATPS, OSS and SEPSIT and what they are meant for. Our main concern is not software, we are more concerned about local empowerment.
Now let us come to the real issues raised in his mail
- What is a Software (not technically) ?
Since our aim is to formulate an IT policy It is better to start with what is IT , What is policy and how it is socialy relevant and how it can be used in governance. Software comes later.
- Is software patents and 'closing' the source only issues ?
- What is the stand on 'cost effective' proprietary software ?
I thing softare part of our discussion will be focused on GPL'd software. Cost effectiveness is also a important matter of concern
- Do we have responsibility to global community ?
Surely, we have. But more priority for resposibility towards local community.
- Transnational Proprietary companies are bad local ones are ok ?
Both are danger. The bigger one should be eliminated first.
I think instead of these type of question and answers, Let us come out with our ideas, views, concern etc. I think we can start with Why an IT policy is required ? , Why there should be an alternative one ?. What is its social relevence etc.
Even if my discussion paper is not on the right track. We can jointly think to put it on right place.
Regards,
Anil Kanhangad, ATPS