On Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 10:20 AM, Senthil Sundaram (sensunda) sensunda@cisco.com wrote:

Hi,

I saw that a queue has been made for RMS visit requests. Thats logical and algorithimic.

http://bangalore.gnu.org.in/index.php/Events:RMS_visit_to_Bangalore#Queue

However I would like to give a critical review comment on the design of the queue ;) . The queue looks like it is FIFO ( first in first out). But FIFO doesnt always work. At times we need weighted queues for the effective functioning of the system.

The current queue : "talk in BMS College of Engineering <---talk in IISc/IIM <----Interaction with Kannada Bloggers (would be clubbed with other confirmed event) "

Please cancel BMS event. I Called Santhosh Vattom from BMS. he said their principle not give them permission because of time is too close to exams. Students from BMSLug will participate in other 2 events and also willing to volunteer for Organising RMS programs in bangalore

So automatically IISc will get that slot

We would like to add the following weights to this element in the queue "Talk at IISc" : Weight 1 : anivar said its a good topic

I said it in the context of Say No to software Patent Campaign of FSUG-Bangalore.

Weight 2 : from prof k gopinath from IISc : "I think a big issue now in free software is network/web services and GPL (often called the "ASP loophole"). The Affero GPLv3 addresses this issue. Since this is not well known, I think asking him to talk about this as well as patents/copyrights/... will be useful."

Freedom of Network services ( including AGPLv3, works of groups like autonomo.us etc ) seems to be a very good topic.. I hope RMS will cover Patent issues in other talks also. (he used to address contemporary issues in most of his talks). Are they (IISc)planning to include this as a part of ongoing centenary celebrations or as a separate event? . I think centenary celebrations is happening on same dates. Dont forget to communicate FSUG-Bangalore as a partner for this event. It will be good if IISc can provide accommodation for RMS in Bangalore, because it is centrally located

I cc'd Gilesh, an active free software supporter from IISc. senthil please ask the free software supporters you know from IISc to join in this list

Weight 3 : harish k singh : Can you look at the article at http://osindia.blogspot.com/2008/11/global-patent-troll-comes-to-india.html. The patents subsidized by our belowed govt is now in the hands of these trolls. Maybe we need to address these issues when the meeting in IISc happens next month.Incidently, this company's major investor is none other than microsoft. See http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/05/12/080512fa_fact_gladwell?current....

thanks Senthil

simply put : "A few of us feel IISc is more important - as its a institute of national importance - and too much patenting is going on and we need RMS there!!!"

Certainly agree that IISc is important. But the great efforts of BMS students in spreading the cause of free software is equally important. BMSLUG is completely a student driven initiative (Unlike other campuses in Bangalore) and very committed towards the cause of freedom. Accepting their request is just a way to recognize it. Anyway they couldn't make it this time.

Anivar Aravind