Fsf-friends November 2004

fsf-friends@gnu.org.in

36 participants
53 discussions

FSFE becomes WIPO observer
by Mahesh T. Pai 27 Nov '04

27 Nov '04

http://lwn.net/Articles/112837/ -- Mahesh T. Pai <<>> http://paivakil.port5.com ``Those willing to give up a little liberty for a little security deserve neither security nor liberty''

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any lisp programmers?
by ISAAC PRAVEEN 27 Nov '04

27 Nov '04

Hi friends, Would like to know if there are any Lisp programmers, not essentially AI programming. I work on common Lisp and Scheme (the future exn language for GNU)! Currently, writing an extension language called ACE-lisp for algebraic(symbolic) computing. Not a replica of maxima though! Just for fun. So I would lve to meet any Lisper, so far I havent met a single one. Regards, icy 9886120247 Bangalore -- ______________________________________________ Check out the latest SMS services @ http://www.linuxmail.org This allows you to send and receive SMS through your mailbox. Powered by Outblaze

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[COMMERCIAL] [JOB] System Administrator
by Avinash S 27 Nov '04

27 Nov '04

Hello, System Administrator required for a Bangalore based company which provides desktop and server solutions based on GNU/Linux. The following are the requirements - In depth knowledge of GNU/Linux (Debian preferred). - Apache, Bind, DHCP, Any MTA. - Perl, HTML, BASH. - Good knowledge of computer hardware. - Good communication skills Qualification: BE/BTech Experience: 0-6 months Please send your resumes to avinashss(a)tatanova.com Regards Avinash.

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Monkey business
by Ramanraj K 26 Nov '04

26 Nov '04

I am afraid this whole thread is getting way off topic ;) ,----[Rakesh Ambati wrote: ] | And to add to my misery, the community is quiet about it.Is the who | list filled with the sound box's,isn't there a soul with enough guts | to box someones ears and live with it. | | What a Shame !!! If am overly rude,I' MEANT TO BE. | | [Damn, the drugs are wearing off.Got to get my fix.] Cya `---- There is no Superman, Shakthiman or other super beings in there ;) Also, getting emotional or throwing tantrums won't help :) What legal right do you have to demand that others, the state in particular, use and teach only free software? It is a policy matter and representations are the best way to supply useful information to bring about changes in policy decisions. If they agree fine, if they don't, it is only a question of time, and they should come around sooner or latter, for many good well known reasons. ,----[Sandip Bhattacharya wrote: ] | Unfortunately, while there is considerable merit in reason why we need | to use Free software, mere representations might not suffice. ... My | point is - We need to encourage industry participation in the | evangelising process... `---- A few institutions, academic centers in particular, need to be fiercely independent. Ideally, they should be able to study, evaluate, use and teach independantly. "Industry participation" has to be minimal, say procuring and installing very difficult hardware or software, where it is absolutely required. Industry is driven solely by profit, whereas academics is about getting to the truth of matters. Both don't gel well, and mixing up the two is needless and pointless. Whether we like it or not, we need to understand and appreciate the concept of Academic Freedom. Our ancient Gurukulam system is the ultimate in Academic Freedom, but it has been largely replaced with centralised controls during the British period, and finding ways to foster Academic Freedom is the ideal normative. The concept of Academic Freedom is well defined in the US, and we may take a closer look there. In 1859, Charles Darwin wrote about the Origin of Species and the Descent of Man. By 1920, the question whether the theories propounded by Darwin, which went contrary to the prevailing biblical theories on the origin of man, should be taught in schools vexed many people of those times in the US, and the State v. John Scopes case, popularly called the Monkey Trial was staged in the US, to get a declaration that a Tennesse anti-evolution law was unconstitutional. History tells us that in as many as 15 states, anti-evolution legislation was pending in 1925, and two states Arkansas and Mississippi actually passed laws restricting teaching of Darwin's theory. The Monkey Trial failed in its mission and subsequently decades later in Epperson v. Arkansas, 393 U.S. 97 (1968), anti-evolution laws were declared unconstitutional by the US SC and a report is available at: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/epperson-v-arkansas.html The Monkey Trial was sensational throughout the US, and probably led to the statement on Academic Freedom now also available at http://www.aaup.org/statements/Redbook/1940stat.htm which is endorsed by the general academic community in the US. <quote> The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. </quote> It is trite to observe that any institution teaching CS won't get very far in its search for truth with non-free software, and free software is the only option that enables free search for truth and its free exposition at every level. If teachers have not yet understood enough about free software, training the teachers and other academics is the first thing to do. Surely, CS graduates are qualified to do this work. Attempts to include Microsoft software in schools in the US have been rejected as unethical and monopolistic. http://news.com.com/2100-1001-276058.html?legacy=cnet http://news.com.com/2100-1001-808241.html http://www.defenselink.mil/dodgc/defense_ethics/2004_Advisories/ADV_0402.htm Things are no different here, and no gov. would be interested in taking steps that would be struck down as arbitrary, unethical, and as promoting monopolies. The Supreme Court of India recently in Jan 2004, directed inclusion of environmental studies into curricula at every level, enforcing a 1991 ruling obtained by M.C. Mehta. It ought to be possible to litigate on similar lines, to have free software included into curricula, if the gov. does not voluntarily take necessary steps. http://www.elaw.org/news/partners/text.asp?id=2283 IMO, effective representations directly addressed to those concerned, citing suitable examples should help in this matter.

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any lisp programmers?
by ISAAC PRAVEEN 26 Nov '04

26 Nov '04

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Another storm
by Sriharsha Vedurmudi 25 Nov '04

25 Nov '04

Is this "Project Shiksha" (Shiksha -> Teachin) or 'Project Siksha' (Siksha -> Punishment)? http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2004/nov/25ms.htm So, M$ is now kicking off with a colourful Trojan Horse. -- ***************************** * Sriharsha Vedurmudi * Software Engineer * * Redpine Signals Inc. * Gate #395, Plot 87,88 * Sagar Society, Road #2, * Banjara Hills, * Hyderabad - 500 034 * www.redpinesignals.com * * +91-40-23559911 (Office) * +91-9849133133 (Mobile) *****************************

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Hyderabad's Linux_schools case study
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 25 Nov '04

25 Nov '04

FYI --arky > > Added a small case study of the K12LTSP > implementation at > http://k12ltsp.org/casestudy.html . The case study > is at the bottom of > the page. You can search for Hyderabad keyword to go > directly to the > case study. > > > Cheers > Herald. ===== ____________________________________ /\ \ \_| Rakesh 'arky' Ambati | | Bangalore (INDIA) | | Homepage: http://arky.port5.com/ | | _______________________________|_ \_/_________________________________/ __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.com

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Test
by Joe Steeve 24 Nov '04

24 Nov '04

-- A proud GNU user http://www.joesteeve.tk/ | http://gnukid.shyper.com/

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education project using free software
by Tathagata Banerjee 23 Nov '04

23 Nov '04

hello. a friend of mine has recently launched a project that aims to spread basic computer literacy using free software in the semi-urban and rural areas of the South 24 Parganas district of WB. he has primarily identified two or three localities where the programme can be initiated as test cases. if these prove successful, he wishes to spread to other areas. he has formed an NGO to handle the affair, and the basic logistics have been planned. in this regard, he wishes to raise certain issues and place certain questions in front of fsf-india and fsf-westbengal, and has asked me to mediate. so here they are. 1. the programme is aimed at beginner-level students of the largely poor and lower-middle-class populations (who are a majority in the designated area), and will try to train them to the point where they should be able to impart training to the next generation of students. the orientation of the course will be towards providing basic computing skills which will (at least) enable them to compete in the informal sector of the market (eg. net cafe-s, dtp setups, medical transcription setups, small-scale computer training centres and so forth). the questions are, A. what kind of syllabus needs to be framed? what software should be included? B. what is an ideal duration for a course that accepts computer-illiterate people and leaves them at the intended skill level as indicated above? 2. whom should they approach for funds? government aid can be ruled out because first, it is very difficult to solicit successfully and secondly, it wil carry a baggage of political and bureaucratic complications that had best be avoided. there is the option of talking to 'linux' businesses which seem interested in increasing spending in india. will it be acceptable to or compaible with the free software philosophy to receive financial support from redhat or novell in exchange of a certain 'branding' of the training programme (supposing they demand that)? if no, then what other options do they have? 3. in order to set a credible and fixed standard for the programme and award a meaningful certificate to the graduates, they need an authoritative body to affiliate the project. will fsf-india frame/endorse the syllabus and act (on its own or through its west bengal chapter) as certifying authority for the course? 4. should they restrict their scope to setting up independent training centres or should they also start an awareness and advocacy programme at the colleges of the designated region and try to get them to invite the course? how can fsf-india help them in approaching these institutions? if anyone has any comments outside the scope of these issues, please make them. i will forward a summary of the discussions to my friend. thanks. tathagata banerjee co-ordinator fsf-westbengal -- cogito, ergo es.

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[Fsf-friends] [Fwd]: FSF seeks a full-time Senior GNU/Linux Systems Administrator andPro grammer
by Mahesh T. Pai 22 Nov '04

22 Nov '04

----- Forwarded message from "Bradley M. Kuhn" <bkuhn ) at ( fsf.org> ----- > Due to the unfortunate resignation of the esteemed Paul Fisher, FSF is > currently seeking a full-time Senior GNU/Linux Systems Administrator and > Programmer. The full job posting, including instructions on how to apply, > can be found at: > > http://www.fsf.org/jobs/fsf-sysadmin.html > > -- > Bradley M. Kuhn, Executive Director > Free Software Foundation | Phone: +1-617-542-5942 > 59 Temple Place, Suite 330 | Become an Associate Member of FSF: > Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA | http://member.fsf.org/ > _______________________________________________ > GNU Announcement mailing list <info-gnu ) at ( gnu.org> > http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu ----- End forwarded message ----- -- Mahesh T. Pai <<>> http://paivakil.port5.com A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing on usenet and in e-mail?

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Fsf-friends November 2004