December 2008 - Fsf-friends

Internet, tech skills growing quietly in Goa...
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 02 Sep '24

02 Sep '24

INTERNET, TECH SKILLS GROWING QUIETLY IN GOA PANJIM, April 30: Goa's BSNL internet service provider is already providing some 3000 broadband connections in the state, and roughly another 24,000 people dial-up to get access the Net using this central government-run service. These figures emerged during an informal discussion at the monthly meeting of the India Linux Users Group (Goa), a network promoting Free Software and Open Source in the state. ILUG-Goa, which holds its meetings usually on the fourth Saturday of each month at the Goa Science Centre at Miramar, sees a range of tech issues -- usually directly related to Free Software and Open Source in Goa. During it's meet on April 29, a range of issues came up for discussion, from how to partition your hard-disk (to install GNU/Linux side-by-side with Windows), to software tools to ehance productivity, and various internet and broadband options available to users in diverse parts of Goa. For instance, there are some useful Free Software tools to monitor your bandwidth usage on BSNL's broadband. One such tool is available for free download at http://tinyurl.com/qgu9p Called the Data One Broadband Statistics, this is a screen-scraper written using Perl to download usage statistics of BSNL's Data One (www.bsnl.co.in/service/dataone.htm) broadband service and total it. Generally, BSNL (www.bsnl.co.in) allows only the Microsoft-based IE and has no monthly total. But trust Indian software talent to find a work-around. This solution comes from the Free Software/Open Source network in Chennai. Meanwhile, the Goa free software network stays connected and announces its event via http://iluggoaannounce.notlong.com There are no fees for joining, all are welcome, and encouraged to form parallel user-groups in diverse parts of the state. Meanwhile, the Fedora Core 5 Free Software distribution has just become available on DVD in Goa. Number of foreign magazines are also available. Members of ILUG-Goa such as engineer Bijon Shaha and software pro Arvind Yadav gave diverse views on techies-only distros like 'Gentoo'. Debopriyo 'DP' Sarkar pointed to a 'mindmap' of various Free Software distributions or 'distros' available, which was illustrated at linuxhelp.blogspot.com Earlier, there was a brief presentation on FreeMind. FreeMind is a premier free mind-mapping software written in Java. It has the potential of playing the role of a high productivity tool. Operation and navigation of FreeMind is faster because of one-click "fold/unfold" and "follow link" operations. Other members raised a range of issues -- from how to get started in GNU/Linux, to playing around with tools like StumbleUpon, and how to encourage Free Software usage in schools and educational institutions. Remy Furtado of Rosary College, Navelim expressed an interest in working on the Free Software tool Moodle, ideal for distance education, as the Goa University moves to a pattern of semisterisation. Goa Engineering College's Prof George Easaw has done work on this platform, as have others. Reacting unofficially, BSNL officials said Goa now had six STMS 155 MBps connectivity, which was resulting in a speedy expansion of broadband to many parts of the state. But for broadband facilities to become available in village areas, at least 60 subscribers were needed to make operations viable. So far, broadband from BSNL is available in a growing number of areas in Goa: Panjim, Vasco (except Cortalim, but including Sada, Mangor, Bogmalo, Sancoale and other areas), Ponda, Bambolim, Merces, Dona Paula, Porvorim, Mapusa town, Calangute-Candolim, and Saligao, among others. Equipment has already been installed in Aldona exchange, and broadband facilities are expected to go functional -- ------------------------------------------------------------- | India Linux Users' Group, Goa | | Join the friendly user group | | Mail list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa/join | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | http://groups.yahoo.com/group/teach-yourself-linux | | http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ilug-goa-announce | | http://www.iosn.net/country/india/organizations/ilug-goa/ | ------------------------------------------------------------- , , / \ .-. * SOFTWARE ((__-^^-,-^^-__)) (. .) * FREEDOM `-_---' `---_-' / V \ * SHARING `--|o` 'o|--' // \\ \ ` / /( )\ KNOWLEDGE IS POWER ): :( '.^^_^^.' SHARE IT EQUITABLY :o_o: \_/ \_/ "-"

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Careers in FLOSS... (Dec 2003 issue of LFY)
by Frederick Noronha (FN) 06 Jun '24

06 Jun '24

=========================================== LINUXForYou * Dec 2003 (Vol 1 No 10) In India Rs 50 (with CD) http://www.linuxforu.com Pages 102 * US$7.95 0 74470584957 =========================================== THIS ISSUE has probably reached your city. Saw it in Bangalore, and also got a complimentary copy from the LFY team at LinuxBangalore2003. But when I reached back to Goa on Dec 4, it wasn't in as yet. So it might take time to reach 'small town' India... FN REVIEWED: Mandrake 9.2 * PhProjekt * StarOffice 7.0 COMPUTERS AT TIS HAZARI, the session courts for the city of New Delhi, are being shifted over to Linux, courtesy the National Informatics Centre. - Rahul Chopra in this month's editorial. LINUX LEARNING CENTRE at Bangalore is offering courses in administration, security, development (internals and programming essentials, programming with Qt, device driver programming, MySQL & PHP), RHCE and Red Hat rapid track certification. www.linuxlearningcentre.com DotGNU RELEASES CD: It can now be used to implement application programs and Web services in C# and C applications under multiple operating systems, including GNU/Linux, FreeBSC, MacOS, MS Windows. The 219 MB release 0.1 CD is available as a free download at http://download.freedom.biz/dotgnu/dotgnu-0.1-cdrom.iso.gz.torrent e-Bridge calls itself "the new state-of-art training facility from eSpark Infotech is now open in the heart of Bangalore". It's offering embedded Linux courses (Linux fundamentals, programming Linux, embedded C & Linux, realtime C & Linux, Linux internals, device drivers, networking) and DSP courses (DSP fundamentals, TI/analog dev programming, audio/video, image processing, bio-medical systems). www.ebridgesolutions.net Linux.net provides a free e-mail service to those who want an e-mail address that ends in '@linux.net' MAJOR UPDATES and releases: OpenNA Linux 1.0, Gibraltar Firewall 1.0, Xandros Desktop 2.0, Onebase Linux 2.0, CUPS 1.120rc6. CAN YOU MAKE money with open source? Registration entails a "nominal fee" of Rs 5000 for a three-day conference. http://www.linuxasia2004.com/attendees/ February 11-13, 2004, New Delhi. SEND IN YOUR favourite slogans for a tee-shirt, and win five free copies of the shirt... LFYedit at efyindia.com MONEY CAN't buy respect, says Robert Adkins. Some of us might have met this guy at LB2003 in Bangalore. He's the CTO of Technetra Corp, and an advocate and implementer of FLOSS solutions for government. He can be contacted at radkins at technetra.com CAREERS WITH FLOSS: The number of students opting for courses in Open Source is growing steadily, even as industry experts predict a growing need for trained professionals in this expanding field. EXIT RED HAT, ENTER FEDORA: It's official now; the free (of cost) version of Red Hat Linux will not be available anymore. This has created a lot of FUD in an already unstable environment, thanks to the SCO episode. But is Red Hat closed for good? WEB-BASED COLLABORATION SOFTWARE: PHProjekt is an easy-to-install collaboration suite, which runs on the open source platform and databases. As the design of the system is developer-friendly, adding new features and components is a piece of cake. STAROFFICE: The latest version of Sun's office suite, StarOffice 7, may just be the right solution for the cost-conscious user. It loads faster than the earlier version, and sports some noticeable improvements. IN THE LFY CD THIS MONTH: Slackware (the "oldest Linux distro") and a range of GNU software for Windows users. FALLING BACK on backup systems. MAKING ADOPTION OF Linux in the enterprise easy. www.linux4e.com Business partners required: http://wwww.linux4e.com/partners ooWRITER HELPS YOU create your own templates and styles so that you can work with documents easily. Open Source is key to IBM's vision of computing. User empowerment is key to Microsoft's, writes Alolita Sharma USING DATABASE functions in Calc, a tutorial. (Wish there were more how-tos for the user in this mag! --FN) HALDIA DOCKS: it has a uniquely designed Linux installation with an active-active cluster set up, which is considered the best of its kind. This has ensured efficiency and cost-effectiveness. BASIC UNIX commands and concepts: an extract from *Running Linux* (Shroff Publishers, Pp 674 only Rs 425 in India). VxWorks and LynxOS are definitely the biggest embedded operating systems in use today. But slowly they are acknowledging the power of GNU/Linux and how it can help them maximise deployments. HELP LINUX GO INDIAN: By using various translation tools, you can join Language translation groups working across India to help translate GNU/Linux into your language. EXPERT INTRODUCTION: Multi-threaded programming under Linux. KICKSTART YOUR Linux installation (Part I): Installing Red Hat Linux on multiple machines one after another can be quite tedious. To avoid answering the same question over and over again, try the KickStart method, as it does not need any user intervention. WRITE CHEQUES. NOT JUST BOOKS: Niyam Bhushan on how anybody can turn thoughts into words, and words into wealth. NFS CLIENTS for Windows. OpenSSL PACKAGE offers a vast crypto library of algorithms WAIT QUEUES in Linux device drivers UNDERSTANDING recursive sub-routines INDIA-RELATED NEWS: HP launches GNU/Linux laptop Mandrake's latest distribution Oracle announces 10g for GNU/Linux Delixus offers India Linux CxProtect anti-virus mailing solution for mail-servers Trade management system from Network Programs Netweb Technologies unveils Tyrone MRO-Tek rolls out Network Management Systems Review of FLOSS at BangaloreIT.com =========================================== DISCLOSURE: This journalist (FN) writes a monthly column for LFY and gets paid for it. Promoting awareness about the content of LFY however is not part of the job, and is carried on with the intention spreading awareness about FLOSS among different GNU/Linux user groups in India. -- Frederick Noronha : http://www.fredericknoronha.net : When we speak of free Freelance Journalist : http://www.bytesforall.org : software we refer to Ph 0091.832.2409490 : Cell 0 9822 122436 : freedom, not price.

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Fwd: [Freed-managers] Talk by RMS: Copyright v/s community in the age of computer networks
by Praveen A 10 Jan '09

10 Jan '09

---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [Freed-managers] Talk by RMS: Copyright v/s community in the age of computer networks Date: Thursday 18 Dec 2008 From: "Andrew Lynn" <lynn.andrew(a)gmail.com> To: freed-managers(a)lists.linux-delhi.org Welcome to life at 10,000,000,000 bits per second! India is establishing a National Knowledge Network, with a backbone in multiples of Gbps. The initial phase would be implemented in the next few weeks, with JNU being connected at 1Gbps. While the technical details of the project have been put in place, it is of importance to look at content and applications, and the rights behind these. We are honoured that Richard Stallman, of the Free Software Foundation would deliver a talk on "Copyright v/s community in the age of computer networks" at the School of Life Sciences Auditorium, Jawaharlal Nehru University TIme: 6:00 pm Date; Friday, 19th December, 2008 R.S. Mani, a Senior Technical Director with the National Informatics Center would introduce the National Knowledge Network prior to the talk. Regards, Andrew -- 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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Fwd: [FOSS-in-Science] Scilab is now a 100% free software
by Anivar Aravind 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

Great News!! --------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Manjusha Joshi <msj(a)bprim.org> Date: Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 5:18 PM Subject: [FOSS-in-Science] Scilab is now a 100% free software To: foss-in-science(a)mm.gnu.org.in Hello, Following link says about scilab license: http://www.scilab.org/changes_5/ License changed to CeCILL (fully compatible with the GPL v2) More information about the CeCILL Therefore, Scilab is now a 100% free software. -Manjusha _______________________________________________ FOSS-in-Science mailing list FOSS-in-Science(a)mm.gnu.org.in http://mm.gnu.org.in/mailman/listinfo/foss-in-science -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown Free Software industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds.

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pidgin user survey
by Praveen A 30 Dec '08

30 Dec '08

Please give your feedbacks to pidgin developers http://www.pidgin.im/survey/index.php?sid=84494 - Praveen -- 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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Videos of Eben Moglen and RMS at Christ University
by Vikram Vincent 29 Dec '08

29 Dec '08

Eben Moglen at Christ University http://blip.tv/file/1618770 RMS at Christ University http://blip.tv/file/1618916 Note: Will update newer video sources. -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://swatantra.org/

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Regarding GPL / LGPL Licencing.
by battipatisainagendra Bhavaniprasad 25 Dec '08

25 Dec '08

Dear Sir/Madam, > Hope you are fine.My name is sai.I have few queries > redarding GPL / LGPL Licencings. 1.First of all what is the diffrence between FSF and Open source.Are both same or diffrent? 2.Who is responcible for GPL / LGPL Licencing? 3.If i want my project to get GPL / LGPL Licencing should i apply for open source or fsf people. Please Reply ASAP. > > rgds, > Battipati. >

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Meeting at Cochin
by Roshan Phillip 21 Dec '08

21 Dec '08

It's really heartening to see that the ideology promolgated by FSF is finding more supporters within the CPI(M). As it was mentioned in one regional mailing list, a meeting was organized for the leftist Free Software Users in Kerala at Cochin today. I'm ccing this mail to Mr. Anil, who was instrumental in the realization of this event. Can we have some updates on this meeting sir? Any commitments/promises from the party? Please update. Roshan

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They preach free software, but practise Mac, Microsoft
by cherian aby 20 Dec '08

20 Dec '08

The new indian express report on FSFS http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=They+preach+free+softwa…

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OpenOffice User survey
by Praveen A 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Hi all.. If you use OpenOffice.org and like to see it have better usability, please complete this short survey: http://surveys.services.openoffice.org/surveys/index.php regards, Praveen -- 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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M$ Bizpark launched
by Senthil Sundaram (sensunda) 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

hi, M$ trying all tricks -s http://www.microsoft.com/bizspark/ "Bangalore, December 17, 2008: Microsoft India today unveiled Microsoft BizSpark - a global program designed to accelerate the success of IT entrepreneurs through software support and a vibrant ecosystem - in the country. BizSpark will provide Indian startups with software, support and visibility at a time in the lifecycle when they are most valuable and least affordable - during their first three years, with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. Microsoft BizSpark is structured to help startups take advantage of the resources and support of a global network of hundreds of organizations: economic development agencies, university incubators, hosters and investors. In India, the network partners include The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), NEN, Proto, NASSCOM; as well as venture capitalists IDG, who will facilitate access to technology and provide guidance, mentorship and resources. In addition, VCs Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Helion Venture Partners, Accel Partners, and others, support the initiative. This is the first time that an entire ecosystem of stakeholders is coming together with Microsoft to enable a vibrant startup ecosystem in India. "

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report on Eben Moglen speech at Kannada bloggers
by sreejith g.s 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Hi, Here is the report on Eben Moglen's speech at the event organized by Kannada Bloggers Professor Eben Moglen, professor of law and legal history at Columbia University and is the founder, Director-Counsel and Chairman of Software Freedom Law Center, spoke on the topic free software in new media on last Saturday 13th December at the Institute of Agricultural technologists, Bangalore. There was an audience of around 80 people. Apart from Professor Eben Moglan, Jayakumar from Kannada bloggers and HP Nadig from sampada.net also spoke at the event. Here are the excerpts from Eben Moglen's speech: *The free software and the emerging new media is reducing the significance of the conventional media where the communication was only one way. Wikis are allowing people to share and collaborate knowledge and thus allowing interaction and direct communication. Eben explained how he use Wiki to teach students and the way it improves the interaction between students and teachers and how it helps to improve teaching. It is emerging as an alternative to the traditional examination system. He also explained an instance where the Wiki helped a researcher from Europe to collaborate with students in Columbia University. * *He quoted the Wikipedia model where people write content and collaborate to improve it rather than the traditional model where the editors had a significant role in choosing the content. In the Wikipedia way, people collectively acts as watch dogs to check the accuracy of content. * *While talking about blogs, Eben said that blogs provide a platform for users and freedom to express. When bloggers express and share the knowledge they gained through vast reading and research through blogs, it benefits the society in a significant way. * *He also added that the w3c consortium is working on including audio and video files in HTML 5.0 in such a way that a user can use them using a browser without downloading any plug-ins. You would be able to include multimedia files just using HTML tags like <audio> and <video>. He emphasized that the major obstruction to this was not the difficulty in using or developing the technology, but the patents and the copyrights which were making it hard to include those new advancements. * * The major obstruction was the proprietary use of multi media codecs.Once codecs are available, it will revolutionize the way video is transmitted through the web. Then we don't need television as people will express content through multi media and everyone will be able to watch and listen to the content without any plug-ins. The free software and the new media is putting every one in the drivers seat from the position of mere spectators or users.* *After the event, Eben Moglen interacted with the audience and clarified their queries. While answering the questions about the significance of free software Eben Moglen emphasized that profit is not the only human tendency. There are also other tendencies like sharing and collaboration that helped human beings to emerge as a society. The tendency to help is one of the basic natures of human beings. There are a lot of instances in everyday life where we help someone without expecting anything. Free software helps us to make a better society.* Sreejith

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Re: [Fsf-friends] Fw: failure notice, Use of Windows in FSFS.IN
by Sebin Jacob 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

On the use of windows in fsfs.in, I think the matter is pretty clear. Windows was loaded in the personal laptop of Sun's representative who spoke in technology track. The organisers already admitted that, it was their mistake not to explicitly mention that no speakers should use proprietary OS for making presentations. Then why is this hue and cry? Its not a stock market and there is no bullish trend present. Stating this, I would also like to point out that, free softwares are not only available in free operating systems, but they are equally available and present in proprietary OS's as well. If you want to showcase a platform independent API or SDK, what will be the option left out, if no proprietery OS is allowed in the conference venue? Again, is it good/ethical to develop free softwares in proprietery platform according to your convictions? Another area where proprietery OS was spotted were the stall owned by SBT, one of the sponsors of the conference. There is an ongoing exercise to tie it up with the boycott novell protest in National Conference on Free Software held at Kochi. The issue with Novell is clearly different. Novell was not present in the official sponsors list for Kochi conference duly published in its website. But they were made sponsors over the night. If you are not trying to be blind, it is easy for you to recognise. Novell legitimised M$'s claim on software patents by making use of a loophole in GPL.v2 which prompted the community to come out with a better licence option GPL.v3. If you are all for patents, its better to quit this movement. On the contrary, the sponsors of fsfs.in were known already and if anybody had anything against state bank, then they should have said about it in advance. This is just a flamewar and is not according to merit. I was present full time in policy track at this (fsfs.in) conference and there weren't a single instance were M$ product was used. Whenever a speaker, tended to voice against the spirit of freedom, the delegates raised objection then and there itself and they were not manhandled with. The freedom to protest was observed, not curtailed. But I have some disagreements on smartcity being the sponsor of such an event and that is political. I am all against SEZs and software SEZs are not needed for FLOSS development. This is a personal view, and I do not know anybody who shares the same opinion. If my reading is correct, Anivar might also possess some problem with it. The second thing i was not satisfied with was, though it was not the usual way with journos, I registered for the conference and paid the delgate fee. But on asking for a receipt, I was denied one. But I got more enlightened than the Rs. 500/- I paid, and so I have no big problem with it. Now whether or not to use proprietery software, the answer is, whenever a viable free version is available to execute a project, use it, and if not, go for the proprietary option. I am not an FS fanatic. I have a dual boot system and I use Adobe products which are proprietary. As they run only on Windows and Macs, I use Windows. As the Scribus development is going on, I hope, soon there will be a time, when i could completely opt for Free Software only. As I am not a techie or an engineer, I have not personally contributed to any code, but was active in discussions related to Malayalam localisation of GNU/Linux as a volunteer of SMC. If you think that one could qualify as a free software enthusiast only if he writes some code, I am not your prey. I am attracted to the concept of freedom and am trying myself to understand the code. I dont think, its a holy grail to stay away from. Regards. Sebin -- ...if I fought with you, if i fell wounded and allowed no one to learn of my suffering, if I never turned my back to the enemy: Give me your blessing! (Nikos Kazantzakis)

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Fw: failure notice
by Arvind Kumar Chinniah 19 Dec '08

19 Dec '08

Dear friends, My friend vijayan tried to send a message to fsf-friends which couldnt reach... you all.. so.. i thought I will forward the mail... Can anybody tell why it could not reach the list. I hope it is not done purposefully. If done so.. i think the list lost its.. 'Free' ness and the boasted openess to criticism. --- On *Mon, 12/15/08, MAILER-DAEMON(a)yahoo.com <MAILER-DAEMON(a)yahoo.com>*wrote: From: MAILER-DAEMON(a)yahoo.com <MAILER-DAEMON(a)yahoo.com> Subject: failure notice To: srinivasanvijayan(a)yahoo.com Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 10:31 AM Hi. This is the qmail-send program at yahoo.com. I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses. This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out. <fsf-friends(a)gnu.org.in>: CNAME lookup failed temporarily. (#4.4.3) I'm not going to try again; this message has been in the queue too long. --- Below this line is a copy of the message. Return-Path: <srinivasanvijayan(a)yahoo.com> Received: (qmail 6046 invoked by uid 60001); 14 Dec 2008 15:31:16 -0000 DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws; s=s1024; d=yahoo.com; h=X-YMail-OSG:Received:X-Mailer:Date:From:Reply-To:Subject:To:In-Reply-To:MIME-Version:Content-Type:Message-ID; b=4lLMDBsPwcLGlieXvc/SFOYNWHWSITdU6Oe4cgjn4vv3rknd1yqGNa9RvErFDAI8+lvLhzscU/Wd1I+GssES98XP6WZJYQmU8jyXAEDdgA5XuZlp9wECdRHgJE2FslTeRMEOvOqdVVK3v0A5v962XM6XaN8XmbJSUmDK1ZZp+2E=; X-YMail-OSG: sfznaasVM1mFb8J5X2aDSG8WN5JOSp8j6eiOzSJkKb9cyxFo7aCzr_ZcPELlNQc_Mr751VnZeXWfqwnUUZ8390VqQNa29TCTMQqUFPKSKk5Ov8sz16g80k7lImkrLRRVGDfHluv_NS2hviITCWZyIjrv8U65femuSFhL2B7q5uD6LyZN1RWWYbc74bOJ5vVNQdssr9QWgXzyU7cSm9DRbLEJQMo55Q-- Received: from [59.92.1.61] by web34307.mail.mud.yahoo.com via HTTP; Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:31:16 PST X-Mailer: YahooMailWebService/0.7.260.1 Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:31:16 -0800 (PST) From: VIJAYAN S <srinivasanvijayan(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: srinivasanvijayan(a)yahoo.com Subject: Re: [Fsf-friends] Use of Windows by some speakers To: fsf-friends(a)gnu.org.in In-Reply-To: <729f28760812130622y3ea84cfaya88b20972facada4(a)mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0-1472797888-1229268676=:5536" Message-ID: <398190.5536.qm(a)web34307.mail.mud.yahoo.com> --0-1472797888-1229268676=:5536 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear Friends, =A0 Why did not the organiser release the code of conduct that inculde prohibit= ing the use of properity software in the venue when a participant apply to = conduct their program? When the organisers failed to issue such whip during= the stage of organising and what is the point in expecting the audience to= raise this issue at the venue. Most of the time the audience are passive a= nd it seldom be spontaneous unless it is organised. I expect the FSF india = should issue a statement in thier website explaining their position on this= issue and=A0should not hesitate to come forward with an apology. =A0 Vijayan --- On Sat, 12/13/08, Arun M <arun(a)gnu.org.in> wrote: From: Arun M <arun(a)gnu.org.in> Subject: [Fsf-friends] Use of Windows by some speakers To: fsf-friends(a)gnu.org.in Date: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 8:22 AM Dear Friends, =A0Thanks for pointing out that some of the speakers used=A0proprietary=A0s= oftware in FSFS conference. It is a serious mistake and=A0 I will be taking this up in organising committee of the conference to ensur= e that this mistake is not repeated.=A0 I talked to the person in charge of the technical track and he said two or = three speakers in technical track used=A0proprietary=A0operating system.=A0 It seems that they had their development environment setup in their laptops= with=A0proprietary OS hence wanted to use their laptop. Unfortunately=A0no one=A0pointed out this at the venue. Otherwise we could = have corrected there itself. Most of the free software activists were spending their time in Policy track and exhibition.=A0 In the policy track, participants objected to speakers when they took posit= ion which was not acceptable to free software=A0 community.=A0 I request my friends to raise voices when ever you see these kinds of mista= kes. By raising your voice and protesting,=A0 we will be able to better educate others. Mistakes can be an=A0opportunity= =A0for education.=A0 Couple of other points raised in blogs: 1. I dont think it is wrong to show windows like theme in the exhibition.= =A0 2. One blogger try to ridicule free software=A0activists=A0as fanatics.=A0A= nother blogger finds fault in stating that free software is a social moveme= nt.=A0 Warm regards Arun _______________________________________________ Fsf-friends mailing listFsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.inhttp://mm.gnu.org.in/mailman/listinfo/fsf-friends =0A=0A=0A <http://mm.gnu.org.in/mailman/listinfo/fsf-friends=0A=0A=0A> --0-1472797888-1229268676=:5536 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;"><DIV>Dear Friends,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Why did not the organiser release the code of conduct that inculde prohibiting the use of properity software in the venue when a participant apply to conduct their program? When the organisers failed to issue such whip during the stage of organising and what is the point in expecting the audience to raise this issue at the venue. Most of the time the audience are passive and it seldom be spontaneous unless it is organised. I expect the FSF india should issue a statement in thier website explaining their position on this issue and should not hesitate to come forward with an apology.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Vijayan<BR><BR>--- On <B>Sat, 12/13/08, Arun M <I><arun(a)gnu.org.in <lt%3Barun(a)gnu.org.in>></I></B> wrote:<BR></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid">From: Arun M <arun(a)gnu.org.in <lt%3Barun(a)gnu.org.in>><BR>Subject: [Fsf-friends] Use of Windows by some speakers<BR>To: fsf-friends(a)gnu.org.in<BR>Date: Saturday, December 13, 2008, 8:22 AM<BR><BR> <DIV id=yiv568324305>Dear Friends, <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV> Thanks for pointing out that some of the speakers used proprietary software in FSFS conference. It is a serious mistake and </DIV> <DIV>I will be taking this up in organising committee of the conference to ensure that this mistake is not repeated. </DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>I talked to the person in charge of the technical track and he said two or three speakers in technical track used proprietary operating system. </DIV> <DIV>It seems that they had their development environment setup in their laptops with proprietary OS hence wanted to use their laptop.</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Unfortunately no one pointed out this at the venue. Otherwise we could have corrected there itself. Most of the free software activists</DIV> <DIV>were spending their time in Policy track and exhibition. </DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>In the policy track, participants objected to speakers when they took position which was not acceptable to free software </DIV> <DIV>community. </DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>I request my friends to raise voices when ever you see these kinds of mistakes. By raising your voice and protesting, </DIV> <DIV>we will be able to better educate others. Mistakes can be an opportunity for education. </DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Couple of other points raised in blogs:</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>1. I dont think it is wrong to show windows like theme in the exhibition. </DIV> <DIV>2. One blogger try to ridicule free software activists as fanatics. Another blogger finds fault in stating that free software is a social movement. </DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Warm regards</DIV> <DIV>Arun</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV></DIV><PRE>_______________________________________________ Fsf-friends mailing listFsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.inhttp://mm.gnu.org.in/mailman/listinfo/fsf-friends </PRE></BLOCKQUOTE></td></tr></table><br> --0-1472797888-1229268676=:5536-- -- Thanks & Regards Siddhartha Malempati _______________________________________ "Fighting patents one by one will never eliminate the danger of software patents, any more than swatting mosquitoes will eliminate malaria."

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Fwd: [IndiChix] Free Computer Technology Convention in Kolkata
by Anivar Aravind 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mani A <a.mani.cms(a)gmail.com> Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 8:32 PM Subject: [IndiChix] Free Computer Technology Convention in Kolkata To: LinuxChix-India <indichix(a)linuxchix.org> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 IOTA will organize a convention from 26th to 28th December 2008. The objectives of this convention are to create awareness on FOSS in the state, inform people about its suitability for sustainable development of the country, interact with the policymakers and other sister organizations for its adoption and come up with a road-map for the institute's activity. An exhibition will also be organized along with the convention. In recent times researchers, professionals, developers and activists in different prestigious academic and research institutions in the world, as well as in several companies in India and abroad have actively become involved with development and adoption of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Open Hardware. This convention will act as a unique catalyst to accelerate the endeavor and ensure involvement of academia, government departments and companies in the promotional activities of FOSS-based systems and applications. The organizing committee is taking steps to ensure good participation, both in terms of quantity and quality, through * A strong technical program * Panel discussions * Industry Forum The convention will be attended by academicians, business leaders, researchers and designers from all over India. Invited speakers from all over India and abroad will present their thoughts, experiences and research results. Registration has been Extended (Beyond 18th Dec): http://www.iotawb.org/fctprog.html Best A. Mani -- A. Mani Member, Cal. Math. Soc -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.6 (GNU/Linux) iD8DBQFJSmf7oIK4BlImohYRArn4AJwMRUdk1ZInr6wb7qO27jBle4XoOACgnx+S iEQys2GZ9xNOlIi21+eqZ38= =nS1U -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- _______________________________________________ IndiChix mailing list IndiChix(a)linuxchix.org http://mailman.linuxchix.org/mailman/listinfo/indichix -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown Free Software industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds.

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List of 'Non GPLv3' softwares in gnu.org
by Maxin John 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

Hi, The below listed packages are some of the widely used GNU/Linux Free Softwares hosted in gnu.org. Package License URL ========================================================= bash gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/bash/ diffutils gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/diffutils/ gdbm gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/gdbm/ libtool gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/libtool/ ncurses MIT http://www.gnu.org/software/ncurses/ time gplv2 ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/time/ bc gplv2 http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/bc/ dejagnu gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/dejagnu/ gperf gplv2 http://www.gnu.org/software/gperf/ make gplv2 http://ftp.gnu.org/pub/gnu/make/ The common nature of these packages are: a) Free Softwares hosted in gnu.org b) All are non GPLv3 While we are fighting to make GNU/Linux kernel and other softwares to be under GPLv3, why we are forgetting these packages as these packages are hosted in gnu.org itself ? I think , it will be better for use to use a page in any of the open wikis to track these programs (the above given list is not complete) and complete the conversion to GPLv3 on a priority basis for these packages. Hmm.. I don't think we can do something to a package like ncurses which is distributed under MIT License. Thanks and Regards, Maxin B. John

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Fwd: [Gnash-dev] Fundraising for RTMP support
by Praveen A 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: strk <strk(a)keybit.net> Date: 2008/12/17 Subject: [Gnash-dev] Fundraising for RTMP support To: gnash(a)gnu.org, gnash-dev(a)gnu.org Hi all. This mail to inform you that Linux Fund has started fundraising for a project adding RTMP support to Gnash. For more info and donations: http://linuxfund.org/projects/gnash/ Thanks for partecipating :) --strk; GIS & Flash consultant/developer () ASCII Ribbon Campaign http://foo.keybit.net/~strk/services.html /\ Keep it simple! _______________________________________________ Gnash-dev mailing list Gnash-dev(a)gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnash-dev -- 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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visit to Ambetkar Centre
by Nagarjuna G 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

I enjoyed the visit to the center on 14th. This center can set a good example of how free ICT can open up several new options. Making such a center sustainable and soon replicate that in several other places in the country is our challenge. one of the immediate things that can be done is to create an album of paintings and create a book at lulu.com and market it internationally. That may generate some revenue, which can be used in turn to create more such centers. Do check if the center can become a digital wikibazaar/mart by providing some services to the neighborhood. Does having such centers in rural and sub-urban areas possible? Can we use this center as a breeding center for others? there are several such questions I have in my mind. As long as we do this with 100% transparency, these centers can demonstrate to the rest of the world how to run a p2p trade with social development and involvement. -- Nagarjuna G http://www.gnowledge.org

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Re: [Fsf-friends] [FSUG-Bangalore] visit to Ambetkar Centre
by Nagarjuna G 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

On Wed, 2008-12-17 at 15:45 +0530, Nidhin Sasi wrote: > Freeing knowledge would ofcourse increase the conscious of the > oppressed about their rights, but would that automatically give them > the basic rights? Most of the denial of their rights stems from the > fact that the resources are still captivated by a minority in the > society. Unless they fight for those rights, these rights would always > be alien for them though in the process though there might be progress > in their situation based on the intensity of different struggles. ICT > has revolutionised the world in such a way that human beings if have > access can attain most of the knowldge at their finger tips and also > establish communication with anyone in any part of the world. > But the denial of the basic rights would still cause them obstacles > even to freely pursue this available Free Knowledge. Though we see > them laughing, singing, playing in the daylight and among the crowd > each of them might have different difficult situations in their homes > which are mostly connected to their lack of accessibility of their > basic rights. > We can build good toilets and better infrastructure in their > locality if we go for fund drive, but would that give a solution to > their numeorus other problems they are facing ? Especially in a city > like Bangalore with high rates of inflation - what about the food > costs, health costs, transportation costs ? Most of the families at > the average 3 or 4 children or more, and I think AC3 kids are better > off than children in many other areas. > > Fighting without empowering oneself is not effective. Currently people do fight with external help from a political party or a social organization, and external leadership and continue to remain powerless even after struggles after struggles. Sustainable social change does not come without power in the local hands. They cannot claim power without knowledge. Nagarjuna

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Urgent requirement for free software supporters in Mysore
by renuka prasad 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

Hi all let me tell you the background first ------------------ ( RMS , please correct me if some things are wrong here ) Richard M Stallman met Mr Manivannan who is the Mysore district Collector and Distric magistrate , We got a very good response from Mr Manivannan . He has shown interest ( serious ) in shifting all those systems that are running proprietary softwares. But he insisted very much on the list of all those people who are based in mysore and can support the free softwares ( currently the support level is may be hand holding , and may be even customizing the installation according to the thier need and as well train the people who will be using them. Now the strategy about how to take forward will have to be discussed and according to the guidelines of free software foudation -india this will have to be taken up. Dr Nagarjuna could you please give us some guidelines so that things will be clear to all those who want to be part of this. Any organization , individual who can support has to be present in front of Mr Manivannan on the day we meet him ( after fixing an appointment ) . please pass on the message to your known ones ( if they are not on this list , get the details and update here ) and who ever replies will have a chance to serve and hepl in taking forward the free software movement. Regarding monetary benifits , i have no idea-- probbaly all those will be told or discussed by Mr Manivannan when all the people meet there Initiatlly i will be going to mysore for one or two days ( dates not yet fixed )- any one from FSUG-bangalore wants to join reply here and then we meet people in mysore and see that they will take on the things further ( it is not that we are the one who are guiding -- it is that we are just in touch with Mr Manivannan and then after introducing the people from mysore ---our job to some extent is done .. rest they can take care .. Suggest the best ways in which this information has to be communicated to all those people who are in mysore who are free software enthusiasts / supporters / developers who can help in this regard once it is sure that information is passed on to to all , those who have shown interest will be meeting with Mr Manivannan and the things will later be explained during the meting. Mr manivannan is very clear that the supporters should be based in in and around myosre .. consider this a sn urgent requirement and lets meet as soon as possible if people have some ideas about how this could be taken forward can please suggest -- Renuka Prasad B Lecturer, Department of M.C.A R.V.College of Engineering Bangalore 560059 9901945674

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some deccan herald coverage of rms visit
by Senthil Sundaram (sensunda) 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

hi, http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Dec172008/cyberspace20081216107137.a sp http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Dec172008/state20081217107186.asp -s

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Re: [Fsf-friends] [MyLUG #599] [Fwd: Urgent requirement for free software supporters in Mysore]
by Shashishekhar S 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

Hello all, > Richard M Stallman met Mr Manivannan who is the Mysore district Collector > and Distric magistrate , We got a very good response from Mr > Manivannan . He > has shown interest ( serious ) in shifting all those systems that are > running proprietary softwares. That is a very interesting development. > > But he insisted very much on the list of all those people who are based in > mysore and can support the free softwares ( currently the support level is > may be hand holding , and may be even customizing the installation > according > to the thier need and as well train the people who will be using them. Now > the strategy about how to take forward will have to be discussed and > according to the guidelines of free software foudation -india this > will have > to be taken up. I shall be able to help with this -- marshalling resources and people (there are quite a few, but have to be motivated :-p) > > Dr Nagarjuna could you please give us some guidelines so that things will > be clear to all those who want to be part of this. Is there any prior experience -- in terms of deploying free software for government organizations -- elsewhere? > > Any organization , individual who can support has to be present in > front of > Mr Manivannan on the day we meet him ( after fixing an appointment ) . > please pass on the message to your known ones ( if they are not on this > list , get the details and update here ) and who ever replies will have a > chance to serve and hepl in taking forward the free software movement. Do let me know about the appointment. > > is not that we are the one who are guiding -- it is that we are just in > touch with Mr Manivannan and then after introducing the people from mysore > - ---our job to some extent is done .. rest they can take care .. I sure hope so :-) > > Suggest the best ways in which this information has to be communicated to > all those people who are in mysore who are free software enthusiasts / > supporters / developers who can help in this regard > once it is sure that information is passed on to to all , those who have > shown interest will be meeting with Mr Manivannan and the things will > later > be explained during the meting. MyLUG has a good representation of people from the industry, academics and hobbyists as its members and hope everybody has seen this email and volunteer for the effort. Also, do let us know if there are any official FSF policies/processes for effecting these migrations. Thanks and Regards, -- Shashishekhar S

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report about RMS's visit to Ambedkar Community Computer Center in Bangalore
by sreejith g.s 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

Hi, RMS's visit to the Slum computing center: Ambedkar Community Computer Center is situated in a slum area in the New Gurupanplaya in Bannerghata road Bangalore. In the IT city of multinationals, it is only one of the slums in interiors of Bangalore that is not well known outside. On last saturday (13th December 2008) the slum had a unique visitor who is not only famous, but also considered to be well known among every part of the world as the founder of free software foundation. Richard M Stallman's visit turned the attention of IT professionals and media persons to the otherwise not well known slum. Ambedkar Community Computing Center (AC3) is a center set up in the slum area of Gurupan Palya by members of Sthree Jagruthi Samithi, volunteers from AID (Association of India's Development) and by some Free Software Volunteers working in IT industry. The idea of setting up the center was to equip the poor children in the nearby area with the basic computer skills using quality software which is available free of cost and shareable. The center uses free software tools on GNU/Linux to teach and impart computer knowledge to children. The effort is now showing results and the children have shown enormous improvement. One of the children, Mani, a 9th standard student, has created beautiful pictures using the Free Software tool "GIMP". His pictures got a huge response from the exhibition conducted during the Free Software National Conference held in Cochin, this November. Amazed by Mani's pictures, Stallman agreed to visit AC3 and interact with the children for a few minutes. During his visit, Richard Stallman inaugurated Mani's painting exhibition and released a book written by children on the basis of their experience in the slum computing center. Sarasu, who is from the slum area, teaching kids in the slum computing center presented about the center and the work it is doing for the poor. Richard Stallman made two corrections to the presentation. He emphasized that free software is not the alternative, but it is the right one. He also added that instead of a few success stories the presentation should say a great success story as the slum computing center is doing a great job. There were also cultural events from the inhabitants of the slum. After the events, RMS interacted with the audience who were from the nearby areas of slum computing center and addressed their questions. Here is an extract from Stallman's speech: * "I am honored to be here in the community computer center that is in the name of Dr BR Ambedkar. I have read about Ambedkar and I was inspired by the work he has done for the dalit people in India. There are many issues among the poor and marginalized in India that are more important than using free software. But, free software is one of the tool that helps the poor and dalit to resolve some of the issues they are facing. Poor can't afford proprietary softwares and free software helps them to access computers. While proprietary software companies are like the colonial rulers who exploited the masses, free software is freedom and liberation. Ambedkar Community Computer center is a model for the other parts of the India in such a way that it gives access to computers for the poor without compromising the freedom. The Ambedkar Community Center is doing a great job by empowering the poor with knowledge of free software."* It was a memorable experience for the people in slum area, the people who are part of the Ambedkar Community Computer Center and the children who are the students of the center. They were all inspired by the visit of the RMS to spread the free software message and also taking the center to next level. Sreejith

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Ogg album in the Month of Music
by Sri Ramadoss M 17 Dec '08

17 Dec '08

Any budding Musician you know? Tamilnadu is witnessing yet another season of Music in the month of Margazhi.. Any one in this profession? Can someone help bringing out an Ogg Album.. It can be the traditional Tiruppavai & Tiruvembavai or Light Music or Gramiya Music or Thaalattu etc., Or Some poet can even compose a Tamil Song for Free Software.. How long are we going to rest on Videos of Redhat and FSF for Campaigning.. Any one to join? http://www.fsf.org/resources/formats/playogg -- Regards, Sri Ramadoss M

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On RMS talk at Christ University
by Vikram Vincent 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

RMS talk at CU was well received by the 650-700 students, teachers and Management who participated in the talk. The students were from various streams such as business studies, computer science, law, social sciences and others. The Eben Moglen talk too had a similar participation. The preparation for both programs was intense with discussions being held - from desk to desk, class to class, teacher to teacher. We now have an even more dedicated Free_Software-Eben_Moglen-Richard_Stallman team of students. Both talks were recorded and will be uploaded shortly. -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://swatantra.org/

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Fsf-friends December 2008