December 2008 - Fsf-friends

debian software dependency to gnowledge dependencies
by Nagarjuna G 12 Dec '08

12 Dec '08

Several of us use Debian GNU/Linux and among other features we have all appreciated the way Debian software package dependencies are calculated to give us a stable package. At gnowledge.org we harvested the data from the packages.tgz file of Debian 4.0 and created a program that graphically displays the dependencies, called dependency maps. Search for your favorite package and see how dependent a software is on other packages. Few examples: http://www.gnowledge.org/debmap_view?objid=python http://www.gnowledge.org/debmap_view?objid=emacs21 Search for your favorite from: http://www.gnowledge.org/search_debmap?val=1 One of the main reasons why we are interested in Debian dependency maps is that we are inspired by that model and now wants to create a similar knowledge.tgz file for all concepts and activities as gnowledge.org is in the process of creating a gnowledge distribution. You will also be able to see how we are using the idea of Debian for knowledge domain. gnowledge.org is waiting for all of you to spread the message, specifically among the teachers of any subject whatsoever to add the dependency relations so that we can soon have a gnowledge (free knowledge distribution) distro. -- -- Nagarjuna G http://www.gnowledge.org

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Free Software Foundation Files Suit Against Cisco For GPL Violations
by Praveen A 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

http://www.fsf.org/news/2008-12-cisco-suit Interesting discussion at http://lwn.net/Articles/310899/ -- 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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Eben Moglen schedule In Bangalore
by haynes davis 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Eben Moglen visits Bangalore from 12th to 14th December. The schedule details are in http://bangalore.gnu.org.in/index.php/Events:Eben_Moglen_In_Bangalore Haynes.

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Paul McCartney Releases Album As DRM-Free Download
by Praveen A 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/08/12/09/2313201.shtml -- 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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Way Vision Journey - Swadeshi Jagran Manch - Talk on Free Software Experiences - 29-11-2008 - 6.30 PM - Chennai
by Sri Ramadoss M 10 Dec '08

10 Dec '08

Will be addressing a gathering on Free Software Movement & Tamil Computing Experiences as part of "Way Vision Journey" event organized by Swadeshi Jagran Manch to be held at, Conference Hall, II Floor, Ma Foi Management Consultants, Natarajan Bay City Centre, New No. 309 (Old No. 197) Poonamallee High Road, Chennai - 600 010 Near: Pachiappa's College Land Mark: Kapico Maruthi Showroom on 29.11.2008 Saturday at 18.30 Hrs. Detailed Invitation of SJM can be downloaded from http://amachu.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/sjm_way_vision_journey.pdf -- Regards, Sri Ramadoss M

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Photoblogging FSFS.in Event
by Rakesh 'arky' Ambati 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Hi, Photo blogging live from Mascot Hotel, the venue of the Free Software Free Society Conference on Freedom in Computing, Development and Culture in Thiruvananthapuram. http://fsfs.in FSFS.in 2008 :: Day 1.1 Lunch http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com/2008/12/fsfsin-2008-day-10.html FSFS.in 2008 :: Day 1.1 Lunch http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com/2008/12/fsfsin-2008-day-11-lunch.html FSFS.in 2008 :: Day 1.2 http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com/2008/12/fsfsin-2008-day-12.html Keep a tab on the RSS (http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default) feed, More posts to follow. Cheers --arky Rakesh 'arky' Ambati Blog [ http://playingwithsid.blogspot.com ] Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/

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Watch FSFS on your desktop online
by Praveen A 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Eben is starting his talk right now http://fsfs.in/content/watch-out-conference-online-your-desktop -- 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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Eben in Bangalore
by Senthil Sundaram (sensunda) 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Hi, Eben Moglen in Bangalore : Debates on the system of ownership of Ideas with chirst university - iim - ieee - nls - iisc - kannada media . Dont miss it and kick yourself later ;) -S 12th December --------------- Chirst College - 12.00 p.m - The free software movement and the struggle for freedom of thought IIM-B with IEEE Bangalore Section - 3.00 p.m - "Software as a public good" 13th December ----------------- 11.30 am - National Law School with Center for Internet Society 5.00 p.m - Free Software and New Media...with MM Ismail ( senior journalist) and H P Nadig ( sampada ) Institute of Agricutltural technologists , Sanjeevani Road. http://kannadascience.blogspot.com/ http://avadhi.wordpress.com englsh invite : http://rmsebeninindia.wikispaces.com/file/view/free+ENGLISH.pdf 14th December ------------- IIsc - Danger of Patents - Could be a open air sesion http://notoimp.wordpress.com/ contact : jayakumar : 9448163453

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Watch the live feed from fsfs.in
by Vimal Joseph 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Hi All, Those of you who couldn't make it to the FSFS.in event in Kerala can watch the live feed from the main hall policy track online. Just point your media player at http://giss.tv:8000/fsfs.ogg (or just click on the link http://giss.tv/interface/?mp=fsfs.ogg ) and watch out the stream of all the talks. Check the schedule for what's being heard right now, and don't miss the opportunity. http://giss.tv:8000/fsfs.ogg -- Free Software, Free Society സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റ്വെയര്‍, സ്വതന്ത്ര സമൂഹം <http://fsfs.in>

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Talks of RMS and Eben Moglen at Christ University
by Vikram Vincent 09 Dec '08

09 Dec '08

Prof. Eben Moglen, Professor of Law and Legal History at Columbia School of Law and Chairman of Software Freedom law Centre (SFLC). Date:12th(Friday) December 2008 Time:12Noon-1:30PM Venue: Main auditorium, Christ University Topic:"The free software movement and the struggle for freedom of thought" http://emoglen.law.columbia.edu/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eben_Moglen Dr. Richard Stallman, President of Free Software Foundation Date:16th(Tuesday) December 2008 Time:10AM-12:30PM Venue: Main auditorium, Christ University Topic:"Role of free knowledge and free software in education and research" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman The sessions are open to all. For more details contact: Vikram Vincent mailto:vikram.vincent@christuniversity.in +919448810822

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Fwd: [Indlinux-group] how do non-open formats survive?
by Praveen A 08 Dec '08

08 Dec '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Vinod Kumar <rigvinod(a)gmail.com> Date: 2008/12/7 Subject: [Indlinux-group] how do non-open formats survive? To: Indian Linux group <indlinux-group(a)lists.sourceforge.net> With a little help from friends, I suppose. See the recent call for proposals from the Department of BioTechnology, Gov of India, for the Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP). "The companies should submit a concept note not exceeding 3 pages or a detailed proposal(5 copies+one soft copy[MS Word file and not a PDF file] through E.mail or CD) strictlt in the prescribed format available on the DBT website http://dbtindia.nic.in on or before 31st December..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SF.Net email is Sponsored by MIX09, March 18-20, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The future of the web can't happen without you. Join us at MIX09 to help pave the way to the Next Web now. Learn more and register at http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;208669438;13503038;i?http://2009.visitmix.com/ _______________________________________________ IndLinux-group mailing list IndLinux-group(a)lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/indlinux-group -- 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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DCOS Agreement on Procurement in Support of Interoperability and Open Standards emerges at 3rd IGF, Hyderabad
by Anivar Aravind 07 Dec '08

07 Dec '08

6 December 2008 At the close of the final day of the 3rd Internet Governance Forum in Hyderabad, India, the Dynamic Coalition on Open Standards (DCOS) released an agreement entitled the "Dynamic Coalition on Open Standards (DCOS) Agreement on Procurement in Support of Interoperability and Open Standards." Under the procurement agreement, governments, publicly funded and non-profit institutions agree to promote interoperability and accessibility through the use of open standards. Anivar --------- Dynamic Coalition on Open Standards (DCOS) Agreement on Procurement in Support of Interoperability and Open Standards 3rd Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Hyderabad, India 6 December 2008 Preamble The Contracting Parties, *Recalling* the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Declaration of Principles which states that "[i]nternational standards aim to create an environment where consumers can access services worldwide regardless of underlying technology," *Recognizing* that standards are increasingly global concerns, involving goods and services that move in international trade across borders, *Aware* that current competition and legal remedies may not be enough to solve the inherent tensions that routinely arise in the realm of patents and standards, *Desirous* of encouraging procurement policies that require evaluation of multiple, competing products based on open ICT standards in order to ensure a level playing field for vendors, governments and consumers, *Cognizant* of the need for procurement policies for software programs that are predicated upon an open standard, Open Standards ============= Given the multiplicity of interpretations of the term open standards, for the purpose of this document we endorse as an acceptable definition the position contained in the European Union's draft European Interoperability Framework: 1) The open standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an open decision-making procedure available to all interested parties (consensus or majority decision etc.). 2) The open standard has been published and the standard specification document is available either freely or at a nominal charge. It must be permissible to all to copy, distribute and use it for no fee or at a nominal fee. 3) The intellectual property - i.e. patents possibly present - of (parts of) the open standard is made irrevocably available on a royalty free basis. 4) There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard. (IDABC EIF v2 draft (http://ec.europa.eu/idabc/en/document/7728)) As noted in the European Interoperability Framework cited above, open standards or technical specifications must allow all interested parties to implement the standards and to compete on quality and price. The goal is to have a competitive and innovative industry, not to protect market shares by raising obstacles to newcomers. Thus, open standards or technical specifications must be possible to implement in software distributed under the most commonly used open source licences, with no limitations arising from patents associated with the standard in question. In addition to the above requirements, it is recommended that there should be multiple independent implementations of the standard. *Governments, publicly funded and non-profit institutions* agree to implement the following policies. Governments, publicly funded and non-profit institutions Hereby agree to the following measures in order to promote interoperability and accessibility through the use of open standards. 1. To create a policy statement on interoperability and open standards, to be available to employees and the public. 2. By 2010, procurement of all software should be vendor neutral and implement open standards 3. By 2010, tender specifications for hardware (including peripherals and mobile devices) should require that manufacturers provide the driver and interface information necessary to work with a reasonable range of proprietary and free operating system platforms. 4. By 2010, all public facing web pages should conform to W3C standards for structure, presentation and accessibility. 5. By 2010, tenders for the supply of web based services (for example, online reservations) must specify the requirements of point 4. 6. By 2010, agencies should implement policies regarding the storage and archiving of government data and records to ensure that data is stored in open data and document formats. Signed by the following parties: -------------------------------------------- Aslam Raffee, Government IT Officers' Council, OSS Working Group,Republic of South Africa Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Bob Jolliffe, Freedom To Innovate, South Africa Centre for Internet and Society, India Eddan Katz, Electronic Frontier Foundation Hamid Rabiee, Sharif University of Technology, Iran Knowledge Ecology International Moving Republic, India Shuttleworth Foundation, South Africa Swathanthra Malayalam Computing, India Endorsed by the following parties: ------------------------------------------------- Bangladesh Friendship Education Society, Bangladesh Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), India Foundation for Media Alternatives, Philippines OpenForum Europe -- Anivar Aravind http://anivar.movingrepublic.org 7/1, 1st Floor, 1st Cross , Ankappa block J.C Nagar, Bangalore -560006 Ph +91 9449009908 / +91 80 23435606 -- 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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GNU Labs at MES College of Engineering, Kerala kicks off
by Praveen A 06 Dec '08

06 Dec '08

Hi, The activities of GNU Labs, a free software-based volunteer project, began at the MES College of Engineering, Kuttippuram, on Friday with a day-long workshop. http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/06/stories/2008120652210300.htm GNU Labs encourages the idea of sharing knowledge, supporting the ideals of the Free Software Foundation. It aims at improving the existing work of free software by helping students to complete their curricular project works. More about GNU Labs http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/GNU_Labs If anyone is interested to start a GNU Lab in their college can use the wiki discussion page. A website for GNU Labs is under construction. Cheers 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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The ABC of FLOSSware
by Anivar Aravind 05 Dec '08

05 Dec '08

http://openeducation.org.au/wiki/index.php/The_ABC_of_FLOSSware Also came across this Free Software for education catalogue http://cc.com.au/osv/education_FOSS_catalog.pdf Anivar -- 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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Statement of FSF India board on recent incidents
by sandeep reddy 04 Dec '08

04 Dec '08

*Praveen A* pravi.a at gmail.com <fsf-friends%40mm.gnu.org.in?Subject=%5BFsf-friends%5D%20Statement%20of%20FS…> *Tue Dec 2 * >That does not surprise anyone. Because even on this list I don't seem >to remember seeing you. Just the work on defeating OOXML would speak >volumes. Microsoft managed to buy ISO, but we stood firm and I'm >really proud if the role FSF India, especially Nagarjuna, along with >many others, played. We were leading the world to protect document >Freedom. This is just one incident, and I can go on. May I ask where >were you when the whole Free Software community around the world were >fighting to protect document Freedom? Yet again you have proved that you know nothing and no one outside this mailing list of yours. If you are justifying the works of the so called directors so much, then you should probably be able to answer the next set of questions as well. Being board members of FSF-I it is obvious that each of them commands respect and we too had high regards for them, but the Kochi incident shook our beliefs to the roots. During the Kochi Conference, when the protesters were barging into the sponsors' stall and pasting posters in such an uncivilized way, holding such esteemed positions, we expected that the board members present there would exercise their power and take charge of the situation. But what followed left us astonished, we realized that stopping them was out of question and besides this, they even joined hands with them! Wasn't that a scar on the entire event? Wasn't it an immature act? Couldn't the board members have thought of anything but a protest? Wasn't the event a pride for them like it was to all of us? We were so glad to be a part of such an event and were even complimenting the achievements of FSF so far, but what followed left us speechless. It was this melodramatic piece of unformulated crap that sparked off all the controversies. And to clarify another thing, all the success accomplished so far is the result of a concoction of the efforts put in by millions of us across the country and not just one or two people in the lime light like you have mentioned. So if we don't appear on the mailing list it does not mean that we don't exist. It just means that we appear and make our voice heard when required so people like you and those in power realize that there is a lot more outside your little world thats keeping watch on every move of yours... >he readily recognised the work Nagarjuna has done and wanted us to be proud that we have a fighter >like Nagarjuna. Ya right, we too appreciated the fight Nagarjuna had been fighting in the yesteryears, he is undoubtedly still fighting but there seems to be an entire turnover in the cause and reason he is fighting for now!!! Lol... Point to ponder: "No fighter fights alone to win a battle, he needs his entire army to stand by him!" So does your fighter Nagarjuna!!! We are all members of the army, you've gotta remember that! >I am now really amazed at the shear number of people pop in here and >repeat the same lies. Do you seriously think everyone would just >believe your words and start doubting about people like Nagarjuna and >others in FSF India? >The community know them very well, because unlike people like you who >come here and shout again again, we have seen what they have done, >what they are doing and what they are ready to do. >They don't need certificates from you. I'm surprised that you are amazed by the number of people you see now, didn't you know that our organization had all of us and not just a bunch of you??? How many people would lie? You have the answer yourself, you are amazed by the number of people lieing you say, i guess in your amazement, you forgot to notice that these people are from varied parts of the country! How then are all of them stating the same so called "LIE"? The entire country is lieing against a handful of you who are being so honest? Thats so sad! I just wish it were a little believable! And by the way which community are you talking about? You seem too confused, it is ALL OF US that together makes the community, and if so many of the members of this very community are questioning you today, whom are you talking about in you lines - "The community know them very well" "we have seen what they have done, blah blah blah" Who is this 'WE"? Just you and a handful of those who claim to put us all out and state that they and they alone are the community? Lol! Who said we are certifying them? This is perhaps the first time I'm listening to something so ridiculous, I don't think a Leader needs to be certified by his team, as far as i know it has to be the other way round! A leader needs no certification, his acts should speak for him and not people like you or anyone else. So get the facts clear before you speak on behalf of our leaders bcoz else u'll be ridiculing them by your childish talk like you just did! With Freegards, Sandeep

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Employee Agreement of a FOSS company
by Sri Ramadoss M 03 Dec '08

03 Dec '08

Hi, While the sum of money is accumulated with the investor, the sum of knowledge in the form individuals is extremely difficult to unite for wide range of reasons, which the investors exploit (for individuals involved seldom come together against investors' exploitation). How would an Employee Agreement of a FOSS company differ from a Proprietary Company? While its total surrender of everything at Proprietary Companies for a monthly salary how are FOSS companies different in this regard? Can successful FOSS entrepreneurs & employees at FOSS only campanies like Redhat (not forcing if you really want to go by any Non-disclosure agreement with your Employer) share their experiences? -- Regards, Sri Ramadoss M

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NIIT and Adobe
by Nagarjuna G 03 Dec '08

03 Dec '08

This kind of nexus should be campaigned against. what strategy should we follow. http://www.digitallearning.in/news/news-details.asp?News=NIIT-ties-with-Ado… -- -- Nagarjuna G http://www.gnowledge.org

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Re: [Fsf-friends] [ubuntu-in] [OT slightly] Rant .gvfs & gnome-clock issues (specifically libgweather)
by shirish 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

Reply in-line :- On Sat, Nov 1, 2008 at 22:46, Onkar Shinde <onkarshinde(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Shirish, Omkar, > Your bug report is not very descriptive. It is not easy to understand. > Please update the bug report accordingly. That bug report is just to add the name the existing database, there would be need to be few others to tell the full story. > Also assuming that you are referring to the international airport at > Chakan, is it operating currently? I mean should we really expect the > location to be added in libgweather if it is not in operating state? Nope, the International Airport whose details I've put up is the one at Lohegaon from where limited flights happen. The code VAPO has been given to Lohegaon Airport. Giving below the references :- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune_International_Airport or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune_Airport http://www.world-airport-codes.com/india/lohegaon-5918.html http://worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?id=IN64220&sch=VAPO http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/civil_op_airports.jsp (This is the Airports Authority India Website) http://www.aai.aero/allAirports/pune_generalinfo.jsp So what I am referring to you is an Airport which is functioning, it also has a weather station whose code is given as VAPO, now whether its functioning or not, don't know, somebody told me its not functioning. That's all I know. > Onkar -- Regards, Shirish Agarwal This email is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ http://flossexperiences.wordpress.com 065C 6D79 A68C E7EA 52B3 8D70 950D 53FB 729A 8B17

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Statement of FSF India board on recent incidents
by sandeep reddy 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

>2. Was the "National Free Software Conference" in Kochi a follow-up to the conference held in Hydrabad in 2007? > No, it cannot be considered so. FSF India came to know about the `Second National Conference in Kochi` only when the organisers started sending mails to various fora about the >conference. We were surprised to see this because FSF India was one of the organisers of the first conference in Hyderabad. We tried to communicate with the organisers of the >conference in Kochi and clarify the situation. The facts will be clear from the communications we had with them in that regard that we are publishing now. >After the communications from FSF India, the organisers removed the reference to the first national convention organised by FSF India and renamed the convention in Kochi as >simply the 'National Free Software Conference'. >The Organisers of the event continued to refer to their event misleadingly as the followup to the first convention organised in Hydrabad by FSF India, jointly with Swecha and >University of Hyderabad. ######################### The one question that came to my mind after reading that post was, 'Does one name an event based on the people organizing it or based on the kind of event being organized?' Does your above stated answer mean that only if FSF India is part of the organizing team, an event can be called a National Conference from now on? Why are you refraining from accepting the 'National Conference in Kochi' as a follow-up to the conference held in Hyderabad, is still not clear. ----------------- I have not seen any active and live participation by FSF-I in any other place but the mailing list here, where you actively participate in warding of the blames put forth on you or simply criticize and comment on other's work. This is really annoying, the position you hold requires you to set an example to all those looking up to you. Don't mind me suggesting but i think it would be much appreciated by all of us if we could get to see some constructive work from your side.

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A Window to Freedom - on Dec 4 at Sahitya Academy Hall, Thrissur
by Praveen A 02 Dec '08

02 Dec '08

A one day seminar on Free Software organised by FSUG Thrissur http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Thrissur/A_Window_to_Freedom Cheers 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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THE ROAD TO FREEDOM
by Arun M 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

We need some positive stories in between all the flame isnt it ? Here is one from Gudalur. How Adivasi movement relates to free software. http://guss.web4all.in/?p=14 With regards, Arun.

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Somebody vandalised the FSF-friends and FSUG Bangalore mailing lists
by Vikram Vincent 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

The mails I had posted in response to the statement by the FSF-I Board on the FSF-friends and FSUG-Bangalore mailing lists have been vandalised. See http://mm.gnu.org.in/pipermail/fsug-bangalore/2008-November/002447.html http://mm.gnu.org.in/pipermail/fsf-friends/2008-November/005788.html I am CC'ing all the currently listed list admins and RMS. To whoever did this: You cannot silence our voices by simply deleting mail content. I am resending my response. Greetings, >From http://www.gnu.org.in/board-statement-on-recent-issues <quote> * * *9. Are the members of the Director Board of FSF India elected? * <snip> As mentioned in the answer to an earlier question, FSF India is not a mass movement and is not a democratic organisation. The purpose of FSF India, as of FSF, is to provide guidance to the Free Software movement. This purpose could be easily defeated if it is made into an elected body. </quote> India is considered one of the biggest democracies in the world and the Free Software Movement is for the democratisation of technology and knowledge. However, the namesake of FSF in India ie., FSF-India, whose role is to lead the Free Software Movement has clearly defined itself as undemocratic. Let us take things objectively to analyse, debate and come to some sort of an understanding. Democracy, transparency and openness are considered the pillars of the free software movement. We talk about free(or open) standards, free knowledge, etc.. and then we hear "Democracy? That is only for theory." How can one ensure democratisation of knowledge if one is undemocratic? The Board of FSF-I may have to (re)read the works of Eben Moglen and actually implement it in their functioning. I think the following quote of Eben Moglen is important in this context. From http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Transcript_of_The_System_Of_Ownership_Of_Ideas "Haven't you heard," we say, "The era of presidents for life is over. We are holding elections, here. Here, we made this, its called democracy. Would you like some? Take it, its free." In solidarity with the Free Software Movement, Vikram Vincent

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FW: IISC and imposed monopoly rights - add to the debate please
by Senthil Sundaram (sensunda) 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

Hi, this is just a temproary space...to get community participation on material which needs to be added in here.. on one hand we have the issue of 'imposed monopoly rights' - on the other hand a premier institution is promoting this.. rquest knowledgable memebers in fsf-i to state their position on this..so that we can build a debate... -S http://notoimp.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/imp-policy-in-iisc-bangalore/ harish k singh : Can you look at the article at http://osindia.blogspot.com/2008/11/global-patent-troll-comes-to-india.h tml. 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?cur rentPage=1. Rehat Venky : "Software patents are an important issue in India right now because there is a heated debate over how to interpret Section 3(k) which says that, "A mathematical or business method or a computer programme per se or algorithms are not patentable." How "computer programme per se" is interpreted is of vital importance to the FOSS community. Therefore a talk by RMS on software patents would be relevant at this point in time and would help raise awareness of how patents prevent independent invention and restrict the freedom of software developers."

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FSF-I as a unifying force(WasRe: Statement of FSF India board on recent incidents)
by Vikram Vincent 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

Greetings, My observations are at the end. 2008/11/30 Nagarjuna G. <nagarjun(a)gnowledge.org>: <snip> > FSF was founded in 1985. What kind of hindrance did it create for not > letting democracy or freedom flourish? On the contrary it took the > lead in promoting and protecting these virtues. It gave the direction > to the movement. FSM created tools that help create social networks > to let this happen. It is therefore an enabler of freedom. <snip> > Political parties on the other hand want to administer social change, > but we do not do that. They want power and control but we don't. > > Free software movement is possible without creating any large > political groups. The most important identity that we respect is the > human being and that beings' freedom. When we have a large number of > small groups at every part of the country (an FSUG in every town, > district, we don't have them now.) FSM will flourish. FSFI will > support their formation, provide them direction, give them > infrastructure, invite the leads of such groups into the working > group, generate consensus etc. and support each other. <snip> > Let us all work towards such an organic growth, instead of creating > one large network of FSF chapters. let me repeat, FSFs do not want to > become a political powers, and does not want to govern. That will be > self-defeating to the ideals of freedom. FSF-I was formed in July 2001. The I-Lugs existed years before that. Now FSF-I should have worked for the conversion of the "Linux" to "Libre" as done in certain groups. Why divide the Movement by promoting FSUGs etc? To take free software(free knowledge) to the last (wo)man in the most backward villages of our country we need people of different backgrounds. I don't think that differences on the issue of Free vs. Open should have been a devisive issue. -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://swatantra.org/

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Re: [Fsf-friends] Statement of FSF India board on recent incidents
by ajay kumar 01 Dec '08

01 Dec '08

dear friends local chapters are you saying that FSF-I should run like its run in Europe, Americas? that means we are trying to force solutions meant for other countries to that of ours! in order to have more people (in general terms we call "mass base") FSF-I must have local chapters. I mean considering your own views Just see the number of population in indian states they are as equal in population to that in each country in europe, this clearly shows the importance of having local chapters. On an average I think people sleep for 6 hours else if a person sleeps for months and years together, wake up a fine morning find themselves in losing there control over the foundation, obviously it makes them irritated, uncomfortable and the consequence is FAQ's in gnu.org. You people didn't even bother inform organisations that are mentioned in the FAQ's. board of directors When is the so called Board of Directors going to so called NOMINATE there new Board? most of the current board of directors are the same onces who are there since its inception which needs a change. (well power and control over FSF-I need to change) for everything that is old has to go and something new will always come into place and this transition dosn't happen smoothly. Well as the mails start poring in and that board of directors feel that they are baring the peoples quest for clarity, they are actually undermining the larger interest of the people. And to say "when you have a responsibility you don't bare things or say "patiently replying", rather you need to understand the pulse of the people". How long can you guys go on dictating terms like this? who can speak on behalf of fsf india? ha thats such a big joke. first you say that what ever the fsf-i board members say becomes the stand of fsf-i and then you say that fsf-i board will discuss it first and then say that "ITS THE BOARDS DECISSION". Well I need some more clarity the mails that arun, sasi and nagarjuna have mailed to this mailing list, are they the official stand and official statements of FSF-I? or are they just some personal views? Why do you guys make the rules and then break them? (by going on your own words "WE THE *BOARD OF DIRECTORS FSF INDIA* have the only right to dictate) i haven't seen any of you guys mention weather the statement that you are making is an official stand of fsf-i or its just personal views. other than the mention of "For instance, this FAQ is a statement from the Board." in the page that is on the gnu.org.in website there is no mention of it any were else. For instance http://www.google.com/search?q=satement+from+the+board+inurl%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2… when people at the top look bellow there feet they find lilliputs. When these lilliputs come face to face they suddenly become big, this is called as mass base and this mass base has to be organised in a democratic way. I am proud to be in a democratic country were i can express my views freely. I want that freedom back to the very organisation which i believed for and trusted for so many years has motivated and kept me free from escapism, opportunism. with love for freedom ajay kumar

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Fsf-friends December 2008