September 2008 - Fsf-friends

Would this constitute as FUD
by shirish 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

Hi all, I read this in an article http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Interview/J_Schwartz_CEO_Sun/articlesho… [quote] Free software (as in free beer) may come with a zero price, but may have its source code as closed. [/quote = J Schwartz, CEO, Sun ] Comments, suggestions, reactions all invited as usual ;) -- Regards, Shirish Agarwal This email is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ 065C 6D79 A68C E7EA 52B3 8D70 950D 53FB 729A 8B17

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Re: [Fsf-friends] A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation?
by V. Sasi Kumar 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

I wrote: > That seems to be true. This is a CPM event and the objective god only > knows. and > This would appear to be part of an attempt to float a parallel process > to take over the Free Software movement in the country. While I too > have no objection to anyone helping the Free Software movement in the > country or even independently promoting Free Software (as many groups > are already doing), what this group is doing is really sabotaging the > whole movement itself by causing confusion among FS supporters. This > is unethical and could even be illegal (using our logo without our > permission). This is very unfortunate. I am writing this mail since my earlier mail is being interpreted to mean that the CPI(M) is trying to sabotage the Free Software Movement in the country. That was not at all what I meant. Since I wrote it in a hurry as I am on the verge of leaving on a rather longish journey. I don't think a large party like the CPM would try to capture a small organisation like FSF India. But the convention has several known CPM leaders (such as Dr. Debesh Das) and CPM supporters (such as Sri N. Ram). So it would appear that the people who are doing this have a CPM background. Why they would want to create such a problem, god only knows. I am sure the top brass in the party would never knowingly permit such activities. I am sorry if I sounded otherwise. Best -- V. Sasi Kumar Free Software Foundation of India http://swatantryam.blogspot.com

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Celebrating Software Freedom Day @ Gnu/Linux Habba - Mysore
by Omshivaprakash H L 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Celebrating Software Freedom Day @ Gnu/Linux Habba <http://platonic.techfiz.info/2008/09/22/celebrating-software-freedom-day-gn…> More that 150 people were introduced to Gnu/Linux @ Mysore We all celebrated Gnu Birthday and recalled how Gnu/Linux came into existence and What is Software Freedom, FSF etc. It was great fun being with all newbies and showing off various tools and Gnu softwares. We did watch "Elephants Deam" and "Big Buck Bunny" in the afternoon while others enjoyed the installation sessions. You can find some of the packages demonstrated here: http://dev.sampada.net/GNU_Linux_Habba/September-2008/List_of_Packages http://platonic.techfiz.info/2008/09/22/celebrating-software-freedom-day-gn… Uploading more pictures and event related info on http://habba.in soon. - -- - -- "A well-directed imagination is the source of great deeds" - -- With Best Regards, Omshivaprakash.H.L | ಓಂ ಶಿವಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಎಚ್. ಎಲ್ | ॐ शिवप्रकाश् एच्. एल् Website : http://www.techfiz.info Blog : http://platonic.techfiz.info Phone: 91- 9902026518 AIM : fizworks ICQ : 265216744 IRC : #techfiz server: irc.freenode.net channel: #linux-india #ubuntu-in #gnu-india #kannada -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkjXMFsACgkQ7OA72yfkJqNwpwCgjtgZ9B3zlmeFlIyNfV8zYO1T o64An3zEh3IOb9HzkEr6p26l7p2Zi2VW =ksa7 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Interview with Walter Bender of Sugar Labs
by Anivar Aravind 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

"What is work in the real world? Using Word and Powerpoint? Or learning to engage in critical thinking and use computation as a thing to think with? Where are the jobs going to come from? Can we raise a generation of children who are creative, expressive, truly unbounded in the potential, who know how to problem-solve? What country (or company) would really want to build a dependency on Microsoft when they could appropriate the tools and knowledge locally and be self-deterministic? What country wouldn't want to have the option of supporting their local languages and cultures? " http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20080920181151638 Anivar Aravind -- Any responsible politician should be encouraging a home grown FOSS industry because it creates the basis for future jobs. Learning Windows is like learning to eat every meal at McDonalds.

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Request to announce about Barcamp to be held on 4th & 5th October 2008
by Loknath ＠BCM4 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

Hello, I hope you all are doing great. Like earlier, we are coming out with BarcampMumbai 4 . Barcamp <http://www.barcamp.org/> as you would know is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from participants. *The long wait is over & BarCampMumbai4 is finally here with a completely new face for itself. Barcamp Mumbai4 <http://barcampmumbai.org/>- It is a two day event this year.* Registration has been started. Get started here. *www.barcampmumbai.org* You can follow barcamp @ -*www.twitter.com/bcm4* *Schedule: 4th and 5th October. Venue- School of Management -IIT Bombay Powai , Mumbai * *I request you to post this announcement in your blog /website/ web-reporter / e-newsletter .* * * -- *Loknath Swain * *9833181107* On Behalf of Planners Barcamp Mumbai4

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[Fwd: Event Update: Gnu/Linux Habba - Mysore]
by Omshivaprakash H L 22 Sep '08

22 Sep '08

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 - -- - -- "A well-directed imagination is the source of great deeds" - -- With Best Regards, Omshivaprakash.H.L | ಓಂ ಶಿವಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಎಚ್. ಎಲ್ | ॐ शिवप्रकाश् एच्. एल् Website : http://www.techfiz.info Blog : http://platonic.techfiz.info Phone: 91- 9902026518 AIM : fizworks ICQ : 265216744 IRC : #techfiz server: irc.freenode.net channel: #linux-india #ubuntu-in #gnu-india #kannada -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkjW65QACgkQ7OA72yfkJqMh3wCdFtg3mFoMxs073oDyjxIPeDhU eNkAn18xCappoPvMZLP+TE3hL5nTveAI =FSkQ -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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Slick marketing or Public Awareness?
by Mani A 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

I think the author of this article* is a bit confused between 'Marketing Linux' and 'Spreading Awareness' and doing them in 'Slick/Sick' ways. The AIDS awareness campaign has been extremely successful in many parts of India... and they were marketing nothing. But too many educated people and in responsible positions are still hardly aware of the importance of FOSS and Linux. * See http://www.itwire.com/content/view/20711/1090/ and the comments too. Quote: "To some people, all marketing is evil. You write something brilliant and then keep it under a bushel. How will the rest of the world know? And doesn't the rest of the world need to know? When there are all kinds of spinmeisters trying to market things that can only be described as crap, what's wrong with putting the best possible marketing brains to work for a good product? The example which I always trot out at times like this is Betamax which beat VHS hands down. But it didn't win the marketshare needed to become the dominant standard." Best A. Mani -- A. Mani Member, Cal. Math. Soc

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Software Freedom Day 2008 Celebrations
by Vimal Joseph 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

Kerala celebrated Software Freedom Day 2008 with a verity of programmes 1) The educational TV channel IT@School - Victors dedicated 20th September to broadcast programmes related to Free Software. All Schools in Kerala is planning to celebrate software Freedom Day on 22nd. 2) Trivandrum, GNU/Linux users group jointly with FSF India and SPACE organized SFD : http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092158130300.htm http://space-kerala.org/gallery/v/sfd2008/ 3) SMC and Freesoftware community in Kozhikode celebrated SFD http://kishoreathrasseri.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/software-freedom-day-at-k… http://hiraneffects.blogspot.com/2008/09/blog-post_21.html 4) In Kochi, people from Free Software community organized a Freedom Rally http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092158920300.htm Please add more reports, photos etc.. regards, ~vimal

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Programming contest for students
by Vimal Joseph 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

Dear All, As a part of this years Software Freedom Day celebrations<http://space-kerala.org/node/101> SPACE <http://space-kerala.org> have announced a programming contest for the students irrespective of the course they are pursuing. The contest is based on the tutorial maSH - the true story of a shell<http://space-kerala.org/node/102>. Please see the contest page for more information<http://space-kerala.org/node/103> . A cash award of Rs. 5000/- will be awarded to the best coder based on the quality of their code and creativity. Last date for submitting the patches : 25, Oct 2008 thanks and regards, ~vimal -- Free Software, Free Society സ്വതന്ത്ര സോഫ്റ്റ്വെയര്‍, സ്വതന്ത്ര സമൂഹം <http://fsfs.hipatia.net>

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Bengla translation - GPL Violation !
by Arun M 21 Sep '08

21 Sep '08

Indranil informs me that an NGO in WB tried to misappropriate work done by free software community (Ankur Bangla). May be he can put more light on what happened there. > All Available distribution including gNewSense fully supports Tamil. > Even Controversial BOSS GNU/Linux > <http://sankarshan.randomink.org/blog/2008/09/03/what-a-waste-of-talent-and-…> > Supports Tamil well

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[OT] OpenSolaris, SUN-CA at Software Freedom Day Celebration, PICT, Pune
by shirish 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

Hi all, I don't know whether you guys like or don't like people talking about the SFD celebrations in other parts of country or not. (this directed towards FSUG-Bangalore specifically) so in case if people find it in bad taste or something then apologies. I just posted part of what I experienced in PICT, Pune at http://flossexperiences.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/opensolaris-sun-ca-at-sfd-… Reactions, perspectives, opinions, flames, suggestions for improvements all invited :) -- Regards, Shirish Agarwal This email is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ 065C 6D79 A68C E7EA 52B3 8D70 950D 53FB 729A 8B17

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Update on SFD: Team Swatantra - Christ University
by Vikram Vincent 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

Software Freedom Week at Christ University had participants from not only BCA, MCA, MSc-BSc Comp. Science Christ University but also from BMSIT as well. The entire week had students campaigning on the issue in many departments. An unique aspect is that it was primarily led by a dedicated team of girl students. Apart from the GNU/Linux installation session(this will be continued next week too) the "Swatantra Free Culture Showcase<http://swatantra.org/wiki/index.php?title=SwatantraFreeCultureShowcase>" was inaugurated. Christ University's Western Acoustic 'A' band("All the fat children and one malnourished child") entertained the participants while Vineeth performed his beatbox routine. -- Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://swatantra.org/

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Fwd: [FSUG-Bangalore] Essay Competition on Software Freedom for Schools and Colleges in Bangalore.
by Anivar Aravind 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sunil Abraham <sunil(a)mahiti.org> Date: Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 6:58 PM Subject: [FSUG-Bangalore] Essay Competition on Software Freedom for Schools and Colleges in Bangalore. To: Free Software Users Group - Bangalore <fsug-bangalore(a)mm.gnu.org.in> Apologies for using my Mahiti id for this. Also apologies for posting in HTML. Dear Friends, Greetings on the occasion of Software Freedom Day! I am happy to announce that we have just couriered out the posters and a covering letter to a database of Bangalore schools and colleges. I am very grateful for the support and guidance of the FSUG-Bangalore members. Unfortunately we have not yet managed to launch the new CIS website. So the urls are temporary. I will post permanent urls once the site is up...hopefully on Monday. Please download the files and forward to your contacts in the academic sector. With thanks in advance. Best wishes, Sunil Director - Policy Centre for Internet and Society ---- In partnership with Free Software User Group - Bangalore, the Centre for Internet and Society is organising a essay competition for school and college students from Bangalore. The last date for submitting entries is 30th of October 2008. 3 prizes of Rs. 3,000/- each are available for college students. And 3 prizes of Rs. 1,000/- each are available for school students. Poster and Cover Letter Download an electronic copy of the poster <http://www.cis-india.org:8081/cis/advocacy/floss/software-freedom-day/hiran…> and covering letter <http://www.cis-india.org:8081/cis/advocacy/floss/software-freedom-day/cover…> that has been sent to around 350 school and colleges in Bangalore city. Process of Judging Volunteers from the Free Software User Group will together constitute a committee that will anonymously and individual score all entries. The score will be consolidated across judges to determine the final winners. Terms and Conditions Copyright: The copyright of the essay will remain with the participant. License: All submissions will automatically be considered licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 India License. The collective decision of the judges will be considered final. Rules Participants must be bona fide students of a school or college in Bangalore. Word limit for essays is 1200 words. Essays can be submitted either in English or in Kannada. Electronic submission should be in an Open Format [ Text - .txt, Rich Text Format .rtf, Open Document Format .odt, Portable Document Format .pdf] Thanks Free Software Users Group - Bangalore for acting as co-organiser for the competition. Renuka Prasad, Professor, R.V.College of Engineering for the concept, providing leadership and organising the databases of schools and colleges. Anivar Aravind for providing advise and support. Hiran Venugopalan, Engineering Student, for designing the poster. _______________________________________________ FSUG-Bangalore mailing list FSUG-Bangalore(a)mm.gnu.org.in http://mm.gnu.org.in/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fsug-bangalore

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Re: [Fsf-friends] Kattatra Menporul - Book Release - Software Freedom Day - 2008
by Sri Ramadoss M 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

On 21-Sep-08 "Kattatra Menporul" book will be released as part of the following event. * Freedom & Software Meeting* Russian Cultural Center 27 Kasturi Ranga Road, (near Cathedral Road) Chennai-600018 * Date: *21 Sep 2008 *Time:* 4.00 PM * Contact Person:* N Balaji - +91 98407 87427 * URL:* http://www.freedomandsoftware.info/ -- Amachu

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translation of selected essays of RMS to Kannada - celebrating 25th anniversary of GNU project -27th sept 2008
by renuka prasad 20 Sep '08

20 Sep '08

Hi all As part of GNU's 25th anniversary celebration , we are organizing few events 1. Translating Selected Essay of RMS in kannada Language. 2. GNU / Linux Installation Fest. 3. A small party ( cutting cake + other snacks ) I welcome all for this celebration -- interested ones can confirm here itself. For Event 1 . A team of 30 students and 11 faculties are formed and already few professional translators have agreed to review it and many more are joining is there any one who is interested to contribute in any form for any of the events above can reply to this mail as soon as possible ಕನ್ನಡ ಕುಲಬಂಧುಗಳೆ ಬನ್ನಿ ಕನ್ನಡವನ್ನು ಉಳಿಸೋಣ, ಬೆಳೆಸೋಣ, ಹಾಗು ಇಂದಿನ ಮುಕ್ತ ಸಮಾಜದ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಶ್ರಮಿಸೋಣ, ಮುಕ್ತ ತಂತ್ರಾಂಶದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಬಂಧುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅರಿವು ಮೂಡಿಸೋಣ, ನಿಮಗೆ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಇದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮೊಂದಿಗೊಡಗೂಡಿ ರಿಚರ್ಡ್ ಸ್ಟಾಲ್ಮನ್ ರವರ ಪುಸ್ತಕ "Free Software, Free Society: Selected Essays of Richard M. Stallman " ದ ಅನುವಾದ ಕಾರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಿಸೋಣ.

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Kattatra Menporul - Book Release - Software Freedom Day - 2008
by Sri Ramadoss M 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

A book on Free Software Philosophy containing selected essays of Richard M. Stallman is being released in Tamil, as part of Software Freedom Day Celebrations, 2008. *Book Info:* *Name:* Kattatra Menporul *Author:* Richard M. Stallman *Translation by:* Sri Ramadoss M *Published by:* Aazhi Publishers, Kodambakkam, Chennai - 24. Ph: +91 44 43587585 The book will be released as part of following event: Software Freedom Day Celebrations - 2008 *Jaya Engineering College,* Thirunindravur, Chennai. * Date:* 20 Sep 08 *Time:* 9.30 AM * Contact Person:* Sivaji - +91 99415 71690 * URL:* http://jayafossclub.org/ You are cordially invited to attend the event and pass on this message. Lets make it a memorable one. PS: You can also help organizing a release party at your place with GNU/ Linux enthusiasts around. For more details mail us separately. Related Link: http://kanimozhi.org.in/kanimozhi/?p=74 -- Amachu

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Software Freedom Day 2008: Seminar on Language Computing and Free Knowledge
by santhosh Thottingal 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

Software Freedom Day 2008 Seminar on Language Computing and Free Knowledge & INSTALLFEST on 20th September 2008 organised jointly by Swathantra Malayalam Computing(SMC), Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode, & FOSS-CELL;NIT- Calicut Venue: Malabar Christian College Computer Centre Time: 10.00 am to 5.00pm Inaugural Session: Welcome: Dr. Sreejith M.Nair President: Mrs.Gladys PE Isaac,Principal,Malabar Christian College Inauguration: Dr.M.R.Raghava Varrier Software Freedom Day Lecture: Sri. K. H. Hussain Topic: Language, Society and Freedom Software Freedom: An Introduction: Sri. Anivar Aravind Felicitation: Comdr. Percy Mackaden,VSM Vote of Thanks: Dr.K.Rajasekharan Tea Break Session 1: Language Computing Rapporteur: Sri. M.E.Premanand Presentation 1: Language Computing: Current Scenario – Dr. Mahesh Mangalat Presentation 2: Text, Hypertext and New Publishing – Sri. P.P. Ramachandran Presentation 3: Swathanthra malayalam Computing:Mission, Projects and Practice: A Demonstration– Sri. Jaison Nedumpala Lunch Break Session 2: Towards a Knowledge Society Rapporteur: Sri.A.P.M.Rafeeque Presentation1: Introduction to Free Knowledge: Concept Framework and Practice: Sri.Anivar Aravind Presentation 2: Content Licensing and Open Standards:Sri. Hiran Venugopalan Presentation 3: Bridging Digital Divide: The Way Forward: Sri.Shyam Karanatt Tea Break Session 3: Panel Discussion ഭാഷയുടേയും സംസ്കാരത്തിന്റേയും സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യവും ഭാവിയും Moderator: Dr.K.V.Thomas Participants: Sri. Kalpetta Narayanan, Sri.N.P.Rajendran, Sri.P. Suresh, Smt.T.V.Suneetha, Dr.C.J.George Vote of Thanks: Sri.T.M.Raveendran INSTALLFEST is being organized in connection with Software Freedom Day by FOSS-CELL, NIT-Calicut and FSUG-Calicut. INSTALLFEST will be open from 11.30 am to 5.00pm. Various Open Source Operating System distributions and Application Software will be installed free of cost and training will be provided to install and use them. Please bring your CPU/Laptop.

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Microsoft wants to liberate Panchayati Raj System
by CK Raju 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

A document that explains position of Microsoft vis-a-vis Panchayati Raj in India where it wants to liberate the system. For a fine print reading, download http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/b/c/3bc064b6-4dcc-476b-8ee9-e6ca9c… "SWARAJ to liberate Panchayati Raj System" List of Microsoft e-Governance Awardees 2007 Name of the Project Cate gory of Awa rd 1 Meghdoot, Department IT for Service Delivery of Posts 2 DGS&D's e-Tender IT for Efficiency Management System 3 SMS Based Farmer Facilitation Innovation with IT System – Haryana (Directorate of Agriculture) 4 Control Office Automation IT for Functions of National –CRIS Importance 5 Information Kerala Mission IT for Local Self Governance – Kerala 6 Nemmadi–Karnataka IT for Rural Development ===================== Should we have an IKM entry at the International Conference on Free Software at Thiruvananthapuram ? The project is so alive and kicking... CK Raju

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Fwd: Participate in ODF Olympiad for schools
by Anivar Aravind 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jaijit Bhattacharya <Jaijit.Bhattacharya(a)sun.com> Date: Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 2:57 PM Dear All, ODF Olympiad 2008 is open for submissions from Sep 20, 2008 (Software Freedom Day). Your children and their schools can win many prizes and also contribute to reducing the digital divide. For more information, visit www.odfolympiad.org. Please forward this mail to all relevant people and organizations. Thanks and regards Jaijit -- Jaijit Bhattacharya, PhD Director, Government Strategy India and Asia South Sun Microsystems India Pvt. Ltd. The Capital Court, Olof Palme Marg, 5th Floor, R Wing, Munirka New Delhi - 110 067 Direct: (91) 11 4219 1089 Board Number: (91) 11 4219 1100 Fax: (91) 11 2616 0928 Email: jaijit.bhattacharya(a)sun.com Open Document Format is an important standard for ensuring computer literacy and is fundamental to enabling computer education globally. ODF is easy to learn and anyone who has used any presentation software can immediately start using ODF software such as OpenOffice.org, StarOffice, IBM Symphony etc. We, along with IIT Delhi, Knowledge Commons, IOTA (Government of West Bengal), MAMPU (Government of Malaysia), JNU, IIM Ahmedabad and other organizations are conducting the ODF Olympiad 2008. ODF Olympiad tests the proficiency of school students in their usage of basic computers. The students are required to submit presentations using ISO complaint ODF format on specific topics which will be evaluated by an eminent jury based on specific parameters. Participate in the ODF Olympiad' 2008- an open standard inter-city contest to win : Participation Certificate for All Attractive prizes for 3 winners in each category Silver Plaque for school of the winner in each Category Prestigious ODF Olympiad Trophy for the winning School Software Freedom Trophy for inter-country winning School ODF Olympiad is open to students from all countries. Submissions for ODF Olympiad will be open from September 20th which is the Software Freedom Day. I would request you to encourage your children and their schools to participate in ODF Olympiad 2008 For details & submissions log on to: www.odfolympiad.org

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Fwd: A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation?
by Anivar Aravind 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

My mail is not appearing in the list archive Posting it again ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Anivar Aravind <anivar.aravind(a)gmail.com> Date: Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:02 PM Subject: A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation? To: Principal Support List of FSF-India <fsf-friends(a)mm.gnu.org.in> Cc: rms(a)gnu.org, "Nagarjuna G." <nagarjun(a)gnowledge.org>, "Nagarjuna G." <nagarjunag(a)gmail.com> Today I came to know about an event called freedom and software happening in Chennai on 21st September through a blog. The event website is a google site http://sites.google.com/site/freedomandsoftware/ Most of the friends participating are our friends. But this mail is for some clarifications The invitation text says following <quote> M. Subramanian - The Mayor, N. Ram - Editor, The Hindu, Debesh Das - Minister of Information Technology, West Bengal, Kiran Chandra - Director, Free Software Foundation India & Prabir Purkayastha - Secretary, Delhi Science Forum, have been confirmed to be the panel of speakers. The objective of the event will be the launch of the project for the development of a Tamil Version of the GNU/ Linux operating system. The launch will be made by the Mayor, M.Subramanian. The project will be developed by engineering students with able technical support from the IT professionals & professors, and infrastructural support by the entrepreneurs. The logo and caption for the Free Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu will be launched by Mr. N. Ram. The event will be attended by the IT professionals, Entrepreneurs, Researchers and professors of reputed colleges, from all over the country and the registration will be open to all, so you can bring all your friends as well. There will be no entry fee for the same. </quote> My questions are Following 1.Is this event anyway related with Free Software Foundation? 2. This news is not announced in any Free Software Mailing lists, like FSF-Friends, FSF-Tn(http://mm.gnu.org.in//pipermail/fsf-tn/) ILUG Chennai etc . It is not announced yet in gnu.org.in also. Why This much secrecy around this? 3.. The above invitation text says "logo and caption for the Free Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu will be launched" in the function. Is FSF India decided to start regional FSFs? If yes why this is organising in a a secret maner? 3. The Invitation text says "The objective of the event will be the launch of the project for the development of a Tamil Version of the GNU/ Linux operating system", why there is a need of another distribution when tamil is well supported in most of the upstream distributions? . Let it be the work of Tamil Localisation groups. 4. The contacts provided in the website contact page is not at all familiar in Free Software Community. And There is no information on who is organising this event. On a quick checkup with friends in Chennai, they says it is an event Organised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) . Thats why the secrecy. I don't have a problem in a political party supporting free software cause. But If it is the case i am very suspicious on following points 1. The exclusion of the Free Software Movement in Chennai in Organising it, 2. Creating a body with power structure before Contributing anything . I dont think a free software Foundation is not needed for releasing a Localised GNU/Linux Distribution 3. Secrecy in whole process of a Public event I am expecting a reply from FSF India on this Anivar

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Fwd: A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation?
by Anivar Aravind 19 Sep '08

19 Sep '08

Posting this reply to list . mailman seems to be behaving strangely. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Nagarjuna G. <nagarjun(a)gnowledge.org> Date: Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:44 PM Subject: Re: A CPIM Hijack of Free Software Foundation? To: Anivar Aravind <anivar.aravind(a)gmail.com> Cc: Principal Support List of FSF-India <fsf-friends(a)mm.gnu.org.in>, rms(a)gnu.org we have asked for a clarification from the organizers. FSF India is not informed by the organizers themselves. Nagarjuna On Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:02 PM, Anivar Aravind <anivar.aravind(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Today I came to know about an event called freedom and software > happening in Chennai on 21st September through a blog. > The event website is a google site > http://sites.google.com/site/freedomandsoftware/ Most of the friends > participating are our friends. But this mail is for some > clarifications > > The invitation text says following > > <quote> > M. Subramanian - The Mayor, N. Ram - Editor, The Hindu, Debesh Das - > Minister of Information Technology, West Bengal, Kiran Chandra - > Director, Free Software Foundation India & Prabir Purkayastha - > Secretary, Delhi Science Forum, have been confirmed to be the panel of > speakers. > > The objective of the event will be the launch of the project for the > development of a Tamil Version of the GNU/ Linux operating system. The > launch will be made by the Mayor, M.Subramanian. The project will be > developed by engineering students with able technical support from the > IT professionals & professors, and infrastructural support by the > entrepreneurs. > > The logo and caption for the Free Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu will > be launched by Mr. N. Ram. > > The event will be attended by the IT professionals, Entrepreneurs, > Researchers and professors of reputed colleges, from all over the > country and the registration will be open to all, so you can bring all > your friends as well. There will be no entry fee for the same. > </quote> > > My questions are Following > > 1.Is this event anyway related with Free Software Foundation? > > 2. This news is not announced in any Free Software Mailing lists, > like FSF-Friends, FSF-Tn(http://mm.gnu.org.in//pipermail/fsf-tn/) ILUG > Chennai etc . It is not announced yet in gnu.org.in also. Why This > much secrecy around this? > > 3.. The above invitation text says "logo and caption for the Free > Software Foundation, Tamil Nadu will be launched" in the function. Is > FSF India decided to start regional FSFs? If yes why this is > organising in a a secret maner? > > 3. The Invitation text says "The objective of the event will be the > launch of the project for the development of a Tamil Version of the > GNU/ Linux operating system", why there is a need of another > distribution when tamil is well supported in most of the upstream > distributions? . Let it be the work of Tamil Localisation groups. > > 4. The contacts provided in the website contact page is not at all > familiar in Free Software Community. And There is no information on > who is organising this event. > > On a quick checkup with friends in Chennai, they says it is an event > Organised by Communist Party of India (Marxist) . Thats why the > secrecy. I don't have a problem in a political party supporting free > software cause. But If it is the case i am very suspicious on > following points > 1. The exclusion of the Free Software Movement in Chennai in Organising it, > 2. Creating a body with power structure before Contributing anything . > I dont think a free software Foundation is not needed for releasing a > Localised GNU/Linux Distribution > 3. Secrecy in whole process of a Public event > > I am expecting a reply from FSF India on this > > Anivar > -- Nagarjuna G. http://www.gnowledge.org/

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Fwd: 3 days left: 10 languages in danger in D-I (D-I string freeze status)
by Praveen A 18 Sep '08

18 Sep '08

Can anyone help complete Bengali translations. About 50 strings only need to be completed for it to be available of lenny installer. Thanks Praveen ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Christian Perrier <bubulle(a)debian.org> Date: 2008/9/18 Subject: 3 days left: 10 languages in danger in D-I (D-I string freeze status) To: debian-i18n(a)lists.debian.org, debian-boot(a)lists.debian.org 3 days left before the end of the string freeze NEW for today: Slovenian completed for sublevels 1-3 Ukrainian completed for sublevels 1-3 Catalan back to full 100% Big progress for Macedonian Languages meeting the release criteria: 50 ------------------------------------------ Already activated and complete for level 1: 44 Arabic, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech, German, Dzongkha, Greek, Esperanto, Spanish, Basque, Finnish, French, Galician, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Croatian, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Georgian, Khmer, Korean, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian Bokmål, Nepali, Dutch, Norwegian Nynorsk, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese Already activated and complete for sublevels 1 and 2: 6 Belarusian, Irish, Kurdish, Punjabi, Slovenian, Ukrainian, Wolof Not yet activated languages complete for sublevels 1 and 2: 0 Languages failing to meet the release criteria: 23 -------------------------------------------------- Activated languages: 10 Amharic, Bengali, Bosnian, Danish, Estonian, Latvian, Macedonian, Northern Sami, Albanian, Tagalog Not yet activated languages: 13 Afrikaans, Welsh, Persian, Armenian, Icelandic, Kazakh, Kannada, Malagasy, Malay, Serbian, Telugu, Urdu, Xhosa (chances to get these in lenny are quite low) If your language is listed in "failing to meet the release criteria", please do not scream out. For many of these languages, only very few translated strings are missing and the needed update is very small. But, still, do your best for this to happen. The D-I i18n documentation is available at http://d-i.alioth.debian.org/doc/i18n/ -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAkjR5cUACgkQ1OXtrMAUPS1ybgCfWzZIp98ADco0/VKLOTx0qkhb xL8An0XCCihyVKK2RaEe/YZu0omfVVUc =rHJW -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- 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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Festival for Free and Open Source Software
by Omshivaprakash H L 17 Sep '08

17 Sep '08

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Gnu/Linux Habba @ Mysore - Register today
by Omshivaprakash H L 17 Sep '08

17 Sep '08

GNU/Linux has long been branded as an operating system used by geeks. The freedom the free software comes with is also arguably more apparent to geeky users than the normal computer users. But on Sunday, 21st September, 2008, geeks, non-geeks, users and fans of GNU/Linux are getting together at the auditorium of Physics Department, Mysore University to share with you information on this wonderful world of Free Software (Free as in Freedom) and GNU/Linux. They will explain you what the freedom in software is about and will introduce you to GNU/Linux. We invite computer users to take part in the festivities celebrating GNU/Linux and free software (free as in freedom) where volunteers would not only show you the applications you could use to do your day to day computing on GNU/Linux, but also help you install GNU/Linux on your laptop if you bring one. Free software is not essentially free as in "Free Beer", but gives you the freedom to change the software that you received or paid for. If you are frustrated with Viruses on your computer running a proprietary software, here's your chance to break free from it. GNU/Linux Habba was started in Bangalore with its first edition in April this year by volunteers of Sampada Community (http://sampada.net) to not only spread the word about free software, but also to introduce GNU/Linux to the non-technical computer users. The first edition organized at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore received tremendous response with more than 377 registrations running up to the event. Many participants installed GNU/Linux on their Desktops/Laptops and learnt how to use Kannada on it. From NGOs to Public sector officials keen to learn more about GNU/Linux - many people participated in the event. Following the success of the first edition, the group of volunteers behind the event decided to extend the festival to other cities in Karnataka, starting with Mysore. The second edition of GNU/Linux Habba (http://habba.in) will be on 21st September, 2008 at Physics Department, University of Mysore. *GNU/Linux* - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU/Linux *Free Software* - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software *GNU/Linux Habba* – http://habba.in *Sampada Community* – http://sampada.net -- -- "A well-directed imagination is the source of great deeds" -- With Best Regards, Omshivaprakash.H.L | ಓಂ ಶಿವಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ಎಚ್. ಎಲ್ | ॐ शिवप्रकाश् एच्. एल् Website : http://www.techfiz.info Blog : http://platonic.techfiz.info Phone: 91- 9902026518 AIM : fizworks ICQ : 265216744 IRC : #techfiz server: irc.freenode.net channel: #linux-india #ubuntu-in #gnu-india #kannada

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To hell with Yechury's opinion on Free Software, CPI-M (W Bengal) is with Microsoft.
by CK Raju 17 Sep '08

17 Sep '08

Part I ==== "With the support of MORD and MIT , Govt of India, the P&RD Dept, Govt of West Bengal computerised 18 ZPs,92 Panchayat Samities and 382 Gram Panchayats as on 30/04/2007 With the support from UNDP under ICTD project the WBSRDA in P&RD Dept has a plan to cover 20 Panchayat Samities and 50 Gram Panchayats of Burdwan district by 2005-06 where Integrated Fund Monitoring and Accounting Systems will be installed at PS and Gram Panchayat Management System will be installed. Moreover 34GPs in 4 Panchayat Samities( AusgramI, Galsi I, Galsi II and BurdwanII) of Burdwan dist will generate their GIS maps for decision support system in plnning and monitoring of various development programmes. So far in Burdwan district 106GPs and 31 Panchayat Samitis could be computerised. The DRISTI pilot project has been awarded the Microsoft e-Governance Award 2006 on 28th September for the Excellent activities in promotion of Local Self Government..." Details at http://wbprd.gov.in/html/asp/news_show.asp?newsnum=001 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part II ==== "...The project involved expansion of existing PC infrastructure to ensure that software such as the Gram Panchayat Management System (GPMS), Integrated Fund Monitoring and Accounting System (IFMAS) and Rural Household Survey (RHS) could be installed and accessed quickly and efficiently by all Panchayati Raj institutions. A key mandate for this undertaking was to ensure that the planned infrastructure should not be impacted by rural environment conditions such as dust and power irregularities..." Details at http://www.infoworld.com/news/feeds/08/09/15/West-Bengal-govt-and-AMD-compl… ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This should be the era of a neo-liberal Buddha. Cheers, CK Raju Kharagpur

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Fsf-friends September 2008