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Re: [Bytesforall_Readers] Understanding Free/Libre and Open Source Software (or, FLOSS) (fwd)
by Frederick Noronha 03 Nov '02

03 Nov '02

Below is an excerpt from a debate that happened on BytesForAll (a network that some of us in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka helped set up). I think what Tapan Parikh says is fascinating. Am sharing it with you guys at FSF. We need to more effectively network NGOs (or not-for-profits, developers and ITforDevelopment circuits). As of now, we're working in concentric circles, it would seem. FN PS: Satish Jha is of digitalpartners.org. Tapan Parikh is a US-returned expat (in his twenties, idealistic, currently forming a team around the EkGaon, literally One Village, network). ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Free software is not about policy makers, not about heads of 100 million dollar "information service" systems, not about NGOs or Development or, even to a certain degree - about users even. It is about programmers. I program in free software because I enjoy programming in free software. I like seeing the insides and the source code of the libraries I am working with and linking with. I like the insight I get from seeing other peoples code, being able to understand how it does (or doesnt) work. This is very important as this source code will end up being a large part of the application I eventually compile and distribute. And I prefer free over open source because I dont want any legal hassles, and Open Source is a vague enough concept so that I cant understand what I can and cannot do with that source. With Free Software, with GPL software, there is no such question. Call it a programmers view of safe sex. The quality of the product is unquestionable. Seems a lot of people are, whatever Mr. Jha's reservations, choosing to use free software. Does www.digitalpartners.org run on Apache? If it doesnt, it should. As any of us with the brains and experience to know anything can easily tell you - IIS sucks. There are many other examples. So all with the power to do so please choose, and choose wisely. If you look at the situation objectively, I am sure you will realize that in the year 2002 for the optimal solution of any companies business and other needs - a large part of that will be served by what we now call Free Software. But dont presume to understand or impose outdated, skeptical and fundamental economic theories upon a system you fundamentally dont understand. Because to really understand, you have to start with the basic premise - first and foremost, free software is by and for programmers. All else is incidental, and we can see the power of the incidental even now, and this wonderful conference by the vaunted InfoDev falls into just this category - incidental. (Sorry to be so late, I am a bit slow in connectivity nowadays.) -- Tapan On Sun, 20 Oct 2002 00:54:09 +0530 (IST) Frederick Noronha <fred(a)bytesforall.org> wrote: > On Sat, 19 Oct 2002 sjha(a)vsnl.com wrote: > > open source is good, free software?????.... > > i am not closed to linux or open source. i am closed to "free". good > > that sunil has clarified his perspective and i am with that. open > > source- yes. free software as in free beer-- no!! > > This argument is premised on a basic misconception of Free > Software. Going by the reporting of Mr Jha below, one can see > surfacing many of the fears of people grown on a generation of > copyright-restricted software, loaded concepts like 'software piracy' > and profiteering from blocking access to others information/code. > > It's time to perhaps rethink fundamentals. > > Below is a note from RMS (Richard M Stallman), the Founder of the Free > Software Foundation. It was written in the context of the Washington > conference itself, and I take the liberty of reproducing it below. If > people like Stallman were around, perhaps there would be less scope > for such a fundamental confusion of issues. FN > > PS: There's a difference between Linux and GNU/Linux too... > > PPS: I know young coders who have totally changed their way of > thinking after reading Stallman's 2001 biography from O'Reiley. Trying > to get a copy in time for his Nov 2002 visit to India (it might happen > the same month that Bill Gates comes too ;-) > -- > Frederick Noronha * Freelance Journalist * Goa * India 832.409490 / > 409783 BYTESFORALL www.bytesforall.org * GNU-LINUX > http://linuxinindia.pitas.com > Email fred(a)bytesforall.org * Mobile +9822 122436 (Goa) * Saligao Goa > India Writing with a difference... on what makes *the* difference > > From RICHARD M STALLMAN > > From rms(a)gnu.org .... > > Tony Stanco invited me to speak at the conference in October, but I > felt obliged to refuse. The reason is that it is presented solely as > an "open source" conference. My participating in it would encourage > people to think I am a supporter of the Open Source Movement. A > number of other people from the Free Software Movement are also > declining to participate, for the same reason. > > Since 1984, the Free Software Movement has championed users' freedom > to share and change the software they use. This is an ethical and > social issue, not just a technical and practical one. We developed > the GNU operating system so that users could have freedom. > > In the 1990s, millions of users began using our free software, and > many of them appreciated its practical benefits but not the ethical > and social benefits. In 1998, some of them founded the Open Source > Movement. This movement cites only the practical advantages of being > able to share and change software, and studiously avoids presenting > this as a question of right and wrong. This may seem like a subtle > point, but actually it is a fundamental difference in basic values. > As a result, the statements of the two movements are as different as > night and day. (Contrast http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/ with > http://www.opensource.org/ and you'll see.) > > The Open Source Movement has had a lot of publicity, which often > labels our work as "open source". An article in New Scientist this > year even said that I founded the Open Source Movement. The result of > this confusion is that the Free Software Movement and its views are > often hidden behind the Open Source Movement. We've learned to be > wary of participating in events that would put the "open source" label > on us. > > I asked Tony Stanco to please make this event an "open source and free > software" event, and thus make room for our movement as well as the > other, but he said the event's sponsors were unwilling. Do you think > you might be able to convince them to make room for us? > > See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html for > more explanation of the difference between the two movements. By the > way, the operating system isn't really "Linux", either. > > _______________________________________________ > Bytesforall_Readers mailing list > Bytesforall_Readers(a)mail.sarai.net > https://mail.sarai.net/mailman/listinfo/bytesforall_readers

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NEWS-INDIA: Global guru of code, Stallman, visits Goa this week
by Frederick Noronha 03 Nov '02

03 Nov '02

GLOBAL GURU OF CODE, STALLMAN, VISITS GOA THIS WEEK PANJIM, Nov 3: In a surprise and unexpected development, one of the most influential personalities worldwide in today's hacker culture, Dr Richard M. Stallman, will pay a special visit to Goa this week as part of his three-destination visit to India. Stallman's visit is, in large part, tribute to Goa's active and growing GNU/Linux movement, a three-year old voluntary network of 180+ members, that is also involved in supporting a GNU/Linux-In-Schools initiative. Of all Indian states, Goa also has the highest per capita number of registered GNU/Linux users, according to the international Linux Counter. Youngsters in Goa have been writing 'Free' code -- ranging from small utilities to complete library management solutions that have got noticed as far away as in distant Brazil. Stallman (49), the controversial founder of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), is a brilliant coder and MacArthur "genius grant" recipient who single-handedly launched the movement that threatens to beat Microsoft by radically changing the rules of the software game. In a nutshell, Stallman believes that software must be free -- not in the sense of being available for nothing -- but free to be copied, modified, distributed, shared, and fixed. His recent trip took him to Bangalore. After Goa (Nov 5-7) he flies on to Delhi. On Nov 6, he speaks at the Farmagudi-based Goa College of Engineering. In Bangalore, Stallman has spoken at IT.com, addressed the Computer Society of India and lectured at the IIIT-B on the dangers of software patents. 'Wired', the international IT journal, quoted Stallman saying: "I'm working to make software free and make computers free. That's my job." Stallman earlier worked at the Artificial Intelligence Lab at the prestigious MIT. In the mid-'80s, Stallman resigned from MIT to prevent the institute from laying claim to the growing GNU project. Unlike commercial software, which is proprietary, free-software programmers don't have to solve the same problems over and over. They keep improving on the work that came before, like the scientific method. Goa has three GNU/Linux user groups that meet regularly in Panjim, Margao and Farmaguddi. It also has an Internet-based e-list that keeps everyone networked daily. Some of the smartest programmers in the world revere this man, and his fans in Goa are eagerly looking forward to his visit. His biographer Sam Williams (author of "Free as in Freedom") says: "Nobody but Richard could have had the patience, and the stubbornness, and the will to build something this big. There are other people writing free software, but he's the one that made it an issue. He's the one that provided the initial gravitation that everybody else could gather around." Tim Berners-Lee, creator of the World Wide Web, has said: "Richard was the first to take up what is now a very important battle...He was an early, lone voice warning of how the concept of software intellectual property could undermine, rather than support, the programmer." Says Ashutosh Naik, a Goan studying engineering in Belgaum: "The RMS visit is going to be a great achievement. Wish it was November 6 tomorrow." Trilok Kumar commented: "I would like to confirm my presence at the meeting (at Farmaguddi) to meet this great man." In Goa too, Free Software is used in some government institutions, engineering colleges and increasingly even on desktops. Its proponents say it would infact enable youngsters to find productive employment for their skills, and additionally make software both more affordable and relevant to local needs. (ENDS)

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Fwd: Free software
by klak＠giasbm01.vsnl.net.in 02 Nov '02

02 Nov '02

-- Khuzaima A. Lakdawala

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Malayalam translation of the GNU GPL
by Mahesh T Pai 01 Nov '02

01 Nov '02

Hi!! all, The unofficial, not yet final version of the Malayalam translation of the GNU GPL is at http://in.geocities.com/paivakil/freecommunity. It is available in 7 formats - phew!! and for true WISIWUS effects, (what I see is what you see) view the slide show in jpeg format. Do remember to point out typos, and better wordings - it is not yet final. Regards, Mahesh T Pai.

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regarding the Akruti Fonts
by Sayamindu Dasgupta 31 Oct '02

31 Oct '02

Hi all, Work has started on the Akruti Bengali fonts, and Dr Anirban Mitra <mitra_anirban(a)yahoo.co.in> has already developed a beta OTF using the glyphs. The GPOS tables are still incomplete, and some of the yuktakshars are still missing. I will upload the fonts asap in the download sections at www.nongnu.org/freebangfont/ -regards- sdg

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Fwd: [smc-devel] Re: [malayalamlinux] Looking for Malayalam Unicode text
by baiju 31 Oct '02

31 Oct '02

Mahesh T Pai has completed an unofficial translation of GNU Public License : http://in.geocities.com/paivakil/freecommunity Regards, Baiju M ---------- Forwarded Message ---------- Subject: [smc-devel] Re: [malayalamlinux] Looking for Malayalam Unicode text Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 14:02:42 +0530 From: Mahesh T Pai <paivakil(a)vsnl.net> To: Rajkumar S <raj(a)linuxense.com>, smc-devel(a)nongnu.org Rajkumar S wrote: > Hello, > > > Any one having some Malayalam Unicode text? Try it on the GPL. Here it is Rajkumar had posted the original message to malayalamlinux(a)yahoogroups.com, but since it has moved to smc-devel@nongnu, my reply comes to this group. Hope it is all right. This is how I created this file. Original was file created in iLeap, and 'saved as' ISCII text from .lp2 format. From ISCII format, it converted to varamozhi text. (athaayathu ithu pOle). From varamozhi text, converted to unicode, using varamozhi. Varamozhi is not able to convert direct from ISCII to unicode - it hangs on win98. The Malayalam translation of the GPL will go on line at http://in.geocities.com/paivakil/freecommunity within a few hours definitely before 00.00 hours, November 1. With regards, Mahesh T Pai. -------------------------------------------------------

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NEWS: Stallman at IITB... dangers of software patents
by Frederick Noronha 31 Oct '02

31 Oct '02

Message: 1 From: "Srinath S" <sri(a)iiitb.ac.in> To: <Indic-computing-users(a)lists.sourceforge.net> Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:41:09 +0530 Subject: [Indic-computing-users] Richard Stallman on the Dangers of Software Patents Dear All, I'm sorry that I have been a dormant member of Indic-computing list. There is very little I can contribute to Indic computing per se. In case you are interested, Richard Stallman (of GNU fame) is giving a speech on the Danger of Software Patents at IIIT Bangalore on Nov 2nd. The talk is between 11:30 -- 13:00 hrs. You can register for the talk at this URL http://osl.iiitb.ac.in/stallman-register.php Hope this would be of help in your research and your projects. Best Regards Srinath Srinivasa Faculty member IIIT-B

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(no subject)
by Frederick Noronha 31 Oct '02

31 Oct '02

Can we post a more detailed update to the various mailing lists. One confirmation: Goa should read Nov 5 evening-Nov 7 noon (not 6-7). Talk on Nov 6 at 4 pm, Goa Engineering College, Farmaguddi, Ponda. Also planning an interaction with Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the CM. FN PS: We need to be publicising this early. Can friends from Bangalore give an update of programmes there too? * * * * * * * * * * * This is from the fsf-friends mailing list.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Stallman is visiting India. He will be in Bangalore from 31st to 5th. On 31st he is giving a talk organised by CSI. The venue is JN Tata Auditorium Indian Institute of Science Bangalore. Time; 14.45 to 15.45 hrs. On Nov 1st he will be talking at IT.com (I guess in Palace grounds) He will e at Goa from Nov 6th and 7th and will be giving talks at engineering colleges. Venue to be decided. So mark your calenders and plan to attend them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Regards, Amol Hatwar --__--__--

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IT @ School Project
by Vimal Joseph 30 Oct '02

30 Oct '02

Hello List There are obvious errors in the article about free software in the malayalam text book of 8th Std IT@School Project. The errors may have crept during the translation of the English text to Malayalam. But it cannot be allowed to happen because if allowed to, it would convey a wrong interpretation about free software amongst the students/teachers/other persons. The exact malayalam text in mnglish Line 15 : Ennal panam kodukkate mikacha software aarkkum nalkunna oru prasthanam undu. Athanu free software foundation. Free software prasthanathile prashastharaya 2 peranu richard stallman um Linus Torvaldsum <English Translation> There is a movement which gives best software to anyone without taking money, that is Free Software Foundation. Two famous names in the free software foundation are Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds. </English Translation> (Information technology 1, malayalam version, page 25) It also didn't mention anything about freedom and sharing. The English version is OK. The exact English text Free Software Foundation ------------------------ Many of the software available today are proprietary in the sense that they are actually owned by the manufacturing companies. It is illegal and hence punishable by law to copy them or share them with others. Also, the companies do not generally disclose the underlying code or the method of development of these software. So we have to buy these software at a high cost and also forced to buy the updates the companies bring out from time to time. So, there is a periodic expenditure in maintaining the computer up to date. "Free Software" is a solution to these problems. Such software developed by the Free Software Foundation can be copied, shared or modified. So, they can be acquired at a low cost, even free of cost sometimes. The movement was founded by Richard Stallman. Another name to note is that of Linus Torvalds. (Information Technology 1, English version, Page 25) The authorities at IT@School are saying that they will convert to more free software. But I do not think it will ever happen. If one looks at the text books for 8th Std, this becomes quite evident. One would doubt whether it is a text book or some advertising supplement of Microsoft and Intel. Wherever there is a picture of a microprocessor, it is an Intel Pentium chip. The chapter on software packages shows a logo of Windows XP. The chapter on wordprocessing shows a logo of Microsoft Word 2000... Should this be allowed ? This has to be fixed..... -- Vimal

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e-Governance
by CK Raju 30 Oct '02

30 Oct '02

I presented a paper on the social fairness of software at the just concluded 34th Regional Science Conference at Thrissur. The core theme is attached herewith for remarks and suggestions from members of this list. I deliberately avoided the terminology of 'Free Software' as the audience had been economists and planning experts. CK Raju

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