,----[Anand Babu wrote: ] |,----[ Ramanraj K ramanraj.k@gmail.com ] || [ Re: Workshop on TRIPS Treaty and Computer Programs at UoM ] || participants may be people totally new to free software. We have || received about 100 Ubuntu CD sets, which we will distribute to the || participants to introduce them to free software. |`---- | Though Ubuntu team did a very nice job, they call their distribution | (operating system) as Linux and not as GNU/Linux. It concerns me to | promote them. `----
The outer wrapper has the picture of three charming persons holding each other, arm to arm in support, forming the Ubuntu circle that clearly depicts the core free software philosophy of sharing and "humanity towards others", as graphically as possible, and the fine print in the midst of all this says: "free linux software" and "ubuntu - linux for human beings". On the reverse, "Ubuntu" and "Free and Open Source Software" are the prominent headings giving further details about both. But, there must be many who miss the big picture, and for their benefit, I wish Ubuntu accepts your request.
One of the founders of the Ubunu project is Lorenzo, an old member of the FSF/GNU Project webmasters board, who appears to have "converted" now. http://www.ubuntulinux.org/wiki/LorenzoHernandezGarciaHierro
Free Software movement includes all our Open Source friends, who prefer calling GNU/Linux merely as "Linux". I strongly advocate use of "Free Software" terminology particularly in legal documents and wherever accuracy, correctness, truth, and validity are extremely important and crucial. But, "FOSS", "Free and Open Source Software" terminology have been given currency by many people in the free software movement, and there is little point in objecting to use of that terminology. If anyone is really concerned about it, they would probably first try convincing some of the people who sit on FSF Award Selection Committees, FSF working groups, many of whom I know to be *actively promoting* use of "Linux", "Open Source", FOSS Terminology and *severely critical* of "GNU/Linux" and "Free Software". Using "Open Source" people or resources when it is convenient, but attacking them at other times is likely to be seen as hipocracy rather than any sincere faith in Free Software philosophy.
Recognising our "Open Source" friends as those providing drive and momentum to Free Software will help in avoiding needless issues and make it easier to avail their assistance to take the free software movement forward.