From: Ramanraj K ramanraj@md4.vsnl.net.in
Fredrick Noronha and many have been suggesting micro-grants, and others kinds of fundings for free software projects. RMS mooted Software Tax. The free software code base is public wealth, and it is fair to expect governments to become the major source of funds and grants, that could be disbursed to deserving projects through FSF or other responsible institutions through the device of assignments.
Frankly, I was a bit surprised to see my name being mentioned in this debate, because I had not given any serious thought as such to it earlier. My suggestion flowed out of my attempts to convince friends at Sarai.net (which were eventually successful) to support the Free Software development process, by offering microgrants to students willing to work on the same. As such, it was more a immediate response to Sarai's willingness to do something, and the students' obvious need to get that little support, that could make a big difference.
Now that you've made me think about it, a few more inputs:
* More than the governments (which drag their feet, and act slowly, more as a response to pressure groups and lobbies or crises), we need to look at other institutions for funding support.
* Groups like Unesco already have a Free Software Portal in France. In ICT4D (information communication technologies for development) debates held in India, by organisations like the UNDP, which I got caught up in due to by BytesForAll.org affiliation, the issue has come up repeatedly.
* Now, a whole lot of organisations -- including controversial ones like the World Bank -- and other international donors have got clued on into the debate, and are willing to support FLOSS (Free/Libre and Open Source Software). The latest is the IOSN network in Malaysia, which is currently being managed by a talented young man from Bangalore, Sunil Abraham from Mahiti.org (not the government organisation with the similar name).
* What we don't see happening is enough developers taking advantage of these supports, applying for projects that could well do with the support and has a genuine social need (not just because the money is available). On the other hand, a number of NGOs are quick to realise the potential, and jump onto the ICT4D bandwaggon. While I don't have anything per se against NGOs, and rather view them by what they do, it is rather sad that not many developers are taking the support which is there for the asking.
* Friends in Kerala built up one Malayalam font with APDIP help, prior to the setting up of the IOSN.net network. Anyway, we need to look to other areas too, besides international UN-related organisations, and donor organisations. Of course, we all would not like the Free Software movement to just turn into another NGO and lose its voluntary spirit; but if help comes without strings then it could go to support the young people who need it and have a lot to contribute.
We also need to be lobbying more actively with governments (both Central and State), bureaucrats (see the e-gov-india network on yahoogroups), organisations like Sarai.net which are willing to support this work and realise the potential of Free Software, university organisations, Commonwealth bodies to promote education, and all possible quarters.
On behalf of BytesForAll.org, I can assure our support -- since I am personally committed to this idea -- in promoting the attempt to build links between (i) techies (ii) the ICT4D network (iii) NGOs who could and should be end-users of Free Software and its promoters in a big way, except that they don't seem to understand what the issue is all about or just take the easy way out and (iv) academia which could really put this agenda on the intellectual agenda.
But we are just one volunteer and unfunded (by design) organisation; even if with a wide readership. What we need is more people pushing for these links to happen. It could really help to quicken the speed of change. FN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Frederick Noronha (FN) Nr Convent Saligao 403511 Goa India Freelance Journalist P: 832-2409490 M: 9822122436 http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks http://fn.swiki.net http://www.ryze.com/go/fredericknoronha http://fn-floss.notlong.com =============================================================================