Hello everybody, The media in Kerala is always keen in attacking Free Sostware especially GNU/Linux. Today one of the (mis)leading newspaper, viz Malayala Manorama came up with a "striking discovery" about the reason why IT at School failed. The author P.Kishore has some very interesting findings. The deterioration that caused IT is due to "Swathanthra Software". Yesterday also there was a report on Linux but it was not directly dealt with "Swathanthra software". He(reporter) has also concern about the "Project Shiksha" of Microsoft. Today a half page editorial is against Free Software. The motivation behind such reports is not clear but I believe that it's part of the politics.I think these matters have an adverse effect on the public about Swathanthra Software especially in the occassion of Stallman's visit and WSF. regards Manilal
Manilal wrote:
Today one of the (mis)leading newspaper, viz Malayala Manorama came up with a "striking discovery" about the reason
I read that article, it mearly exposes the hypocrisy of VS Achutanandan and CPM, wrt Free Software. He runs windows in his laptop and All CPM's web server runs on Windows, but talks about free software.
raj
Rajkumar S posts:
I read that article, it mearly exposes the hypocrisy of VS Achutanandan and CPM, wrt Free Software. He runs windows in his laptop and All CPM's web server runs on Windows, but talks about free software
Now that things stand exposed, we have to help them shift over completely to GNU/Linux. We have to educate them about GNU/Linux and say that Free software is not about Free Masala Dosas, tell them about the signal hiding underneath the clutter. Free the Citizens!
The Opposition should not be allowed to escape by saying that they were not advised properly on technological issues when they were in power. The present Antony Govt. has inherited what the Opposition had passed along. The Corporation of Cochin (ruled by the CPI (M)) here has gone in for massive computerization using Windows software, everybody is interested in the `purchase angle'.
If the use of Windows is something a politician can be criticized for, then it is a good thing that the newspapers are doing. I completely agree with what Raj has said here. We should instead write to the Editor of `Malayala Manorama' thanking him for this fine expose.
On Fri, Jan 16, 2004 at 06:52:42AM +0530, Raghavendra Bhat wrote:
If the use of Windows is something a politician can be criticized for, then it is a good thing that the newspapers are doing. I completely agree with what Raj has said here. We should instead write to the Editor of `Malayala Manorama' thanking him for this fine expose.
Malayala Manorama may not be good in many things. Its not the issue here.
This news really deserve some appreciation. Its a proof for politicians, saying one thing and doing some thing else. Poor Politicians, now the press/media is so active that they need more forest to hide.
Relevant Saying: My life is my message - Mahatma Gandhiji
Regards
On Fri, Jan 16, 2004 at 09:52:32AM +0530, Rajkumar S wrote:
FSF Board can get an appointment with VS and offer him the help to shift over. That will be a good strategy to win them over!
Before that check whether his system supports GNU/Linux. He could have bought a laptop with GNU/Linux pre-installed.
Regards
Raghavendra Bhat wrote:
We should instead write to the Editor of `Malayala Manorama' thanking him ...
The media reaches out to millions of people every day, and if they could present facts, as they are, to the public, it would be a great boon and benefit to all concerned. Presenting the free software movement in correct light will increase use of free software, and possibly attract better talents towards the movement.
The Financial Express, which is part of the Indian Express group appears to have published http://fecolumnists.expressindia.com/full_column.php?content_id=22247 an article some time back, using the word Dick to refer to the founder of the Free Software Movement which is inappropriate. While the press has freedom to report using language it thinks fit, it does not extend to freaking on important news or publishing crude articles. Of course, we could ignore such news items as not worth our attention or time, but the press does reach out to the public at large, and therefore, some concern needs to be shown when such issues crop up.
Indian Express web site uses PHP which is compiled ideally with gcc and make. Indian Express uses free software not because it is free or cheap, or because Indian Express is poor, but because it is robust and reliable. We can highlight the practical value of free software and its philosophy, so that the media is more serious in its research and reporting of news connected with free software movement.
As Raghavendra Bhat and Anil wrote, we should make it a point to appreciate factual coverage by the press, and quickly respond to any news that freaks on free software.
Hello everybody Regarding the report of Manorama, the real problem is that IT@School is toppled because VS had proposed GNU/Linux. VS may or may not use Linux in his laptop. This is not the reason for the failure of IT at School. It failed because the concerned authorities didn't give appropriate training in GNU/Linux to the teachers. I got this info when I contacted some teachers who were teaching IT at Govt schools. The training had started only this month which is too late. The annual exams are to be held on March. The newspaper is trying to mislead the public that the project is toppled due to Linux. Regarding Project Shiksha there are some more facts. I think many of you are aware about this facts. The following has been taken from the Oct '03 issue of Linux For You(page 26): " I Kerala, as part of project Shiksha, an IT academy will be set up in one of the prime location, Technopark at Trivandrum. The state government has rented out a 270 sq m(3000 sq ft) area with electricity, water supply, phone connections and air conditioners, for Re 1 per annum. In return, Microsoft will create curriculum and provide training for master trainers. All expenses, such as travel allowances and daily allowances for teachers, will be borne by the state. It is again the state, which wil print and distribute all the course material."
In Kerala there are plenty of institutions in the public sector and co-operative sector which doesn't have enough infrastructure facilities. And the Govt is trying to facilitate a MNC which is trying implement a "neo-colonialist society". The relief factor is that the agreement had not been yet signed. I think this is the disturbing factor for Kishore(reporter) regards Manilal
Manilal wrote:
Regarding the report of Manorama, the real problem is that IT@School is toppled because VS had proposed GNU/Linux.
I have read that report and IT @ school is mentioned only in passing. It would be nice if you can scan the report and post it some where. I did not reach such conclusions after reading the article.
This is not the reason for the failure of IT at School.
So it failed?
It failed because the concerned authorities didn't give appropriate training in GNU/Linux to the teachers.
Were they able to find enough people for Training? Any input from some one at IT@School about this? Arun?
And the Govt is trying to facilitate a MNC which is trying implement a "neo-colonialist society".
gosh! putting on a tin foil hat might help* :)
raj
*: not valid for humor impaired!
On Fri, 16 Jan 2004 01:09:47 +0530, Rajkumar S wrote
I read that article, it mearly exposes the hypocrisy of VS Achutanandan and CPM, wrt Free Software. He runs windows in his laptop and All CPM's web server runs on Windows, but talks about free software.
Well, actually, as it turns out, he may well be in very good company -- with Red Hat's CEO, who suggests home users stick to Windows! Of course, I'm assuming VS is a home user, unless he's suddenly (and wisely -:)) decided to take up Perl programming... Who are we free souls to question a freer soul?
As I posted to the Linux India list earlier:
Red Hat's chief executive has said that Linux needs to mature further before home users will get a positive experience from the operating system, saying they should choose Windows instead.
See: http://www.silicon.com/software/os/0,39024651,39116741,00.htm
----- KG Kumar kg at tug dot org dot in FSF India fsf-friends@gnu.org.in
KG Kumar wrote:
Well, actually, as it turns out, he may well be in very good company -- with Red Hat's CEO, who suggests home users stick to Windows! Of course, I'm assuming VS is a home user, unless he's suddenly (and wisely -:)) decided to take up Perl programming... Who are we free souls to question a freer soul?
The hypocrisy element comes when he advocates the use of free software in places like IT at school and Akshya project, which are aimed at desktop usage (office suite et al), and uses another OS in his laptop.
He could have used XP, and kept his mouth shut, and no one is going to write an article about it.
As far as RH CEO is concerned, he is talking in line with his company objectives, they are hardly in Desktop market :)
raj
Rajkumar S said on Fri, Jan 16, 2004 at 09:49:19AM +0530,:
The hypocrisy element comes when he advocates the use of free software (snip) ... and uses another OS in his laptop.
But then, the laptop was supplied by the Government, is it not?
And do not govt. tenders calling for digital hardware almost always read `Tender for supply of personal computers with Genuine I***l processor at XbambaHz with W*****s ?? preinstalled', ??? MB Ram and ?? GB hard disk'.
How do we tackle these kinds of tener notices?
Ramanraj? Any inputs from you? Any idea how the industry will respond when a public institution invites tenders for `35MM tor steel from TISCO?? Or `supply of N thousand V******n Televisions'?
Any businessess on this list who want to rspond to such tenders with Free software preinstalled on another processor??
As far as RH CEO is concerned, he is talking in line with his company objectives, they are hardly in Desktop market :)
It is a good thing RH ceo said that*. Now, desktop users who purchased s/w from RH can buy support from other vendors. *That* is what we call *freedom*.
We can point this out next time some one seeks to counter pro free software moves with the RH ceo's statement.
(*) I am not very sure. Did he really *mean* that? I remember that statement was clarified later on? Anyways, KDE and GNOME are far more usable on my box than the various boxen I have used at my Department and net kiosks.
Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
The hypocrisy element comes when he advocates the use of free software (snip) ... and uses another OS in his laptop.
But then, the laptop was supplied by the Government, is it not?
Even otherwise, when you take a stand on ideological issue you have to make sure that you practice what you preach, if some one advocates the use of Freesofware, they should use it first! This is the crux of the issue.
raj
Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
How do we tackle these kinds of tender notices?
These tenders can seldom stand legal scrutiny. But, we need to take action at many levels, to avoid such tenders at all:
Global Level: The best solution would be an International Free
Software Treaty, so that both at International and Municipal State levels, free software is the default installation with few exceptions. The path towards achieving this may be long and require great effort. The recent article by RMS at http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/wsis.html is a reality check.
National and State Level: The next best immediate solution is to pass
legislation that mandates procurement of free software, on the lines of the South Australian Act passed recently. At the administrative level, a lot could be done.
Grassroot Level: This is where the real action lies. Demos are the
easiest way to spread its use. A critical mass of free software users can exert enough pressure to make free software and philosophy the default method in public affairs also.
Regards, Ramanraj.
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Dileep M. Kumar -
KG Kumar -
Mahesh T. Pai -
Manilal -
Raghavendra Bhat -
Rajkumar S -
Ramanraj K