FSUG-Bangalore March 2007

fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in

7 participants
10 discussions

Swathanthra Malayalam Computing in Google Summer of Code
by Praveen A 19 Mar '07

19 Mar '07

Hi, Students want to contribute to Free Software and earn some money during this summer can apply for Google Summer or Code with Swathanthra Malayalam Computing. Students can apply for working on one of these ideas (Especially adding more Indian languages to Dhvani text to speech engine). http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/SMC/SoC/2007 Regards Praveen -- പ്രവീണ്‍ അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില്‍ Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

2 2

Declaration of National Convention on Free Software
by Vikram Vincent 17 Mar '07

17 Mar '07

Information Technology is revolutionizing the way people communicate with other and the way companies run their business. The new space – the cyber space—has facilitated the people around the globe to organize and exchange knowledge, goods and services on a global scale. Mailing lists, forums and online communities are a few forms in which people around the globe organize and exchange ideas, independent of space and time. Encyclopaedias made by communities (groups in the cyberspace) are gaining acceptability. While IT and global connectivity has the enormous potential of communities of people in different parts of the world working together for a better future, it can also lead to increasing monopoly of power by a few corporations. In order to fulfil the promise of IT and global connectivity be monopolized by proprietary software and proprietary systems. Free Software has convincingly demonstrated to the world how knowledge building is enhanced by freedom, openness and social consciousness. Today, Free Software Movement, has got around 2 million volunteers across the world. It has shown that software incorporating the freedom to use, adapt and modify and disseminate leads to a higher quality of software and a valid business model. The worldwide acceptance of this new paradigm of "copyleft" is now encompassing new areas such as biology and the creative arts. In spite of such significant advances over the last two decades, the proprietary systems and corporations promoting such systems are still trying to influence Governments, international bodies, regulatory systems and educational institutions to restrict the freedoms propounded by free software community. Various proprietary standards are being proposed and there are continuous attempts not only to extend the boundary of proprietary software but also try and "fence" knowledge and software using alien tools such as patents. It is in this context that this convention has decided to take up as an urgent action plan the following: 1) Procurement of software by Government, Government organizations/undertakings and Government funded organization shall be Free Software. 2) Only non-proprietary software and data formats to be used for any Government work. 3) Making all software developed under Government funding to be made Free Software and put in public domain 4) The recent change introduced in the copyright law that allowed encryption, and hardware locking should be opposed. 5) University Grants Commission should ensure the usage of Free Software both in the curriculum framework and research. 6) The Government should take initiative in starting Free Software Development Centres suited for Indian requirements and developmental goals. 7) All fonts in Indian languages developed under Governmental aegis to be immediately put in public domain. 8) Time bound development and standardization of Indian language coding systems, keyboards and fonts under DIT aegis. 9) Promotion of Free Software in schools, colleges, universities and the curriculum should not name any brand. 10) Promoting self-reliance in IT sector. 11) Internet access to every individual within 2km radius within a time bound programme. We demand that the State and Central governments to accept the above demands. We appeal to the community to rise in large number to pressurize the governments to accept the above mentioned demands.

3 2

So what happens when the 8th sem guys leave?
by Vikram Vincent| ವಿಕ್ ರಂ ವ ಿನ್ವ ೆಂಟ್ 16 Mar '07

16 Mar '07

Hello All, I had been to the meeting at BMSCE and realised that the final year batch, specifically Netravati, Sharada and team, had taken the initiative to initiate the development of a new team there before they bid adieu. Hope that we will see similar initiatives at PESIT and other colleges where we have FOSS enthusiasts. With warm wishes -- Regards Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://groups.google.com/group/bangalore_alive/ http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=19591248

1 0

Two articles about DRM, lets discuss
by Praveen A 14 Mar '07

14 Mar '07

Hi, Two more articles about DRM is added to Anti-DRM-Campaign page. http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign#Articles 1) Who Controls Your Television? http://www.eff.org/IP/DVB/dvb_briefing_paper.php 2) EU Commissioner criticizes iPod-iTunes tie-in http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070311-eu-commissioner-criticizes-ip… Check out those and you will get an idea of the issues about DRM. Lets discuss any points which are not clear. It is very important that we understand the issues about DRM so that we can tell our friends about the issues and also fight for our rights. We should not be lazy thinking that it is just in Europe or US, it is only a matter of time they will be here too unless we are watchful. Cheers Praveen -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

1 0

Top three most important events in the history of Free Software
by Krishna Pagadala 13 Mar '07

13 Mar '07

Hi All, Here are the three most important events in the history of Free Software. 1. FSF is founded in 1984 2. Linux released in 1991 3. OpenOffice released in 2000 Whats on your list of top 3 historical events? Regards, Krishna ===================================== Misinterpreting Copyright by Richard Stallman http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/misinterpreting-copyright.html "Die Gedanken Sind Frei": Free Software and the Struggle for Free Thought by Eben Moglen http://emoglen.law.columbia.edu/publications/berlin-keynote.html . ____________________________________________________________________________________ Expecting? Get great news right away with email Auto-Check. Try the Yahoo! Mail Beta. http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/mailbeta/newmail_tools.html

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Summary of GNU Grazing March10, Cubbon Park, Bangalore
by Vikram Vincent| ವಿಕ್ ರಂ ವ ಿನ್ವ ೆಂಟ್ 12 Mar '07

12 Mar '07

Hello All, The summary of the meeting has been put up on the wiki page. Please do update it if necessary. http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Bangalore/GNUs_Grazing -- Regards Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://groups.google.com/group/bangalore_alive/ http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=19591248

1 0

National Convention on Free Software Declaration
by Vikram Vincent 09 Mar '07

09 Mar '07

Information Technology is revolutionizing the way people communicate with other and the way companies run their business. The new space – the cyber space—has facilitated the people around the globe to organize and exchange knowledge, goods and services on a global scale. Mailing lists, forums and on-line communities are a few forms in which people around the globe organize and exchange ideas, independent of space and time. Encyclopaedias made by communities (groups in the cyberspace) are gaining acceptability. While IT and global connectivity has the enormous potential of communities of people in different parts of the world working together for a better future, it can also lead to increasing monopoly of power by a few corporations. In order to fulfil the promise of IT and global connectivity be monopolized by proprietary software and proprietary systems. Free Software has convincingly demonstrated to the world how knowledge building is enhanced by freedom, openness and social consciousness. Today, Free Software Movement, has got around 2 million volunteers across the world. It has shown that software incorporating the freedom to use, adapt and modify and disseminate leads to a higher quality of software and a valid business model. The worldwide acceptance of this new paradigm of "copyleft" is now encompassing new areas such as biology and the creative arts. In spite of such significant advances over the last two decades, the proprietary systems and corporations promoting such systems are still trying to influence Governments, international bodies, regulatory systems and educational institutions to restrict the freedoms propounded by free software community. Various proprietary standards are being proposed and there are continuous attempts not only to extend the boundary of proprietary software but also try and "fence" knowledge and software using alien tools such as patents. It is in this context that this convention has decided to take up as an urgent action plan the following: 1) Procurement of software by Government, Government organizations/undertakings and Government funded organization shall be Free Software. 2) Only non-proprietary software and data formats to be used for any Government work. 3) Making all software developed under Government funding to be made Free Software and put in public domain 4) The recent change introduced in the copyright law that allowed encryption, and hardware locking should be opposed. 5) University Grants Commission should ensure the usage of Free Software both in the curriculum framework and research. 6) The Government should take initiative in starting Free Software Development Centres suited for Indian requirements and developmental goals. 7) All fonts in Indian languages developed under Governmental aegis to be immediately put in public domain. 8) Time bound development and standardization of Indian language coding systems, keyboards and fonts under DIT aegis. 9) Promotion of Free Software in schools, colleges, universities and the curriculum should not name any brand. 10) Promoting self-reliance in IT sector. 11) Internet access to every individual within 2km radius within a time bound programme. We demand that the State and Central governments to accept the above demands. We appeal to the community to rise in large number to pressurize the governments to accept the above mentioned demands. http://groups.google.com/group/bangalore_alive/ http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=19591248

1 0

Passion for Electronics, Compassion for Community
by Praveen A 07 Mar '07

07 Mar '07

Be an Electro, Make a Difference Electros.in is home to passionate Indian students, professionals, and researchers in the fields of Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering. http://www.electros.in/ Cheers Praveen -- പ്രവീണ് അരിമ്പ്രത്തൊടിയില് Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

1 0

Meeting at Cubbon park on 3pm saturday 10 March
by പ്രവീ ണ്‍‌| Praveen എ|A 06 Mar '07

06 Mar '07

Hi, Lets restart the GNUs Grazing. Inform everyone and be there. Agenda: Reactivate FSUG, Anti-DRM Campaign ( http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign). Cheers Praveen -- Join The DRM Elimination Crew Now! http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Anti-DRM-Campaign

4 3

Recalling National Convention on Free Software
by Vikram Vincent 06 Mar '07

06 Mar '07

Hello All, Thought that I'd post a small write-up of the free software convention that was held at the University of Hyderabad, DST auditorium, Hyderabad, AP. Firstly, a round of applause to the AP team for the entire effort. Everything was well planned and executed. The biggest show of strength was the hundreds of Engg. students who turned up from all over AP and participated in the two day event. Bangalore was represented by a 14 member team and we were joined by Free Software enthusiasts from all over India. While all the panellists made interesting points personally I feel that it was Prabir Purkayasta who made the big impact with his policy-socio-techno-economic analysis of the factors influencing the movement. It was rightly pointed out that the free software movement is mainly in defence of our 'intellectual self-reliance' in all spheres of our lives. The activists session helped in consolidating our efforts. The session ended on a high note with the unanimous passing of the resolution. Some newspaper reports. Links can be found on the main web page too. http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/05/stories/2007030516130500.htm http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030411510400.htm -- Regards Vikram Vincent +919448810822 http://groups.google.com/group/bangalore_alive/ http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=19591248

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FSUG-Bangalore March 2007