I am currently in the process of conducting extensive research for the development of an "Information Management & Technology Strategy" for a branch of the BC Government. An opportunity that I am extremely grateful to participate in and will strive to ensure that FOSS plays a significant role, not only as a technological option but as a philosophy as well. Actually, the ONLY reason I have accepted this position and will be moving to Vancouver, is to pursue this strategy with FOSS playing a significant role.
Obviously no comprehensive report or strategy of such magnitude would exclude FOSS and so I have been pleasantly surprised to see the global recognition and growing acceptance at the highest levels of government and the United Nations. I follow global technology trends very, very closely and read news, reports, white papers, and position papers from around the world and although I have been aware of most of these trends, I had no idea until recently of the extent of the United Nations involvement. So I thought I would share some of the links and reports I have been finding, if only to spread these encouraging words, reports and policies, to other CLUG members. I am certain that most, if not all CLUG members share in my own personal vision and belief that open source software is at least one of the ways in which ICT's, and knowledge in general, can become ubiquitous and available for the benefit of all mankind. And of course there is also the desire to release the "creative commons� from the heavily licensed and inhibiting nature of over-marketed, over-sold, proprietary software that is shoved down our throats like an overzealous drug-pusher. This �old-model� does nothing more than restrict and inhibit the free expression of ideas and the evolution of tools and technologies by which to communicate, develop and explore the world and build on a global information and knowledge infrastructure. Hmm, whom could I be talking about? So, speech done now�.I hope that some of you feel as I have been feeling lately�.we are winning!!! Actually, although there is still a great deal of work ahead for all us striving to promote the FOSS model, in my opinion WE HAVE ALREADY WON!! Keep up the good work CLUG. "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win." (M. Gandhi) Note: In many of these global technology strategies, FOSS is not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but is clearly implicit. And some of the stated goals and directions can clearly NOT be achieved through closed-source proprietary systems and so in order to meet many of these goals, FOSS is the obvious route, even if it is not explicitly stated. http://www.unctad.org/Templates/meeting.asp?intItemID=1942&lang=1&m=8936 http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/ecdr2003ch4_en.pdf http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-s/md/03/wsis/doc/S03-WSIS-DOC-0004!!PDF-E.pdf (#27) http://www.unicttaskforce.org/ http://www.itu.int/wsis/index.html ----------------------------------------------------- Open Enterprise Solutions Linux & Open Source Solutions for Business Johnny Stork Calgary, AB www.openenterprise.ca _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca
