I had the pleasure of listening to this entire interview. In the first half, Mr. Baskar spoke in detail about the Free Software Movement, Stallman's contributions, the GNU project; the Linux kernel, and then about Torvalds' contribution.
Then he discussed about the collaborative model of software development as opposed to the proprietary model followed by most Corporate companies. Mr. Baskar then emphasized the strong growth and acceptance of the GNU/Linux Server by most Corporate companies and the various uses it is put to. In the second half, Mr. Baskar lamented the fact that a kernel and Operating System both of which were born from Academic Institutions is not being taught in Academic institutions in India. He launched a scathing attack on proprietary software companies and the practices which they follow to impose their products in the curriculum to the exclusion of Free and Open Source Software. He then spoke about how Universities in Tamil Nadu are named after great thinkers like Anna and Periyar; and how they have bowed down to commercial and vested interests these days. He compared the strong efforts taken by the Kerala Govt. to impart FOSS based curriculum beginning from primary school level and above. --------------- Overall, it was a very pleasing interview, and Mr. Baskar spoke in Tamil quite fluently; and indeed I myself could not follow many of the words which he used. His strong passion and commitment to the cause of Free Software was evident throughout the interview. His humble beginnings and strong self-belief in starting and sustaining his own company based on FOSS were remarkable. --------------- I had only one major correction for him - he used the phrase 'Copyrighted Software' to describe 'Proprietary Software'. I felt he should've stuck to Proprietary itself; since even Free Software derives its Freedom because of the GPL License; which itself derives its existence from the concept of Copyright. --------------- All in all, it was a fantastic interview, and I feel ilugc members must congratulate him warmly for his efforts and achievements. Thanks ...KRS _______________________________________________ ILUGC Mailing List: http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
