- Xandros is quite easy to install and gives the user a minimum number of choices. The install process is just 4 clicks.
- It has a wizard to help you connect to the Internet in a easy manner.
- The packages can be upgraded using the Xandros update wizard (without knowing the intricaicies of apt-get).
However, there are certain negative points too.
- Xandros has some proprietary software (like its file browser) bundled. This lead to a heated discussion about freedom and free software and how companies were encroaching upon free software.
- Not much choice available for an advanced user.
The next presentation was by Tarun on the topic of "ILUGD society formation". He started off by what his vision of the ILUGD society is. The society should have lifetime or yearly membership fees and the fees should be easily payable(by online payment options).
Next he came to why we need a society
- We need a society to prevent persecution by the corporations. Corporations usually pay lip service to the Free Software movement but tie down their employees with Non disclosure agreements.
- To prevent intellectual property feudalism (i.e. patents on useful algorithms )
Raju and Kishore pointed out that we need a society for accepting donations. It is not possible for the members to accept the money on behalf of ILUGD and then transfer the money to the ILUGD kitty.
ILUGD society needs money for
- Lobbying the government
- To reach out to educational institutes
- To reach out to new members
Tarun's presentation lead to a big debate over what the vision of the ILUGD society. First there was a discussion on what a "vision" is and what a "mission" is. Raju pointed out that though it was never laid down on paper, but the vision of ILUGD (when it was formed) was to promote freedom in all walks of life, especially software. The discussion then came around to whether ILUGD should promote free software or promote Linux (this is not really the same thing. For example, is it OK to answer member's questions about Oracle on linux or should the member asking the question be flamed ?)
After this long debate, we broke up for snacks (I must add that the samosas and sweets at eSys are awesome).
Next on the agenda was "What is the vision of ILUGD". This discussion was lead lead by Rahul (editor of Linux For You). Interestingly, we were able to reach a general consensus on what our vision and goals should be. Rahul and Sandip are setting up a wiki were other members of the ILUGD would be able to comment on this. Here is a rough summary of what the members of ILUGD said their ideas of what ILUGD should focus on was
- promotion of free software; discussion on everything related to free software
- ILUGD is not against any firm (i.e. killing Microsoft is not one of the aims of ILUGD)
- Strictly NO proprietary software promotion
- proprietary software firms demonstrating their technology (not the product) is OK
- we can talk about broader freedom issues (i.e. patents, copyrights and the playfair issue)
- We should look at commercialization of open source and Linux and how we can prevent companies on encroaching upon Free Software.
The vision of ILUGD is to promote ideals of FLOSS.
The mission of ILUGD is advocacy of FLOSS, however our focus is Linux (other Free Unix like systems like *BSD can be discussed)
That was the end of the "official" meeting. We had a vote of thanks for eSys, who provided ILUGD with equipment, space and (more importantly) food.
*Note*
- It has been rumored that an "unofficial" meeting continued at the Sanjah Chula in Greater Kailash. Someone from the attendees of the unofficial meet please add to this minutes if anything important was discussed
- If I missed out on something, please let me know. Once the discussion on the minutes is closed, I will post it to the LUGD website
-- / \__ ( @\___ Raj Shekhar / O My home : http://geocities.com/lunatech3007/ / (_____/ My blog : http://lunatech.journalspace.com/ /_____/ U
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