Hello friends,
This issue needs to be discussed and decisions taken. It will be
definately good not to keep this issue pending, so that the
participation in the group is clearer and one knows one's limits and the
limits that the group's policies impose on the
discussions/topics/participation.
For example: The discussion itself was prompted because of a request to
announce the launch of a commercial linux based software. Just the
announcement of the launch of a commercial software provoked such a
response that reached a point that the announcement was stalled by those
against the very idea of commercial software.
The discussion reached a point: Are we a group for everything under the
name/aspects of Linux, or, are we a free software group restricted to
free and open software - even if it not on linux and could be in
windows. For example, the point raised was : We could discuss an open &
free software on windows but not a commercial software on linux.
The response from Raju was : "If this group (DLUG) is ging to be
anything but a "free software group", I will resign from the group and
may even form a separate one". His response had supporters and also
those who do not like this kind of division, but, as usual, he and his
ideas prevailed - specially because those who did not support this idea
of his, decided to remain quiet and let the discussions be completed
properly and in a positive atmosphere.
Hence, now, it is only logical that this discussion is not left hanging
and decisions are taken to decide:
Are we a "free software users group " , or, are we a "linux users
group".
We also have the choice to have both the subjects as those of the group.
If being "free software users group " means that we cannot even talk of
commercial software on linux platform, we have to define many things,
because many discussions/talks/announcements on the lists can/could be
directly/indirectly related to comemrcial software or comercial
organisations - the limitations and their consequences need to be
understood, discussed, known and clarified.
Just like Raju is clear on his thinking of this being a "free software
users group ", I and some others are clear that, in that case, we need a
separate "linux users group", because linux is not just about "free
software" - it is much more than that, it is about freedom, freedom for
users, freedom for developers, freedom for software business, freedom
for eveyone involved in any way with IT - and perhaps even for those not
directly involved with IT.
For me, Linux represents the eternal quest of human being for freedom
and is not restricted to IT.
For me, I certaily respect the ideas of "free software", but that does
not mean no to commercial ineterests in software.
The group can surely decide to be "free software users group ", but then
there will be freedom to others like me to form a separate "linux users
group" and this new group will be free to take up linux to aeas beyond
those of the "free software".
But this group of ours must take up this matter and take an immediate
decision on the issue. If there is going to be delay on this decision,
then the group cannot close itself on these ideas and pending the
decision, all discussions must be allowed - otherwise, it will mean
going back to nazi era, where you hd to speak only what hitler wished.
I hope this mail goes through to the list uncensored and we take up the
matter for discussions and decisions.
Trinity wrote:
>
> Dear all,
>
> I must extend my apolozies for continuing the discussion after the prolonged
> discussion yesterday. But i think once the conversation has intiated it
> should it reach it's logical end manisfesting in certain policies we adopt
> and adhere to as a group.
>
> Issues like `what is freedom' and `what is the freedom we believe and are
> going to stand for' are not which can be resolved either in one meet or many
> meets of the similar sorts.
>
> Freedom is the basic right we all are entitled to and for which, ideally, we
> should not have to wage a war. The struggle for freedom, if i may say, is not
> against the well identified colonial power but many invisible powers
> enroaching on our basic right to think, to be able to think and to be able to
> articulate and communicate what we think.
>
> And to counter those forces is not an easy task as there in no identifiable
> structure and no one enemy.
>
> The Free software movement is not appealing to me because it is cheap or
> readily available but because it gives me the assurnace that an entry into
> the space is not restricted, that anytime i decide to i can accept it, learn
> to it and possibly contribute to it.
>
> And this is from a so to say a `non-techie' background. I know nothing about
> programming but the whole idea of freedom which comes along has aroused my
> interest and maybe I will be make something substantial of it.
>
> The fact that the whole premise of it is based on the `non-proprietory'
> notion of knowledge. That knowledge is not a hegemony of select few but that
> everyone has not only the access to it but also the chance to interpret,
> translate and reflect on it in the way they want to.
>
> Knowledge is power. someone said. and i believe in it.
> And uninhibited access to knowledge is not only empowering but also
> liberating.
>
> There are many paths which can be taken to meet the ends. Before deciding on
> the path to be undertaken what is more important to identify what `ends' we
> want to achieve.
>
> i have conciously avoided taking up any specific issues or even limiting it
> to the meeting yesterday because i think these issues need to be addresssed
> in the larger projection of it and not limited to simply decieding on certain
> mandates or policies for the smooth functioning of the group.
>
> and i sincerly hope this discussion continues so that a concensus can be
> reached upon and we be very clear not only about what we want to achieve but
> also how.
>
> It is in this context that i would like to introduce the idea of having a
> `Newsletter' brought out on a regular basis (how regular we decide) which
> discusses and raises these issues along with technical ones and sort of have
> a sounding board to make the ideas available across platforms. and also
> encourage people from other groups (when i say group i do not mean
> orgainzation or forums but anyone who is interested in any capacity) to
> contribute.
>
> One of the sections in the newsletter can be dedicated to discussing the
> development of the lap project and the way it has been recieved.
>
> Please comment, raise doubts about the same so that by the time we meet next
> most of the basic issues are thrashed and we can talk about the
> technicalities.
>
> to end i would simply say, discussions are never futile and confusions lead
> to calrity.
>
> and probably concensus.
>
> cheers
> tripta
--
Peace, Force & Joy! Sudhir Gandotra.
Transform lives: http://humanistmovement.org/
IBM announces Kalculate - Linux Desktop is complete
http://www.kalculate.com
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