Quoting Douglas Royds <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> Derek Smithies wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> >So, what are the next steps for us to take?
> >Install fests ? Yes, doing that.
> >
> >Online help systems? Yes doing that via email lists.
> > Of some help, but maybe limited cause it can be hard to get started.
> > Sadly, some lists have an attitude that is kindly described as
> "combative"
> > Other lists (like this one) are good, with minimum flames.
> >
> >Writing articles for the press/listener?
> >
> >
> Yes please. If you can write quality articles and get them published,
> strength to your arm. This is a vital.
>
> Help your friends and family to adopt Linux - Show off your toys. Be
> their personal helpdesk.
Problem with that is that it can become very, very time consuming, particulaly
if you friends are not particulaly self-relient when it come to sussing out
logical problems. Getting Linux properly installed onto a friend's family
'puter is often a labour of love.
> Help your school/club/church to adopt Linux - set it up, voluntarily
> suport it.
It's very difficult in the schools because the current Minister of Ed. has
recently blown between $25 and $30 million dollars on Microsoft licences.
In all government activities everywhere status is gained by the amount of
money you spend, not the amount you save. So if you put any computing skills
into a state school charge like a wounded bull otherwise you will be neither
valued nor respected. Sad but true.
Other social organisations are quite different.
> The ability to use old, low-spec computers, and freedom from
> licensing fees is vital to these organisations.
Not schools unfortunately.
> They make good demonstration customers.
>
> Lobby your politicians - They depend on people like us to inform them of
> the ways in which patent and copyright law are tightening the grip of M$
> on the country.
Unfortunately it's happened already without so much as a bleat or ripple. It's
the whole of Corporate America that's into this exploitation, not by any means
just Microsoft. imho the pharmaceutical companies are far worse, at least MS
is now producing a light version of Windows especially for the less wealthy
regions at a semi-affordable cost for them. I haven't seen the pharmaceutical
companies producing afforable drugs.
--
Sincerely etc.
Christopher Sawtell
