[TriLUG] Promoting FLOSS, countering FUD

[Kevin J.]

I agree with Cristobal (how do you get the little mark over the "o", btw?) on this. M$ is going to continue to pressure businesses large and small until it becomes clear that it is no longer benefitting them to do so. The education and non-profit sectors are key to Linux adoption in the US, IMO. Such groups are just enough under the M$ radar (financially and competitively) that it's possible to completely replace Windoze infrastructure with very little risk of being sued by the evil empire (imagine the beating M$ would take in the US press for suing a non-profit or school...though they have definitely tried elsewhere: http://www.linpro.no/en/nyheter_og_events/2007/linpro_vant_frem_mot_microsoft). 

Getting ordinary users to realize the potential of Linux and FOSS is the key. Until people know what they are missing, they aren't missing anything...and, more importantly, won't care. 2008 will be a turning point for LoTD by all accounts, but I really think that now is the time to begin creating activities to strongly promote Linux and FOSS in the local community. I hate to plug the UCLUG FOSS Presentation again, but I've updated the presentation slightly (and added our brand spanking new UCLUG logo towards the end:), and here is the url to view it online: http://www.thinkfree.com/view.tfo?file=EVBK787cyig=tfo. Btw, we just gave our first "official" distribution of "FLPCs" to a church group in the area who is giving them to some underprivileged kids in their summer youth camp. When people see what is possible with Linux, on older hardware particularly, they are more apt to explore it as an alternative. 

Just like the environmental issue, it's impossible to change an incumbent (and massively funded) technology from the top, it has to come from the ground up. 

Just my .02 anyway.

Kevin


----- Original Message ----
From: Cristóbal Palmer <cristobalpalmer at gmail.com>
To: Triangle Linux Users Group discussion list <trilug at trilug.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:41:08 PM
Subject: [TriLUG] Promoting FLOSS, countering FUD


We've had several threads about various issues around MS FUD, patent
issues, etc. Want to do something about it?

You personally or your company can get on board with COSI (Carolina
Open Source Initiative) to promote Software Freedom Day. We're hoping
to win the award for the best party in the world. We're having our
bash on UNC's campus on Sept 14th.

http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/
http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/teams/northamerica/ChapelHill

So far we have Ron Joffe of Siena Tech on board as a sponsor, as well
as an individual sponsoring us in Chapel Hill. If you want to make a
private or public donation, contact me directly. If you want to help
out in some other way, email me directly with questions or suggestions
and I'll be happy to work with you. If you think you are or know a
good speaker or can provide us with cool schwag, that would be
especially appreciated.

Keep in mind that large institutions like Universities have an
incredible power to set the tone and direction of tech for years to
come. If we make '07/'08 a watershed for FLOSS deployments at UNC, it
will be felt in many ways/places.

Cheers,
-- 
Cristóbal M. Palmer
administrator!!! please hope me!
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