[Fsf-friends] NEWS: Free software movement picks up in Doon Valley

[Frederick Noronha]

The Hindu, Nov 26, 2002

[Some mixing up between Free Software and the Open Source movements, but
interesting news nonetheless. -FN]

FREE SOFTWARE MOVEMENT PICKS UP IN DOON VALLEY

DEHRA DUN, Nov 25: Demonstrations of utilisation of free software (Open
Source software) are being carried out in schools, colleges and other
institutions of the Doon valley by a group of youth which recently
launched a movement for software freedom here.

Sharad Kukreti, president of the Sir George Everest Research Society,
which began the movement, said free software was one that was free to
copy, redistribute and modify. "It must be available as source code," he
added.

Kukreti said the finest example of Open Source Software was Linux and Open
Office software. The Society has brought out the first monthly newsletter
in India -- "Software Freedom" which is edited and published here by
Kukreti. Articles and suggestions related to free software can be sent to
india-hills@vsnl.com

The free or open source software movement began in the "hacker" culture of
the US computer laboratories in the 1960s. 

It was in this environment that Richard Stallman, prioneer of the
movement, began his career in 1971. In 1985 he created the Free Software
Foundation.

Free software does not imply that it is free of charge but a user is free
to redistribute copies to anyone and anywhere without any permission.

Kukreti said Stallman was scheduled to visit the Doon valley in
February. -UNI