[Fsf-friends] Institutional Model vs. Bazaar Model

[Frederick Noronha]

> From: Ramanraj K <ramanraj@md4.vsnl.net.in>
>
> Fredrick  Noronha  and many  have  been  suggesting micro-grants,  and
> others  kinds of  fundings  for free  software  projects.  RMS  mooted
> Software Tax. The free software code  base is public wealth, and it is
> fair to  expect governments  to become the  major source of  funds and
> grants, that could  be disbursed to deserving projects  through FSF or
> other responsible  institutions through  the device of  assignments.

Frankly, I was a bit surprised to see my name being mentioned in this 
debate, because I had not given any serious thought as such to it earlier. 
My suggestion flowed out of my attempts to convince friends at Sarai.net 
(which were eventually successful) to support the Free Software 
development process, by offering microgrants to students willing to work 
on the same. As such, it was more a immediate response to Sarai's 
willingness to do something, and the students' obvious need to get that 
little support, that could make a big difference.

Now that you've made me think about it, a few more inputs:

* More than the governments (which drag their feet, and act slowly, more 
as a response to pressure groups and lobbies or crises), we need to look 
at other institutions for funding support.

* Groups like Unesco already have a Free Software Portal in France. In 
ICT4D (information communication technologies for development) debates 
held in India, by organisations like the UNDP, which I got caught up in 
due to by BytesForAll.org affiliation, the issue has come up repeatedly.

* Now, a whole lot of organisations -- including controversial ones like 
the World Bank -- and other international donors have got clued on into 
the debate, and are willing to support FLOSS (Free/Libre and Open Source 
Software). The latest is the IOSN network in Malaysia, which is 
currently being managed by a talented young man from Bangalore, Sunil 
Abraham from Mahiti.org (not the government organisation with the similar 
name).

* What we don't see happening is enough developers taking advantage of 
these supports, applying for projects that could well do with the support 
and has a genuine social need (not just because the money is available). 
On the other hand, a number of NGOs are quick to realise the potential, 
and jump onto the ICT4D bandwaggon. While I don't have anything per se 
against NGOs, and rather view them by what they do, it is rather sad that 
not many developers are taking the support which is there for the asking.

* Friends in Kerala built up one Malayalam font with APDIP help, prior to 
the setting up of the IOSN.net network. Anyway, we need to look to other 
areas too, besides international UN-related organisations, and donor 
organisations. Of course, we all would not like the Free Software movement 
to just turn into another NGO and lose its voluntary spirit; but if help 
comes without strings then it could go to support the young people who 
need it and have a lot to contribute.

We also need to be lobbying more actively with governments (both Central 
and State), bureaucrats (see the e-gov-india network on yahoogroups), 
organisations like Sarai.net which are willing to support this work and 
realise the potential of Free Software, university organisations, 
Commonwealth bodies to promote education, and all possible quarters.

On behalf of BytesForAll.org, I can assure our support -- since I am 
personally committed to this idea -- in promoting the attempt to build 
links between (i) techies (ii) the ICT4D network (iii) NGOs who could and 
should be end-users of Free Software and its promoters in a big way, 
except that they don't seem to understand what the issue is all about or 
just take the easy way out and (iv) academia which could really put this 
agenda on the intellectual agenda.

But we are just one volunteer and unfunded (by design) organisation; even 
if with a wide readership. What we need is more people pushing for these 
links to happen. It could really help to quicken the speed of change. FN
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Frederick Noronha (FN)                     Nr Convent Saligao 403511 Goa India
Freelance Journalist                       P: 832-2409490 M: 9822122436
http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks  http://fn.swiki.net
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