[Fwd: Re: [Fsf-friends] joining forces]

[Nagarjuna G.]

On Monday 11 Oct 2004 9:15 am, Ramanraj K wrote:
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: [Fsf-friends] joining forces
> Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 19:15:38 +0530
> From: Ramanraj K <ramanraj@md4.vsnl.net.in>
> To: fsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.in
> References: <416736CB.5040901@md4.vsnl.net.in> 
> <4167E4F1.5060109@flashmail.com> <4168BACA.3070503@md4.vsnl.net.in> 
> <20041010070242.GA11424@nandini.home>
> 
> Mahesh T. Pai wrote:
> 
>   > In fact, in  light of this event,  I think the time is  right now ripe
>   > for this  community to  take the  initiative and ask  them to  open up
>   > their previous works in localisation field.  The IBM sponsored project
>   > will provide resources for the future. I am afraid that the past works
>   > might  remain  locked, and  we  need to  ensure  that  it is  publicly
>   > available.
>   >
>   > In light  of the recent  opportunity I had  to interact with  the NCST
>   > division of C-DAC, I notice an enthusiasm among its staff and officers
>   > who are well aware of the underlying philosophy and community building
>   > aspects of the Free Software movement.  All that is required is only a
>   > small nudge  and a bit of  push to institutionalise  the approach, for
>   > the bureaucrats and the babus are no push overs.  Hence, we need to to
>   > guide them in the right direction.
>   >
>   > How do we go about it?
>   >
> 
> Raj Mathur has been asking for publication of accounts etc. If we could
> dispose such requests first, then we should be able to ask others to do
> the same, with more conviction. Having access to information would help
> us to act upon it in a better way.

Arun is arranging to get the stuff up soon.  

> 
> FSF India could play a major role in channelising dev and advocacy
> efforts.  Drafting petitions and memorandums to have our requests
> processed, would be the main channel of making suitable requests.
> 
> Yesterday, Raman.P., of ILUGC, suggested that free software user groups
> in India join together to form an association.  While software cos. have
> NASSCOM, software user groups have no corresponding association that
> could effectively air their views and needs.  In the free software
> community, the line between developers and users is virtually
> non-existent, and FSF India could lead in co-ordinating all the free
> software user groups, including LUGs that are willing to join.  Most
> user groups meet once a month, and discuss over mailing lists also, and
> hence important issues could be discussed at all LUGS and based on
> consensus, better representations could be sent to authorities.
> 

We would want someone take it up as a clear responsibility and do it,
be in touch with all the FSUGS/GLUGS and LUGS and other free software
groups in the country.  We do have now more serious people and are
willing to work.  It is good if each person takes one responsibility
and coordinates on behalf of FSF India.

Nagarjuna