[Fsf-friends] Solutions [was So what is the problem?]

[Ramanraj K]

Dear Shri M. Sasikumar,

M Sasikumar wrote:

 > I am amazed at this kind of mails.

I am surprised that you have taken time to reply.  Thanks.

 >Is this the way to promote Open source?

Please avoid using the expression "Open Source" because it cannot help
to distinguish between free software and non-free software intelligibly
without elaborate definitions.  "Free Software" is the correct
expression to use and promote.

Please help us to promote Free Software more widely.  Could the CDAC
publish a list of Free Software used by the organisation?  Since
promotion of education is one of the objectives of CDAC, could the CDAC
   make available the source code of Free Software programs that have
been tried and tested at CDAC?  What are the free and open standards
that are used by CDAC?

 > Is CDAC Mumbai (ex-NCST) the only place with Windows machines? > How
long has NCST been around? How long has it been since Linux
  > machines got to be comparable in user friendliness? How much of
  > industry is using Linux even today?

Private individuals and entities may choose to waste valuable resources
for no particular reason or merely out of ignorance.  I am sure the
"industry" is not the example to be followed.  Please take examples from
Universities and other more responsible institutions around the world
that have taken an active role in making the free software movement
possible. Even if the "industry" is slow or incapable of understanding
the merits of Free Software, it cannot give excuses to public bodies to
follow the mistakes of others.

The so called user friendliness promoted by proprietary software often
do not make any sense.  Could you please list the features that you
consider as "user friendly"?  Many free software programs aim at the
highest automation possible without unnecessary interference or
interruption during execution.

 > Does the guy posting know why we use the particular > setup for work? It
has nothing to do with his "smart" observation.

Please give the reasons.  I do hope that some research to provide
interoperability between operating systems is the reason.

 > Bashing some institution is not the way to promote Open source.

Free software has evolved by staying focused on issues, and sticking to
those traditions should help everyone :)

Thanks and Regards,
Ramanraj.