---------- Forwarded message ----------<br><div class="gmail_quote">From: <b class="gmail_sendername">thomas joseph</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:thomasatps@gmail.com">thomasatps@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: 2008/11/18<br>
Subject: [ATPS] My views on the Anivar incident.<br><br>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I too am sorry for man handling Anivar,
'the spoke-person of free software movement'. But an anti-democrat has
crept in him. May be due to emotional upsurge. When he tried upon the
freedom of others they too reciprocated. This is what I could
understand. Trespassing the limits of democratic rights, pasting
posters inside the private property of another as also manhandling
was not correct. Both should have been avoided.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Then, the question of name of the
conference. Both the names 'National conference on free software',
the name given by the organisers as also Conference on NON-FREE
SOFTWARE' the name given by the supporters of Anivar 'the spoke-person
of free software movement' are meaningful and reflect the content of
the conference. Non-free software also were exhibited. Those who use
non-free software also were present. We invited every body because
the conference was meant for promoting the use of free software.
Unless they come how can we interact with them. It was not a meeting
of users of free software to chalk out their program. It was the
meeting of all who used, started using in the past, start using now
and will use in future. So we called every body. Some came. Many did
not come as they were using non free software. The stand taken by
Anivar, 'the spoke-person of swathanthra software' is meant to drive
away those who wants to come to the fold of free software movement.
How will those people be attracted to the movement. Anivar has to
review his fundamentalist stance.
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">He should ponder over this issue in its
depth. At least in Kerala, one of the major hurdles for the
advancement of free software movement during the past 10 years is the
fundamentalist stands taken by the self proclaimed spokespersons of
swathanthra software, including FSF-India. They seems to be of the
view that software was freed by them, that FSF liberated software
all over the world, FSF-India did it in India and Anivar Aravind did it
in Kerala. They should know that software was free earlier. Most of
them are free even today. But still mass of the people could not use
them due to other deprivations. Socially owned Software was
appropriated by few and declared them proprietary. The greatness of
FSF lies in the fact that it framed the legal frame work to prevent
further appropriation of that created in social domain. The FSF-India is
using its name and preventing the growth of free software movement by
its company form of structure. This company structure is helpful for
the purpose FSF was formed, to sustain the legal frame work. But it
is a hurdle for a mass movement. At least in India, FSF-India is
preventing the spread of the ideals of FSF and the free software
movement.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">SMC is a very good collaborative
effort. It has enriched Malayalam. Anivar is not alone in it. Anivar
is a gentleman in many respects. Young. Better if he has a bit more
historic sense and able to understand the crooked ones. My request to
Anivar is to try not to be the tool in the hands of FSF-India. He has to
shirk off the dependence due to his earlier employment with FSF-India.
</p>
<br>-- <br> With warm greetings. <br><br> Joseph Thomas,<br> <a href="mailto:thomasatps@gmail.com" target="_blank">thomasatps@gmail.com</a>,<br> 9447738369.<br><br>"DREAM IS NOT WHAT YOU SEE IN SLEEP, IS THE THING WHICH DOES NOT LET YOU<br>
SLEEP"<br><br>
</div><br>