Hi Cherian,<br><br>I would invite your attention to RMS' blog :<br><a href="http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/rms-entry-20041128/view?searchterm=PDVSA" target="_blank">http://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/rms-entry-20041128/view?searchterm=PDVSA</a><br>
<br>RMS' words :<br><i>[I spent a week in Venezuela, giving a speech and some interviews at an
event which invited speakers from all across Latin America. During
the event, the state oil company PDVSA announced its decision to
switch 100% to free software. Their decision is not based on
convenience or cost; it is based on sovereignty. Their computers used
to be handled by a US company, SAIC. When opponents of President
Chavez tried to drive him from office by shutting down oil protection,
the US government helped out by telling SAIC to prevent them from
using their computers. PDVSA therefore knows from experience that
using non-free software means you are at the mercy of the developers,
and has decided to solve the problem for good and all.</i>]<br><br>Now I invite your attention to another an RMS interview :<br><a href="http://www.itnews.com.au/News/128452,qa-richard-stallman-founder-of-the-gnu-project-and-the-free-software-foundation.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.itnews.com.au/News/128452,qa-richard-stallman-founder-of-the-gnu-project-and-the-free-software-foundation.aspx</a><br>
<br>
In which RMS was asked the following question :<br><i><b style="font-weight: normal;">[Qn. Do you think public authorities should be leading the way with free software?<br> </b><br>
Ans: Every public agency has a duty to maintain its control over its
computing, as a matter of sovereignty. Using a non-free program means
giving the program's developer control over that computing. Thus,
public agencies must reject proprietary software and move to free
software. Venezuela and Ecuador are on the right track.]</i><br><br>Cherian, In PDVSA case SAIC acted an arm of Amerian establishment. UID project is a project which involves the security of our nation. Microsoft is a US company, what is the guaranty Microsoft will not follow the SAIC way? <br>
<br>As far as I know FSMK followed what Richard Stallman has said regarding use of proprietary software in public agencies, which is nothing but compromising our country's soveriegnity. Now, is it a crime to follow Richard Stallman? No, for sure. <br>
<br>So kindly stop making stupid comments, and I request you to apologise for doing the same. Last time you posted what you do in your home, helping your wife and all, for posting a BBC news link which revealed Microsoft's racist hind side. <br>
<br>My friend sent me the following link, which will give you a clearer picture of Microsoft. Do read it :<br><span><a href="http://www.ecis.eu/documents/Finalversion_Consumerchoicepaper.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.ecis.eu/documents/Finalversion_Consumerchoicepaper.pdf</a></span><br>
<br>Warm Regards,<br>Roopesh<br>