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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:navy'>
</span></font><b><font size=4 color=navy><span style='font-size:14.0pt;
color:navy;font-weight:bold'> PART – 2 <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=4 color=navy face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:14.0pt;color:navy;font-weight:bold'>
(This is a continuation of PART-1. So first read PART-1 and then read PART- 2)</span></font></b><b><font
size=4><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>
<u>A Glimpse into The FSF Conference - CUSAT<font color=black><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></u></span></font></p>
<p style='text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I understand the passion
the free software activists had while protesting against Novell, an outflow of
grave anti-dominion feel. But this was not the way, especially considering that
the protest against Novell was lead by a member of the program committee
– there should've been some morale. 'NOVELL' was the next important thing
after the conference from Saturday, considering the gargantuan 20x30 backdrop
hung in the main stage. I must say, being humble enough to proclaim that I
possess some basic common-sense that it is next to unbelievable that among the
15 – 20 people behind the BOYCOTT NOVELL MOVEMENT, not even one of them
saw this banner. I remember Mr. Arkky (the cameraman in the exhibition hall)
who send a mail about this, and many others retorting about this '<i><span
style='font-style:italic'>UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT'</span></i> but present in the
inauguration ceremony. As per the hierarchy of incidents, the fact that Novell
had a hand in sponsorship was realized too late by them, too difficult for me
to accept considering the above facts, and even if they knew it early, instead
of resorting to cheap publicity methods and making a mess of things they
should've shown the sense of making it clear with other committee members like
Anil and Deepak who have made their points clear through blogs and mails
before. But they fled with their say-sos and made the innocents from <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">MEC & TCR</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Engg</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">College</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
partners of their crime – conspiring how to make a huge mess out of the
whole thing. Some<b><span style='font-weight:bold'> ALUMNI</span></b> did
approach the organizers but not to gather support for BOYCOTT NOVELL movement,
but to escape the hands of the volunteers for the chaos caused by these so
called revolutionaries. Novell put up their stall only after giving the
sponsorship cash to the organizers. I won’t be able to digest the
reason – even if I get one – why one among the program committee
member himself lead this anarchy!!!!!!!.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Why I call it
a beautiful drama, I'll speak about later - but after this drama of incidents I
had a casual chat with the organizers of the Novell stall. They actually
thanked the protestors – how wonderful – as the whole incidents boosted
up their publicity. People who knew nothing about Novell now know everything
about it – the very purpose of stalls & publicity. 'Boycott Novell'
posters were pasted in many stalls forcefully. Banners welcoming the delegates
put up on behalf of the various associations like Cochin University Employees
Association and Cochin University Teachers Association etc had no escape... Dr
Bhasi, a highly honored faculty of CUSAT, when trying to obstruct the chaos
that ensued in the exhibition hall was probed about his authority in the
matter. It is demeaning to note that a former student stooped to such low
levels as to ask such a respected man to remove the posters himself. I do
take this as an opportunity to express my heartfelt regret at such an action.
Even the University Security Officer, Mr. Suresh Babu – an extremely
student friendly officer, was assaulted by questions about his authority and
was asked to show his identity card – how appalling for him, for us.
Volunteers, pushing away their exam pressures going on throughout this month
did an awesome job to make the whole program a grant success – their
dedication and commitment to the principles of such a movement being the
driving force. Unfortunately they too weren't spared. The 'former students' who
did witness a variant of such an atrocity during Culturals and Sports can have
a better understanding, I suppose. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Ah, the drama
version alias the one-man-show! Organizers asked the posters to be removed
triggering the one-man-show exponentially. I came across numerous
mails/blogs/messages that a mob of 20 was protesting. But this one big man was
being recorded by the rest in their respective hi-technology cell phones
– and the man was happy and on fire. 20 minutes </span></font>after this
incident – pics & movies in various angles were posted online –
the very proof to the above fact. Before attempting any
intentional-publicity-claim, informing the media<font color=black><span
style='color:black'> is a dirty trick played so often by many such small
'organizations'. He knew it, the <b><i><span style='font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>samurai</span></i></b>, and now we know it, watching his
moves n movies in the videos recorded. Allies arrived flying for rescue aid in
20 minutes after the show-off started – now that makes me suspicious
(just me or even you?). A 'press conference' threat raised by this gentleman
incase the poster is not removed before the arrival of CM proves his/their
intention to the core line. The University Registrar made a polite request, but
then he had his own standards of replying dirty – and so he was asked to
stepped off (instead of being slapped off).<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><font size=3 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Glimpsing through
the Conference Organizers let me put my view in this regard. Free Software has
to be FREE as the name says – no possessor in terms of the giants in this
arena, no patent and nobody enjoys cumulative accounts. People who have been
earning money couching idly in their bedroom cushions are scared when CPM, who
has a massive and valiant history of struggle against capitalism and monopoly,
is promoting free software. CPM is supporting a fetus in this arena of Software
World and must be supported by all. If the people who messed and the people who
organized happen to be the same, I truly believe you have affronted your own
organization and give your heart and soul to your cause next time and better
keep things at your home within your walls!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Criticizers... I do
understand that growth and criticism seems to be parallel but they meet only
after realizing that the blogs and mails you use for complimentary, to
criticize but actually has to be colossally appreciated, has the tinge and
scent of the sweat, pain and blood of these organizers.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Naveen </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>
From: <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Anivar Aravind</span></b> <<a
href="mailto:anivar.aravind@gmail.com">anivar.aravind@gmail.com</a>><br>
Date: Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:51 PM<br>
Subject: [FSUG-Bangalore] My Blog post on National Conference & Boycott
Novell Protest<br>
To: Principal Support List of FSF-India <<a
href="mailto:fsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.in">fsf-friends@mm.gnu.org.in</a>>, Free
Software Users Group - Bangalore <<a
href="mailto:fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in">fsug-bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in</a>>,
Free Software User Group Thrissur- Discussion list <<a
href="mailto:discuss@lists.fsugtsr.org">discuss@lists.fsugtsr.org</a>><br>
<br>
<br>
I blogged about the national Conference & Boycott Novell Protest<br>
<br>
<a
href="http://anivar.movingrepublic.org/2008/national-free-software-conference-boycott-novell-turn-outs"
target="_blank">http://anivar.movingrepublic.org/2008/national-free-software-conference-boycott-novell-turn-outs</a><br>
<br>
If you are any more questions to me. Leave a comment on the post . I<br>
will update the FAQ<br>
<br>
Anivar<br>
<font color="#888888"><span style='color:#888888'><br>
--<br>
I am always happy when I am Protesting: Richard M. Stallman<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
FSUG-Bangalore mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:FSUG-Bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in">FSUG-Bangalore@mm.gnu.org.in</a><br>
<a href="http://mm.gnu.org.in/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fsug-bangalore"
target="_blank">http://mm.gnu.org.in/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/fsug-bangalore</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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