<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="country-region"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:Arial;
color:navy;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><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 color=black
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>I am a
fresher – in all aspects – into FSF. I feel my pulse mount when I
see monopoly, the reason that leads me down here. I was back to my campus
(CUSAT) last weekend when I came to know about this conference and had the
honor of being a delegate for the last two days. But what I witnessed finally
had to be mentioned about, at least to serve my mindset.<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'>A Temple of
Education – one like CUSAT – esteemed to be one among the best in
the state has been affronted by some recent series of atrocious incidents </span></font>happened
during the Free Software National Conference<font color=navy><span
style='color:navy'> </span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'>-
labeling the students and teachers of this prestigious institution as erratic
and irresponsible, questioning their integrity and devotion. It has been raised
by some 'former students' and some so-called revolutionaries who love to be
addressed as the 'proprietors of free software movement, supported by a few
intellects. <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'>I, as an
alumni and a witness to the roll of incidents take it as my obligation to
comment on it. The SFI and the CUSAT University Union is being blamed in
the light of the recent incidents that took place. But the fact that it was SFI
who first invited</span></font><font color=navy><span style='color:navy'> </span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'> Richard Stallman <i><span
style='font-style:italic'>(Prophet of FSF)</span></i> to preside over the </span></font>Students
Parliament which held on 2004 in Trivandrum and tha<font color=black><span
style='color:black'>t it was the CUSAT University Union who made the platform
for him in CUSAT is being deliberately kept under cover. The tradition of CUSAT
B.Tech Students - has been put down! There was a time when they retorted the
monopoly of the big players when the American Dictator was screeching <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iraq</st1:place></st1:country-region> with bombs
- with pure rejection of sponsorships from big-names like Pepsi & Coke and
moved into the court raising fund from among them to accomplish their Culturals
& Sports.<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'>Let’s
get into the nerves of this Novell Whim. Only two days before the conference
started did the organizing committee get the sponsorship from Novell - the
reason why Novell's name was omitted from the official website of the
conference. Organizing committee is at an obvious burden for not letting
themselves know who is pouring in such a huge amount – lack of </span></font>commonsense,
I must say!!! But its beating around the bush, let me hit on the nail - the
fact that Novell's stall appeared in the exhibition only on Saturday morning
while the exhibition actually started on Thursday, is the ultimate proof that
sponsorship from Novell was confirmed only on Thursday or Friday. It is
intriguing that even after knowing this one of the program committee members
himself is raising the issue that Novell's name was purposefully omitted from
the conference website. This has to be thought off amply. <o:p></o:p></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>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
<table><tr><td bgcolor=#ffffff><font color=#000000>*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************<br>
"This message and any attachments are solely for the intended recipient and may contain Birlasoft confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient,any disclosure,copying, use, or distribution of the information included in this message and any attachments is <br>
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us by reply e-mail at (administrator@birlasoft.com) and permanently delete this message and any attachments. Thank you."<br>
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************<br>
</font></td></tr></table>