Talk:Events:RMS visit to Bangalore

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Richard.M.Stallman(RMS), the founder of Free Software Foundation, will be in Bangalore from 12th to 14th (tentative) December 2008. Following this, FSUG Bangalore along with RV College of Engineering has plans to organize a set of events and would like to hear from Free Software enthusiasts around in Bangalore about various possibilities of their participation during this occasion. Christ University and BMS College of Engineering are also shown interests in organizing a set of events. Since RMS already visited BMS in 2006, meeting decided to skip BMS this time.

This was mainly discussed during the Gnu(s) Grazing help on November 8th 2008 and is hereby taken for further open discussion with various Free Software enthusiasts in Bangalore. The main process is to evolve a list of probable items that can be included on two program schedules and take it to RMS for his further discretion. Depending upon what he agrees to, we will meet around 3rd week of November 2008 to discuss and conclude a final schedule. Feel free to add an item if you can coordinate with us and take responsibility in organizing it.

A few points brought up during the meeting are,

  1. RMS usually doesn't agree to more than one talk/event at any place he visits. But, as a special condition due to large number of interested people, he has agreed to speak at two places provided that the organizers of both the events join together and run the events together.
  2. Thus, RV College of Engineering is joining hands with FSUG Bangalore in coordinating RMS visit. Vikram Vincent from Christ University confirmed their willingness to Organize both collectively. Renuka Prasad from RV college also agreed to this. Main Organisors of RMS programme in Bangalore will be FSUG Bangalore , RV College of Engineering and Christ University.
  3. As RMSwould also be visiting Ministry people, whose dates aren't finalized yet, we do not have finalized dates and timings yet.
  4. All proposals top add small items to 2 schedules during his visit will have to be agreed by RMS prior to getting finalized.


Contents

[edit] Suggessions

[edit] IISc - Talk on the Myth of Intellectual Property

1) Organising a RMS talk clubbed with other events at - IISc or IIM . We can take care of hosting , getting auditorium and so on..

Topic suggested "Myth of Intellectual Property Why Patents are land mines" or something on the lines- as many IP cells are being promoted in these institutes of national importance and academicans are doing patents and so on

  • Some suggestion on what will be relevant at IISc from prof k gopinath
"I think a big issue now in free software is network/web services and GPL (often called the "ASP loophole"). The Affero GPLv3 addresses this issue. Since this is not well known, I think asking him to talk about this as well as patents/copyrights/... will be useful."
  • harish k singh
Can you look at the article at http://osindia.blogspot.com/2008/11/global-patent-troll-comes-to-india.html. The patents subsidized by our belowed govt is now in the hands of these trolls. Maybe we need to address these issues when the meeting in IISc happens next month.Incidently, this company's major investor is none other than microsoft. See http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/05/12/080512fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=1.
  • Rehat Venky
"Software patents are an important issue in India right now because there is a heated debate over how to interpret Section 3(k) which says that, "A mathematical or business method or a computer programme per se or algorithms are not patentable."
How "computer programme per se" is interpreted is of vital importance to the FOSS community. Therefore a talk by RMS on software patents would be relevant at this point in time and would help raise awareness of how patents prevent independent invention and restrict the freedom of software developers."

Venky


contact : senthil

  • Change the title. Did u say 'Intellectual Property'. It is a seducing mirage. And please put details of contact persons at IISc or IIM --AniVar 06:57, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Industry talk : history of free software

Cisco : has requested a talk . Many technical leaders here will feel honoured to hear RMS - becuase of the fact our life is entwined with GDB,Emacs - but we dont discuss the philosophical political aspects - which has made this possible.

Topic Suggested "History of Free Software" - in a way which can expose the techies to the philosophy . However this needs to be on a working day . We will also try to rope in folks from IBM and so on..Please let us know if there is a slot - if there is then I will work with management and get this confirmed.

contact : senthil

  • RMS suggested to avoid Cisco --AniVar 06:52, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Ambedkar Community Computing center

Release of GIMP painitings of Mani by RMS - a student from a marginalised backround - who happened to use free software - on a donated old computer - and is running classes for other students in the slum - if RMS would like to visit the slum and release it there - it will be very nice - we can show case the music talent of people of the so called 'slums' during this time - if there is a slum visit by RMS.

http://slumdweller.wikispaces.com/

Contact Person : Senthil

  • Senthil, RMS Confirmed this event:-) But it must be short --AniVar 06:52, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kannada IT Sahithya

Kannada Bloggers have expressed interest in RMS visit - it was discussed that it might be good to combine the release of the Kannada free software boook ar RVCE [ excellent work done by renuka and others] - with atelast one prominent writer - like U.R Anandamurthy ( or others) Nemichandra , GK GovindaRao [avoiding writer controversies in kanada literary world] - so that free software will spread strongly into the kannada literary world - and also give space to one of the key bloggers in the book release program

contact : Jayakumar H S

  • This seems to be good to combine with Book Release functuion in RVCE. But make sure that Kannanada Bloggers must have a position supporting Free Software --AniVar 05:57, 10 November 2008 (UTC) .

[edit] Free software enthusiasts from the industry

We were able to get a good number of them - to the fsug meeting yesterday . There are about 10 lakh IT engineers in bangalore [correct me if i am wrong ] and largely away from free software - however there is growing realization that 'free software is the future' and ' the future is ours' . Over the many informal interactions that is taking place amongst us, more and more people feel that we need to do more towards volunteering and we are actively pursuing such activities and are in the process of expanding our activities. IEEE event on free software happened and about 200 paid registrations were there.

A request for a RMS talk at Cisco - this has to be on a working day - this will be taken up separately

This apart we can mobilise the IT engineers to one of the community events : either at Chirst or RVCE - and have one prominent speaker from the industry join RMS in some way - to take it the industry

contact : Justin Jospeh

  • Justin, This is all about awareness right. ask them to participate in Chrit and RVCE events . I feel RMS have issues with Cisco . see my post in mailing list. Also they are already addressed under FSUG bangalore, the main organisor of the event. --AniVar 05:57, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Meeting HoDs and students of other colleges

Contact : Rasinesh , Suresh Kodur

If in some form we can give space to HoDs of other colleges in Christ College event , then it will be very useful to take forward the free software movement in other colleges apart from RVCE, Christ , BMS and make it a more stronger movement in Bangalore.

  • i think christ college can take this initiative , so that other college HODs or whoever can be invited and make them to listen for RMS talk --if necessary there could be a longer Q and A session
But at one end you are telling about taking forward the movement apart from RVCE, Christ and BMS Colleges and also requesting for a space to HODS of other colleges at christ college, could both of you please clearly state what is your suggestion. -- Renuka Prasad
It simply means that existing institutions need to be utilised to build newer institutions.Vincentvikram 09:54, 29 December 2008 (UTC)
  • Thanks Resinesh for making this good point. we have to invite all HOD's and Teachers in Other colleges to participate in RMS speeches. Can anybody spread it in all colleges under VTU? --AniVar 05:57, 10 November 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Discussion

Jayakumar

Providing space as you told like co-ordinating the events or making some one incharge to mobilize the people to attend the function is sole responsibility of each of the member of the FSUG-group

FSUG-group is a voluntary group, any body can take interest in sharing the efforts

Regarding providing stage for one of he bloggers -- i think it is a bit difficult for few reasons like

We all will be there to listen to RMS and Some one who can talk in kannada about free softwares where people would really listen

Since TN Seetharam is doing a serial with the name "Muktha" , I thought he will be the right person as he addresses so many problems that are faced by common man in his serial and in case he is interested to introduce few episodes about free software movement in his serial it would be great -- also he has expressed his interest in attending the function and the bes part is he is writing the preface for the translated book --- lakhs and lakhs of people watch his TV serial so having some episodes in his TV serial about free software will help a lot the free software movement being told to most of the people in karnataka is the main reason why i have invited him --- in case of any emergency he suggested to have a backup as baragooru ramachandrappa who is also a very good writer


Apart from RMS and these two the directorate of Kannada translation has to be there otherwise it is meaningless as they are so kind to prepare a professionally translated book by reviewing several times.

So mainly RMS , TNSeetharam ,Baragooru ramachandrappa, Directorate of Kannada translation will be there as Chief guests and ofcourse principal of RVCE , RSST TRUST secretary, etc etc ..

( all of them might be on the stage or even might not be sitting on the stage ------------ but mainly there will be RMS talk for two hours ( hope so ) and two or three others for not more than 15 -20 mins

Since there are many other people whom we can accommodate on the stage to talk but the time is not enough-- we cant extend the event tooo long ,

i feel it would be great to have the bloggers here( either at christ or RVCE ) and make them listen and interact with RMS .

Still if you feel that it is required to have a separate interaction -- please propose that to RMS , or club it with the press conference/ Interview session which would be ideal for all.

Hope you understand the problem...


Renuka,

We can have one of the other writers in Christ so that it doesnt clash - with the writer issues and so on -

i dont think that should matter, any how any body supporting free software is not at all a problem

but if in some way the kannada book on free software can be introduced - sold - that will be good - so that free software will be promoted by the other writers too - in their respective language cultural domains

The Book is not getting published right now in large scale ----------- unless it gets authenticated from many people --- idea is RMS would release the e-book and may be few hard copies and upload on www.gnu.org and then i will put it on SELF platform ( or may be any other one also ) so that people can comment and make correction or discussions. finally the book will be released after few months ( i mean the printed copies ) RSST would sponsor for that ,

selling the book is a good idea to raise funds for FSF --- i dont think some money will always encourage the writers, those who would love to write will always do it, like musicians irrespective of the monetary benefits they still sing , even programmers also are not an exception..

it is left to christ college and you guys to decide who will be on the christ college stage --as they will also have som plan about organizing at their campus , if you want any help regarding the writers -- i can help from whatever contacts i know

However it will be good if the bloggers can be at RVCE as you said...and someone can speak for a few minutes,

Usual protocol is RMS Does not like answering repeated questions, what i advise is to make use of Q and A sessions

Yes some of the writers can join the press conference as well...

thanks jaykumar

I think a talk by RMS on software patents would be relevant at this point in time and would help raise awareness of how patents prevent independent invention and restrict the freedom of software developers. Software patents are an important issue in India right now because there is a heated debate over how to interpret Section 3(k) which says that, "A mathematical or business method or a computer programme per se or algorithms are not patentable." How "computer programme per se" is interpreted is of vital importance to the FOSS community. RMS's talk on this subject would help raise awareness of this little-known issue and I hope that the press will also be there to cover it.

Venky www.osindia.blogspot.com

[edit] Mail from RMS 

From: Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 10, 2008 at 8:41 AM
Subject: Re: More programs in Banglore

I can certainly stay a few days in Bangalore esp. if I do not go to Chennai.

I would be glad to visit the Ambedkar Community Computing center.
That will be short, right?

As for the Kannada bloggers, please try to combine that with
some other event of mine.

[edit] About Launching uncorkers.org during the visit

All this time while making the web site i had this idea... but i was scared what if i couldn't complete it by the date... so is it possible...? By launching I mean Entering a message for the public and clicking on a button That must take 15 mins max out of the schedule... First tell me how to contact RMS in this regaurd... I've prepared a page on uncorkers.org here : User:Shashi/Uncorkers:About

Please also see For a Preview

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