[CS Bureau] Derrick's project - status after Prepcom 2

[Georg C. F. Greve]

Robert,

I must say I feel you have a strange understanding of what is
considered constructive or useful. 

There may be many proprietary programs for which no exact Free
Software equivalent exists. I know there are many Free Software
programs for which no proprietary equivalent exists.

Asking for specific features of specific proprietary programs is in
fact a well-known current tactic to exclude Free Software in public
procurement procedures.

As has been pointed out repeatedly in multiple lists, there is no
strong need for video conferencing, it indeed has the effect of
excluding people on a cultural/language basis alone. The increased
needs in bandwidth and computational power are additionally exclusive
to people in the South.

Email, web and chat -- if used properly -- are more effective, proven
tools to fulfill the same task, but are inclusive and participatory.

So instead of introducing an exclusive tool that violates the basic
principles of Civil Society it would be more useful -- although
admittedly less sexy -- to teach people how to use this technology
more effectively and easily.

Most people make bad use of the existing technology. 

Introducing more technology is a solution to that problem.


If Derek wants us to consider his software for use in Civil Society
communication, he should release it as Free Software and make sure it
runs on at least three platforms (*nix, Mac OS, Windows) and can be
used using Free Software only.

Otherwise he -- and you -- should stop pushing.


Respecting the basic principles of Civil Society should be the default
and not the exception. So it should be the CHANGE that has to qualify,
not the other way around.

Many people -- including me -- have by now made it clear on many lists
that they are not willing to sell my principles and my freedom for any
amount of glass pearls.

If you want me to accept something, give me arguments. Convince me
that it is useful. Further excluding people from participating in
Civil Society for a questionable use is something that does not sound
very useful, so you need to do better than that.

Regards,
Georg

-- 
Georg C. F. Greve                                 <greve at fsfeurope.org>
Free Software Foundation Europe	                 (http://fsfeurope.org)
Join the Fellowship and protect your freedom!     (http://www.fsfe.org)
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