[Values-ethics] 506 / The United World Visions Festivals on Global Issues for a new global information society

[VROs United World Vision Festivals]

----- Oorspronkelijk bericht -----
Van: "Richard Stallman" <rms at gnu.org>
Aan: "VROs United World Vision Festivals" <rockproject at 6xa.nl>
CC: <values-ethics at wsis-cs.org>; <claude.almansi at bluewin.ch>
Verzonden: maandag 16 februari 2004 20:53
Onderwerp: Re: [Values-ethics] 506 / The United World Visions Festivals on
Global Issues for a new global information society


>     I would be taking a great risk if I would advise the VRO board to make
a =
>     switch from Microsoft now, you, Claude and Geert understand this, but
I =
>     stand open for the right challenge to do so. In other words: Yes I'm =
>     willing to resist Microsoft influence, but will the 4 of you
(including =
>     WSIS) assure us that there will be no hard feelings if we reject your
=
>     proposal?
>
> I won't condem your project completely merely for using Windows, even
> though I would say that ethically it is harmful to use that.  Whether
> using Windows would make your project harmful depends on details of
> how you use it, which I don't know.

.........but you can imagine.............

It cannot be a good thing to use
> Windows, but it can be more or less harmful.
>
> I am focusing on looking for a way you can choose a better path.

............OK, I understand, so again how to collaborate?
>
>      Secondly, we are talking about 750,000 hits per day, who can =
>     compete with this?
>
> I am confused.  What is the specific thing you are asking us to
> compete with?  Your use of the expression "hits per day" suggests you
> may be talking about a web site--is that what you mean?

.............yes.......

> Free software for web sites is very capable, very reliable, very
efficient, and very
> widely use.  More than half the world's web sites run on Apache, and
> many of then run it on the GNU/Linux system.  I think that Google runs
> on a free operating system.
>
> project could be a positive contribution to the world despite using
> Windows depends on details that I don't know.  To what extend
>

................2 objectives of the UWVF:
1st- To give full expression to the creative impulses of individuals and
communities in order to enhance the well-being of societies and better equip
them to interact in a globalized world.
2e- We hope to achieve this by creating an outlet for information and
communication technologies for a new global information society. Through
this venture we hope to resolve a percentage of the problems that the 8 MDGs
are confronted with.

A mayor problem with which the 8 MDGs are confronted is a lack of interest
from the public and the media.

A third objective is (partly from the University of Amsterdam):
The venture is a start-up of Computer Science to create new Software
Engineering for Information Management in combination with useful content.
We (the consortium) focus ourselves in research and development of
interactive systems both technically and creatively. That is, we try to
merge exact science with artistic expression. Concretely, we develop
multimedia and virtual reality technology to support artistic ideas, while
improving scientific methods for system requirements validation and
usability testing. Another focus is to combine Web design, task analysis,
avatar and agent technology, and human-computer interaction for general use.
Our partners want to commit themselves to requirements engineering in
different stakeholder groups for the VROs / UWVF Internet software platform
from a multi-cultural perspective. Moreover, together we wish to provide
artistic content to implement the mission of global communication and
universal access. Our mission is therefor to let those who live in isolation
(poverty) to become a person of the world in collaboration with the riches
.............(you Richard, and me)

...............I expect that you are aware of the 8 MDGs.