Re: [Hampshire] Event - BCS OSSG 'Question time on Open Sour…

Dr A. J. Trickett wrote:
> This may be interesting to some people.
>
> ----- Forwarded message from Jane Morrison <office@???> -----
>
> From: Jane Morrison <office@???>
> Subject: [UKUUG-Announce] Event - BCS OSSG 'Question time on Open Source'
>
> http://ossg.bcs.org/
>
> “Question Time” on Open Source – Bournemouth 17/03/10
>
> In the style of the BBC program “Question Time”, join us for an evening of
> Q & A on Open Source software.
>
> BCS Dorset Branch welcomes the Open Source Specialist Group (OSSG)
> http://ossg.bcs.org/ – for an entertaining evening debating this hot topic. Is
> Linux the answer to everything?

I do hope the panel of experts comment that GNU/Linux might be an OS
while Linux might be a kernel.

A really fascinating blow by blow talk by the man himself, RMS, in 10
minute
episodes (14 in all) can be seen on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6LsfnBmdnk&feature=related
Recommended viewing prior to going to the discussion I would think.

It was a surprise to me to find such carefully argued detail. There
are a lot of episodes and I found them all worth spending time with.
I have a transcript if anyone is interested too.

This changed my understanding of free software, and deepened it too.
I *now* know why I am using free software!

Initial paragraph:
'This is not a technical talk, the subject I am talking about is not
technical, it is social, political and ethical. The issue is, what
should the rules of society be for using software?'

So when the (BCS) question is asked, 'Is Linux the answer to
everything?' I am tempted to wonder what question is being answered.
Maybe 'What sort of society do we want to live in?' is a good question.

Another somewhat related and interesting video which shows good
reasons for a free(dom) loving society is from Glynn Moody:
Why Hackers Will Save the World
http://opendotdotdot.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-hackers-will-save-world.html

--
alan cocks
Ubuntu user