Re: [ox-en] re brazil (slightly OT)
- From: Graham Seaman <graham seul.org>
- Date: Tue, 5 Nov 2002 10:28:31 -0500 (EST)
On Tue, 5 Nov 2002, Raju Mathur wrote:
"Graham" == Graham Seaman <graham seul.org> writes:
Graham> On Thu, 31 Oct 2002, pietro wrote:
>> Graham Seaman escreveu: > Hopefully Lula will have more
>> backbone than Toledo...
>> i really hope that he will. it provoced soem strange reactions
>> on the FS community in brasil. people are now kind of
>> discussing an strategy of propaganda to make the mind of the
>> future govement before bill gates. we have two things in favor
>> of us: pt (lula's party) goverments seem to like FS, and lula
>> said he is not traveling abroad before he officialy becomes
>> president, this happens in january 1st.
>>
Graham> If you can persuade Lula to send a letter like this:
Graham> http://www.schoolnet.na/pr/msftrelease.html
Graham> even better
I don't agree: all the arguments that Nigeria makes for going for free
software are economics-centric.
I would agree with you (except that it's Namibia, not Nigeria) if that
was how I read the letter. But I don't think that is what they are saying.
The issue is not over the 'free' software from MS, but over the hardware
MS offered to provide. As I understand the letter, there are two offers
made to MS: either MS provide decent quality hardware as a real gift,
with licensing conditions which allow schoolNet to overwrite the discs
with their own choice of software (ie free, non-MS, software); or MS
offer an affordable alternative to the current open source system for
which they also provide technical support; and it is stressed that this
would be an alternative, to run in parallel with the existing system, not
a replacement for it. In either case, they are saying that if MS genuinely
wants to make a present to Namibia, fine, but in either case they are
comitted to continue with open-source software (yes, I agree they don't
use the word 'free', only 'open-source').
They have painted themselves into a
corner, and if MS now comes up with a scheme whereby they get all the
MS products for free, they themselves will be forced to make Nigerian
schools a showcase success story for MS. And is MS likely to worry
about $9000 (or whatever the paltry price of the software is) when
larger issues are at stake?
MS will keep winning as long as the arguments for free software are
based on money, unless and until someone raises the banner of freedom
and displays the determination to carry it through.
I think it is also important to point out that even in purely financial
terms Microsofts 'gifts' are actually not gifts at all. And as far as
determination goes these people seem pretty determined.
Arguments based
on security, price, stability, quality etc (the open source way) are
ultimately self-defeating, since all these qualities are ephemeral and
relative. Free software must be promoted for its freedom, the only
permanent and absolute quality that differentiates it from proprietary
software.
Yes, fine. Where do they use the 'open source way' arguments? Their
argument seems to me to be 'we have developed a successful system based on
open-source software which works well and cheaply and can be replicated
throughout Africa. We have no need for proprietary software'. They don't
use the word 'freedom', but that argument seems to me a concrete example
of freedom: they are saying that they need the freedom to continue with
their own successful solution, and will not accept having proprietary
systems imposed on them disguised as presents.
Best wishes
Graham
Regards,
-- Raju
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