Re: Who's here and how did you get here?

[Andy Fletcher]

Provided you mail from an email address on this list it is possible to get a 
list of members by dropping a mail to address@hidden with 
the query 'who ukfsfe' in the body of the mail. At present there are 9 unique 
subscribers to this list (I am registered twice and there is a registration 
from the mailing list archive).

I have put some general information on the mailing list at 
http://www.x31.com/~ukfsfe/ and can be contacted at this address or as 
address@hidden There is also a link at the bottom of the 
web page to me if anyone has any problems or queries.

I run an ISP in Peterborough and spend most of my working time on Linux (OK, 
GNU/LINUX) based systems developing test tools for the radiocomms industry. I 
have not developed any GPL software to date (my clients pay me to develop the 
software and therefore call the tune although I am trying to educate them).

Regarding ID-PRO I was saddened to hear of the recent collapse of the 
company. Last summer I organised the Linux Beer Hike in Coniston and ID-PRO 
were very kind in supporting the event.  I'll miss them this year in Belgium.

I like to think that there are different ways of contributing to Open/Free 
software (ie, my coding abilities are not wonderful) and hope to assist the 
movement by providing support/facilities and spreading the word.  I have 
benefited from Open/Free software in the past (I use it every day at work) 
and would like to give something back.  

A formal organisation in the UK would be a very good first step in promoting 
Free Software in the UK, it would be IMO extremely beneficial if the Linux 
user groups could become members of the UK Free Software Organisation as 
there is a large degree of overlap in the interests and they could be used to 
promote it (I know that their interests are narrower).

A charter for this mailing list would be a good idea, I just threw the web 
page together and kept the list description as general as possible so as not 
to restrict discussions. Long running arguments about software licenses or 
logos are not my preference as I would like to focus on forming a UK 
organisation and coming up with some sort of agreed publicity campaign. There 
are different opinions as to what constitutes Free software and what is fair 
use of it (ie, can you use it and get paid in the process) but I am sure that 
a basic agreement can be achieved allowing everyone to sing from 
approximately the same song sheet.

If anyone has any doubts as to the potential problems convincing business in 
the UK then I suggest that they have a look at 
http://www.brightstation.com/html/evangelist/060501.html This guy is 
frightening and I am planning to post some background information onto the 
FSFE mailing list in the near future about his company which opened up the 
Muscat search engine under the GPL then (allegedly :-) ) tried to change 
their mind at a later date. It makes a good example of what can go wrong. 
Imagine being asked questions by your 'pointy headed boss' after he had read 
this article - how would you refute the statements ?

regards

Andy

-
FSFE discussions U.K
address@hidden
http://www.x31.com/~ukfsfe/