debate about Free software for the ACT Government

[Richard Cottrill]

I'm afraid gentlemen (and any lurking ladies) that you'll have to believe
that I'd be there with bells on, and bring all of my meagre political
influence with me. Unfortunately I'll be out of town (and then some) when
this happens; so the best I can manage is to shout from the sidelines.

ESR has some 'interesting' views on all kinds of things - if he weren't so
well known he'd be certifiable rather than eccentric. I really should have
clarified that I meant 'party political' rather than just politicised (free
software is essentially a political movement when you think about it). As I
implied towards the end of my rant, I think most members of CLUG are already
quite politically active (for a fairly broad interpretation of political) -
I think most people in CLUG will happily take sides in a work debate on the
relative virtues of free, open software.

Personally I don't think you should wear your allegiances on your sleeves -
politicians never do us the honour of declaring their intentions. <rude
comment withheld>

Richard

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jeremy [mailto:jepri at webone.com.au]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2002 7:57 PM
> To: Richard Cottrill
> Cc: alex-clug at trevbus.net; linux at lists.samba.org; luke.ryan at dcita.gov.au
> Subject: Re: debate about Free software for the ACT Government
>
>
> > Of course I have every reason to expect that if this is ever adopted
> > it will
> > be by largely ignorant politicians bleating about has-been buzzwords
> > without
> > understanding what the hell they're talking about. From there the
> > politicisation of the topic is but a fairy step to the side, and then
> > all is
> > lost.
>
> It's only lost if we aren't politcal.  ESR has some interesting views
> on that.
>
>
> > </rant>
> >
> > I hope for a change by parts towards free, open software cross the
> > world. I
> > expect (at best) a nasty political quagmire in Canberra; or (most
> > likely) a
> > bit of hot-air where politicians (and hopefuls) can schmoose with a
> > largish,
> > well-organised, politically active group of voters.
>
> I can't help myself thinking... this ought to be us.  We should at the
> very least make sure we get a decent number of people along, all
> wearing their linux t-shirts
>