MESSAGE
| DATE | 2001-12-30 |
| FROM | David Sugar
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [hangout] Introduction - Free Software Institute - economic policy
|
Of course free software can work well as an ecomic model for those that
have least in today's economy. Unlike other industries that do deal
with physical goods and which often did and still do require massive
capital investment, software as an industry only requires a quick mind
and access to a modest PC to create things. Perhaps one should add net
access. Any requirements beyond that are either from the minds of those
still living in a 19th century industrial economic model, or those that
wish to profit by extinguishing the natural rights of free people and
the public to their ideas and thereby create an artificial
industrial-like software economy thru a false scarcity of goods or the
incorrect notion that ideas are physical property.
Ruben Safir wrote:
>
>>>My name is Paul RodrÃguez. I am 22 years old and am taking a leave of
>>>absence from Hampshire College where I was studying Comparative Religion
>>>and Political Science.
>>>
>
>That's a hot topic this season.
>
>
>>>When I took a leave of absence from that school, I went to work with a
>>>variety of NGO's and local organizations in Brazil.
>>>
>
>
>What are NGO's?
>
>
>
>>> I became interested
>>>in their information infrastructure.
>>>
>
>
>
>One of the most exciting aspects of Free Software is what it can do for
>disenfranchised sub-cultures around the would, even in NYC. It's always
>been a passionate burn in me to enable and empower communities in
>Brooklyn which are fail even to know how disenfranchised they are from
>the main stream of America. They are emotionally and sociologically
>shackled and self-shackled in so many ways that only through something
>like Free Software will they ever develop into more functional groups of
>individuals.
>
>In the olden days, I remember taking the LL train out of Canarsie and through
>East NY, burned rubble, overrun with drug pushers and manevelent individuals
>who overwhelm all hope and sense of survivalbility in these communities.
>
>Nobody ever fed these people dreams and I can remember friends in minority
>communities as I grew up at a certain point, broke off into a despair and rage
>in and around Junior High School. At this point, stereotypes took root, friends
>would suddenly call me an enemy and it was no longer safe to be with them.
>It seemed completely irrational at the time, and it still is.
>
>Free Software allows you to put something powerful in their hands, to be
>producers to their maximum potential. John Hall outlines the potential for
>free software to build industries in the third world where labor is cheep and
>dollars are scarce. This is also true in Crown Heights, Bushwick and Bed-Sty.
>
>Our educational inititive to to move on three fronts. One is training and
>general computer education in Languages, Network and tools. Secondly
>is getting free software into the schools, which Marcus Conti is supposed to lead.
>
>And it's not just B'Tech and Styversaunt I want to get into, but also we need to get
>to Jefferson, Wingate, Erasmus, Boys High. We need to get into the worse schools in
>the city and hope to build sparks and momentum.
>
>Third is corperate training. We need to start bring Free Software to Corperate
>Amerca by selling it too them and providing support training in MYSQL,
>The Gnome DeskTop, The Gimp, Prostgres, Applixware (this is not free but
>SELF is), Star Office, etc. We are going to be building from the inside a tight
>network of prepared and ready consultants to help businesses reach their
>needs.
>
>
>
>
>>>enormous potential of free software in a great veriety of environments.
>>>
>
>
>>>As it so happens, Brazil has a very active and growing base of Linux
>>>users (as evidenced by 18 year old Marcelo Tosatti, the new maintainer
>>>of the Linux kernel).
>>>
>
>That makes me feel good to know an 18 year old, regardless of how brilient
>he is, is entrusted with the future of the Linux kernel.
>
>>>We are putting
>>>together a complete "cradle to grave" Linux educational program. These
>>>classes are designed to be taken together to get a well rounded base in
>>>Unix administration. This includes use, installation, programming, and
>>>system and network administration.
>>>
>
>Hopeful, people existing this program will fit into our growing pool
>of Consultants and promoters of Free Software. It's our Guerilla Warfare
>soldiers :).
>
>>>The current plans include:
>>> Introduction to Unix1
>>> Introduction to Unix2
>>> Apache: Introduction to.., Advanced Administration
>>> Networking
>>> Perl - Intoduction, Advanced, Advanced Web programming with...
>>> Lisp
>>>
>
>
>Do we have that proposed outline somewhere? I think I posted the original one twice.
>(I personally don't remember lisp being on it :)
>
>
>
>>>The first of these classes, Introduction to Programming with Perl, just
>>>finished up its 10 lesson (50 hour!) course last week. We are currently
>>>in preparation for an Advanced Perl and Web Programming 5 week course
>>>beginning on January 6th.
>>>
>
>That class was not a part of the NYLXS Curriculum. Brooklyn Linux Solutions needs
>to recoup some losses before nylxs goes off the air.
>
>>>And a 2 month GTK Workshop beginning on Jan
>>>9th.
>>>
>
>Yes
>
>This is going to be excellent.
>
>
>>>With the funds generated from these classes we are looking to allocate
>>>space that will be available to the various Free Software groups in the
>>>area. Securing a space for the community to meet, learn, and discuss.
>>>
>
>Yes
>
>>>I propose a meeting on Thursday, Jan 3 at the Typhoon Brewery (22 E 54th
>>>St) at 8:30 PM.
>>>
>
>OK, but that place is noicy. Have you ever tried the Killarny Rose downtown?
>Put the engagement on the Calendar.
>
>
>>>-Paul RodrÃguez
>>>sangrelinux-at-yahoo.com
>>>201-864-4323
>>>
>>>You can also IM me using AIM at SangreToro
>>>
>
>And you can use paulr-at-nylxs.com
>
>:)
>
>Ruben
>
>
>>>_________________________________________________________
>>>Do You Yahoo!?
>>>
>
>No...
>
____________________________
New Yorker Linux Users Scene
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