MESSAGE
| DATE | 2002-06-21 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [hangout] IBM Space offers and Downtown Services
|
That's something we would be willing to do since
it's without hooks
I don't personally have contact with them because I never
tried to get space their. Maybe Jay can look into this
Ruben
On Fri, Jun 21, 2002 at 10:26:01AM -0400, Ray Connolly wrote:
> Think there is any chance they would donate a group of machines in a
> classroom so prospective pupils wouldn't have to buy one to conform to the
> class requirements?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ruben Safir [mailto:ruben-at-mrbrklyn.com]
> Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 5:31 PM
> To: hangout-at-nylxs.com
> Subject: [hangout] IBM Space offers and Downtown Services
>
>
>
> There is a bit of noise around the net about the IBM offer to create
> a tech center and space for Free Software groups in NYC. I feel, that
> in light of this offer to the community, we need to look at a number of
> aspects of this development.
>
> First of all, I would like to extend my personal thanks to the folks at
> IBM for their years of ssuport of a number of groups and for providing
> meeting space in Midtown for NYLUG, GNUBIES, Deludge, and a bunch of
> other software organization.
>
> There has been much speculation about the motives of IBM in making this
> offer, and how atruistic IBM is towards GNU/Linux.
>
> It's my belief that IBM is indeed excited about the prospects for
> GNU/Linux as a platform to peddle their propeitary software. I believe
> that IBM sees a future for themselves on this platform, and that the
> collegiate nature of Linux developement and Free Software Developement.
> The management of IBM sees Linux strictly in terms of it's ability to
> generate revenue (and rightly so). I see no moral dillema in terms of
> IBM's management profit driven motivations to exploit Free Software,
> and Free Softwares need to create Free and Open platforms for software
> developement. In fact, I see just the opposite. I want everyone to
> run Free Software because the moral foundation of the software makes
> pratical buisness sense.
>
> However, I think that Free Software and our user groups, especially
> NYLXS, have reason for concern about IBM's offer and IBM's current
> business plan. We should not confuse IBM's agenda for our own. IBM,
> as a business which provides IT services for enterprises and government,
> can not accomplish many of the missions which NYLXS, as Free Software
> institution feels it must provide to the general public. This is most
> obvious in terms of general computer education, and empowerment programs.
> These are not business goals (unless your business is a University) and
> it still falls on the shoulders of organizations like NYLXS to promote
> general computer education for the public at affordable prices.
>
> IBM's educational offering are IBM specific. This should be of no
> suprise. They're offerings are peppered with WebShperei, Domino and
> DB2 offering,
> neither of
> which, to my knowledge, are free software. IBM also has licensing issues.
> Obviously, they are targeting the use of propietary server applications
> as their bread and butter on the Free GNU/Linux platform. And they
> very focused on using GNU/Linux as a means to sell more close sourced
> propietary products.
>
> So while I deeply apreciate IBM's efforts to Free many projects,
> and to help improve many Free Software products, IBM is not necessarily
> an all encompassing guardian angle of free Software.
>
> It was not long ago that IBM was proposing spyware in every IDE hard drive.
> And the company has shown to be at times very sensitive to critism on these
> matters, clumsy in their aproach (read the left hand doesn't know the right
> hand is trying to patent common software discoveries), and often as much
> of a threat to Free Softwares necessary political agenda as a help.
>
> Putting these issues to the side for a moment, most importantly, our
> Computing organizations must be very careful to remain finacially,
> politcally,
> and organizationally independent. We must be able to make decisions without
> wondering how IBM is going to react. There is a real danger of over
> dependence
> on handout, not just form IBM, but from ANYONE, at the cost of the real work
> needed to forge long lasting and effective organizations. This can not
> happen.
>
> >From NYLXS's prospective, we've already made this error once, against my
> better judgement, and I care not to do it again. NYLXS's membership is
> dependent on volunteer hours, and we will only accept help of this nature
> from members. Our members work hard and have a full stake in our success or
>
> failure. This has the benefit of changing the very nature of the
> conversation
> between the people we depend on to get things done, and the organizations
> leader
> which is asking to fill the man and materials to get these tasks finished.
>
> If IBM's personel and board of directors wish to pluck $40 on the table
> and then donate 20 hours of volunteer hours with us, in the trenches, and
> as full equal partners, we would love to then use their space for our
> regular inservices, lectures and meetings. And while we might consider
> doing a special event with IBM, I see nothing changing in the goal of
> NYLXS to develope it's own educational space and facilities. We wouldn't
> take a dime from them unless they are members.
>
> Lastly, I think IBM is making a big mistake be focusing on the server market
> for Free Software. I would ask IBM to invest in the GNU Desktop and help
> us fill in the gaps of common desktop applications needed to run business.
> As long as Microsoft control the desktop, then we are all just grabbing the
> tiger by the tail. Microsoft can end IBM's ability to provide services
> tomorrow
> if it chooses to. Until we have a large installation of Free Software
> desktops,
> then we are at the mercy of others.
>
>
> Ruben
>
> --
> __________________________
>
> Brooklyn Linux Solutions
> __________________________
> http://www.mrbrklyn.com - Consulting http://www.brooklynonline.com -
> For the love of Brooklyn http://www.nylxs.com - Leadership Development
> in Free Software http://www.nyfairuse.org - The foundation of Democracy
> http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/resources - Unpublished Archive or stories and
> articles from around the net http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/mp3/dr.mp3 - Imagine
> my surprise when I saw you... http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/downtown.html -
> See the New Downtown Brooklyn....
>
> 1-718-382-5752
>
>
>
> ____________________________
> New Yorker Linux Users Scene
> Fair Use -
> because it's either fair use or useless....
--
__________________________
Brooklyn Linux Solutions
__________________________
http://www.mrbrklyn.com - Consulting
http://www.brooklynonline.com - For the love of Brooklyn
http://www.nylxs.com - Leadership Development in Free Software
http://www.nyfairuse.org - The foundation of Democracy
http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/resources - Unpublished Archive or stories and articles from around the net
http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/mp3/dr.mp3 - Imagine my surprise when I saw you...
http://www2.mrbrklyn.com/downtown.html - See the New Downtown Brooklyn....
1-718-382-5752
____________________________
New Yorker Linux Users Scene
Fair Use -
because it's either fair use or useless....
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