December 2010 - Free-software-melb - lists.softwarefreedom.com.au

Removal from list
by Darren Poinen 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Hi there Can you please remove me from the mailing list thanks Regards Darren Poinen - Freelance Tutor and Statistics consultant Bachelor of Social Science (Economics & Statistics),1994,Cape Town Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) In Statistics,1995, Cape Town Certificate in Logistics Management, 2003, Johannesburg Master of Accounting, Curtin Perth, 2008 Mobile : +61434260887 Email : darren_poinen(a)hotmail.com Email : stats.tutor(a)hotmail.com

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2010 report on OSS use around the world
by Adrian Colomitchi 24 Dec '10

24 Dec '10

Hi guys, I think you might be interested to get a perspective on the degree of use of OSS around the world, at least the way it looks like from Spain. http://observatorio.cenatic.es/images/stories/estudios_e_informes/empresas/… "The United States, Australia and the Western European countries lead the development and adoption of open source software." "In the public sector, Europe has experienced greater penetration." "In the Pacific region, Australia stands out as one of the countries with the highest degree of open source software adoption in the world, thanks to its active communities of OSS developers who participate in international projects. The universities also play a very important role in both training qualified ICT personnel and participating in OSS projects. The Australian business sector spends a significant part of its R&D budget on OSS projects, which results in the country having a large subsector of open source software companies within the ICT sector and in the presence of OSS centres of excellence in the country. This is accompanied by a policy of support by the government, which has encouraged the adoption of OSS by the Public Sector." What? To me, it doesn't feel quite right, but maybe my "basement" is deep enough to "shield" me from the marvellous extent of OSS in the Australian public sector? Any additional info you may have specifically on this? The links at page 98 look rather old, are these policies and guides still actual for the public sector ? Regards, Adrian

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Discussion group next Thurs 16 December
by Ben Sturmfels 13 Dec '10

13 Dec '10

Hi Folks, Just a reminder that our monthly free software discussion group is on next Thursday 16 December, 6:30pm at the State Library of Victoria. Meet in the foyer a little before 6:30pm. For those that haven't been before, we essentially get together and chat about a few (ideally pre-arranged) topics around free software. It's mostly non-technical and no experience is required. Proposed discussion topics: 1. Alex Fraser's summary of the New Zealand campaign against software patents from his meeting with Don Christie. 2. How does the ACTA agreement (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) affects use of free software? My (Ben's) understanding is that it may prohibit defeating any "digital handcuffs" even for legitimate use - eg. playing a DVD you own. Look forward to seeing you there, Ben

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