May 2011 - Free-software-melb - lists.softwarefreedom.com.au

Forum now available via Gmane gateway
by Ben Finney 15 Dec '11

15 Dec '11

Howdy all, This forum is now available via the Gmane gateway <URL:http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.user-groups.foss.melbourne>. As described at that page, this allows the forum to be accessed via many methods in addition to the mailing list, such as NNTP (which is how I'm now posting this message), a weblog-style interface, and syndication feeds. I have given Ben Sturmfels instructions for how to make the past messages of this forum appear as postings in Gmane; hopefully he can find the time to do that. -- \ “If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the | `\ precipitate.” —Steven Wright | _o__) | Ben Finney

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Software freedom talk on 3RRR's Byte Into It, 2011-05-18
by Ben Finney 26 May '11

26 May '11

Howdy all, On Wednesday evenings, Melbourne radio station 3RRR has a computers and new technology program, Byte Into It <URL:http://www.rrr.org.au/program/byte-into-it/>. I have been an occasional co-host over the past several months, and am starting to make a presence for discussion of software freedom on the show <URL:http://rrrfm.libsyn.com/category/Byte%20Into%20It>. On the 2011-05-18 show we discussed several topics that intersect with software freedom, including: BitCoin; Microsoft's plans for Nokia and their projects; the Apple and Google hand-waving in the wake of more privacy blunders; and a promotion of the Defective By Design campaign Brick Nintendo. That was probably the most I've managed to talk about software freedom so far in a single Byte Into It program. The audio is now available for download at <URL:http://rrrfm.libsyn.com/byte-into-it-18-may-2011>. I will keep an eye on the Free Software Melbourne forum (here) for announcements and items to see what's suitable to discuss on future shows. It's fairly unpredictable which week I'll be on as a host, but if it's of interest I can notify here after any such program is online. -- \ “I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I | `\ prayed with my legs.” —Frederick Douglass, escaped slave | _o__) | Ben Finney

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Get the G8 to Protect the Net
by Ben Finney 25 May '11

25 May '11

Howdy all, The G8 will meet with its world corporation leaders to discuss the future of the internet. Apparently only governments and corporations will be represented. This campaign <URL:https:/www.accessnow.org/G8-protect-the-net> is to gather signatories on a letter to send to the French presidency, urging that they give priority to network neutrality and civil freedom. Should there be a response from Free Software Melbourne? What response? ===== For the first time, the leaders of the G8 developed countries are going to discuss internet policy. Instead of promoting net neutrality and user privacy and combating online censorship, the French government has locked civil society out of these conversations, while inviting CEOs -- some of whom paid $100,000 for their seat at the table -- who are pushing policies like strict intellectual property enforcement, which will line corporate pockets while curtailing our digital rights. Unless we speak out now, decisions about internet policy are going to be made at the highest levels without our voices represented. Please sign this urgent petition calling on the G8 to adopt citizen-centered internet policies, which we’ll deliver at a press conference to the world media on Monday in Paris. Dear President Sarkozy and other G8 Leaders, We urge you to publicly commit to citizen-centered policies like expanding internet access for all, combating digital censorship and surveillance, limiting online intermediary liability, and upholding principles of net neutrality. … ===== <URL:https:/www.accessnow.org/G8-protect-the-net> -- \ “Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it | `\ correct, not tried it.” —Donald Knuth, 1977-03-29 | _o__) | Ben Finney

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This month's discussion group is tomorrow
by Ben Sturmfels 18 May '11

18 May '11

Hi Folks, Sorry for the late reminder, but this month's discussion group is on tomorrow night 19 May, 6:30 - 7:30pm at the State Library. We meet in the foyer just before 6:30. Proposed discussion topics: - Using free software for network services Look forward to seeing you! Ben

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Spinellis "Choosing and Using Open Source Components"
by rdbrown＠pacific.net.au 09 May '11

09 May '11

Diomidis D. Spinellis's latest IEEE Software column "Choosing and Using Open Source Components" is up at his blog http://www.spinellis.gr/blog/20110501 and may interest.

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test 1
by Ben Sturmfels 02 May '11

02 May '11

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Notes from discussion group 21/4/2011
by Ben Sturmfels 01 May '11

01 May '11

Hi Folks, It was great to see several regulars and also several new faces at the Melbourne Free Software Interest Group the week before last. Notes from the discussion are below. Ben Discussion group notes from 21/4/2011 Getting involved in free software projects: - important to find a project that matters to you, ideally a program you use regularly - interpreted languages are easier to get started on since compilation can be a bit fiddly - many non-programming roles - finding others physically near you helps with motivation - interesting talk at OSDC on bug reporting Cargo - the free software game Alex is working on: - http://phatcore.com/portfolio/cargo.php - commercial with sales of game on DVD including artwork, models etc. - looking for assistance with Blender modelling and animation, see contact details in footer of website - also discussed Whipfrog game created for recent game competition http://www.globalgamejam.org/2011/whip-frog Trans-Pacific Partnership - increasing copyright duration - increasing penalties for circumventing DRM - patent "evergreening" (allowing patent renewals) - Alex wrote to Kim Weatherall (University of Queensland) and Brendan Malloy (Pirate Party) to see how we can help Commercial free software agreement: - an agreement between client and supplier specifying that software will under a free software license - permission to contribute changes to existing free software upstream - Alex has discussed possibility with Brendan Scott - may require some funding

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