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

Open letter on abolishing software patents in Australia
by Ben Sturmfels 19 Jul '10

19 Jul '10

Hi Folks, I've finally written up a letter to Senator Kim Carr on abolishing software patents. I'd really appreciate any feedback. Alex, Chris and George gave some very useful thoughts at our recent get-together. The letter is published on the End Software Patents wiki so please hop in and edit it: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Open_letter_on_Australian_software_patents I'm hoping to finalise it and start collecting signatures in a week or so. I'll probably set up a web form for collecting signatures and also aim to collect a small number of higher profile signatures on paper. Cheers, Ben

2 2

Free software group gathering 6:30pm tomorrow at State Library
by Ben Sturmfels 28 Jun '10

28 Jun '10

Hi Folks, Apologies for the late notice. Our monthly gathering is on tomorrow night (Tues 29 June) at the State Library of Victoria from 6:30 to 7:30pm. We'll meet in the foyer at 6:30pm. If we've already gone in, feel free to call me on 0458 925 588. Be aware that bags larger than a small backpack/handbag need to go in the cloak-room ($1 charge). The proposed agenda for discussion is: - buying a laptop for use with free software - negotiating use of free licences when developing software for clients - the state of software patents in Australia If anyone is interested we may get some food nearby afterwards. Hope to see you there! Ben

2 2

International Game Developers' Association
by Alex Fraser 30 May '10

30 May '10

Hi all, In the meeting on Tuesday a couple of us were talking about games we were working on, and I said I'd post a link to the International Game Developers' Association. http://igdamelbourne.org/ The Melbourne chapter has recently re-formed in response to Transmission Games closing its doors. They have monthly meetings, and the topic changes each time. It has no particular association with free software, but it's a great place to meet people who are into developing games, and to show off what you have been working on. There are lots of indie developers, as well as people from studios in Melbourne. Unfortunately the meetings are currently on the same night as LUV, but there's talk of changing that. Cheers, Alex

1 0

Software Freedom Day, 18 Sept 2010
by Ben Sturmfels 30 May '10

30 May '10

Hi Folks, Software Freedom Day is coming up later this year. Mark it in your diaries! Ben Celebrating Software Freedom in Melbourne ----------------------------------------- Media Release: 30 May 2010 Software Freedom Day Melbourne Saturday 18 September 2010 10am–4pm at State Library of Victoria Free of charge Software Freedom Day is an event held all over the world to celebrate and raise awareness of free software and open source software. Software Freedom Day Melbourne is on Saturday 18 September 2010, 10am–4pm at the State Library of Victoria. “Our vision is to empower all people to freely connect, create and share in a digital world that is participatory, transparent, and sustainable.” — Software Freedom Day vision statement The day will feature a wide selection of inspiring presentations and interactive workshops. We welcome participants of all ages or experience levels. Many software-related community groups will also be exhibiting their projects. This is a great way to meet others and learn a little more about these important issues. Topics for the day include: - an introduction to free software - installing GNU/Linux and how to use free software programs - community knowledge and data projects such as Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap - social problems such as software patents and digital restrictions management (DRM) - public-standard formats such as OpenDocument - hardware hacking with Arduino - Creative Commons licensing to promote sharing and reuse This is a free of charge event. Put the date it your diary. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, visit http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/melb. Who runs Software Freedom Day Melbourne? ---------------------------------------- This is a community event, run by committee of volunteers interested in free software, open source software and general freedom for computer users. The event is coordinated by members of Linux Users Victoria. We greatly appreciate the generous support of VicNet and the State Library of Victoria. What is free software and open source software? ----------------------------------------------- Free software and open source software are two distinct community movements. Both movements agree that we should be able to: use software for any purpose, study how it works, modify it to suit your needs and distribute copies. The open source movement reason that this provides pragmatic benefits, such as more reliable software. The free software movement cites ethical benefits, such as freedom to control your own computing. While these movements differ in philosophy, they are good friends.

1 0

Free software interest group gathering next Tues 25 - venue?
by Ben Sturmfels 23 May '10

23 May '10

Hi Folks, The next gathering for the Melbourne Free Software Interest Group is on this coming Tuesday 25 at 8pm. I'm just emailing to see if anyone has any suggestions for a meeting place in the city. Federation Square isn't bad, but does seem to have a little street tax. We're just after somewhere central and reasonably quiet. Any other thoughts? Cheers, Ben

2 3

Defer Tuesday's get-together to 25 May?
by Ben Sturmfels 28 Apr '10

28 Apr '10

Hi Folks, I've just found out I won't be available for the Melb Free Software get-together on this Tues 27 April. Any problems if we defer until next month, 25 May? A couple of things I'd love to discuss then: - a petition relating to ending software patents - creating an Australia-wide free software association Cheers, Ben

2 1

[Fwd: [Esp-action-alert] New Zealand govt against software patents!]
by Ben Sturmfels 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

See below - news that New Zealand's Commerce Committee has recommended ending software patents. This is an exciting step forward for our neighbours. Hopefully similar conclusions will be reached in Australia in the next year or two. Will let you know if I hear more. Cheers, Ben -------- Forwarded Message -------- From: Ciaran O'Riordan <esp(a)endsoftwarepatents.org> To: esp-action-alert(a)campaigns.fsf.org Subject: [Esp-action-alert] New Zealand govt against software patents! Date: Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:44:21 +0100 ( Join the discussion at: http://news.swpat.org/2010/03/new-zealand-govt-against-software-patents/ ) Thanks to well-informed action from people in New Zealand, the government has taken a clear position against software patents. ESP has worked on documenting this since last May: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/New_Zealand The government's text, published today, says: We recommend amending clause 15 to include computer programs among inventions that may not be patented. We received many submissions concerning the patentability of computer programs. Under the Patents Act 1953 computer programs can be patented in New Zealand provided they produce a commercially useful effect. Open source, or free, software has grown in popularity since the 1980s. Protecting software by patenting is inconsistent with the open source model, and its proponents oppose it. A number of submitters argued that there is no “inventive step” in software development, as “new” software invariably builds on existing software. They felt that computer software should be excluded from patent protection as software patents can stifle innovation and competition, and can be granted for trivial or existing techniques. In general we accept this position. Full text: http://legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2008/0235/latest/whole.html#dlm1… Help documenting this is always welcome at: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/New_Zealand Information about what's happening now about software patents is available here: http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Consultations_from_patent_offices,_governments,_an… http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Current_events http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Israel http://en.swpat.org/wiki/Australia

1 0

Free software interest group gathering, Tue 30 March @ 8pm
by Ben Sturmfels 02 Apr '10

02 Apr '10

Hi Folks, I've been meaning to arrange a free software interest group gathering for a while now. It would be great to chat to some fellow free software fans. We're getting together at 8pm, Tues 30 March at Time Out Cafe in Federation Square. The cafe is near the Swanston St/Flinders St corner of Federation Square. Map of Federation Square: http://www.fedsquare.com/Docs/Federation%20Square%20Map_Nov%2009.pdf It will just be a sit around and chat type get-together. Hope to see you there! I'll confirm again the day before. Cheers, Ben PS. I realised that I broke the mailing list when I moved mail servers a couple of months back. The list is now running from: http://softwarefreedom.com.au/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb_softwaref…

2 5

Melbourne end of year gathering
by Ben Sturmfels 13 Dec '09

13 Dec '09

Hi Folks, The Open Source Industry Australia is having an end of year gathering this Thursday 17 Dec from 6:30pm. I'm not a member of this group, but thought the function might be a good way to meet some like-minded people. http://osia.net.au/melbourne-17dec2009 I've contact the organiser, Donna who has confirmed that non members are very welcome. Please feel free to join me. Sorry for the late notice, but RSVP is close of business today. Cheers, Ben

1 0

Software Freedom Day this Saturday, 19th Sep at Chadstone
by Ben Sturmfels 13 Sep '09

13 Sep '09

Hi Folks, Just a quick reminder that Software Freedom Day is coming up this Saturday. Brianna Laugher is involved in organising a Software Freedom Day event at Chadstone Shopping Centre 11am till 4pm. There will be many talks and and workshops, so hope to see you there! Details on the website: http://softwarefreedomday.org/melb Cheers, Ben

1 0