[free-software-melb] The non-meeting in August

Hi all, I have to apologise about the meeting in August. I tried to organise it, but it turns out I sent my message to the wrong address. One person did show up because he had spoken to Ben, and we had a good chat. For your interest, the emails that should have gone to this list are pasted below. Cheers, Alex ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alex Fraser Date: Sun, Aug 15, 2010 at 1:14 PM Subject: Next gathering Thurs 19 August (this week) To: free-software-melb Hi everyone, The third Thursday is upon us, and it's time to meet again! Time: 6:30 - 7:30pm, Thursday the 19th of August Place: The State Library of Victoria Agenda: - Software patents letter follow up: Delivered; next steps (e.g. meeting with the Senator) - Oracle v Google: What it means for us; can we and should we help? - Software Freedom Day - Making meeting easier (e.g. having a recognisable sign for our table) If there is anything else you want added to the agenda, just write back to the list. As usual, we will meet in the lobby just before 6:30. If you arrive late, look for us where we sat last time or call my mobile: 0434 408 175. See you then, Alex ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Ben Sturmfels Date: Tue, Aug 17, 2010 at 12:20 AM Subject: Re: Next gathering Thurs 19 August (this week) To: Alex Fraser Cc: free-software-melb On Sun, 2010-08-15 at 13:14 +1000, Alex Fraser wrote:

Agenda: - Software patents letter follow up: Delivered; next steps (e.g. meeting with the Senator) - Oracle v Google: What it means for us; can we and should we help? - Software Freedom Day - Making meeting easier (e.g. having a recognisable sign for our table)

If there is anything else you want added to the agenda, just write back to the list.

Thanks Alex. Although I won't be able to attend, could you discuss the initial scope proposed for the Australian Free Software Association? http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/ I see this an umbrella-type organisation to support local free software discussion groups and coordinate Australia-wide participation in things like the patents letter. One practical suggestion made by Steven McDonald is a free software jobs board. Also looking for suggestions of people I could approach to represent their state (particularly non-Victorians). Cheers, Ben ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Alex Fraser Date: Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 1:04 PM Subject: Re: Next gathering Thurs 19 August (this week) To: free-software-melb Hi all, Very few people came to the meeting on Thursday, so we didn't fully discuss the items on the agenda. Was the meeting time not good? Are we meeting too frequently? We can consider changing these things for next time. It was great to meet Steven Sackett. We did briefly discuss a couple of issues:

- Software patents letter follow up: Delivered; next steps

The letter has been sent with 1000 signatures. It may not be easy to get our patent law changed, but we're off to a good start. We should consider bringing this to the attention of the greater public - through campaigns against software patents, but also broader campaigns against the Free Trade Agreement. Organisations like GetUp could help with that. Steven recommends the book "How to kill a country" as a primer on the issues of the FTA: http://evatt.labor.net.au/publications/papers/140.html

- Oracle v Google: What it means for us; can we and should we help?

Not much we can do, except search for prior art to attack the patents - follow the discussion on Groklaw. See you at the next meeting, Alex