Re: NOSI releases "Open Source Primer" for Nonprofits
I am faced with these problems every day with my work at t4tchicago.org,
we work with about 40 agencies a year and we explain what Free Software
is to every one of them. There may be a few that have heard of it, but
no one really understands it. We might help them acquire Microsoft
software, legally of course, but by the end of their year of assistance
they have an understanding of the difference between Free Software and
proprietary. Are they ready to adopt it, well, not quite but many of
them will happily be using Linux file servers with their Microsoft
desktop machines.
What in my humble opinion would help is a strong alliance of groups
advocating Free Software, like what NOSI appears to be doing. Keep up
the good work.
John Billings
>
> But you have to find a way in the door, before you can begin to
> explain to people why this is important. There are several places in
> the primer where we talk about the importance of access to source
> code, and what kinds of benefit that has for an organization and the
> sector as a whole in comparison to proprietary alternatives.
>
> Yes, I totally agree that these battles need many enthusiastic
> volunteers, and I consider myself one of them. But you have to
> understand that most of the people I deal with are in their own
> pitched battles that take all of their energy. Battling around
> software patents and intellectual property just isn't something they
> are going to do. If I can help them feed a few more people, help a
> few more women, or better lobby the Mass. legislature so they don't
> pass a stupid constitutional amendment using F/OSS, and they don't
> really want to hear the details, I will. I agree that's focused on
> pragmatism. Is that what I'd like given a perfect world? Absolutely
> not.
> --
> .Michelle
>
> --------------------------
> Michelle Murrain
> mmurrain at dbdes dot com
> 413-253-2874 ph
> 413-222-6350 cell
> 413-825-0288 fax
> AIM:pearlbear0 ICQ:129250575
> SMS: 4132226350 at messaging dot sprintpcs dot com
>
> "Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been
> hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." - Satchel Paige
>
>
> --
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-nonprofit-request@lists.debian.org
> with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact
> listmaster@lists.debian.org
--
#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#/#
John Billings - Free Software/Open Source Advocate
_______________________________________________________________
Listen, kid, we're all in it together. -- Harry Tuttle
Reply to: