Hello Friends,
Now that the matter is being discussed, it is only proper to put the
whole thing in open, so that, while opinions are formed and decisions
taken, the story/matter is know to all, from the beginning. I will be
happy that others (who were in this discussion from beginning) corect me
if they find me wrong somewhere, although I know I am just mentioning
what was discussed.
On around 17 July I requested Raj Mathur for info of next meeting
informing him that I would like to share news of a linux based
development in the meeting. After hearing from him that the meeting will
be on 21st, I confirmed that I will be back to delhi by then and that I
would like to present a Linux application on this ocassion.
The announce ment was made on the list (as usual) about it and it was in
the agenda. As I was travelling, we could not discuss more than this.
I specially flew from Chennai on 21st morning to be in delhi for the
meeting (did it because I was happy to make the announcement in the LUG
efore the whole world knew it). Before going to meeting, on 21st I
called Raj mathur on phone and told him the following:
1. That we have developed the first financial accounting package on
Linux and that IBM is going to announce it in next few days to the
world.
2. That I would like to make the first announcement in the LUG-delhi.
3. That, the retail cost of the software is Rs.10,000, and I would like
to make the following offer to all members of LUG-delhi: With their
proposed membership fee of Rs.100/- they pay another Rs.100/- and get a
complete version of the software. And that this aditional Rs.100/- would
go towards corpus fund of the LUG-delhi. The advantage of doing this
would be manifold: Members would get something useful at a throwaway
price and LUG would get some funds.
Raj Mathus's resposne was: Fine Sudhir, let's discuss it in the meeting
and do accordingly.
With this I went to the meeting.
There Raj Mathur announces: Friends, here we have Sudhir Gandotra who
wants to announce a commercial and proprietory software on Linux. But
before we do that, we have a question "Whether we as the group should
allow such discussions/announcements here or not, since we are a free
software group......................the rest is known to all those who
were present and those who have followed the issue in the list.
At a particular moment is discussion, Raj Mathur mentioned that Sudhir
wants the LUG to discuss and promote the software and I clearly
clarified (and I stand by that): That I do not want the group to promote
my software; that I do not want it to do anything that will help the
software in anyway; that my only intention to announce it here is an
emotional feeling of wanting to announce it first to the Linux group and
then to rest of the world; that I do not expect and do not need the LUG
to promote it (I said this with a clear emphasis and said it
repeatedly).
So, Raj Mathur, as you mention in another mail (reply to Sandip), the
question was not of promoting the closed-source software, the questiuon
was of talking about it, knowing about it, announcing it.
Raj Mathur, if you cannot stand by your statement "of leaving the group,
if it were to become something other than a free software group and
starting perhaps another group if I have the energy for it", well, let
everyone make their own conclusions. Because I was not the only one
present there listening to it.
Tripta, now you are saying "i personally do not think that there are
limits for anyone's participation within the group" and while this
discussion was proposed, you were not in favour of the expression that
was requested.
For me, it is fine with whatever the group decides on this issue. The
point that is important to me is that we should take a decision. If Raj
Mathur and the group wants it to be a Free Software group, something
that is GNU, it is fine for me. But, it should be clear to everyone that
it is a GNU group.
For me, that means: that it is not a LINUX group and there will then be
need of a LINUX group and people who may be interested in having a LINUX
group, may find the interest to form one. But, they will also become
clear that DLUG is a GNU group. Let's stand up and be clear on what we
want and what we propose and stand by it - that is all I am requesting.
And if we want it to be a mix of GNU and LINUX, it is fine for me, but,
then the conduction has to be different. Both have to get their space of
representation and expression. GNU cannot stop LINUX. Infact, there is
no way that these two need to be against each other.
Finally, my announcement was stalled, and I will say, stalled very
smartly. I don't consider it a harm to me. I consider it a harm to the
group, because the group was denied the information. But, if the group,
by majority, considers this subject to be outside its limits, I am sorry
that I did not understand the parameters of the group's ideology and
aims. I am sorry that I considered it to be a LINUX group because it was
formed to be a LINUX group; I am sorry that I did not participate in it
more actively that while it was formed as a LINUX group (I was part of
it from the pre-formation time), it became something different. And, if
that be the case, I close this topic since it is not a GNU topic.
Let me also make it clear that I am not against GNU, I am not against
open-source software. But, here, I am talking about LINUX as a whole,
something very well explained by Sandip in his mail.
Regarding FREEDOM, we all are mature enough to form and live by our
conclusions. Everyone faces consequences of one's own thoughts, feelings
and actions.
Peace, Force & Joy! Sudhir Gandotra.
Transform lives: http://humanistmovement.org/
IBM announces Kalculate - Linux Desktop is complete
http://www.kalculate.com
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