| Rev | Author | # | Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CraigBox | 1 | [http://rodneyhide.com/Diary/wp-images/uploads/Ben%20Goodger.jpg] |
| 2 | |||
| 3 | (Rodney Hide, right, with MozillaFirefox lead developer, Ben Goodger.) | ||
| 4 | |||
| 6 | JohnMcPherson | 5 | RodneyHide, ACT party leader, talked to [WLUG] with his views on OpenSource. |
| 6 | |||
| 7 | Rodney started this meeting by telling us he was a technophile -- he enjoyed using OS/2, and ever since has found MicrosoftWindows to be 'unintuitive'. He is a big fan of his P900 phone, and adds to his blog daily. | ||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | He spoke about his background in environmental sustainability, and economics, and how that had encouraged him to believe in evolutionary processes exemplified by the free market rather than a plan designed by a committee which can not easily evolve. | ||
| 10 | |||
| 11 | He likened the committee approach to Microsoft, and the evolutionary "free market" approach to OpenSource. This frightened many, more traditional, capitalists. :-) He believes in the process of OSS software and software features as a meritocracy, as judged by the market. | ||
| 12 | |||
| 13 | Rodney then explained his experiences with OpenSource software, such as the GIMP and MozillaFirefox. He also expressed an interest in eventually running purely on OpenSource solutions, with [Linux] as his desktop, but is cognisant of the need for compatibility in Parliament. This led nicely into a discussion of how the parliamentary process worked, and how Rodney could assist us in achieving our goal of advocating [Linux] to government. | ||
| 14 | |||
| 15 | We identified some of the key issues we'd like addressed - these being: | ||
| 16 | |||
| 17 | * [Software Patents|SoftwarePatent]. | ||
| 18 | * Government information locked up in MS Word format. Open formats are required. | ||
| 19 | * Copyright. | ||
| 20 | * [DRM]. The concept of DRM precludes an Open Source solution. | ||
| 21 | * Govt. Funding – encourage OSS development. | ||
| 22 | * Indemnification – remove the power of FUD. | ||
| 23 | |||
| 24 | Rodney was very interested to hear about the problem of bad software patents, as he was previously unaware of the situation. | ||
| 25 | |||
| 26 | From opposition Rodney Can: | ||
| 27 | |||
| 28 | * Ask Oral questions. (1 per day, with 8 supplementary) | ||
| 29 | * Write Letters. | ||
| 30 | * Parliamentary Questions – unlimited. | ||
| 31 | * Select Committees – can institute an enquiry. | ||
| 32 | |||
| 33 | The [WLUG] should focus on raising Parliamentary questions, and Rodney will endeavour to assist us in formulating these in the most effective manner. | ||
| 1 | CraigBox | 34 | |
| 35 | |||
| 5 | CraigBox | 36 | See ParliamentaryQuestions for the followup. |
| 2 | CraigBox | 37 | |
| 38 | ---- | ||
| 3 | CraigBox | 39 | See also OldMeetingTopics |
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