Your Freedom Website - Open Source/Linux

[CoolMaxUK]

As some of you may have heard, the UK government has set up a website where ordinary people can voice their opinions which could potentially have a real impact on lawmaking.

This is a great opportunity for Linux users to have their voices heard especially when it comes to issues like the vendor lock-in created by Micro$oft.

Please take a look, sign up and have your voices heard!

Remove "Windows tax" on new computers and reduce public sector IT costs by using free software (http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/repealing-unnecessary-laws/remove-windows-tax-on-new-computers-and-reduce-public-sector-it-costs-by-using-free-software)

[RiceMonster]

No thanks.

[philinux]

Finger trouble.

Thread unlocked

[philinux]

And a free bump

[alexan]

It's a very good idea; we should put this proposal to the EU parliament: there's enough market in europe to give some real pain to Microsoft or whatever company which think to "own" the stuff they sell (when it's in the hand of the paying client).

But as proposal I prefer the italian one (http://www.mg55.net/liberasw). Basically it ask three things:


1. The selling price, when selling a personal computer, must be given in separate voice distinct for hardware and software (it must contain two different price.. clearly stated on list). The price *for the* hardware *AND* the price of the software.
2. The client is allowed to refuse the purchase of software licenses and pay only the price of the hardware
3. The price for the license to use the software must be realistic

This include *ALSO* Apple: do you want sell in EU? that way or someone else will take the market.

[CoolMaxUK]

The Italian idea is very good. Europe as a whole needs to come together and resolve this issue, rather than just sue Microsoft every few years.

While the consumer part is a very important issue, especially to us in the Linux community, I think the public sector part will have wider appeal to the public.

In a time of crisis in Europe (and the rest of the world), it is very contradictory that governments are taking large amounts of money and basically handing it all over to Microsoft.

[Moozillaaa]

As some of you may have heard, the UK government has set up a website where ordinary people can voice their opinions which could potentially have a real impact on lawmaking.

This is a great opportunity for Linux users to have their voices heard especially when it comes to issues like the vendor lock-in created by Micro$oft.

Please take a look, sign up and have your voices heard!

Remove "Windows tax" on new computers and reduce public sector IT costs by using free software (http://yourfreedom.hmg.gov.uk/repealing-unnecessary-laws/remove-windows-tax-on-new-computers-and-reduce-public-sector-it-costs-by-using-free-software)

In my opinion, this is a VERY BAD idea.

I believe PHYSICAL presence is necessary, rather than using your computer with freeware or with proprietary software.

In the same manner as right-wing talk radio in America, someone who calls a talk show host, and gets to voice his conservative opinions in the public airwaves, with MILLIONS of others, who share the same conservative opinions, somehow then get the feeling he has cast a vote, as he has gotten to 'vent'. That's the fastest, easiest way to resume his video game...

Unfortunately, the pompous airbag leader, who won't put his name on a voter ballot, laughs all the way to the bank, to the tune of $20+ million / year.

Guess where that $20 million comes from? The CORPORATE LEFT.

The only ones who DO make their physical presence known, as protesters at global economic summits, get labeled as 'activists', by getting overcome with the 'mob effect' at these gatherings.

Just my opinion here...

[alexan]

The Italian idea is very good. Europe as a whole needs to come together and resolve this issue, rather than just sue Microsoft every few years.

While the consumer part is a very important issue, especially to us in the Linux community, I think the public sector part will have wider appeal to the public.

In a time of crisis in Europe (and the rest of the world), it is very contradictory that governments are taking large amounts of money and basically handing it all over to Microsoft.

I can't agree more to what you did say, but still there some indirect problem in this. Nowday the hugely part of hardware is delivered forced with Microsoft system. This mean that even if you choose Linux for your hardware (remove windows > install ubuntu) a good part of your money end in microsoft pockets.
Public sector is very unlikely to assemble their own rig, so having a government "switch" to Linux just cover just part of the problem.

If you (as public sector) choose to remove Windows and install Ubuntu... it is not a win "1 - 0" but a "0 - 0". Your money (tax money) always end in MS's pocket.
On this field of game it come by itself that if you remove Ubuntu for Windows the lost is "2 - 0" (you've lost a Ubuntu box *and* someone who wanted to *try* ubuntu).
This is the main reason why it's so difficult to linux to gain share (windows user is "windows user" without knowing it.. linux is user is "actively linux user" with testing to switch back everyday).

But if we can cut the flow of money in Microsoft pocket
Clean Linux box for clean linux user (like apple for apple user) the game won against microsoft is "2 - 0" in favor of linux.

Anyway, UK is not the only one who like its idea.
http://www.europetition.eu/
Other than UK (with 4 cluster) this project involve cluster in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden.