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This letter is to express our deepest disappointment in your involvement with Microsoft to launch their [http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2008040806139012000006/India/index.html e-literacy program in Kerala] and is based on the belief that you have high social convictions and commitment to the people of Kerala.
This letter is to express our deepest disappointment in your involvement with Microsoft to launch their [http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2008040806139012000006/India/index.html e-literacy program in Kerala] and is based on the belief that you have high social convictions and commitment to the people of Kerala.


Kerala's civil society had in the past been delighted by [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/03/26/stories/2004032600971500.htm your decision to dissociate with the coco cola advertisement]  project as a response to the resource exploitation and pollution caused by the corporate body. However, people of Kerala will be bewildered to see that you are lending your name and fame to support a [http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070923170905803 devastatingly nefarious techno-monopolistic campaign] unleashed by Microsoft in our state. We feel your move is both ill-advised and harmful.
Kerala's civil society had in the past been delighted by [http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/03/26/stories/2004032600971500.htm your decision to dissociate with the Coca-Cola advertisement]  project as a response to the resource exploitation and pollution caused by the corporate body. However, people of Kerala will be bewildered to see that you are lending your name and fame to support a [http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20070923170905803 devastatingly nefarious techno-monopolistic campaign] unleashed by Microsoft in our state. We feel your move is both ill-advised and harmful.


Being the Director of a major media initiative (Kairali TV, Malayalam Communications Limited) that claims to be people-oriented both in terms of its initial resource mobilization tactics as well as its professed commitment to people's causes, it is embarrassing to see that such concerns are completely sidelined in favor of a hideous agenda of a major US based multi-national IT giant, despised even in US for its monopolistic tendencies. In fact there are records of this company [http://www.wired.com/software/coolapps/news/2007/08/ooxml_vote using underhanded tactics to enforce its views] on an organization like ISO which maintains international standards for public benefit.
Being the Director of a major media initiative (Kairali TV, Malayalam Communications Limited) that claims to be people-oriented both in terms of its initial resource mobilization tactics as well as its professed commitment to people's causes, it is embarrassing to see that such concerns are completely sidelined in favor of a hideous agenda of a major US based multi-national IT giant, despised even in US for its monopolistic tendencies. In fact there are records of this company [http://www.wired.com/software/coolapps/news/2007/08/ooxml_vote using underhanded tactics to enforce its views] on an organization like ISO which maintains international standards for public benefit.
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Software is a tool and a means with which we can achieve a lot of things. In this respect, it is similar to infrastructure like roads and rails. Using Microsoft software is akin to using a road built by a private agency who levies a charge for its use. Any further development of that road and the terms of usage of that road will be subject to the whims of that private agency alone, however insane it may be. Free Software is like an alternate road , with equal or better quality. It is community owned - public property. What modifications have to be done, and where it has to be done is driven by public need and is not influenced by a private party.
Software is a tool and a means with which we can achieve a lot of things. In this respect, it is similar to infrastructure like roads and rails. Using Microsoft software is akin to using a road built by a private agency who levies a charge for its use. Any further development of that road and the terms of usage of that road will be subject to the whims of that private agency alone, however insane it may be. Free Software is like an alternate road , with equal or better quality. It is community owned - public property. What modifications have to be done, and where it has to be done is driven by public need and is not influenced by a private party.


When we use Microsoft's products, which do not give the 4 essential freedoms in Computing (Right to study, Right to copy, Right to modify and Right to Redistribute software), we are becoming helpless creatures. Non-free softwares like Windows are designed to keep users helpless and prohibit cooperation. On the other hand , Free software believes in sharing and cooperation.  
When we use Microsoft's products, which do not give the four essential freedoms in Computing (Right to study, Right to copy, Right to modify and Right to Redistribute software), we are becoming helpless creatures. Non-free softwares like Windows are designed to keep users helpless and prohibit cooperation. On the other hand, Free software believes in sharing and cooperation.  


For your kind attention, Microsoft, the company with which you plan to sign the contract, has a track record of being fined($1.35 billion) for Antitrust Charges in European Union for not complying with EU standards and trying to avoid giving essential information required for interoperability to others by asking for a huge price. As the report says, "Microsoft was the first company in 50 years of EU competition policy that the commission has had to fine for failure to comply with an antitrust decision," [http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/28/stories/2008022854441401.htm The Hindu February 28, 2008].
For your kind attention, Microsoft, the company with which you plan to sign the contract, has a track record of being fined $1.35 billion for Antitrust Charges in European Union for not complying with EU standards and trying to avoid giving essential information required for interoperability to others by asking for a huge price. As the report says, "Microsoft was the first company in 50 years of EU competition policy that the commission has had to fine for failure to comply with an antitrust decision," [http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/28/stories/2008022854441401.htm The Hindu February 28, 2008].


The [http://keralaitmission.org/web/main/ITPolicy-2007.pdf Kerala state IT policy] says motto of Akshaya project is ‘making technology and e-government services accessible to common man’. For making technology and e-governance accessible to common man without vendor lock-in, Free Software (Swathanthra Software) is the only solution available.  
The [http://keralaitmission.org/web/main/ITPolicy-2007.pdf Kerala state IT policy] says motto of Akshaya project is ‘making technology and e-government services accessible to common man’. For making technology and e-governance accessible to common man without vendor lock-in, Free Software (Swathanthra Software) is the only solution available.  


On [http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2008040806139012000006/India/index.html IANS Report] you are saying "your mission is to help make all sections of the society IT literate".  We understand and appreciate your genuine spirit. But selecting Microsoft as an accomplice would be a wrong choice. Making people literate benefits the society as a whole. Proprietary software rejects their thirst for knowledge: it says, “The knowledge you want is a secret — learning is forbidden!” Free software encourages everyone to learn. The free software community rejects the 'priesthood of technology', which keeps the general public ignorant of how technology works. The people and Government of Kerala understood it and has already [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/280323.html introduced it in our schools] and government institutions. So we request you to stand for free software and essential freedoms in computing to fulfill your mission.
In the [http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2008040806139012000006/India/index.html IANS Report], you said that you want to launch the project "to help make all sections of the society IT literate".  We understand and appreciate your genuine spirit. But selecting Microsoft as an accomplice would be the wrong choice. Making people literate benefits the society as a whole. Proprietary software rejects their thirst for knowledge: it says, “The knowledge you want is a secret — learning is forbidden!” Free software encourages everyone to learn. The free software community rejects the 'priesthood of technology', which keeps the general public ignorant of how technology works. The people and Government of Kerala understood it and has already [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/280323.html introduced it in our schools] and government institutions. So we request you to stand for free software and essential freedoms in computing to fulfill your mission.


Since you have on several occasions expressed your support to the causes upheld by left forces in the country, we hope that it will not be news to you that CPI(M) and other progressive forces in the country have been ardent supporters of free software and as a matter of principle, detest Microsoft's monopoly built through treacherous market machinations that even the developed countries find unbearable.
Since you have on several occasions expressed your support to the causes upheld by left forces in the country, we hope that it will not be news to you that CPI(M) and other progressive forces in the country have been ardent supporters of free software and as a matter of principle, detest Microsoft's monopoly built through treacherous market machinations that even the developed countries find unbearable.
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# Padhabhedam magazine, Calicut
# Padhabhedam magazine, Calicut
# [http://http://info.ibon.org/ IBON South Asia]
# [http://http://info.ibon.org/ IBON South Asia]
# [http://www.fossmeet.in/nitc FOSSMeet@NITC]


==== Individuals ====
==== Individuals ====
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# K.P Sasi, Filmmaker
# K.P Sasi, Filmmaker
# K.Satchidanandan, Poet
# K.Satchidanandan, Poet
# M Jayadev
# [mailto:gladmuthambi@gmail.com Madhusoodanan P]
# [mailto:gladmuthambi@gmail.com Madhusoodanan P]
# [http://maravind.blogspot.com/ Mahesh Aravind]
# [http://maravind.blogspot.com/ Mahesh Aravind]
# [http://libregeek.blogspot.com Manilal K M]
# [http://libregeek.blogspot.com Manilal K M]
# Manish Sharma
# Manish Sharma
# M Jayadev
# [http://manusmad.blogpot.com Manu S Madhav]
# Mathew Chacko
# Mathew Chacko
# Mohana Krishnan
# Mohana Krishnan
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# Vimal Joseph
# Vimal Joseph
# [[User:Vincentvikram|Vikram Vincent]]
# [[User:Vincentvikram|Vikram Vincent]]
# Vineesh Thalethodi
# Vipin Vincent
# Vipin Vincent
# [http://blogbhoomi.blogspot.com/ V K Adarsh]
# [http://blogbhoomi.blogspot.com/ V K Adarsh]
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# DileepRaj, Resident Editor, Penguin Malayalam
# DileepRaj, Resident Editor, Penguin Malayalam
# Jayakumar Thazhath
# Jayakumar Thazhath
# Vineesh Thalethodi


=== Relates Links ===
=== Relates Links ===

Revision as of 12:34, 21 April 2008

Open Letter to Mammootty to Reconsider Promotion of Microsoft and their Proprietary Softwares

We request all of you to blog on this and add your link to Protest Blog posts page.

A malayalam version of this letter is available here . Please help to complete this Translation മമ്മൂട്ടിയ്ക്കൊരു തുറന്ന കത്തു്

Context

Microsoft will be signing up Malayalam movie star Mammootty as one of the brand ambassadors for the Computer Literacy programme that is to be organized soon in Kerala, a Southern Indian State well known for its pro-free software policies. This is an open letter by Free Software Activists, Supporters and Users of Kerala to Mammootty.

Open Letter to Mamootty from Free Software Community

Dear Bharat Mammootty,

This letter is to express our deepest disappointment in your involvement with Microsoft to launch their e-literacy program in Kerala and is based on the belief that you have high social convictions and commitment to the people of Kerala.

Kerala's civil society had in the past been delighted by your decision to dissociate with the Coca-Cola advertisement project as a response to the resource exploitation and pollution caused by the corporate body. However, people of Kerala will be bewildered to see that you are lending your name and fame to support a devastatingly nefarious techno-monopolistic campaign unleashed by Microsoft in our state. We feel your move is both ill-advised and harmful.

Being the Director of a major media initiative (Kairali TV, Malayalam Communications Limited) that claims to be people-oriented both in terms of its initial resource mobilization tactics as well as its professed commitment to people's causes, it is embarrassing to see that such concerns are completely sidelined in favor of a hideous agenda of a major US based multi-national IT giant, despised even in US for its monopolistic tendencies. In fact there are records of this company using underhanded tactics to enforce its views on an organization like ISO which maintains international standards for public benefit.

We are assuming that you were not given enough information about the IT Scenario we live in.

Software is a tool and a means with which we can achieve a lot of things. In this respect, it is similar to infrastructure like roads and rails. Using Microsoft software is akin to using a road built by a private agency who levies a charge for its use. Any further development of that road and the terms of usage of that road will be subject to the whims of that private agency alone, however insane it may be. Free Software is like an alternate road , with equal or better quality. It is community owned - public property. What modifications have to be done, and where it has to be done is driven by public need and is not influenced by a private party.

When we use Microsoft's products, which do not give the four essential freedoms in Computing (Right to study, Right to copy, Right to modify and Right to Redistribute software), we are becoming helpless creatures. Non-free softwares like Windows are designed to keep users helpless and prohibit cooperation. On the other hand, Free software believes in sharing and cooperation.

For your kind attention, Microsoft, the company with which you plan to sign the contract, has a track record of being fined $1.35 billion for Antitrust Charges in European Union for not complying with EU standards and trying to avoid giving essential information required for interoperability to others by asking for a huge price. As the report says, "Microsoft was the first company in 50 years of EU competition policy that the commission has had to fine for failure to comply with an antitrust decision," The Hindu February 28, 2008.

The Kerala state IT policy says motto of Akshaya project is ‘making technology and e-government services accessible to common man’. For making technology and e-governance accessible to common man without vendor lock-in, Free Software (Swathanthra Software) is the only solution available.

In the IANS Report, you said that you want to launch the project "to help make all sections of the society IT literate". We understand and appreciate your genuine spirit. But selecting Microsoft as an accomplice would be the wrong choice. Making people literate benefits the society as a whole. Proprietary software rejects their thirst for knowledge: it says, “The knowledge you want is a secret — learning is forbidden!” Free software encourages everyone to learn. The free software community rejects the 'priesthood of technology', which keeps the general public ignorant of how technology works. The people and Government of Kerala understood it and has already introduced it in our schools and government institutions. So we request you to stand for free software and essential freedoms in computing to fulfill your mission.

Since you have on several occasions expressed your support to the causes upheld by left forces in the country, we hope that it will not be news to you that CPI(M) and other progressive forces in the country have been ardent supporters of free software and as a matter of principle, detest Microsoft's monopoly built through treacherous market machinations that even the developed countries find unbearable.

It is high time that you understood the implications and ramifications of your support for Microsoft. It seriously undermines your role as a socially committed artist, progressive media leader and sympathizer of leftist politics.

We hope that being a thinking man, you will realize the error in endorsing proprietary software and will persist in your mission of bringing about IT to the common man via free software and open standards. As a great man who has enriched the culture of Kerala and India, please do set an example by using and promoting free software.

We as a body that strives to support free standards and free society through free software, request you to reconsider your decision and be a proponent of free software to achieve your mission to help make all sections of the society IT literate.

Let us build your dream together with free software.

A group of free software activists, supporters and users who believe in freedom, free society and free expression of ideas.

Endorsed by

Organisations

  1. FOSS Communities in India
  2. GNU Linux Users Group- Thiruvanathapuram
  3. Swathanthra Malayalam Computing
  4. Swathantra Software User Group Malappuram
  5. Palakkad Libre Software Users Society
  6. GNU/Linux Users Group Calicut
  7. Free Software Users Group Bangalore
  8. Indian Linux User Group Cochin Chapter
  9. PHP Trivandrum
  10. Free Software Users Group Thrissur
  11. Free Software Foundation of India
  12. Open Source Foundation of India
  13. Movingrepublic
  14. Global Alternate Information Applications(GAIA)
  15. ViBGYOR Film Collective
  16. Keraleeyam Magazine
  17. Third Eye Films
  18. Visual Search, Bangalore
  19. SPACE
  20. Union Christian College FOSS CELL, ALWAYE
  21. Forum Kerala
  22. Cinemela Film Festival, New Delhi
  23. South Asia Citizens Web
  24. BMS Libre Software Users' Group (BMSLUG)
  25. Swatantra Kannada Localisation Project
  26. COIMBATORE HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
  27. Malayala Kalagramam Film Society,New Mahe
  28. Kerala Society for Theatre Research,Sree Sankaracharya University,Kaladi.
  29. Padhabhedam magazine, Calicut
  30. IBON South Asia
  31. FOSSMeet@NITC

Individuals

  1. Abdulkareem UK
  2. Abhinandh
  3. Aditya Kavoor
  4. Afthab Ellath
  5. Ajai Joseph
  6. Amit Surana
  7. Amey Jahagirdar (One Happy Linux Mint User)
  8. Anand Babu Periasamy
  9. Anand S Babu
  10. Ani Peter
  11. Anish Bhaskaran
  12. Anivar Aravind
  13. Anoop C Jacob
  14. Anoop John
  15. Anoop Jacob Thomas
  16. Anoop P Alias
  17. Anoop Panavalappil
  18. Anoop V Muraleedharan
  19. Anu James
  20. Arun.K.R
  21. Ashik Salahudeen
  22. baburajbhagavathy
  23. Baiju M
  24. Bipin Thayyullathil
  25. Birenjith P S
  26. Chandra Sekar.S
  27. Chandrasekharan Nair S
  28. Cibu C J
  29. Chandra Kumar
  30. CK Raju
  31. C.Saratchandran
  32. Dinesh Joshi
  33. Dr.Mahesh Mangalat
  34. Fr. Benny Benedict
  35. Mr. Bruce Mathew
  36. Geethika G.
  37. George John
  38. G. Palaniappan
  39. G.P Ramachandran
  40. Hafiz A Haq
  41. Harish Veeramani
  42. Hari Vishnu
  43. Harsh Kapoor
  44. Hiranjyoti Mahanta
  45. Hiran Venugopalan
  46. Jaisen Nedumpāla
  47. J Suresh Kumar
  48. Jayesh V
  49. Jinesh K J
  50. Dr. Sunny Kuriakose Alwaye
  51. Jithu Sudhakar
  52. Joby John
  53. John Samuel,Convenor, National Social Watch Coailation
  54. Joice Mulanthanam
  55. Joseph John (Saji)
  56. Justin Joseph
  57. karthick.n(linux loves me)
  58. K.M Venugopal
  59. K.P Sasi, Filmmaker
  60. K.Satchidanandan, Poet
  61. M Jayadev
  62. Madhusoodanan P
  63. Mahesh Aravind
  64. Manilal K M
  65. Manish Sharma
  66. Manu S Madhav
  67. Mathew Chacko
  68. Mohana Krishnan
  69. Mustafa Desamangalam
  70. Nimesh V
  71. Nishan Naseer
  72. Noor Manseel Mohamed
  73. Pavithran S
  74. P.Baburaj
  75. P.K.Pokker, Director, Keralabhasha Institute
  76. Pramode C.E
  77. Prashant Shah
  78. Pratheesh Prakash
  79. Praveen A
  80. Praveen Gopinath
  81. Prakash Kumar Ray, Cinema Studies, SAA, JNU, New Delhi
  82. Prinson.P.J
  83. Raja Swamy, Austin, Texas
  84. Rajiv R Nair
  85. Ranjith S. Kumar
  86. Ravi Chandra Padmala
  87. Sajith VK
  88. S.Anoop
  89. Sajeer.A.R
  90. Sam Albuquerque
  91. Sameer Mohamed Thahir
  92. Santhosh Kurian
  93. sarah singh
  94. Sasi Kumar, V.
  95. Sreenadh H
  96. Sanju Surendran
  97. Santhosh Thottingal
  98. Sarath Lakshman
  99. Shashank Bharadwaj
  100. Seena Sreevalson
  101. Sheshu K R
  102. Shyam.k
  103. Sibi Antony
  104. Sp^wN_0F_S^T^N
  105. Sudhang Shankar
  106. Sujith Haridasan
  107. Thanesh Thampi
  108. The Overclocked Fragger
  109. Thejesh GN
  110. T.T Sreekumar
  111. Sudev
  112. Vimal Joseph
  113. Vikram Vincent
  114. Vineesh Thalethodi
  115. Vipin Vincent
  116. V K Adarsh
  117. Vishal Rawlley
  118. Vivek Khurana
  119. Yadu Rajiv
  120. Yesudeep Mangalapilly
  121. Kishore.A
  122. desertwind
  123. Gopal menon, Film maker
  124. DileepRaj, Resident Editor, Penguin Malayalam
  125. Jayakumar Thazhath

Relates Links

  1. Microsoft, Mammootty to launch Kerala e-literacy programme
  2. CPI(M) supports Free software
  3. Globalization Institute's submission to European Union
  4. Kerala schools use free software
  5. What is Free Software?
  6. ORUMA: the result of KSEB’s concerted efforts
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