Open Letter To Mammootty: Difference between revisions
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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 to that road and the terms of usage of that road will be subject to the whims of that private agency alone , however insane it be. Free Software is like an alternate road , with equal or better quality. It is community owned - public property. Which modifications has to be done , what has 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 to that road and the terms of usage of that road will be subject to the whims of that private agency alone , however insane it be. Free Software is like an alternate road , with equal or better quality. It is community owned - public property. Which modifications has to be done , what has to be done and where it has to be done is driven by public need and is not influenced by a private party. | ||
When someone use Microsoft's products , which do not gives 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 , designed to keep users helpless and prohibit cooperation. On the | When someone use Microsoft's products , which do not gives 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 , designed to keep users helpless and prohibit cooperation. On the Other hand Free software does believes in sharing and cooperation. | ||
Microsoft -the company with which u planned to sign contract- have 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] | Microsoft -the company with which u planned to sign contract- have 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 moto of Akshaya project is ‘making technology and e-government services accessible to common man’. Making Technology and | The [http://keralaitmission.org/web/main/ITPolicy-2007.pdf Kerala state IT policy] says moto of Akshaya project is ‘making technology and e-government services accessible to common man’. Making Technology and e governance accessible to common man without Vendor lock-in Free 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." So we understand your genuine spirit. But selecting the Microsoft help is a wrong choice. making people literate is a way benefit 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 in ignorance of how technology works. The people and Government of Kerala understood it and has already [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/280323.html introduced it to our schools] and government institutions. So we request you to stand for free software and essential freedoms in computing to | 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." So we understand your genuine spirit. But selecting the Microsoft help is a wrong choice. making people literate is a way benefit 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 in ignorance of how technology works. The people and Government of Kerala understood it and has already [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/280323.html introduced it to our schools] and government institutions. So we request you to stand for free software and essential freedoms in computing to fulfill your mission | ||
since he has several times expressed his 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 | since he has several times expressed his 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 unbearable. | ||
it is high time that you need to understand the | it is high time that you need to understand the implications and ramifications of your support for Microsoft. It seriously undermines your role 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 added to the culture of Kerala and India , please do set an example by using and promoting Swathanthra Software. | 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 added to the culture of Kerala and India , please do set an example by using and promoting Swathanthra 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 | 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 Swatanthra software to achieve your mission to help make all sections of the society IT literate | ||
Let us build your Dream together with swathanthra software | Let us build your Dream together with swathanthra software | ||