Difference between revisions of "Open Letter To Mammootty"
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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 | 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 | 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 | 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. | ||
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 | ||
# | # [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 | ||
=== Relates Links === | === Relates Links === | ||