[NCLUG] RFC: draft of press release

[James DeWitt]

Sounds great.  It's ironic that the MS empire
is the secret power behind that 'Alliance.' :-)

But anyway, it's a minor point, but about the name...
We don't want to associate free software with
computer break downs.  How about something like
'Software Freedom Survey' (or Inititive or Audit)?
Google didn't return any hits on these phrases.

Cheers,
JD


On Wed, 7 Feb 2001, S. Luke Jones wrote:

> Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 10:47:21 -0700
> From: S. Luke Jones <luke at frii.com>
> Reply-To: nclug at nclug.org
> To: nclug at nclug.org
> Subject: [NCLUG] RFC: draft of press release
>
> Here is my first draft of the press release. Let me know
> what you think. If you're one of the quotees, let me know
> if I misquoted you. In Matt's case, since he's not around,
> I was wondering if anybody else remembers him saying
> those things. :-)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Northern Colorado Linux User's Group
> http://nclug.org/
>
> Linux Group Provide Aid to Microsoft Business Victims
>
> Front Range Linux partisans offer relief for victims in the
> escalating war on users by Microsoft-led industry "Alliance".
>
>
> Fort Collins, Colorado (February 9, 2001) -- The Northern
> Colorado Linux User's Group (NCLUG) unveiled an initiative
> to support victims of harsh software licensing terms. The
> NCLUG "Shake Down Break Down" program will provide
> assistance in replacing software with license issues with
> different software with more liberal licensing terms.
>
> "The typical end-user license agreement runs to thousands of
> words," said NCLUG president Matt Taggart.  "It's virtually
> impossible for non-lawyers to know if they are using their
> software in accordance with licensing terms." The Microsoft
> Windows 2000 end-user license agreement (EULA), for example,
> is 14 pages long. Microsoft Office 2000 has a 9 page EULA.
>
> Under the NCLUG program, NCLUG technologists will examine a
> computer system. If they determine that the operating system
> or application software is licensed under an agreement that
> imposes difficult or arcane terms, they will offer to replace
> the software with a more liberally licensed alternative.
>
> NCLUG recommends software licensed under so-called open source
> agreements such as the GNU Public License (GPL), the Mozilla
> Public License (MPL), the Sun Industry Standards Source License
> (SISSL), and others, as alternatives to harsh licensing
> agreements such as the Microsoft EULA mentioned above.
> The GPL, which governs use of the Linux operating system,
> allows unlimited, world-wide, royalty-free use and
> redistribution of software licensed under its terms.
>
> The NCLUG initiatives are a response to a recent escalation
> in an ongoing campaign by the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
>
> The BSA campaign offers a temporary "truce" during which
> businesses must, to stave off further intimidation and
> harrassment, gather evidence proving their innocence. Given
> the complex character of many license agreements, this can
> be a huge burden. "A typical office machine might have four
> or five applications plus the operating system," explained
> Evelyn Mitchell, CEO of tummy.com, a local software
> consulting company. "Multiply that by however many machines
> you have, and it's a nightmare," she continued.
>
> In copies of the letter obtained by NCLUG, the BSA describes
> its mission as educational. Nothing in the letter identifies
> the adversary against whom its members are "allied."
>
> The BSA letter does not explain why it was sent to the
> recipient. Presumably, the BSA considers all recipients to
> be software pirates, or at least potential pirates. "The
> BSA is calling a truce," the letter states. "You have
> until Feburary 28 to get legal."
>
> A separate mailing by BSA member Microsoft was received by
> some recipients of the BSA "truce" letter. It refers to
> the ongoing "truce," recommends that recipients work with
> SoftChoice, a software reseller, to determine what
> additional software is required, and purchase it under
> Microsoft's Open License program. "The sweet voice of
> reason," fumed NCLUG member Sean Reifschneider. "What an
> amazing coincidence!"
>
> "I'm amazed that Microsoft's customers put up with this
> kind of treatment," said Taggart. "It underscores how
> Microsoft leverages its monopoly." In a landmark trial,
> a federal judge last year determined that Microsoft was
> a monopolist and ordered its breakup. The decision is
> under appeal.
>
> The NCLUG Shake Down Break Down program runs until
> February 28, the conclusion of the BSA Truce. "If there
> is ongoing interest, we may extend the program into the
> spring," said Luke Jones, Special Operations Coordinator.
>
> Participation in the program is open to all. There is
> no cost for the service or, if needed, the software
> that will be installed.
>
> To take advantage of the program, businesses and
> individuals should access the "Shake Down Break Down"
> link on the NCLUG web page (http://nclug.org/).
>
>
> About NCLUG
>
> NCLUG, the Northern Colorado Linux User's Group, is a
> community of hobbyists, professionals, and others
> interested in the Linux operating system. It has been
> operating in Fort Collins since 1996. Its members
> advocate the widespread adoption of Linux and other
> open-source software.
>
> Previous NCLUG activities have included "Linux
> Demonstration Day" and "Linux Install Fest" events
> every autumn, and demonstrations at the Community
> Internet Festival.
>
> NCLUG holds regular monthly meetings on the first
> Tuesday of each month at the tummy.com offices,
> 200A College Ave. North, Fort Collins.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --
> Luke Jones  luke vortex frii fullstop com
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