[NCLUG] RFC: draft of press release

[Evelyn Mitchell]

> Northern Colorado Linux User's Group
> http://nclug.org/
> 
> Linux Group Provide Aid to Microsoft Business Victims

"Victims" is hostile.. how about "Worried about BSA? Linux Group Offers Help"

> Front Range Linux partisans offer relief for victims in the
> escalating war on users by Microsoft-led industry "Alliance".

Change to:

Front Range Linux experts offer assistance to Microsoft users
warned by Microsoft-led Business Software Alliance (BSA).

> 
> 
> 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

support targets of the BSA Software Licensing crackdown.

> NCLUG "Shake Down Break Down" program will provide
> assistance in replacing software with license issues with
> different software with more liberal licensing terms.

"Shake Down Break Down" suggests bad software quality, and may
be actionable. 

How about "Software Alternatives" or "Civil Software" program.

> 
> "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.

This paragraph implies that we will be giving legal advice.

Rather say that our experts will find out what you are using
software for, and suggest work-alike alternatives with
different licenses.

> 
> 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.

Add:
This means that you can use the software on all of your computers,
at home or at work, without fear of being in violation of a license
agreement.

> 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.

Change "nightmare" to "burden".


> 
> 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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