[NCLUG] RFC: draft of press release

[John Baughman]

That sounds much better. Last thing that is needed is a Linux group to sound 
militant.

-John Baughman

>From: Evelyn Mitchell <efm at tummy.com>
>Reply-To: nclug at nclug.org
>To: nclug at nclug.org
>Subject: Re: [NCLUG] RFC: draft of press release
>Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 12:17:31 -0700
>
> > 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
> > _______________________________________________
> > NCLUG mailing list
> > NCLUG at nclug.org
> > http://www.nclug.org/mailman/listinfo/nclug
>_______________________________________________
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