[ILUG] Renaming the ILUG

[Con Hennessy]

"John P. Looney" wrote:
>  Although I understand that getting our employers and friends to use free
> software because it's really good is important, I don't think it's as
> important as telling people that non-free software is restrictive, unfair,
> unsociable and many other nasty things as well as supporting and growing a
> community of free software users that can exist because at least some
> software is free.
> 
>  Yes, Linux, and ILUG are very strong brand names in Ireland, that help
> get free software used, and eventually get us more members. But by
> diverting people's attentions from GNU, and their goals, are we also doing
> long term harm, by not focusing on the social side of software ?

I do not agree that "Open Source" advocates are necessarily diverting peoples
attention from GNU and the FSF. As you know the majority of people think that
the licences which come with most commercial software are "normal" and acceptable.
But most consumers ( both business and individuals ) are not always aware of
other licences / philosophies.
Indeed from first glance (coming from a commercial perspective) most people
would not notice the differences between the philosophies of the OSI and the
FSF as these two philosophies are so different from commercial licenses
but have many similarities.

However we could see it as a gradual learning process where we encourage 
beginners to check out at least the OSI philosophy and the software which falls
under this philosophy.
And as people become more aware of the advantages then the FSF philosophy
and the differences it has with the OSI can be explained and discussed.

This at least is the path that I have taken to get to the point of learning
about the FSF.

Con