[LUGSB] LUGSB constitution.

[Jim Robert]

you could always append a footnote with the URLs of a few sites like GNU
Foundation/Stallman's definition of Free Software as opposed to open source
among others

On Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 12:35 PM, Ryan Kaufman <rkaufman at ams.sunysb.edu>
wrote:

>
> Well, not explaining ourselves clearly enough to be understood by an
> 'outsider' would violate our stated purpose of raising awareness, wouldn't
> it? Unless we are just raising our own awareness of things we already know
> about (which we are, but we should try to go farther). I think we can ignore
> the definition of 'open source', and strike any references to it as it falls
> under the heading of 'free'. Please correct me if this is wrong or
> backwards.
>
> The issue is that there is no non-technical way to explain linux, or free
> software, and no way to write the constitution without reference to it. I do
> think that 'open source' and 'free software' are terms that should not have
> to be defined, as they have clear cut industry definitions that should be
> well known and understood. But we have to please the man, and blah, blah...
> more funding, and so on.
>
> Having said this, I'll add another paragraph to the growing list of
> considerations:
>
>    Free software is software whose licence allows usage for any purpose,
>    access to source code, and the right for the user to make changes to
> it.
>    The Linux operating system is the shining star in this initiative for
> openness,
>    learning and sharing in the name of freedom.
>    The purpose of LUGSB is to raise awareness of the Linux operating
> system,
>    to provide an open forum for technical support(advice?) regarding free
> software,
>    and to conduct regular colloquia discussing applications of free
> software
>    and advances in the free software community
>
> Upon re-reading this, I would not be opposed to striking 'in the name of
> freedom' here.
>
> --Ryan Kaufman
>
>
> On Wed, 2 Apr 2008, Chris Wright wrote:
>
>  Vague, perhaps, though I'm sure other clubs are getting away with the
> > same. Technical? If I have a scuba club, I don't need to explain what
> > a BCD or a regulator is in the club constitution. If I have a fencing
> > club, I don't have to explain the difference between a foil and an
> > epee in my fucking constitution.
> >
> > Still, they're giving us money. Annotations explaining what Linux,
> > free software, and open source software are would be appropriate --
> > footnotes, perhaps? A cover sheet or preamble?
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