[EuroPython] government money, socialism et al.

[M.-A. Lemburg]

Nicolas Pettiaux wrote:
>=20
> Le Vendredi 15 F=E9vrier 2002 02:55, Martijn Faassen a =E9crit :
> > Laura Creighton wrote:
> > > I am organising a plan to Get Government Money.  (if I can figure o=
ut
> > > how to make a new Wiki Page).
>=20
> very good idea. I have some contacts at the EU and besides I am in Brus=
sels.
> We could coordinate this (publically through the list) and exchange the
> contacts (privately with the SponsorTeam)

Indeed. Say, is there a lobby in the EU for OSS ?

> Just a note about something everyone doesn't knwo in the list:
>=20
> there is an REALLY increasing perception within the Belgian Socialist p=
arty
> that free software (and they insist on the freedom side they understand=
 , not
> caring about open source pragmatic approach they do not understand beca=
use
> they are not in the IT field) is good for education and public
> administration.

OSI compliant have the "free" built-in... at least as far as money
is concerned. What definition of "free" do they have in mind ?
=20
> This, as far as I understood, was the key selling factor Denis used to =
get
> the CEME place and the whole committement by the city of Charleroi.
>=20
> I am afraid that should we forget that, would they not be pleased.
>=20
> For example, some people in the city of Charleroi are considering to st=
art a
> specific education program about free software, in order to educate peo=
ple
> and put them back to work in the IT field through free software.
>=20
> THis does NOT mean that accepting any OSI licence is not good for us (n=
ot
> everyone is as consciuous as the socialists) but it is needed to know I
> suppose.

Let's educate them at the conference. Perhaps we could have a talk
summarizing all the different models in the business track ?!

--=20
Marc-Andre Lemburg
CEO eGenix.com Software GmbH
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