[Linux-aus] Goodbye AUUG, hello phoenix

[Janet Hawtin]

Hi folks

IMHO two separate ideas.

AUUG folk have a lot of options in how they can respond to that post.
They include relooking at what AUUG could be and what they want it to be.
It could easily be a milestone for changing the flavour of the way
they work rather than an end of an era. AUUG folk will need to look at
their options.

I think the idea of a more broadbased free software and culture
entity or event is interesting.

I think the Australian Linux.org.au has a good reputation and function.
I dont know if covering all the bases of *nix FLOSS would make things
a bit muddled or stretchy or it might make it more diverse.

It might be good to look at how free culture and free software groups
can collaborate or have a collective community event or list or
something.
eg. Including wikipedia folk and ngo's or schools who use a range of foss.
Folks that dont fit in OSIA. Allies list does a bit of this.

At WIPO the broadcast treaty is being pushed through.
The USFTA/DMCA is not going to be the only time that laws are changed in AU
in response to these trade agreements and treaties.
While it is not clear that they will get what they want, it is clear
that the broadcast groups are looking to get rights over the content
they transmit.
Rights to control rebroadcasting. And potentially including mateiral
which would otherwise be public domain or creative commons.
Combining that with the rights for the software publishers to
lock information into their DRM TPM hardware, software and content
combinations there is going to need to be a continued ability by our
community to
communicate foss ideas and ideas about access to knowledge.
This might be easier from a broader based event/group/list.
Software freedom day is building momentum on this front and may be a
good way to get this kind of connection but some kind of ongoing forum
would be useful for dialogue or response to things like the copyright
act.

Just some thoughts.

Janet