[Announce] Announcement: Linux Australia joins Open Source Initiative

[Linux Australia President]

Linux Australia joins Open Source Initiative

Linux Australia, Inc - the organisation representing thousands of Linux
and open source community members in Australia - was recently accepted
as a member of the Open Source Initiative--the global non-profit working
to promote and protect  open source software--further strengthening
international relationships with partner organisations committed to free
and open source software, hardware and culture.

The Open Source Initiative is the steward of the Open Source Definition
(OSD) and the community-recognised body for reviewing and approving
licenses as OSD-conformant. The organisation’s members play an important
role across the world in community building, education and public
advocacy to promote the importance of non-proprietary software. In doing
so they further international awareness of how open source technologies,
licenses and models of development can provide economic and strategic
advantage.

President of Linux Australia, Kathy Reid, was delighted with the move.

 “We’re incredibly proud to bring Linux Australia into the Open Source
Initiative fold - joining a strong and active international community of
practitioners, policy advocates and technologists committed to the
benefits that open source technologies can provide. As the Open Source
Initiative celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we look forward to
partnering with both OSI and other partners to continue to strengthen
international open source communities of practice. As new developments
such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality and
other emergent technologies come to the fore, the principles and ethos
underpinning open source are more important than ever. “

Patrick Masson, General Manager of the Open Source Initiative, was
equally positive.

  “We’re honored to welcome Linux Australia as an OSI Affiliate Member.
As a community-driven organization working to advance software freedom,
Linux Australia serves as a model for open source collaboration,
co-operation, and co-creation. Most already know of Linux Australia’s
premier international conference, linux.conf.au, however Linux
Australia’s efforts to advance  free and open source software are far
broader: cultivating communities of practice, supporting projects to
promote Linux, creating educational resources to further understanding
and adoption. We look forward to working with Linux Australia and their
membership--in all their activities--and thank them for their ongoing
commitment and contributions to software freedom.”

About Linux Australia

Linux Australia is the peak body for Open Source communities in
Australia. Linux Australia represents thousands of users and developers
of Free Software and Open Technologies, and facilitates
internationally-renowned events including linux.conf.au -- Australasia's
grassroots Free and Open Source Software Conference.  Individuals who
join Linux Australia directly
participate in online discussions on mailing lists covering a range of
topics and user communities. Members of Linux Australia participate in
sub- committees and special interest groups, organise events or stand
for election to the Linux Australia council. Linux Australia Members may
submit applications for funding for projects relevant to or beneficial
to the Australian FOSS community under the grants programme. Linux
Australia membership is free and anyone can join.

Media contact: Kathy Reid, President, Linux Australia
president at linux.org.au

About the Open Source Initiative

Founded in 1998, the Open Source Initiative promotes and protects open
source software, development and communities, championing software
freedom in society through education, collaboration, and infrastructure,
stewarding the Open Source Definition, and preventing abuse of the
ideals and ethos inherent to the open source movement. The OSI Affiliate
Program allows non-profit organizations to become OSI members--an ideal
way to support the mission of the OSI and contribute to the continued
awareness and adoption of open source software. Affiliate Membership A
“who’s who” of open source communities. For more information about the
OSI, see https://opensource.org.

Media Contact: Italo Vignoli, Director, Open Source Initiative
italo at opensource.org