On Thu, 2006-09-14 at 15:33 +0800, Bret Busby wrote: > Perhaps, Linux Australia needs to be reviewed, and, more than has been > suggested. > Linux is a UNIX, or, a UNIX derivative, but the converse is not true. > > So also, with BSD, Solaris, OpenSolaris, SCO UNIX, AIX, DG/UX, etc. > > And, from what I understand, the different "flavours" of UNIX still > exist, and are used, and, are used by large or substantial, commercial > (and other) organisations, whether or not, Linux people like it. Personally, I do not have a problem with the existence of the proprietary *nixes (with the possibility of SCO UNIX, however a couple of years therapy might help). They fulfil a role and would not exist if there was no demand for them. It is my own personal belief that Linux and the other FOSS *nix variants could offer more but that is not to say that I am going to demand that everyone give up using what they feel most comfortable with just because I say so. > I think that MySQL might not be Open Source, and, its licensing, is > different to some other equivalent software (like PostgreSQL, I think). Just a quick point, MySQL releases everything under a dual licensing system, GPL and a proprietry license for those who produce proprietry software and wish to include MySQL code. > For example, if VMWare is not Open Source, it should not be excluded > from Linux Australia discussions and events, due to it not being Open > Source, as it has, from what I understand, great benefit to some Linux > users. > True VMWare is an excellent tool, I use it myself, however in a FOSS context wouldn't it be better to look at building up the available FOSS equivalents? > But, do discussions about MS Windows, and, implementations of Open > Source software, on the MS Windows platform, really belong in the Linux > area? This is the crux of the question, are we a linux only org or have we grown to include others in the FOSS community. Personally I think we have. > Apart from the "Linux Australia Conferences", Open Source Developers > Conferences have also occurred, so Linux Australia does not own the Open > Source movement in Australia. We are not making a claim to "own" the Open Source movement, however we are probably the largest community support organisation in the country with a focus on FOSS. > So, perhaps, Linux Australia neeeds to be reviewed, to determine > excatly, its purpose and objectives, and, how they relate to the other > issues and entities. Regularly looking at the organisation, its motives and what we can do to best serve our members is always a good thing. > And, if AUUG has problems, as mentioned on the cited web page, and, > appears to be falling in a heap, then, perhaps, a new version of AUUG, > could be formed, to support UNIX in Australia, as had previously > happened (back when AUUG(WA) used to have meetings in West Perth), so > that people who use/administer the different "flavours" of UNIX, can > still meet and support each other. AUUG's issues are their own, and I think separate to our considerations. AUUG fulfills a role for those who may not agree with our way of doing things, and for those who work extensively with the proprietary *nixes. I wish them all the best. From my readings of the community, we've moved on from being focused on developing Linux to using Linux. This means that there is a whole generation of new users who's focus is using and tweaking the applications that allow them to do what they need to do rather than building the foundations. We also have to recognise that there are members within the LA community who don't necessarily wish to use Linux, but they are none the less using Free and Open Source Software, whether its OpenOffice on Windows or Blender on Mac OSX. > Those are my thoughts,anyway. And they are always welcome, whether I agree with you or not :) Well these are my thoughts, you may have noticed I've used personally and personal a lot through this message, I just wanted to make sure that this is taken as my opinions and not the opinions of the ctte or in any official capacity. -- James Purser Producer/Presenter - Open Source On The Air A LocalFOSS Production http://www.localfoss.org irc: #localfoss on irc.freenode.net
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