[Linux-aus] [Announce] Should Linux Australia change its name to Open Source Australia?

[Russell Coker]

On Wednesday, 20 December 2017 10:08:57 PM AEDT Andrew Bartlett via linux-aus 
wrote:
> On Wed, 2017-12-20 at 16:51 +1030, Michael Davies via linux-aus wrote:
> > “I think it’s time”
> > 
> > OSA reflects who were are, who we represent and the activities that
> > we’ve been doing. I’m not sure that was the case last time this was
> > tried, but it definitely is now. Consequently, I support the proposed
> > name change.
> > 
> > Hope this helps,
> > 
> > Michael...
> 
> I agree.  When this was last proposed I wasn't convinced, and it seemed
> that applying for some trading names and some explanatory text would be
> enough.  But as I see the way this organisation has so expanded its
> reach and impact, the name Linux Australia doesn't even start to cover
> what it really does.
> 
> Names are hard, and Linux Australia perhaps thankfully avoided becoming
> (dental) FLOSS Australia by pre-dating that term.   It straddled the
> communities of 'Free Software' and 'Open Source Software' partly by
> naming itself around a specific technology that happens to be (as
> almost all I/we do is) both.
> 
> This organisation will always be rooted in the Linux community, and it
> is great that this solid base means it can spread its wings so far!  
> 
> Given that expanding reach, a new name seems reasonable, and this one
> will do well enough.

The main reason that I would like to see a name change is that Linux Australia 
is doing lots of things other than advocating for Linux in Australia.  I'd 
like to see Linux Australia (under it's new name) having a subcommittee that 
is just about advocating for Linux in Australia, which can be called "Linux 
Australia".

LUV has recently become a LA subcommittee.  This is great for us.  Now we 
don't have to bother about a lot of paperwork etc and can just concentrate on 
arranging meetings etc.  I want to see an organisation advocating for Linux 
that also doesn't have to bother about paperwork etc.