[Linux-aus] FOSS social media (inappropriate response from Rory Croker)

[Russell Stuart]

On 1/2/25 10:21, Russell Stuart wrote:
> Mass emailing list members directly as Rory has done here is not 
> behaviour we accept on Linux Australia's lists.
> 
> Rory: please do not do it again.  Although Linux Australia can not 
> prevent this sort of behaviour, we will not tolerate it from Linux 
> Australia members or users of our lists.  If it happens again you will 
> be banned from all of Linux Australia's lists, and the council will 
> consider whether your membership of Linux Australia should continue.

Rory responded to this request by sending more of the same.  He has now 
been banned from the lists, and I will be raising a motion to expel Rory 
from Linux Australia at the next meeting of the executive.  If the 
motion passes Rory has a right of appeal as spelled out in the 
constitution.  If that appeal fails Rory will no longer be a member of 
Linux Australia.

This action is mostly symbolic as we can't stop Rory from emailing 
anyone directly as he is doing.  It's more a statement on what sort 
behaviour isn't tolerated here.

I've personally never met Rory.  In fact I think this email address is 
likely a sock puppet for an someone we have already banned.  That 
exposes a weakness in Linux Australia membership register and it's 
voting methods.  As you know Linux Australia uses electronic voting, and 
with that style of voting it is in general impossible to detect if a 
person to has registered many email addresses and cast a vote from each. 
  Thus it is possible will a little preparation for one individual to 
have undue influence on Linux Australia's governance.

To put this in perspective, Rory joined Linux Australia in 2020.

It was well-nigh impossible to corrupt our voting in this way when AGM's 
were held during LCA, and votes were a hand count of people present.  I 
don't think we can return to that sadly, but we can do these votes at an 
online meeting where we insist everyone's video is turned on.  I will be 
pushing for Linux Australia to conduct its votes at general meeting in 
that fashion from now on.


-- 
Regards,
Russell Stuart
Treasurer, Linux Australia
+61 438 805 133