Free Software Users Group, Thiruvananthapuram Explained

The origins of the Free software community in Thiruvananthapuram can be traced back to the group of TeX users around the University of Kerala[1] in early 1980s. The community then later named themselves Thiruvananthapuram LUG (Indian Linux Users Group), GNU/Linux Users Group, Thiruvananthapuram[2] and then ultimately[3] Free Software Users Group, Thiruvananthapuram. The community has worked with the government in helping with key Free software initiatives[4] in the government and also in promoting[5] and supporting[6] Free software among the general public.[7] The community has also been instrumental in creating an IT policy[8] favorable to Free software in the state of Kerala.

Main Activities

Free software install fests

One of the organized activities of the community was to organize GNU/Linux install fests in and around the city. These were usually organized in educational institutions[9] or public places where the general public could bring their computers to get a GNU/Linux distribution installed on them. As GNU/Linux distributions became more and more easy to be installed and configured the community has stopped organizing these.

Developer camps

The group has also worked with SMC in organizing developer camps[10] in Thiruvananthapuram and outside. During developer camps developers are given hands-on experience in working with Free software tools and primarily around localization initiatives which SMC is involved with.

Software / Hardware Freedom Day

The Free software community in Thiruvananthapuram has also been involved in organizing Software Freedom Day celebrations[2] [11] and Hardware Freedom Day celebrations[12] [13] in the city.

Free software release parties

The community has also organized release parties[14] to celebrate the release of the different Free software like Ubuntu,[15] Firefox etc.

Key Initiatives

Free software install fest at Technopark

One of the first large-scale events organized by the community was a week long Free Software Install Fest[16] [17] [18] [19] at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram organized in 2008. The event was co-organized by SPACE, Zyxware Technologies and Kerala State IT Mission

Creating India's first Freedom Toaster

The community worked together with Zyxware Technologies to create India's first Freedom Toaster[20] [21] which is a kiosk which can vend Free software CDs and DVDs. The Freedom toaster was made available at Technopark and at different engineering colleges to make available its services to the public.

Organizing Freedom Walk

The Free Software Users Group, Thiruvananthapuram along with Free software communities across Kerala[22] and Zyxware Technologies[23] organized a 44-day peace walk called Freedom Walk in 2008.[24] Three volunteers from the community walked from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram covering all 14 districts in the state on foot and conducted Free software events in schools and colleges to promote the message and philosophy of Free software.[23] [25]

Organizing Free Software Free Society conferences

The community has been jointly involved with organizing of the Free Software Free Society conferences[7] conducted by the government of Kerala through ICFOSS and SPACE.

See also

  1. Free software in Kerala
  2. Free software in India
  3. ICFOSS
  4. SMC
  5. SPACE
  6. Free software movement

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Free as in Freedom: The Story of Free Software in Kerala, India. swatantryam.blogspot.in. 2016-08-08.
  2. News: A celebration of software freedom. 2008-09-21. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  3. Web site: Google Groups. groups.google.com. 2016-08-08.
  4. Web site: Legislators in Kerala, India work better with Ubuntu laptops. Ubuntu Case Studies. Ubuntu.
  5. Web site: Spreading the glow of free software. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819174928/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article154103.ece. dead. 19 August 2016. 2016-08-08.
  6. Web site: Kerala's First GNU/Linux Install Fest on 12-April-2008 in Trivandrum. 2008-04-10. TechnoparkToday.com - Technopark Life, News, Jobs, Events & Lifestyle!. 2016-08-08.
  7. Web site: CM to open free software meet. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819175802/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article13363.ece. dead. 19 August 2016. 2016-08-08.
  8. Web site: Kerala State IT Policy 2007. Government of Kerala. 23 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160223203233/http://kerala.gov.in/documents/10180/46696/IT%20Policy%202007. dead.
  9. Web site: Linux Install Fest at Dishaa '09. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819183423/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article40338.ece. dead. 19 August 2016. 2016-08-08.
  10. Web site: Malayalam computing has come of age. Deccan Chronicle. 2016-08-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20161006094324/http://archives.deccanchronicle.com/131016/news-current-affairs/article/malayalam-computing-has-come-age. 6 October 2016. dead.
  11. Web site: Open source proponents in Trivandrum celebrate Software Freedom Day. 2014-09-26. en-GB. 2016-08-08.
  12. Web site: Trivandrum to observe Hardware Freedom Day. 2013-04-19. EnteCity News. en-US. 2016-08-08.
  13. News: Hardware Freedom Day fete today. 2013-04-20. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  14. Web site: Free Software Enthusiasts Celebrate Ubuntu 10.04 Release - Trivandrum News Yentha.com. www.yentha.com. 2016-08-08.
  15. Web site: Free Software UG celebrate Ubuntu release. 2010-05-02. en-US. 2016-08-08.
  16. Web site: GNU/Linux Install Fest — Free Software Foundation of India. fsf.org.in. 2016-08-08.
  17. Web site: GNU / Linux Install Fest and Free Software Seminar Series at Technopark, Trivandrum. 2008-08-17. 2016-08-08.
  18. Web site: Technopark GNU/Linux Install Fest – Program Schedules. 2008-08-22. TechnoparkToday.com - Technopark Life, News, Jobs, Events & Lifestyle!. 2016-08-08.
  19. News: Linux Install Fest at Technopark. 2008-08-24. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  20. News: Free software vending machine. 2008-09-01. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  21. News: Software vending machine at Technopark. 2008-09-03. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  22. Web site: Freedom Walk: A walk to claim, ensure and preserve freedom — Free Software Foundation — working together for free software. www.fsf.org. 2016-08-08.
  23. News: Freedom Walk, rooted in IT. 2008-09-05. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  24. News: Long walk to freedom. 2008-12-01. The Hindu. en-IN. 0971-751X. 2016-08-08.
  25. Web site: A walk for freedom. https://web.archive.org/web/20160819183034/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article4970.ece. dead. 19 August 2016. 2016-08-08.

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