Group talk: Computers Without Borders
Manifest?
CWB is quite new, and though the idea is easily captable for some of us, it may not be truth for the majority of people. I think it would be useful to debate what's the task of CWB in the context of free software movements and so on (a.k.a. "formulate a Manifest").
Although free software and hardware offers potential empowerment to people and communities, it means absolutely nothing when actions are not taken over and through it: people may have no technical expertise, what makes all the technology available virtually useless. To take advantage on that, people must (i) educate themselves on the inherent technical subject or (ii) call upon other's people knowledge and work.
CWB should have that clear, and I would dare do say it should be our mission.
One other issue for the laymen: why must we use free software and hardware?
It is important for every member and volunteer not only comprehending that, but being capable of explaining our position for everyone. If I had to choose a short answer, I'd stick with a thought (that my mind is attributing to RMS, but I need to check it): if we open only one exception and adopt proprietary solutions once, we have no reason for not opening another ones anymore.
-- tmcb (Sorry for not identifying at 1st)
... So, let's discuss.
That is a good idea ... let's discuss.
. First i think is the interest of the term itself 'Computers Without Borders' which mean hardware + software with no limit. It's right that some people can interpret free software license as a limit, but i interpret free software as a non limited license in people studies. The other interest of that term is that you can make a paralel to people in action all other the world like Reporters Without Borders ...
. Second interest is that CWB is free from FSF and or GNU and or LibrePlanet to engage their action where and when they want. People which are recognize as Green Arrow volunteers are free to speak as CWB volunteer and that make the speach more simple when you have to goes on radio ... tv ... or during action to gov office ... schools ...
. Last ... but not least ... FSF support or not some project because corresponding to free meaning ... but most of them are software project ... CWB intend to support actions engage by people and/or group of people to spread and/or offer material to school ... or research on material ... or dev on material to works with free software and intend to be free as possible (which is a difficulty (discussion about this subject with RMS (and discussion with RMS about the fact that each project (hardware or software) mean resources)))
What resources have CWB today? 0€ but we are a Free Software Corsica project and so endorse via this NGO ... which mean that Aurélien DESBRIÈRES Président of the Free Software Corsica and Representant of the Computers Without Borders, is engaging actions to get money from the European Commission and France governement. Since it's a non-profit association which have a manifest as working on free software and free hardware, CWB must follow this way too.
CWB have also been be created to offer to people some basical stuff for they working needs like free mail (hope we will be able to make that soon ... and at term free hosting service)
All of that is depending at this time of one thing. You!
More we will be ... more we will have chance to get money from European Commission and so engage actions.
at this time there is http://www.cwb.io which is now on the 4th place to 11M on google research on the term computers without borders ... + some tools like identi.ca, twitter, google + and facebook (yes facebook (which don't pleased me but it's a necessary sacrifice and here is why, CWB works on marketing ... informations action to spread all over and so we use the tools that exist and where information is not correct and there information is particularly not correct.
At this time RMS is inform about the existance of CWB and have not say anything good or wrong about it ... (during a mail exchange (which is public at this time since you can find a part of this mail on the Parabola mailing list))
--aurelien ...
Sorry to be a bit anarchist type of writer :p ... the interest of CWB is also in the fact that people, governemental office ... school ... corporate which can need help on free software / hardware recommendation for their solutions on place ... can contact CWB to be on direct relation with someone from their contry.
I am formulating a preliminary version -- pre-alpha :) -- version of the manifest. It is unfinished; I just cared to write some introduction. I've borrowed some things I've written above, some others from Aurélien... I hope you like it.
CWB Manifest
It is not difficult for anyone noticing that, in the 21st century, people cannot be free if they cannot have full control over the data they store, produce and share. Although free alternatives (as in freedom) for software and hardware offers potential empowerment to these people and their communities, they mean absolutely nothing when actions are not taken over it, and through it: users may have no technical expertise, what makes all sort of technologies available virtually useless.
To take advantage on the full range of technology offered nowadays, people must: (i) educate themselves on the inherent technical subject, or (ii) rely on other people's knowledge and work. Unfortunately, a dangerous scenery unfolds where people gradually abides from any sort of control over their actions in favour of negible gains of time, money, or commodity. It is obvious that those who opt in this faustian deal see an irresistible advantage underlying; when referring to technical issues, however, the lack of specialized knowledge eclipses a myriad of disadvantages.
The mission of Computers Without Borders (CWB) is breaking away the barriers imposed by the misuse of information technologies. The ambiguity of the organization's name is intentional: CWB acts worldwide, thanks to their volunteers.
(...)
--Tmcb 08:35, 26 May 2012 (EDT)
