Re: [Fsfe-uk] [Proposal] Mailing lists

[Chris Croughton]

On Wed, Oct 29, 2003 at 04:28:47PM +0000, Ramanan Selvaratnam wrote:

> On Wed, 2003-10-29 at 14:23, Alex Hudson wrote: 
> 
> > thought of it. The split between fsfe-uk/affs-activity being more akin
> > theory/practice rather than free software/affs (which seems an arbitrary
> > line to me). 
> 
> And it is good for free software to get the theory right. ie, this list
> (fsfe-uk) should get more busy with people stumbling in from all walks
> of life with different interests.

That's the way I see it (although I disagree with the theory/practice
comparison -- if I'm writing Free Software, that /is/ 'practice' and the
organisation stuff is just theory IMO).

> We have to increase its volume. It is simply not enough.
> 
> By 'we' I mean AFFS and anyone who bothered to subscribe here with good
> intentions.

Drop "AFFS and" and I'll agree.  But as long as this list is seen as an
"AFFS shop" I think it will be difficult to get people interesed in FS
and not the organisation involved.

> As for the fsfe-uk we all have to collectively ensure that even totally
> new people to IT, are made to feel welcome.
> That is where free software needs to go and get a lot of energy from.

Yup.  And that means dropping a percieved "Free Software == GPL"
attitude from some quarters (developers on FreeBSD and similar tend to
really get pissed off).

> I am worried to hear this is could be an issue. If so let's sort it out
> before anything.

I've been saying it's an issue for some time, I seem to be one of very
few non-AFFS people left.

> > to be naval gazing in the extreme. That's not something we have the
> > potential to change, except by bringing in lots of new people. 
> 
> This way when the volume of traffic goes up in fsfe-uk (as it  should)
> affs-activity would become even more attractive.
> 
> For those wishing to foucs on action with peace and quiet, 10 quid will
> buy it in an affs list. If anything important in the fsfe-uk list needs
> their attention it could be announced too. 

Or even less, as it was suggested that non-members could join the AFFS
list if they wanted.

> For those who understand the need to be organised, UK wide, there need
> not be  any explanation, they would join any well run affs and thus be
> subscribed to the affs list(s) by default.
> 
> But for those who might refuse to join the affs for whatever reason I
> have no answer. 
> Maybe affs marketing would need more work if this goes against what is
> good for FS.

I don't think that the AFFS (or a mailing list for it) will go against
what is good for FS in the UK.  I do think that there are many other
people who wouldn't join the AFFS (or other organisations) for their own
reasons who can also do good for FS in the UK.  An attitude that "AFFS
is the only organisation which supports FS and anyone not a member is
harming it" would, I think, do a lot of harm to FS...

Chris C