[Fsfe-uk] FSFE Newsletter

[Free Software Foundation Europe]

It has been another busy month for software freedom.  Open Standards have
continued to dominate discussions in ICT with the MS-OOXML proposal being
accepted by ISO as a standard.  FSFE and numerous other parties have observed 
this process from the beginning and have reason to be concerned about the state 
of international standardisation.  You could read more about this in our 
lead story below.

Document freedom, open access and software licensing are increasingly 
important topics of discussion.  Awareness of these issues has never been 
higher but at the same time the challenges faced have never been so difficult.
As Free Software becomes more accepted, so too do the attempts by those 
supporting restrictions and constraint to undermine our movement.  We need 
your help to ensure that logic, fairness and decisions for the benefit of all 
continue to be heeded by decision-markets in Europe and beyond.  If you
have some free time, please visit http://fsfeurope.org/contribute/ and
see how you can contribute to our success.

                                                Shane, FSFE Zurich Office

1. MS-OOXML approved by ISO, FSFE concerned about standardisation process
2. FSFE context briefing: Interoperability woes with MS-OOXML
3. Document Freedom Day - young but strong
4. Keynote at Chemnitzer Linux-Tagen, Germany
5. FSFE co-launches Open Parliament initiative
6. Speech on Free Software licensing and the GPLv3 at OSiM USA
7. FTF delivers licensing courses in Zurich, Switzerland

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

8. (2008-04-19) Linuxwochen, Krems, Austria
9. (2008-04-19) Linuxwochen, Graz, Austria
10. (2008-05-15 to 2008-05-17) Linuxwochen, Vienna, Austria


1. MS-OOXML approved by ISO, FSFE concerned about standardisation process

Microsoft received Ecma's approval for the partial documentation of its
Office 2007 file format in December 2006 as Ecma-376. Ecma then filed
Ecma-376 for ISO approval as DIS29500. This raised concerns that in
spite of claims to the contrary this would turn out to be a strategic
move to get ISO approval at all cost for pure marketing purposes.

FSFE's own experience in some countries and the reports about various
irregularities around the world confirmed that concern. These concerns
also overshadow the final approval of MS-OOXML as an ISO standard. ISO
certification was never a seal for Open Standards, as demonstrated by
patent-encumbered formats like MPEG. But if technically deficient
documentation gets ISO approval, it questions ISO on a much more
fundamental level.

  http://mail.fsfeurope.org/pipermail/press-release/2008q2/000206.html
  
http://www.fsfe.org/fellows/ciaran/ciaran_s_free_software_notes/what_s_wrong_with_ooxml_anyway
  http://www.fsfe.org/fellows/greve/freedom_bits/re_enacting_the_parrot_sketch


2. FSFE context briefing: Interoperability woes with MS-OOXML

FSFE released a context briefing on interoperability problems caused by 
Microsoft's Office OpenXML format: "The proposed MS-OOXML/DIS29500 
specification raises serious technical and legal concerns. This context 
briefing highlights three examples of how the proposed specification and 
its practical implementation in MS Office 2007 hinders interoperability, 
fosters vendor dependence and results in market distortion."

  http://fsfeurope.org/news/2008/news-20080305-01


3. Document Freedom Day - young but strong

We are happy to announce that the first Document Freedom Day was a
complete success. Great response we received from the teams during the
preparations and registration process, resulted with lots of activities
on March 26th all over the globe. DFD Teams did their best to pass the
message of document freedom and importance of Open Standards. DFD flags 
were hoisted around the world in Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, North 
and South America.

Events and activities of more than 200 DFD teams ranged for street
events and speeches to an award for the German governmental body that adopted
good policies in the field of Document Freedom and Open Standards. We are
expressing our biggest gratitude to all DFD teams for being part of the
community and contribution in making DFD08 successful.

  http://documentfreedom.org/


4. Keynote at Chemnitzer Linux-Tagen, Germany

Shane Coughlan, the coordinator of FSFE's Freedom Task Force, delivered the
 keynote speech at Chemnitzer Linux-Tagen at 13:00 on the 1st of March. The 
title of the keynote was 'Free Software in the ICT mainstream' and covered 
issues ranging from licensing through to Free Software on the desktop.  The
key message of the speech was that we have come a long way, and now that we
are a mainstream technology we can accomplish even more.  The big question
remaining for each individual is simply "what will I contribute to this?"

  http://chemnitzer.linux-tage.de/2008/vortraege/detail.html?idx=223


5. FSFE co-launches Open Parliament initiative

The Open Parliament petition was launched in March to initiate a review of
the European Parliament's policies regarding internal software use and file
formats for published information.  If this petition gathers enough support
to launch a review, FSFE will have a guiding role in the process.  The
official petition is an internal matter for the European Parliament, but
there is also an online petition where FSFE asks free software supporters to
show their support.  This petition was co-launched with OpenForum Europe and
ESOMA.  More information on this will be published soon on the fsfe.org
blogs.

  http://www.openparliament.eu/



6. Speech on Free Software licensing and the GPLv3 at OSiM USA

Shane Coughlan, FTF coordinator, delivered a speech entitled 'Analysing 
Whether GPLv3 Has Improved Free Software Licensing' at OSiM USA on Tuesday 
the 12th of March in San Francisco. The speech covered topics ranging from 
the creation of GPLv3 and its place in licensing through to examining the 
place of GPLv3 in tomorrow's market.  Reaction was positive and productive
discussions with telecommunications companies took place afterwards.


7. FTF delivers licensing courses in Zurich, Switzerland

Shane Coughlan, FTF coordinator, delivered two training courses in Zurich,
Switzerland as part of the Free Task Force programme to increase awareness 
and understanding of software licensing issues.  On the 7th of March a half
day session entitled 'Free Software in the public sector' was delivered, and
on the 21st of March another half day session entitled 'Introduction to Free 
Software licensing' was presented to an audience of local Free Software
advocates and activists.  If you are interested in helping the FTF with its
outreach programme and would like to have training sessions in your area, 
please contact the FTF as soon as possible:

  http://fsfeurope.org/projects/ftf/contact


FORTHCOMING EVENTS


8. (2008-04-19) Linuxwochen, Krems, Austria

On Tuesday 15 April 2007 at 16:15, Reinhard Müller gives a speech about open 
standards and free document formats at a Linuxwochen event at the Danube 
University Krems. The FSFE also has a booth at the event where it informs 
about its work and about Free Software in general. Admission is free for the 
whole event. 

  http://lug.krems.cc/linuxtag2008/


9. (2008-04-19) Linuxwochen, Graz, Austria

On Saturday 19 April 2007 at 12:00, Reinhard Müller gives a speech about open 
standards and free document formats at Linuxwochen event at the University of 
Applied Sciences "Johanneum" in Graz. The FSFE also has a booth at the event 
where it informs about its work and about Free Software in general.
Admission is free for the whole event. 

  http://www.linuxtage.at/


10. (2008-05-15 to 2008-05-17) Linuxwochen, Vienna, Austria

>From 15 to 17 May, an event of the Linuxwochen Austria will take place in the 
building of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Rudolf-Sallinger-Platz 1, 3rd 
district, Vienna. A group of Fellows will be present with a booth where they 
inform about FSFE, the Fellowship, and Free Software in general.
Admission is free for the whole event. 

  http://www.linuxwochen.at/


You can find a list of all FSFE newsletters on
http://www.fsfeurope.org/news/newsletter.en.html

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