November
2, 2004
The
advantages of free software
(BBC Mundo) - "Is it right
that software we use in our computers
actually belongs to others, or to the
company that produces it? Should users
be allowed to share the software they
use?
These were some of the key
questions of the First World Forum of
Free Technology, which concluded this
weekend in Venezuela.
For the participants, the
response to these questions is simple:
the alternative is to use open-source
(free) software, for which we do not have
to obtain licenses and which can be distributed
freely.
'The advantage is the freedom
that it offers ', pointed out BBC Richard
Stallman, one of the pioneers of this
movement and the star of the event.
The basic idea behind the
free software is not only that users can
freely use programs, but that they can
also study its codes, adapt them to their
needs and share their results.
't is like a kitchen recipe',
pointed out Stallman. 'You can choose
the best versions of programs so that
users, and not companies, have the control
'.
Surprising announcements
The most exciting moment in the event
was probably when representatives of the
oil company PDVSA announced they would
begin to use open source software except
in the more specialised areas in drilling
and perforation.
The announcement was received
with applauses. Participants also cheered
the announcement made some weeks ago by
President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez,
who said the government was on its way
to introduce a decree that would expect
compulsory use of free software in areas
of public administration where it was
possible (…)
Former Planning Minister,
Felipe Pérez, one of the organizers
of the forum, pointed out that he had
presented the National Assembly a draft
law that would force the use of free software
in the public sector throughout the country
(…)
Pérez also said that,
if approved, this proposal would be the
first law on information and free software
in the world. The idea is 'to use as much
free software as possible and as much
owned software as necessary' (...)
Also during the forum,
the lounge of Latinux in the Venezuelan
market was announced. This is a version
in Spanish of GNU-Linux, the most well-known
free software in the world. According
to Felipe Pérez, this software
is very easy to use by individuals and
companies".
