awareness for use of free software in the state and public administrations

8/14/2019 Awareness for use of Free Software in the State and Public Administrations

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Awareness for Free Software usage inAwareness for Free Software usage in the Statethe State

Because public information isBecause public information is ourourdigital heritagedigital heritage

We must make sure that it remains wellWe must make sure that it remains well

Free Software in the StateFree Software in the State

Mgter. Carlos BrysComputer Science DepartmentFaculty of Economics Sciences

Universidad Nacional de MisionesArgentina

[email protected]


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The State

What is the State ?

The State is a set of individuals who joinhe State is a set of individuals who jointogether to satisfy their needs.together to satisfy their needs.

It is a community of mutual assistance,It is a community of mutual assistance,

in which men are complementedin which men are complementedto satisfy their needs.to satisfy their needs.PlatoPlato

427 b.C. - 327 b.C427 b.C. - 327 b.C

The state is the set of institutions who possesses theThe state is the set of institutions who possesses theauthority and power to establish rules,authority and power to establish rules,govern a society, having internal and external sovereigntygovern a society, having internal and external sovereigntyon a given territory.on a given territory.


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Let's talk about Paradigms

What is a Paradigm?What is a Paradigm?

Some definitions:Some definitions:

It's a model to followIt's a model to follow Accepted FactsAccepted FactsBeliefs ValuesValues

Game's Rules

Vision of RealityVision of Reality


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Paradigms

"The way we see things"The way we see thingsis the source of how we thinkis the source of how we thinkand the way we act ...and the way we act ...

These assumptionsThese assumptions

give rise to our attitudesgive rise to our attitudesand our behavior ...and our behavior ...and our relations with others.and our relations with others.

Stephen CoveyStephen CoveyThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleThe 7 Habits of Highly Effective People


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Paradigms

A paradigm explains the world where we liveA paradigm explains the world where we liveand can predict its behaviourand can predict its behaviour


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Paradigms

When in the middle of a paradigm, it is difficult toWhen in the middle of a paradigm, it is difficult toimagine any otherimagine any other

Adam SmithAdam Smith(Powers of the Mind)(Powers of the Mind)

It's easier to disintegrate an atom than a prejudiceIt's easier to disintegrate an atom than a prejudice

Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein

The Chained ElephantThe Chained Elephant

The circus elephants are held onlyThe circus elephants are held onlywith a stick in the ground.with a stick in the ground.

While the elephant may go when he like,While the elephant may go when he like,it does not, because when was small heit does not, because when was small hehas "learnt" the paradigm that while thehas "learnt" the paradigm that while thestick is on the ground,stick is on the ground, he can't lefthe can't left


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Paradigms

Paradigm Blindness and ParalysisParadigm Blindness and Paralysis

Joel BarkerJoel Barker

An example: Who invented the quartz watch?An example: Who invented the quartz watch?

Those Swiss! (but is manufactured in Japan)Those Swiss! (but is manufactured in Japan)

Common expressions of blindness paradigm:Common expressions of blindness paradigm:

Things aren't made this wayThings aren't made this way

It wont workIt wont work

That's impossibleThat's impossible

If you have my years of experience, you would know that you areIf you have my years of experience, you would know that you arewrongwrong

We always made it this way. We're not going to change now!We always made it this way. We're not going to change now!I do not want!I do not want!


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Computer Paradigms

Today, the collective awareness thinks that ...Today, the collective awareness thinks that ...

Those who do not have computer skills,Those who do not have computer skills,will be illiterate in XXI Centurywill be illiterate in XXI Century

Computers are very important,Computers are very important,let's teach computing in schools and universitieslet's teach computing in schools and universities

Computer skills are Computer skills are know how to use Windows,know how to use Windows,Word, Excel, Power Point, also Word, Excel, Power Point, also

Internet and emailInternet and email

Migrate to Free Software requires so much effort andMigrate to Free Software requires so much effort andmoney. It is preferable to continue using privative softwaremoney. It is preferable to continue using privative software

If companies give us computer labs, we can't be so fool notIf companies give us computer labs, we can't be so fool notto accept, for the sake of educationto accept, for the sake of education


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Computer Paradigms

However ...However ...

Unrestricted access to knowledge will reduceUnrestricted access to knowledge will reducethe digital divide and empower the Information Societythe digital divide and empower the Information Society

Computer science is very important,Computer science is very important,let's teach computer science in schools and universitieslet's teach computer science in schools and universities

Let's begin to teach to use software"tools" for informationLet's begin to teach to use software"tools" for informationmanagement, instead of teach using brands" of commercialmanagement, instead of teach using brands" of commercial

productsproducts

Free Software is more cost effective and productive.Free Software is more cost effective and productive.In the end, the benefits of using it will always be greaterIn the end, the benefits of using it will always be greater

Privative products that we teach to use our students are notPrivative products that we teach to use our students are notfree, and then can hardly acquire this products to study withfree, and then can hardly acquire this products to study withthemthem


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Technological Dependence

If the institution uses a computer application and is not freeIf the institution uses a computer application and is not freeto contract with respect to additions and corrections of theto contract with respect to additions and corrections of thesystem, there is a technological dependece in which thesystem, there is a technological dependece in which thesupplier is able to dictate terms unilaterally,supplier is able to dictate terms unilaterally,terms and prices.terms and prices.

A particularly insidious way of this technology dependenceA particularly insidious way of this technology dependenceis through the way they are stored data.is through the way they are stored data.

If the program uses a open storage format,If the program uses a open storage format,then you can be sure that in the future maythen you can be sure that in the future maycontinue decoding the information.continue decoding the information.

If, by contrast, if the data is stored in a secretIf, by contrast, if the data is stored in a secretformat the user is trapped in a particular supplier, theformat the user is trapped in a particular supplier, theonly it can offer some guarantee of access.only it can offer some guarantee of access.


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Technological Dependence

For as regardsFor as regards

to Information Technologiesto Information Technologiesthe State is a sovereign and independentthe State is a sovereign and independent

We need:We need:

That the Software used may be FreeThat the Software used may be Free

That Standards used must be OpenThat Standards used must be Open


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What is Free Software?

Free software is a matter of the users' freedom toFree software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute,run, copy, distribute,

study, change and improve the softwarestudy, change and improve the software..More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of theMore precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the users of thesoftware:software:

A program is free software if you have all of these freedoms:A program is free software if you have all of these freedoms:

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose

The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to yourThe freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to yourneedsneeds

The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor

The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements(and modified versions in general) to the public, so that the wholecommunity benefits

Definition of Free Software: http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html


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Free Software in the State

The global wasteThe global wastein using proprietary softwarein using proprietary software

is more than $1 trillion annuallyis more than $1 trillion annually

Michael TiemannVP of RedHat and head of the Open Source Initiative


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Let's do some counts....Let's do some counts....

US$ 95 to US$ 170US$ 70 to US$ 200

The license cost * to use an OperatingSystem more an Office Suite

is US$ 165 to US$ 370 pereach computer

A privativeOperating Systemcosts

A privativeOffice Suitecosts

* Users pays for a license to "use" the softwareUsers not acquire ownership of the product


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In the majority of National Constitutions,In the majority of National Constitutions,

inescapable State obligations are:inescapable State obligations are:

Ensuring the welfare of the people

Protect Health

Promote Education

Provide Security

Then, How the spending of Statein licensing of privative software

on its obligations to the people impacts them?


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If a State spends US$ 165 to US$ 370If a State spends US$ 165 to US$ 370

of public money on privative software licenses,of public money on privative software licenses,for a single computerfor a single computer........

Will stop buying 60 to 130 reading booksWill stop buying 60 to 130 reading books

And from 600 to 1300 childrenAnd from 600 to 1300 childrenwill lose the opportunity towill lose the opportunity tolearn to readlearn to read


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Will stop buyingWill stop buying415 to 925 doses415 to 925 dosesof meningitis vaccineof meningitis vaccine

And from 415 to 925 childrenAnd from 415 to 925 childrenwill lose the opportunity towill lose the opportunity tobe immunizedbe immunized


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Will stop buyingWill stop buying156 to 350 gallons156 to 350 gallonsof milkof milk

And they lose the opportunityAnd they lose the opportunityto provide 2,950 to 6,000to provide 2,950 to 6,000portionsportions


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In the current paradigm ...In the current paradigm ...

The spend of public money on licenses ofThe spend of public money on licenses ofprivative software, when there are free alternatives,privative software, when there are free alternatives,can be channeled toward to most urgentcan be channeled toward to most urgentpopulation needspopulation needs

Condone or encourage illegal copying and use ofCondone or encourage illegal copying and use of

software that is protected by copyrights lawsoftware that is protected by copyrights lawis a crimeis a crime


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Governments that already movingin the adoption of Free Software philosophy

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China,Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, England, France,

Finland, Germany, India, Italy, Norway, Nigeria,Per, Repblica Dominicana, Russia, Spain,South Africa, Sweden, Venezuela ...

Even the U.N. recommended to useEven the U.N. recommended to useFree Software to member countriesFree Software to member countries

Awareness for using


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Awareness for usingFree Software in the State

There is aThere is a

New ParadigmNew Paradigmpossible:possible:

is Freeis Free

is Openis Open

is Legalis Legal

is Socially Acceptableis Socially Acceptable

is Politically Correctis Politically Correct


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For the AwarenessFor the Awareness

of usingof using

Free Software in the StateFree Software in the State

You are free:You are free:

To share, copy, distribute and transmit the work,To share, copy, distribute and transmit the work,remix, adapt the work, and make derivatesremix, adapt the work, and make derivates

Under the following conditions:Under the following conditions:

Attribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author orAttribution. You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author orlicensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of thelicensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of thework).work).Noncommercial. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.Noncommercial. You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

awareness for use of free software in the state and public administrations

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