Re: AFFS

MJ Ray wrote:
> Richard Smedley wrote:
>   
>> An announcement is up at http://goodGNUs.org/ & follow-ups
>> will appear there too. 
>>     
>
> The announcement is at http://www.goodgnus.org/2009/11/so-long-affs/
> (posted for an ulterior motive reason).
>   

I couldn't mention the money without at least a sentence or two looking
back on AFFS. From recent conversations, it is still remembered by
some for its raising of awareness about Free Software.

>> Beyond this, I remain interested in what scope there
>> is for a national group for Free Software advocacy
>> in the UK now that AFFS is gone, and would love to
>> hear thoughts on this.
>>     
>
> What things could a national group usefully do?  Did AFFS wither
> because it was a solution looking for a problem?

I think that's partly why I asked. While I feel that
it would be a good thing, I'm struggling in building
a "business case" for such  beast. However a
show of enthusiasm and ideas would suggest a
rethink ;-)

>   Its aims were:
>
>      1. to promote and advance the knowledge, development, use and
>      application of Free Software pioneered by the Free Software
>      Foundation and others.
>   

Well, this is an FSF-E aim, so we need perhaps to encourage
them into the UK?
>      2. to facilitate the exchange of information and views on the use
>      and development of Free Software.
>   

Possibly this is done well enough through other channels for
many of us, but I wonder if some people are missing out
on vrious projects and events?

>      3. to inform upon the subject of Free Software.
>   

ditto

>      4. to encourage internationalisation and localisation of Free Software.
>   

This seems to happen pretty well, all things considered.

>      5. to ensure the continued legal existence of Free Software
>      within the United Kingdom.
>   

Another FSF-E interest, surely?

> Is that enough to rally people around?  How should they be done?
> What else could/should be done?

All good questions :-)

 - Richard

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