[DS-discuss]Re: [OT] Viduthalai?

[Ramanan Selvaratnam]

Hello all,

My records show that my  mail may not have reached the list yet.

If there are any known problems please let me know.

Rahul Sundaram wrote:

> hi
>
> again free s.w remains a confusing term and is the
> reason why the *term* open source became famous. dont
> look upon open source as something u should avoid.
Well, free software is by default open source and more.
Technically and economically they may be the same thing but morally free 
software is much more.
'Open Source' does not appeal to me and I wish to avoid this unecessary 
word/concept.

> anyway i was talking about the concept i was talking
> about the term open source. freedom software remains a
> better term than free software and there is no reason
> for fsf not to use it in favor of free software.trying
I have heard of people resorting to libre software.
I have also seen some misinformed people in the UK  protest about the 
use of french !!
'libre' or even libratory might be better.
Or even a fitting tamil word that we could agree upon might be better to 
describe the universal nature of freedom.

> vernacular alternatives doesnt overcom the problem for
> those who speak english. in the IT industry even in
> india nobody will talk about viduthalai or
> swantiram.
Are you sure about this?
Why 'even' India?

Translations of universal truths has nothing to do with the current IT 
industry IMHO.
Is it the case in  India too, that  the  IT industry gets to  decides 
on  what is good for the masses?!

> you call the people those who think that
> free means gratis while using the confusing term as
> ignorant people?
No. If I wrote so my apologies. I thought I used the word 'misinformed'.

> well let me state this. those ignorant people
> represent the comman mass and if we dont appeal to
..please... the peopel with IT skills or access to computers do not 
represent anyone except themselves.
Especially so if a vast majority of these are forced to use pirated 
software to keep up with the unfair global economic divide.

We should empower the masses not appeal to them to come and be like us, 
arguing over mailing lists.

So please do not get confused.
The ignorant /misinformed (in IT terms) ones are a minority, *not* the 
common masses.

THey should be informed as much they wish to know. Not dictated upon by 
the 'IT

> them we will be a niche community.
FYI, in europe they () are more like a threat to the colonial economic  
practices that never died.
A minority in both places it seems.

> coming out with
> better terms and policies is *important-* part of this
> freedom we are trying to develop.
>  
True. That is why I put forward the word 'viduthalai'.
I would like your informed opinion on this. Not what you think the 
current IT industry will make of it.

> give me just one reason not to use the term freedom
> software.
>
>  
I have nothing against the use of the word freedom by soemone else.
But you will find me not conceding to the wrong mindset by sticking to 
the use of free software.

Hey, you might find myself going on about 'viduvickum menporul' or a 
similar term,


Is 'viduthalai' a better translation for free as in freedom?

Best wishes,

Ramanan