Re: [Libreplanet-dev] New Member Introduction

[John Sullivan]

Scott Canney <address@hidden> writes:

> Hi,
>
> My name is Scott Canney and I'd like to introduce myself as a new member of
> the LibrePlanet team. I recently graduated with an MBA from Bentley
> University and I am looking to put my knowledge and skills to use to help
> LibrePlanet however I can. One of my main interests in helping out
> LibrePlanet and the FSF in general is spreading the awareness of free
> software, primarily to consumer end-users. I believe there exists a great
> opportunity in increasing awareness among general end users of free software
> applications that can act as alternatives to the expensive, proprietary
> applications today. I am a long time user and evangelist of programs like
> GIMP, Audacity, Open Office, etc. and think that with the right marketing
> free software titles like these can one day dominate the industry.
> Furthermore, although many see the tough economic situation we're in today
> as a threat, I see it as an opportunity for free software to truly broaden
> its user base, when many are looking for inexpensive solutions to their
> software needs.
>
> As a newbie to the group, I am still learning the different aspects and
> goals of LibrePlanet and other groups, so I'd like to welcome any
> suggestions on how I can help the group or anyone else on their individual
> projects.
>

Hi Scott,

Thanks, and welcome!

It's interesting that you mention evangelism for specific programs. I
think it would be great to have some of that going on on the wiki -- for
example, start a Group:GIMP page for people who like GIMP, with some
text that you would use to explain why people should use it from a free
software perspective (in other words, the ethics of it, and why it's
important for graphics software to be free, not just the features). That
page could have a little badge that users can add to their profiles that
shows that they use GIMP.

That's the thing that will differentiate LP from other places -- the
emphasis on ethics and freedom as a value that transcends the specifics
of bugs and features. It will also have a heavy focus on evangelism and
activism -- we want resources that can be used and improved to promote
free software from this standpoint. The core will be geographically
organized, officially-dubbed groups, but things like software and
campaign specific groups also have a place.

-- 
John Sullivan
Manager of Operations
GPG Key: AE8600B6