OSFC - Open Source for Canada

[Brent]

Etienne,

Is there such a group in Canada?

On a personal note, I am actively sending information on Open Source to 
all ministers in our Alberta provincial government but have had no 
replies from any of them as yet. My one man campaign was prompted by a 
local story about Computers for Schools a not for profit group that 
recycles government and business machines for schools. Each and every 
one of these used machines goes out the door with a copy of MS on it and 
MS sits on the board for Computers for Schools. Here in Alberta we spend 
over eighty million a year on licensing fees for MS in the school system 
alone and so far MS has allowed these second hand machines to be bundled 
at no cost with these current agreements. Word is however that these 
agreements will no  longer cover these second hand machines and then 
this not for profit group will face some stiff costs. I and several 
others have talked to Computers for Schools about using Ubuntu and there 
seems to be a willingness to listen at least.

I would wager that if each and every one of you were to ask about 
operations like Computers for Schools and the cost of MS licenses in 
your province you would be astounded at the public monies being 
expended. Do this and make your MLAs/MNA's aware of the high cost and 
the Open Source alternative. Raise thier awareness and help bring costs 
and use  into line.

Many thanks

Brent


Etienne Savard wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I don't know if you are aware of the Open Source lobbying group called 
> Open Source For America (OSFA) <http://opensourceforamerica.org/mission>.
>
> The mission of the group is:
>
>     [...] to educate decision makers in the U.S. Federal government
>     about the advantages of using free and open source software; to
>     encourage the Federal agencies to give equal priority to procuring
>     free and open source software in all of their procurement
>     decisions; and generally provide an effective voice to the U.S.
>     Federal government on behalf of the open source software
>     community, private industry, academia, and other non-profits.
>
>     The mission incorporates three goals:
>
>         * to effectuate changes in U.S. Federal government policies
>           and practices so that all the government may more fully
>           benefit from and utilize free and open source software;
>
>         * to help coordinate these communities to collaborate with the
>           Federal government on technology requirements;
>
>         * to raise awareness and create understanding among federal
>           government leaders in the executive and legislative branches
>           about the values and implications of open source software.
>           OSFA may also participate in standards development and other
>           activities that may support its open source mission.
>
>
> It would be great to start such an initiative for Canada.  The website 
> http://www.opensourceforcanada.org is already registered.  I don't 
> know yet if the actual owner is willing to contribute the domain name 
> to the community (or to sell it at a reasonable price).  I will 
> contact him.
>
> Personally, I think Canada is most of the time behind USA and (far 
> behind) Europe in term of Open Source usage in both public and private 
> sectors. 
>  
> What do you think about this idea? What big corporations (and Open 
> Source users) do you see in the board?  I have started a forum on my 
> website where you can share your opinions/ideas (see link below my 
> signature).
>
> Thanks.
>
> Etienne Savard
> Discuss: http://www.symbiosoft.net/opensourceforcanada