-= [ Nixal ] =-



Various

Here are the responses of some of the most famous personalities of the GNU/Linux community at the time of formation of NIXAL:

MESSAGE OF RICHARD M. STALLMAN TO NIXAL

rms@gnu.org

I am glad that you contacted me before doing that.  The system that you use is not "Linux"--that is a misnomer.  The system is basically GNU.  Linux is the kernel, one component.  The combination is the GNU/Linux system.

When people call the system "Linux", the result is that the GNU Project gets none of the credit, and that weakens all of our efforts. If you call the system "GNU/Linux", you give us equal mention.  We
need that help!  See http://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu-linux-faq.html. How about calling it a GNU/Linux User Group, to correct the error? and particularly in Open Source Solution.

"Open source" is another thing that I am not very enthusiastic about. You may have heard that I am a supporter of open source, but this is not true.

I am a leader in the free software movement.  We believe in freedom for computer users to control the software they use.  The open source movement was founded in 1998 to reject our idealism.  They have had lots of corporate-supported publicity, which labels our work as "open source".  That is probably why you got the impression that I am a supporter of open source.  But I never was.

People who agree with the open source movement have a right to promote their views.  But I hope that you will support the free software movement and its ideals of freedom to cooperate. See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-software-for-freedom.html for more explanation of the difference between the two movements.

 


MESSAGE OF ERIC S. RAYMOND TO NIXAL

esr@thyrsus.com

I'm very glad open-source software is beginning to establish itself in
India.  It will enable people in India -- as it has people in Korea,
Thailand, and many other parts of the world -- to take control of
their own technological future.  With open source, you need no longer
be dependent on some American or European megacorporation to meet your
needs, nor pay extravagant license fees.  Instead, you can develop
software to match local requirements and develop expertise that
improves your country's position in global markets.


MESSAGE OF ALAN COX TO NIXAL

alan@redhat.com

I think you have a great opportunity. At a time when India is a rising
star in the computing world, Linux lets you get away from software that
is priced, controlled and managed by another nation. Its a golden
opportunity for India to assert its own destiny.

Have fun, a user group is a great thing, and teaching is an essential part
of learning.


PICTURES

These pictures were taken on the day Richard M. Stallman came to our college to inaugurate nixal. Some memories that will stay with us forever :)

Stallman Inagurating The GNU/Linux Lab.

Stallman Enjoying the Flowers


The flowers surely touched him

With our teachers