and LibreItalia OSI, and education to the free software
This time the article is a bit ‘self, since the idea of applying for admission the Affiliate Program of the Open Source Initiative (OSI) – the promoters of definition of open source software, and approvers of the open source licenses – it was mine.
LibreItalia Association is the first Italian association active in the free software world to join the group of Affiliate Member of OSI, and this is an important fact which shows how the group has achieved in a few months a recognized position at international level. The OSI Board has voted unanimously in favor of the demand for LibreItalia, and I am convinced that behind this there is unanimous support of Stefano Zacchiroli, member of the Technical Committee of the Association LibreItalia.
The accreditation by OSI turns Association LibreItalia in a subject not only for authoritative support for LibreOffice, which remains one of the most important free software projects, but also for free software and open source as a whole. At the same time, it increases the responsibilities at all levels – directors, founders and shareholders – as the skills extend to all free software, and are no longer limited to LibreOffice (although we always talked about free software and not only LibreOffice).
At this time, the communication activities in favor of free software is essential, at all levels, because we are faced with a ” resurgence “of communication against free software – more sophisticated than in the past – by all companies of proprietary software (and this list also put IBM, despite claims of the company, which claims to be a strong supporter of open source).
In the area of standard formats, for example, Microsoft has added support for ODF just when IBM reduced its commitment to the same format, with a “minuet” of coincidences that raise more than a suspicion. As I have written many times, I am convinced that the transaction Apache OpenOffice has been blessed not only to IBM but also Microsoft, ready to share the “opportunity” with IBM but contrary to do so with a community that can not be controlled.
The reduction of IBM in favor of ODF can hide, for example, the resignation to propose to the Government of the United Kingdom – which has rightly decided for ODF standard – the transition to a free productivity suite, that would be the logical choice, leaving the field open to Microsoft Office, which supports ODF, although it is not a native implementation as in the case of LibreOffice.
Not to mention the communication business models of free software, that appear to be completely unknown not only to companies in the proprietary world, but also to many “supporters” of open source software, It should not only know the topic in detail, but should also help to explain it to those who are considering migrating.
Without the necessary clarity on models business, users may think that free software is as good as another, because the criterion is the “price” (while just the opposite is true). The confusion, unfortunately, it benefits only the software owner, and those who consider free software an opportunity to squeeze until there is enough “juice” (and then, those who have seen we have seen, choosing the wrong solution is not my business).
He graduated in Arts from the State University of Milan, he is one of the founders of The Document Foundation, the” home LibreOffice “, as well as spokesperson for the project at the international level; He is also the founder and honorary president of the newly formed Association LibreItalia.
He has participated in some of the largest migration projects in LibreOffice, both in the initial stage of analysis in the communication-oriented change management. And is the author of the protocols for Migration and the formation, on the basis of which are certified professionals in the two disciplines. In this capacity, he is the coordinator of the certification committee.
As an expert in standard documents, participated in the commission of the Agency for Italy Digital Regulations for Application of Article 68 of the Digital Administration Code .
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