A definite sign from Krishna that pure Open Source will form our technology platform (yes, my tongue is in my cheek when I say that, and yes, I am deadly serious ):

Our Sukanthi Radha devi dasi makes a guest appearance on sankirtan on the Linux Australia mailing list…

> I also see the two core events of LA being the conference, and Software
> Freedom Day. They are usually going to be ~6 months apart and encompass
> between them our technical and community roots and values. SFD also gives us
> a chance to get our values out to a broader audience, to recruit and
> continue to grow our community (this should be at the top of LUG minds atm,
> how to qualitatively grow their local communities), as well as help some
> people out who may not have heard of how FOSS can help them otherwise

While I have been sceptical of SFD (I’m currently sitting in a coffee

shop in Brisbane looking out the window at a nice - both looking and in
manner - Hare Krishna girl approaching people in the street. It’s a hard
gig and people are often very dismissive). I’ve always wondered what
makes us different from them given the seemingly low success rate.

ALC’s comments after the last SFD may be changing my mind a bit though.
It seemed that a lot of people were very receptive and just didn’t even
know of the existence of Free Software.

Reconciling this with the “Shouldn’t vendors be doing this” feeling is
an interesting one. As well as my rather intense distaste for preaching
and people trying to convert me to $whatever. I am interested in
discussing these things - it’s an interesting one.

I use the Hare Krishna example as they always seem polite (a lot of
other groups aren’t - e.g. somebody raving about how I was obviously
going to hell for leading a sinful life out of a loud megaphone. Got to
love Flinders St station at night). Shouting at people for not using
Free Software is obviously a no-no. It would certainly turn me off it.

How much advocacy should we be doing? it’s a tricky one. My thoughts are
full of contradictions - but I do encourage discussion and debate. I am
certainly not going to hinder or discourage enthusiasms though.
Facilitating enthusiasms is the name of the game!

I just came in to work this morning and encountered it in my inbox in the middle of a whole slew of Linux community related material.

The stringent laws of material nature that rule the living entities with an iron fist are malleable strings for playful tunes to the Supremely Artistic and Stylish Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.

I will not be so bold as to say that I have seen God, but I have seen signs along the way, and I am encouraged.