TTCS SFD 2008 event - Table of Contents
TTCS Software Freedom Day 2008 event
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS), will be celebrating Software Freedom Day (SFD) 2008 on Saturday September 20th, 2008. (Venue to be announced soon)
Our goal in this celebration is to educate the Trinidad and Tobago public about of the benefits of using high quality Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in education, in government, at home and in business, in short, everywhere!
Anyone who uses a computer is welcome to attend the Software Freedom Day event.
While stocks last, attendees will receive, FREE OF CHARGE:
- - one TTCS OSSWIN CD,
- a CD of over 100 free and open source programs for Windows
- - one Ubuntu CD
- a popular linux-based operating system bundled with many applications
Additional Linux distributions can be obtained for TT$5 each.
Some of the activities include :
- demonstrating open source software (OSS) for Windows from the TTCS OSSWIN CD.
- demonstrating Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution.
- how to install Ubuntu on your Windows PC (dual booting).
- how to use a Linux "live" CD (no need to install Linux on a hard drive).
- how to do common computing tasks using Linux and open source software.
Please let us know via email at admin[ at ]ttcsweb.org if you are attending and what CDs you may be interested in getting so we can prepare the venue accordingly.
How to help with SFD
Are you an FOSS enthusiast? Then the TTCS needs your help to run SFD 2008!
Check the TTCS SFD planning wiki page at http://www.ttcsweb.org/sfd-wiki and see how you can help TTCS SFD 2008!
What is Software Freedom Day?
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a global, grassroots effort to educate the public about the benefits and availability of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is taking part in this global effort by having its own Software Freedom Day 2008 event on September 20th, 2008 where we will showcase FOSS for Windows (many of which is on our TTCS OSSWIN CD), Ubuntu : a popular Linux distro and highlights many other Linux distros.
What is Free and Open Source Software?
Open Source Software is software for which the "guts" of the program can be freely downloaded and altered to suit your needs (provided you can do the programming). There are many types of Open Source Software. The difference lies in the way altered versions of the software can be distributed, so, if you customise the software for your own needs, then decide to distribute it, you may be bound by specific terms.
Many open source projects make ready to install executable versions for various operating systems including Windows.
You can do the following with open source software :
- Install the software on any number of machines in any environment (home or commercial) without paying licence fees.
- Obtain and modify the source code and distribute modified versions of the program together with the modified source code. Open source licenses differ in how such source code can be distributed or licensed for others to also do what you have done.
Here are several links for you to learn more about Open Source Software :
- The Open Source Definition
- Published by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) organisation. It lists the criteria by which software can be considered "open source" software.
- The Free Software Definition
- "Free software" as defined by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). The word "free" refers to freedom, not price.
While "free software" meets the definition of open source software, not all open source software meets the free software definition. See also
- Why Open Source Software / Free Software? Look at the Numbers!
- Reference paper to "convince you to consider using OSS/FS when you are looking for software, using quantitive measures".
What is the TTCS OSSWIN CD?
The TTCS OSSWIN CD is a compilation of Free/Open Source software for the Windows platform and offers a web based interface for you to easily browse the over one hundred programs on the CD. Each program's webpage contains a short description, a screenshot, its key features, useful program related links and a link to download/install the program from the TTCS OSSWIN CD.
- Read more about the TTCS OSSWIN CD
- View TTCS OSSWIN CD screencast (done in Flash) ; size : 2.8 MB)
- View TTCS OSSWIN CD screenshots
What is Linux?
Linux is a free and open-source operating system based on Unix. Linux was originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers from around the globe. Linux was developed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and the source code is freely available to everyone.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu (pronounced (oo-BOON-too)) is a predominantly desktop-oriented Linux distribution, based on Debian GNU/Linux but with a stronger focus on usability, regular releases, and ease of installation. Ubuntu is sponsored by Canonical Ltd, owned by South African billionaire entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth; the name of the distribution comes from the African concept of ubuntu which may be rendered roughly as "humanity toward others".
With Ubuntu installed on your desktop PC, a wide variety of free and open source applications can be installed. As Ubuntu is a free and open source operating system, the source code for Ubuntu is available as well