Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

International Free Software Forum Call For Papers

Posted by timothy on from the visit-exotic-places dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "On February 2nd, the 5th International Free Software Forum [more info] issued a Call For Papers to the public. Proposals due on March 7th, and no marketing lectures are allowed. The conference will be held from June 2nd to June 5th in Porto Alegre, a southern Brazilian capital already known by the World Social Forum."

9 comments

  1. Makes sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The socialist open source movement meets at the infamous socialist capital of the world. Porto Allegre, Havana, Soviet Russia's Moscow... all one and the same.

  2. Has the "free software" movement become a cult? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    Just a little skepticism here, but when I speak with free software advocates, this is the way it seems: whatever free software could have become, it is not just another cult. It appears to conform to all of the following criteria:
    1. Make the belief system sound profound and significant--Freedom is inherently a profound idea, no matter what subject it is applied to.
    2. Base the belief system on claims that are nonsense or practically impossible to prove.--Nonsense: "software yearns to be free"
    3. Support the belief system with theories (from scientists or not) that you claim are proven--The central claim is that things will be better for most people when software is free.
    4. Use empty claims to prove the belief system is superior.--Any and all reference to anarchism or competition creating
      superior software.
    5. Have the leader (you?) claim that they are the originators of the belief system.--Self explanatory.
    6. Invent and repeatedly present a history of the movement and its belief system which supports everything the belief system claims--The media have had numerous articles chronicalling Stallman and Torvalds.
    7. Redefine commonly used words for your own purposes--"Free software" says to most people "at no cost". But the free software advocates have redefined it in ways that from a monetary perspective are entirely moot: free software remains at no cost via the web.
    8. Devise and often repeat cliches to entice your followers and to discourage critical thinking--"Software yearns to be free" and other cliches. The intention seems to be to get people to "just do it" i.e. just give away their labor for free.
    9. Remember: your enemies are either idiots or Devils--Self explanatory.
    10. Remove anything in the belief system that may suggest that you don't know or that you may be wrong--If companies are renaming programs to fraudulently say they wrote them, the FSF at first pretends it doesn't know and then claims it supports that, entirely.
    11. Discourage people from questioning the belief system by claiming its ideas are inherently logical, true, and right--The FSF people get very angry when questioned.
    12. Do not point to or otherwise provide any mechanism by which the validity of the belief systems ideas and claims can be questioned--This is a given.
  3. Policy and Free Software by gustgr · · Score: 4, Informative

    As a brazilian myself I'm glad to read about another great event like this one here but I don't know if the Brazilian policy to collect US citizens fingerprints and data will disturb the situation.

    Richard Stallam for example have already said that he won't come to Brazil (unfortunatelly). Most of all I would like to watch his speech live, but I think it will be performed in a VHS type (if any).

    1. Re:Policy and Free Software by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

      The reason why RMS won't be there is because he's too busy with other things.

  4. Bill Hicks Lives ! by HansF · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Why does this remind me of the infamous quote :
    "By the way if anyone here is in advertising or marketing... kill yourself" (Bill Hicks) You can read the whole rant here.

    --
    --> Insert Funny Sig Here
  5. I'd love to submit my Paper...BUT by saden1 · · Score: 1

    Are they going to fly me out there to Brazil? Last time I checked tickets and hotel to Brazil aren't cheap.

    --

    -----
    One is born into aristocracy, but mediocrity can only be achieved through hard work.
    1. Re:I'd love to submit my Paper...BUT by gustgr · · Score: 4, Informative

      I belive they won't but you can request that to your University or some Academic Fundation. Don't try to make it sound unavaliable for people so take it as an reason to stop hosting such events in Brazil. US and Europe hosts tons of events per year and I don't see any brazilian complaining or asking US Govt. to fly he out there, and belive, it is easier for an US Citizen came here to Brazil (since US$ 1,00 is about R$ 2,95) than a brazilian go to US, not only by economics reasons but getting a visa to enter US isn't very easy for a brazilian.

      Brazil doesn't host a lot of events like this but when it does the people should be glad to see how the Free Software is growing and getting strong in the 3rd world countries.

    2. Re:I'd love to submit my Paper...BUT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That is actually a possibility. If you submit your proposal to the call for papers and it is selected, they will reach you for confirmation. That is the perfect time to say that you need financial help to come. I went Brazil last year like this. (Thanks Michelle, BTW).

      Besides, the Forum they have is a real good experience. Don't trust me, go there and see for yourself.

      I am going again this year. This time I'll not give any talks... I'm going just to watch.

  6. Note To Attendees: by Shut+the+fuck+up! · · Score: 1

    Under no circumstances should you:

    A. Flip the bird to Brazillian airport security

    OR

    B. Douse any babies in face with water en route