faq : FSFLA FAQs

(GNU)^2 FAQ

Thu Nov 30 20:51:00 2006

• What is (GNU)^2?
  (GNU)^2 is an FSFLA workgroup that works in the mailing list gnugnu@fsfla.org. Its goals are:
  - enabling FSFLA to meet and support Free Software activists (individuals and groups) in Latin America that we haven't met yet
  - supporting the creation and organization of Free Software user groups in locations where they do not exist
  - offering one more space for such activists to exchange information and experiences, and coordinate joint actions.
• Why is it named (GNU)^2?
  (GNU)^2 means GNU National User Groups, but unfortunately the acronym does not work in English. It does in Spanish (Grupos Nacionales de Usuarios GNU) and Portuguese (Grupos Nacionais de Usuários GNU). It's a wordplay, although it also reflects our feeling that many FSFLA collaborators are in few countries, and we'd like to attract collaborators from more countries in Latin America.
  If you have a suggestion to replace "National" with another word starting in N (at least in Spanish and Portuguese) that is more appropriate, please send it to gnugnu@fsfla.org. If another word does not occur to you, but you have a suggestion of a more appropriate name for the initiative, we can use that as well. We already have a few. Take part in the process that will decide the workgroup name by joining the list!
• Is FSFLA creating new Free Software user groups?
  No. FSFLA wants to support and cooperate with existing user groups that are committed to Free Software and, where they don't exist, support the creation of new groups by activists committed to Free Software, using help and experience from other already-formed, active user groups. This space offers such activists means to seek and offer knowledge, experiences and help from neighbor groups.
• What does "committed to Free Software" mean?
  We seek people and groups that support the Free Software philosophy and promote the 4 freedoms. The GNU project represents the essence of the philosophy we expect from group members, and even though the GPL is the most important license, and the one that best implements the preservation of these freedoms, the Free Software philosophy is not limited to the GPL, but rather to the respect for the 4 freedoms.
  In fact, we intend to make this space useful to all who share this philosophy, and to those who wish to learn more about it.
  However we don't intend (GNU)^2 to be an appropriate space to promote other philosophies that don't consider the 4 software freedoms a fundamental ethical principle. This is what we mean by "committed to Free Software." We don't want useless discussions about this in (GNU)^2; constructive discussions and doubts are certainly good and welcome.
• Does FSFLA intend to influence participating groups?
  Of course. FSFLA is a political organization that works to promote Free Software and defend the rights of software users and developers, and operates seeking to influence each and everyone around it to seek freedom in software use and development.
• Does FSFLA intend to command participating groups, then?
  Evidently, FSFLA does not want, nor can it, command or coordinate people or user groups, since they are autonomous. There isn't any obligation to abide by FSFLA's or any other workgroup members' suggestions. FSFLA does not acquire any authority or power over workgroup participants, they remain autonomous. What we seek is to enable coordination among participants to strengthen all of us, not to coordinate them. In this workgroup, FSFLA is not an authority, it's just one more participant. We invite people and groups committed with this mission to participate and share experiences along with us.
• Very well, how do I participate?
  Subscribe at http://www.fsfla.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gnugnu to gnugnu@fsfla.org and be welcome. Look for messages in the archives from people in your country, province, state, city, neighborhood, etc. Send an e-mail introducing yourself (mention city and country in the subject, such that others can find it) and watch out for messages from other people in your region. If you're looking for help to create a new group, ask questions. If you have experience and want to help new groups, answer them. If you're a member of an existing group, use this space to establish contact with other activists and coordinate actions with them. Whenever you want, you can exchange information, plans, news, successes, threats and anything else other Free Software activists might want to know. Invite others to participate in groups or spaces for temporary or permanent cooperation among regional groups, to organize conferences, events, etc. For short, use this space in however way you find effective to promote the software freedoms, but do not expect this to be the only such space.

Frequently asked questions about Free Software Foundation Latin America (FSFLA)

Fri Jan 6 21:08:00 2006

• FSFLA is still a project, not a reality yet

We are working towards a strong and healthy FSFLA, laying out the groundwork for an organization that will centainly far outlive us all. This takes careful preparation and lots of work, most of which is still ahead of us. We are glad of the recognition for the need of FSFLA, and we wish to ask you all to bear with us and be patient, so we can build an organization worthy of your support.

• The working team is not FSFLA's board

Those currently working on FSF-LA are a group of people that are strongly committed to Free Software, and who share a vision of what FSFLA should be and what it sould do. Our work here is to build the infrastructure, and only then populate the roles with the most qualified person for the job. We're still some time away from that point.

• FSFLA will not attempt to represent anybody but itself and its work

The "LA" in FSFLA's name merely reflects its membership's main area of provenance, and its main area of activity. FSFLA's role is one of service to the community, not of representativity or regional integration. It s ambition is to be useful and helpful to all members of the community. FSFLA is aware of the hard and excellent work done by members and organizations of the Free Software community, and will encourage all individuals and organizations to work together as much as it makes sense, and be open to everyone who wishes to help it in its mission. Hopefully FSFLA will become a gathering point for members of the community, but it will assume no representation of anybody who doesn't freely feel identified with it.

• FSFLA will not be a federation of nations or national organizations

FSFLA will be comprised of individuals who share the values of Free Software, and who wish to support Free Sofwtare and be useful to the free software community through its work. As far as FSFLA is concerned, individuals don't represent any country or organization within it. FSFLA will welcome individuals based on their commitment to Free Software, not their affiliation or nationality. FSFLA will of course need to have a main seat registered in an as-yet undecided latin american country, and it will need representations in several countries in order to interact with local legal systems, but this will be a real-world implementation detail, not integral part of the design.