FYI.
The Computer Professionals' Union and the Software Freedom Network Philippines have this press release for the upcoming SFD celebration.
It has been our practice to have a secondary theme every year. This year, we are having talks on the use of FOSS in protecting the environment. More than 15 local FOSS groups are taking time to help out. For the first time, we will have two venues in two main islands in Luzon and the Visayas (UP Diliman in Quezon City and University of San Carlos in Cebu City) to accommodate the growing FOSS community in the country.
Cheers!
Rick
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Software Freedom Day Philippines 2012: Going Green with the Free and Open Source Community
Press Release
September 6, 2012
More than a thousand students, enthusiasts, advocates and members of the Free and Open Source Sofware (FOSS) community will converge in UP Diliman, Quezon City and University of San Carlos – Talamban Campus, Cebu City to celebrate software freedom and free and open source ideals on September 15, 2012 for the Philippine celebration of Software Freedom Day.
Software Freedom Day (SFD) is an annual celebration of various FOSS communities worldwide to educate the public on the use, advantages and benefits of FOSS. Last year, Computer Professionals Union (CPU) and partners were one of the three winners in the 2011 Best Event Competition by the Document Freedom International for organizing a “marvelous” SFD celebration.
FOSS are computer programs which give users freedom (1) to use the software for any purpose; (2) study the software through access to source codes; (3) redistribute the software to help other users; and (4) to improve the program and release such improvement to the public. Contrary to proprietary software where redistribution is a crime, FOSS encourages sharing. Mozilla Firefox web browser, Libre Office Suite, and the GNU/Linux operating system are among the most popular FOSS.
“Since 2004, SFD has been an advocacy event to reach more computer users and encourage them to use FOSS,” said Mr. Rick Bahague, the National Coordinator of CPU. SFD 2012 will have a theme called Going Green with the Free and Open Source Community. FOSS helps reduce e-waste by extending the life of old computers and enables environmental groups maximize their advocacies with available FOSS tools. “Green ICT through community development of softwares, open hardware and other initiatives that empowers users to reuse old computers and create more energy efficient technology should be encouraged,” added Mr. Bahague.
“SFD is now in Cebu. FOSS advocates and enthusiasts in the Visayas can now join the celebration,” announced Ms. Rachel Jaro. Ms. Jaro has been a regular participant of SFD and organizer of the annual DrupalCamp Manila. SFD Cebu is hosted by the University of San Carlos – Talamban Campus. “We hope that SFD Cebu will spark a more vibrant FOSS community in the Visayas,” added Ms. Jaro.
SFD in UP Diliman is organized by the Computer Professionals' Union, Junior Computer Professionals' Union, AGHAM-Youth UP Diliman, UP Network for Educational Technology in cooperation with the Office of Rep. Teddy Casino and Kalikasan Green Party of the Philippines. D-Source Inc and PrometSource Inc are sponsoring the event with Globelabs and IT Pros Asia as supporters.
SFD in Cebu is sponsored by Sulit.com.ph and Globe Labs in partnership with University of San Carlos, Mozilla Firefox, devCon, Exist, and Tripsiders.
More than 15 FOSS community groups and various school organizations have expressed their participation in the plenary and breakout sessions in both Cebu City and Quezon City SFD venues.
References:
Rick Bahague, 09328886278
National Coordinator / Computer Professionals' Union
Ms. Rachel Jaro, 09062156043
SFD Cebu Coordinator / Computer Professionals' Union - Cebu