"Celebrate software freedom", SFD team invites computer users. Local technologists hold Free Software education day. Press Release: Software Freedom Day, Team Christchurch. 11th September 2006. The third annual Software Freedom Day is this weekend. The international festival of Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) is celebrated around the world. "FOSS and SFD are especially popular in developing countries, where software license costs form a barrier to learning", says SFD Christchurch team leader, Rik Tindall. "Software Freedom Day is about diversity and skill range in computer education." "Few people realise that quality PC software is freely available, without breaching copyright licences. To remedy this, Software Freedom Day publicises Free and Open-Source Software", Tindall says. "Better known examples are Firefox web browser, OpenOffice.org office suite, and GNU/Linux operating system distributions like Ubuntu. All these will be demonstrated at our local event, this weekend." SFD Christchurch is spread over two afternoons, 16 and 17 September, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. Its venue is the well-resourced South Learning Centre, South Christchurch Library, 66 Colombo Street, Beckenham. A workshop will be run continuously, advising on internet security and FOSS installation technique. DVDs will be screened, and Ubuntu FOSS CDs given out. "Benefits of running legal free software include greater system security, more regular updates, and a supportive community that speeds both learning and software development", says Tindall. "Free and Open-Source systems are the way of the future, due to distributed development's efficiency and enthusiastic support. Most importantly, it's just great fun to get 'under the bonnet' of your PC software, and make a lot of new friends while doing so", Tindall says. "A cordial invite is extended to parents and teachers, large and small business operators - home and office - and technicians, to sample the clean and productive working environment, and the tidy educational tools, that FOSS makes available, this Software Freedom Day." Ends WHAT: Software Freedom Day - international Free and Open-Source Software festival. WHEN: 12pm to 4pm, Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September 2006 WHERE: South Learning Centre, South Christchurch Library, 66 Colombo Street, Beckenham, Christchurch. CONTACT: Rik Tindall sfd@infohelp.co.nz Ph 03-332-1069 or 027-406-0077