[BadVista Advocate] RFC

Sat Apr 28 23:04:45 EDT 2007

I don't actually have admin access on the server, just to the wiki. I
think a webring is too formal and search engines seem to "downgrade"
links to and from webring sites. We'll still be a webring, but we
won't publicly say it. It will just be a bunch of linking back and
forth to each other. So who has sites that wants to join in?
Comrade Ringo Kamens

On 4/28/07, Don Hensley <Don at donhensley.com> wrote:
>
> Ringo Kamens,
> Now that was fast! I was off looking at GPL'd webring progys and you are off
> and running.
>
> I see you are already set up to do PHP and are no doubt familiar with it, so
> how about becoming a ringmaster - there are a ton of good GPL'd programs,
> here's a Google:
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=create+webring+gpl&btnG=Google+Search
>
> Would you be interested in being ringmaster?
>
> Don.
>  ****************************
>  On Saturday 28 April 2007 07:42 pm, Ringo Kamens wrote:
> Update: There is a page on the BinaryFreedom wiki here:
> http://wiki.binaryfreedom.info/index.php/BadVista_Advocacy
> Please update it/add more information. Let's turn this plan into reality!
> Comrade Ringo Kamens
>
> On 4/28/07, Ringo Kamens <2600denver at gmail.com> wrote:
> > This is a great idea and something I've been wanting to do for a
> > while. If anybody needs a place to collaborate, they can join the
> > Binary Freedom IFSA mailing list (binaryfreedom.info) or on our wiki
> > at wiki.binaryfreedom.info. Also, getting people involved in
> > showusthecode.com would be good as well.
> > In total solidarity,
> > Comrade Ringo Kamens
> >
> > On 4/28/07, Don Hensley <Don at donhensley.com> wrote:
> > > This is not in any great order, it's just a stab at a coherent road to
> > > possibly start us out in a unified but broad direction. (I have a fear of
> > > narrow approaches. I think hackers work best when working on their own,
> > > but in collaborative groups --Just my take is all).
> > >
> > > - - - -
> > >
> > > 1.  Set up a lot of cross linked and badged sites for our projects. A
> > > sort of BadVista Ring, we already have enough of us to make a good core.
> > > This diversifies the reach of our project, and helps all the Ring sites
> > > gain Google rank.
> > >
> > > 2. Each site should "do it's own thing", but use heavy cross linkage to
> > > other sites (within the Ring - so there is a cohesive wholeness to the
> > > links) to show aspects that any one site is not delving into as deeply as
> > > the linked to site is, for that particular subject. This gives us the
> > > ability to coordinate both sites to play well off the strengths of the
> > > other site - because we have a back end communication that is not
> > > apparent to the visitor.
> > >
> > > Among our Ring sites, I would encourage deep linking, as well as just
> > > linking to the home page. Let the Ring links do the home pages, let deep
> > > links do the internal work of leading people around. Use "open in a new
> > > window (tab)" so the visitor does not lose where he was.
> > >
> > > 3. For that back end communication we need a wiki for resource management
> > > and a board much like Slashdot only without the vote system (actually the
> > > Bruce Perens Technocrat.net site does just what I have in mind). That way
> > > we can track separate subjects and proposals by individual - and reply in
> > > a cogent manner, instead of what we are doing now.
> > >
> > > 4. We link back to BadVista.org, of course, but mostly we try to use this
> > > mail list as a recruiting ground for more participants, and general
> > > pointing out new sites and findings. That gives us the drawing power of
> > > the FSF to find ever more adherents to the cause. Of course we advocate
> > > joining the BadVista Advocate program (and the FSF!), and provide links
> > > to the
> > > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate and FSF.org sites for
> > > those that wish to take part, at whatever level.
> > >
> > > 5. We need to link heavily to already existing sites that cover much of
> > > the ground that there is little point in our repeating. With luck
> > > eventually some of them will link back to our sites.
> > >
> > > 6. I do not think we need to pick a particular Distro, or try to create
> > > our own. But I do think we should all use one or two Distros like
> > > gNewSense (it is a Distro, you can download the ISO from here if you
> > > want):
> > > http://www.gnewsense.org/Main/Features --but it is also more then just a
> > > Distro, because you can use Builder and create a Distro to your liking.
> > >
> > > This does not mean limiting your self to just gNewSense, or any
> > > particular Distro, just that we all should use some agreed on totally
> > > Free Distro, like gNewSense, as our shared Distro for explanations when
> > > ever we are working the notion of Free Software into our pages.
> > >
> > > Links and excerpts from the GNU philosophy pages would go well at the
> > > appropriate points.
> > >
> > > 7. Also one might consider showing off  http://www.lnx-bbc.com/ it is the
> > > way the FSF Associate Membership Cards are done (an entire GNU/Linux mini
> > > distro on a business card sized (and shape) CD.
> > >
> > > 8. We should actually introduce the players and explain what they do and
> > > how they work to create the entity generally known as GNU/Linux.
> > >
> > > By this I mean start with the Logos. Like the KDE dragon Konqi, the Gnome
> > > foot print, the GNU GNU, the Linux penguin (Tux), and so on.
> > >
> > > Do lightweight intros into what each of those projects are, and where
> > > they fit in the scheme of things. Link to another persons site on the
> > > Ring that is doing a more in depth look at what ever your not going into
> > > in depth, like if you are a Gnome user, link to a KDE users site (or
> > > several of the RING sites) in your description of KDE. Deep link as
> > > required in descriptions of each project, to other Ring members sites.
> > >
> > > A sort of distributed attack on the perception problem, make it fun and
> > > educational. And I think each of us probably can, and does, reach a
> > > different segment of end users that we each can present stuff to as fun.
> > > Lets try to use that diversity, with a combined strategy.
> > >
> > > That way we can use our expertise to good instruction, and feel free to
> > > talk about your favorite Distro... just always return to the shared pure
> > > GNU/Linux Distro of choice (like gNewSense) as the example of totally
> > > Free Software.
> > >
> > > A pragmatic method, but consistently pointed at Free Software as the
> > > ultimate goal.
> > >
> > > 9. Along the way, without making a big deal out of it, slip in little
> > > things like how Vista does not allow you to control things like how you
> > > interface with your own computer. Explain why it's so much more useful to
> > > be able to change things, or have a community to ask for changes, rather
> > > then just being at the mercy of one monopoly. The ***AA's are a
> > > monopolistic group too, not just Microsoft.
> > >
> > > Easy segueway into why DRM is harmful, why Treacherous Computing is
> > > dangerous.
> > >
> > > 10. Have ever more layered pages that go into these subjects in more
> > > depth, if the visitor wishes to follow up on some point you have made.
> > >
> > > BIG DISCLAIMER: I'm no good at jazzy web sites, and I don't know much
> > > about marketing. These are just things --Starting points, for a possible
> > > road to follow.
> > >
> > > There have been so many good ideas tossed out already that I am a bit
> > > overwhelmed, so this is actually a sort of outline to bring our efforts
> > > into some cohesive form.
> > >
> > > I read at least one person that said he'd managed to explain what an API
> > > was to a pointy haired boss, I'll bet he and all you people can improve
> > > on my little list. Probably in ways I'd never imagine.
> > >
> > > So this is more like a RFC, if you will.
> > >
> > > So bring on the comments.
> > >
> > > Don.
> > > --
> > > GNU/Linux is the future.
> > > Join the FSF: http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=4458
> > > Get the Real Facts: http://BadVista.org
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Advocate mailing list
> > > Advocate at badvista.org
> > > http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> --
> GNU/Linux is the future.
> Join the FSF: http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=4458
> Get the Real Facts: http://BadVista.org
>
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