Skip to Content

Feed items

Privacy Forum 2012 - NZOSS position

On 2 May, I presented the NZOSS' viewpoint on cloud computing privacy issues at the Privacy Forum 2012 (PDF programme) in Wellington - the official name for the day was "Think Big? Privacy in the age of big data". The questions we were asked, and my answers (or at least the notes on which my answers were based) are below.

SOPA and PIPA unacceptable

The NZ Open Source Society is taking part in a global protest (Wikipedia is blacking out its entire site today) against proposed US legislation, called SOPA ("Stop Online Piracy Act") and PIPA

Labour and Green Party ICT Policies

"To see one of NZ's two main parties finally recognise the immense value free and open source software contributes to our economy - and make it a core part of their election platform - is a very encouraging step".

So says Dave Lane, President of the NZ Open Source Society (NZOSS), in response to Labour's released ICT policy. In that policy Labour makes it clear that open source software will be at the heart of Government ICT.

Koha community opposes PTFS Trademark

Koha, the open source library management system project, originally conceived and developed by Horowhenua Library Trust and Katipo Communications, is fighting a decision by IPONZ to allow a trademark from PTFS for the Koha name. Since the original development a substantial international community has evolved around the software.

Reaffirmed commitment to Software Patent exclusion

Many members of the NZOSS community are software developers, both professional and hobbyist. Over the past several years, we have watched with increasing horror the absurdity of software patents unfolding in the United States. To many of us, it seems like watching a slow, painful, obscenely costly (but probably non-fatal) train wreck.

Open Source 3D Printing Now More Accurate Than Proprietary Printers Too

A milestone has been passed in the Open Source control software for 3D printers, allowing an NZ$800 RepRap to produce higher resolution output than an NZ$25,000 commercial 3D printer using the same basic printing technology. The RepRap is also printing faster than the proprietary offering and uses cheaper, multi-sourced consumables.

Catalyst IT Wins South China Morning Post Contract

Wellington open source software firm and NZOSS sponsor Catalyst IT has won a significant Chinese software contract. The South China Morning Post will use Catalyst's Open Source expertise to develop their news website and supporting systems for more than 100,000 subscribers.

Full coverage here:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/5645891/Catalyst-IT-wins-South-China-M...

Thoughts on Copyright

It would be fair to say that here at the NZOSS we agree that copyright is a vital legal instrument to ensure that people get credit for their creative endeavours (and can't claim credit for that of others). It is key to free and open source software and free and open culture:

Software Freedom Day 2011 - 16th-18th of September

Software Freedom Day approaches this weekend. In most parts of the country, and indeed most parts of the world, Open Source software will be actively distributed by SFD volunteers to the general public. There are exhibitions, presentations, installfests, and places you can just turn up for a natter and a coffee.

Press Release - NZOSS Completes Another Successful Year

5 August 2011

New Zealand Open Source Society held its 2011 Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 5 August 2011. The meeting took place using a mix of technologies, including IRC and audioconferencing, to ensure that members throughout the country could participate in the meeting. Outgoing President Rachel Hamilton-Williams reported on the Society’s achievements and activities in the last year.



Powered by Drupal, an open source content management system
Theme by Dr. Radut.