International Software Freedom Day 2010

By Mike Riversdale /
So let's chop up International Software Freedom Day a bit:
  • International = this is happening ALL over the world
  • Software = the stuff that makes your boxes, wires an touchscreens actually do stuff
  • Freedom = aha, the nub
  • Day = a focus but not to be taken literally eh Christchurch :-)
Freedom, that's the key.
Freedom from what? Freedom to do what?
Users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software.
You can read more about the four freedoms on the GNU website.

Open source software is a part of what is known as FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) and I can guarantee you are using a piece of FOSS software right now. It might not be the application as a whole but deep inside there will be a little piece of something that has come from the FOSS world. That's right, someone somewhere has allowed others to build upon their work - amazingly awesome eh. And yes, Microsoft do use FOSS software and even have a whole team based around open source.

If you are interested in free software, would like to install Ubuntu onto your computer or are just interested in free giveaways then join us around the NZ and celebrate International Software Freedom Day along with groups in over 60 countries around the globe.


I will be popping in to talk Ubuntu / OpenOffice to anyone that wants to hear my experience AND help get it installed on your machine - bring it along and you'll have a room full of techies clutching CDs of free software for you to try.
  • Date: Sunday 19th September 2010
  • Time: 10am - 5pm
  • Cost: Free! But you need to Register! (if your kids are coming, make sure you register them separately!)
  • Location: Victoria University Pipitea Campus

We want to celebrate Software Freedom Day so much that we have two events running this year! Register here
  • Date: Friday 17th September 2010
  • Time: 4pm - 6pm
  • Cost: Free!
  • Location: Albany Senior High School

On Sunday 19 September we will be promoting and demonstrating free software and free software concepts to home, education and business users. Register here

Learn about software freedom, how to install free operating systems, how to use free applications, how to wiki, how to use email and the internet and much much more.
  • Date: Thursday 16 September 2010
  • Time: 9am - 9pm
  • Cost: Free!
  • Location: Warrington Primary School, Ferguson Street, Warrington 9449

In Christchurch, celebrating for just one day is not enough.

The first days celebrations will be taking place this Saturday 11AM - 3PM (18th September - Christchurch Central City Library).

The second days celebration will be taking place on Sunday 10AM - 4PM (19th September - South Central Christchurch Library).

This year Hamilton will celebrate Software Freedom Day with an event to be held at the Centre Place Mall on 18 September 2010. Register here
Contact: John Billings - john (at) nimhq dot net


And finally, if you can't get along to the events then show your support and follow via:

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