CS Orgs, Pt. 4
Unplugging From the Sockets of Digital Imperialism:
UnPLUG
The University of the Philippines Linux Users' Group (UnPLUG) is a duly recognized Univeristy-wide multifaceted organization. Its purpose has become a lot greater than mere advocacy of the Linux Operating System, as its name suggests. According to its constitution, the aim of UnPLUG is the "promotion of the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and advocacy of its philosophy through seminars, trainings, and software development." This idea of openly sharing software source codes, knowledge, and ideas to the people that need them is an antithesis and a natural opponent to the current trend of big software companies to horde and hide the code, thereby monopolizing the software market, and making the public believe that software solutions can only come from one source, and can only come at a high price. This reflects that aside from the technical aspects of computers, computer-related technologies, and software development, UnPLUG also concerns itself with the political, economic, and social issues, such as digital imperialism and monopoly, the open source movement, and benefits that computers and automation will bring to the people. UnPLUG will celebrate its 2nd year of foundation this July 20. It was that same day of 2003 when Diwa del Mundo, Waldemar Bautista, Ardee Aram, Paolo Aromin, and others met the former UP President Francisco Nemenzo for discussions of promotion and implementation of Free and Open Source Software in the University. Though before that day founding an organization dedicated to such a task had been talked about, it was only then the organization was made official. From the moment of its conception, the organization has held many seminars, trainings, and projects. Some worth noting are Open Sourcing UP, which showcases several Free and Open Source Technologies and how they can contribute to the betterment of the University and the country as a whole; Halalan, an open-source web-based project designed to automate the election process; the conversion of several laboratories in the University to Linux, like the Engineering Library; and free Linux usage training of several University employees. The Organization is currently based in the College of Engineering. Though most of its current members come from the fields of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, people from all domains of knowledge are more than welcome to join the organization.
Unplugging From the Sockets of Digital Imperialism:
UnPLUG
The University of the Philippines Linux Users' Group (UnPLUG) is a duly recognized Univeristy-wide multifaceted organization. Its purpose has become a lot greater than mere advocacy of the Linux Operating System, as its name suggests. According to its constitution, the aim of UnPLUG is the "promotion of the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and advocacy of its philosophy through seminars, trainings, and software development." This idea of openly sharing software source codes, knowledge, and ideas to the people that need them is an antithesis and a natural opponent to the current trend of big software companies to horde and hide the code, thereby monopolizing the software market, and making the public believe that software solutions can only come from one source, and can only come at a high price. This reflects that aside from the technical aspects of computers, computer-related technologies, and software development, UnPLUG also concerns itself with the political, economic, and social issues, such as digital imperialism and monopoly, the open source movement, and benefits that computers and automation will bring to the people. UnPLUG will celebrate its 2nd year of foundation this July 20. It was that same day of 2003 when Diwa del Mundo, Waldemar Bautista, Ardee Aram, Paolo Aromin, and others met the former UP President Francisco Nemenzo for discussions of promotion and implementation of Free and Open Source Software in the University. Though before that day founding an organization dedicated to such a task had been talked about, it was only then the organization was made official. From the moment of its conception, the organization has held many seminars, trainings, and projects. Some worth noting are Open Sourcing UP, which showcases several Free and Open Source Technologies and how they can contribute to the betterment of the University and the country as a whole; Halalan, an open-source web-based project designed to automate the election process; the conversion of several laboratories in the University to Linux, like the Engineering Library; and free Linux usage training of several University employees. The Organization is currently based in the College of Engineering. Though most of its current members come from the fields of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, people from all domains of knowledge are more than welcome to join the organization.