Interesting idea, I think I might sign it. Just one thing so, could you give me some examples of the programs this would apply to - just want to know what I'm asking to be freed up by putting my name on there.<br><br>--Bjwebb
<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 22/01/07, <b class="gmail_sendername">Andrew Price</b> <<a href="mailto:andy@andrewprice.me.uk">andy@andrewprice.me.uk</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Slightly off-topic I'm afraid. Thought this might be interesting to some<br>of the Ubuntu UK team members...<br><br>-------- Original Message --------<br>Subject: [SWLUG] Open government IT projects<br>Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:35:24 +0000 (GMT)
<br>From: Steve Hill <<a href="mailto:steve@nexusuk.org">steve@nexusuk.org</a>><br>To: <a href="mailto:discuss@swlug.org">discuss@swlug.org</a><br><br><br>I've created a petition on the E-petitions website, promoting the idea
<br>that the tax payer should have access to the source code of IT projects we<br>have paid for:<br> <a href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Open-IT-projects/">http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Open-IT-projects/</a><br><br>Please sign it if you agree with the principle (obviously there are
<br>exceptions where projects cannot be open, such as defense, etc).<br><br>"Software written using public funds should have it's source code<br>published under a distribution licence that has been declared Free by the
<br>Free Software Foundation, rather than remaining a closed secret.<br><br>This would allow for more of the public to benefit from the development of<br>the software since the code would be available for anyone to use and
<br>improve. Furthermore, compatibility with other Free licences (such as the<br>GPL) would promote rapid development and reduced costs through the reuse<br>of existing code.<br><br>An open development model would also allow the public to be more informed
<br>of the progress and quality of these projects, which so frequently seem to<br>end up severely over budget."<br><br>--<br><br> - Steve<br><br><br>--<br><a href="mailto:ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
</a><br><a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk</a><br><a href="https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/">https://wiki.kubuntu.org/UKTeam/</a><br></blockquote>
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