CianBlog.com - Lucian Savluc - Blog

Something very special happened after eLiberatica 2009 ended; I’m talking here about the initiative to organize a nonprofit organization that would support and help Free Software and Open Source spread in Romania.

I was totally exhilarating when I saw it taking shape. I think a unique momentum was created and Romanians should not waste this chance. I assured them all my support, but I would prefer not to be involved much at this stage. I consider people living in that country should drive this project. I would prefer to be more an observer and a liaison in between them and the outside world. There I can help for sure.

This being said, I updated the information at rosi.ro website and I presented my intention to donate the domain that I own (rosi.ro); if of course, the people there will ask for it. I also recommended to Romi (Agora our eLiberatica pertners enrolled ROSI like a brand) to donate the ROSI ( Romanian Open Source and Free Software Initiative) brand in case this initiative will follow the ideals that ROSI tried to promote when was started. On the other hand, I reserved my right to withdraw my support if I’ll see the initiative failing to attract honest and vertical members that would coordinate the group.

I wish them good luck and determination. Is a unique moment, is a dream – to see the emerging of a real Romanian FLOSS organization that would drive things in the right direction in that part of the world.

There are many capable and honest people in the IT community there, the single condition would be for them to get involved and do the right thing. If not, opportunists, false good willing people, closed source lobbyist and so on, will fail the beautiful thing that started. So be aware. Keep an eye on this initiative, help it if you can.

The most of discussions are taking place on tic-lobby (one of the most respected Romanian IT communities) and rosi-talk, the new launched discussion list. (Please note, Doru Ilasi (one of the initial ROSI group members) is the one who took the initiative to coordinate this project, he is administering the discussions there. Good job Doru!)

eLiberatica 2009 a declansat mai multe reactii pozitive decat oricare alta editie cu atat mai mult cu cat a avut loc pe fundalul crizei econonmice mondiale. Am dorit sa facem conferinta accesibila tuturor ceea ce a dus la alocareau unui buget mai restrans, implicit conditii mai modeste comparativ cu anii precedenti. Pe de alta parte, calitatea prezentarilor a ramas aceeasi sau chiar a crescut. Mai mult, am avut cativa reprezentanti locali care au egalat calitativ prezentarile personalitatilor internationale, fapt ce nu s-a intamplat decat pasager in editiile anterioare si vreau sa numesc in special pe Eduard Suica de la RadGs Software si Ovidiu Moisanu de la Unique Solutions.

Anul acesta am simtit din nou acel entuziasm tineresc al primei editii iar dupa terminarea conferintei, reactia pe net a fost peste asteptari; au inceput comentarii pe diferite liste de discutii privind necesitatea de a infiinta o organizatie NGO care sa sustina si sa promoveze tehnologiile deschise si libere, precum si discutii intense relativ la contractul de sute de milioane pe care Statul Roman doreste sa il acorde Microsoft.

Per total, cred ca eLiberatica a ajuns la o masa critica si incepe sa fie notata de catre autoritatile locale si as scoate in evidenta aici participarea d-lui Adrian Curaj (Consiliul National al Cercetarii Stiintifice din Invatamantul Superior). Este adevarat, prezenta reprezentantilor din guvern este inca foarte slaba, totusi se vad unele semne bune. Dl Constantin Teodorescu, probabil singurul politician roman care are viziune asupra IT-ului si intelege cu adevarat ce beneficii poate aduce Open Soruce si Free Software Romaniei a fost prezent pentru a doua oara la eLiberatica.

Prezente notabile: Monty si David, cei care au adus o afacere bazata pe Open Source – ma refer la MySQL, la valoarea de vanzare de un miliard de dolari. Danese Cooper – asa numita open source diva, probabil una din cele mai influente prezente feminine din Open Source si IT in general – nu atat de cunoscuta la noi pana acum; Danese a avut probabil cel mai mare impact asupra publicului in editia de anul acesta. Alaturi de ei, au fost multi altii, pentru mai multe detalii recomand situl eLiberatica.

“Bottom line”: personal nu m-am asteptat ca editia de anul acesta sa aibe impactul pe care la avut, avand in vedere timpurile vitrege prin care economia mondiala si nationala trece. Cu atat mai mult, succesul de acest an imi intareste convingerea ca ne aflam pe drumul cel bun si ca in final Romania se va alinia trendului mondial care este clar deschis spre Open Source si Free Software.

Related to Open Source Observatory, the pan-European Open Source organization’s article “RO: Proprietary license deal draws ire open source proponents“, and the fact that Romanian Government is preparing to spend hundreds of millions of euro for Microsoft licenses, here come my official declaration:

“For the past three years Romania has been hosting one of the most important Free Software and Open Source events in the region, with a host of international speakers and Romanian success story representatives, the eLiberatica. This year we extended the invitation to participate and discuss how to foster a genuine Romanian IT industry to no less than two ministers: Ms. Ecaterina Andronescu of the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation and Mr. Gabriel Sandu of the Ministry of Communications and Information Society of Romania.

We were glad to receive the kind response of Ms. Andronescu in which she declared her intent to participate. Unfortunately this was the last we heard from either ministry, no ministry was represented during Romania’s most important event on strategic issues that have become mainstream in countries across Europe and the world.

These last events, spending hundreds of millions for Microsoft licenses is no surprise in this context. The Romanian Government seems out of touch with reality. My last hope is that European Union will open their eyes somehow, because for sure they are not listening nor working in the best interest of people who they represent – the Romanians.”

And here is Georg C. F. Greve’s (president of Free Software Foundation Europe) quote:

“Microsoft’s deals in new EU member states have raised concerns over corruption before, e.g. in Bulgaria. But while Microsoft seems to raise such questions more often than others, it should be noted that the problem of illegal procurement is larger and not limited to Microsoft. Nor is the problem limited to the new EU member states, as the recent irregularities and resulting antitrust complaint filed in Switzerland demonstrate.

Considering the recent freeze of EU funds due to corruption in Bulgaria, this decision of the Romanian government seems careless and dangerous for the sustained economic growth of the country in more than one way: By endangering EU support, by increasing dependency on proprietary software for the economy, and by wasting funds that could have been used for much-needed infrastructure projects.

It seems ironic that the European Commission has to fine Microsoft repeatedly over sustained monopoly abuse, then transfers part of that money to Romania, which enjoyed the highest level of financial support ever granted to a candidate country in the history of the European Union, and the Romanian government then decides to return part of that money to Microsoft with close to no tangible benefit for Romania.”

Actual images from eLiberatica 2009 – updated each few hours – click to see the set.

On short, our tour de force is on the last steps. I’m preparing my baggage for leaving to Romania.

So what is the most important aspect this year at eLiberatica?

Despite the harsh financial times, eLiberatica is making a stand again – 400 confirmed participants, 5 inside conference events and over 40 speakers, and an exciting schedule!

I wish to thank publicly to all who helped this event: the eLiberatica Community, Agora Media and it’s great team, Ceata, all Romanian FLOSS communities who chose to support us, all our partners and sponsors, and all who trust in us and are attending this event.

We will publish images and videos from the conference on eLiberatica homepage, in real time, as we did last year, so for the ones who cannot come, check the website on 22 and 23 this month and next days after the conference.

Lot of things to say, but no more time, so see you in Bucharest in a few days!