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Andrei posted about latest OS Romanian event (Open Source & Linux for Enterprise) and I consider is important to write a separate article about my response:

Andrei, thanks for sharing your experience with this event.
I heard similar opinions for other people who attended it.

From your description, I understand that only MS representative was the single one who deserved to be seen because he was well prepared. I’m not surprised about this; MS is well organized in Romania. (Btw, the comparison in between Linux User Group and RONUA is only confirming again that Romania has a lot of MS influence. There should be an equilibrium like is in other parts of the world…)

Now about eLiberatica and your concern:

The single common point in between eLiberatica and the event you attended is the fact that both are trying to promote Open Source in Romania. eLiberatica is going to be a professional conference, very well prepared and financially supported. “Open Source & Linux for Enterprise” was a free event, probably with a lack of preparation and financial support. And this is a pity, but that is that..

The international speakers announced at eLiberatica, probably presented at tens of conferences before, so we should not be afraid from this point of view.
Related to local speakers who will present academical sessions, we initiated already a few dialogs and I’m sure are going to be very good presentations. We are going to verify each presentation before approve it.

As I said, it seems that “Open Source & Linux for Enterprise” and some other similar events, because of a lack o preparations and not enough financial support, could not reach a professional level.
I attended a few similar events here in Canada, and I can say the things are completely different. Probably, the speakers are preparing well before presenting - nobody affords to screw-up - and probably here are more financial resources (beside Microsoft

I assure you, eLiberatica will be different. We have the financial resources - this is why we are not setting a free event - we have one of the highest profile speakers possible to put together.
We only need Romanians to open their eyes and ears and understand why this is going to be a unique event and opportunity. And why should they not miss this event.

 A new Romanian Linux event which deserve to be spotted,  OPEN SOURCE & LINUX for ENTERPRISE  the 5th edition will take place on the 16th of February 2007, at 9.30, IntercontinentalHotel – FlorentinaHall, Bucharest.

“In this 5th edition of the event we intend to analyze, together with our partners, the evolution of the Linux concept in Romania, as well as the integration of the Linux and open source – based solutions in the local companies and organizations, TCO and ROI regarding Linux, educational and training programs and last but not least, to pay more attention to case studies and to the practical aspects.”

The event is organized by IDG Romania, having like sponsors BitDefender, HP, IBM, Novell, provision and Sun.

There is at least one presentation that I would be curios to listen: “Open Source & Microsoft” . I really would like to know how Microsoft intends to promote Open Source in Romania.

Now, beside joking, there are a few titles deserving attention:

1. “Save you company money using Linux”,
2. “How to implement a security solution based on Linux”,
3. “Open Source Coders chAllenge for Romanians” and
4. “Panel discussions: can you make money from Linux?”

Beside this, probably would be interesting to hear details about HP, IBM, BitDefender and SUN too.

For more information you can check the presentation page  http://www.idg.ro/evenimente/linux07/

Daca as fi in tara, as fi cu totul interesat sa particip la acest eveniment.
Atat ROSI cat si eLiberatica, prin promovarea idealurilor Open Source si Free Software in Romania, au multe puncte in comun cu subiectele ce vor fi dezbatute la acest evenient.

Mai jos postez invitatia:

”
Asociatia pentru Tehnologie si Internet (www.apti.ro)
Fundatia Strawberrynet (www.ngo.ro)

8 februarie 2007
INVITATIE

Avem placerea sa va invitam la masa rotunda cu tema “Rolul societatii civile in dezvoltarea politicilor ICT”. Scopul mesei rotunde este de a analiza posibilitatile implicarii societatii civile in dezvoltarea politicilor ICT in Romania in contextul international post WSIS (World Summit on Information Society) si IGF (Internet Governance Forum).

Evenimentul va avea loc la Bucuresti, in sala de conferinte a Hotelului Ambasador, B-dul Magheru nr. 8-10, in data de 16 februarie 2007, intre orele 15.30 – 18.00.

Sunt invitati participanti din partea unor grupuri si organizatii cu initiative legate de Internet, media alternativa si actori guvernamentali.

Agenda intalnirii:

– prezentarea IGF 2006 (Adela Danciu-APTI, Mihaly Bako Strawberrynet);
– dezbatere: rolul societatii civile in dezvoltarea politicilor TIC in Romania.

Va rugam sa confirmati participarea pina cel tirziu marti, 14 februarie, prin e-mail sau telefon.
Daca doriti sa va decontam calatoria pina la Bucuresti, va rog sa ne semnalati si sa indicati o suma aproximativa (tren clasa a II-a sau benzina).
Calatoria se va deconta in limita fondurilor disponibile, numai pentru participantii inregistrati si daca s-a confirmat acceptarea cererii de decont de catre noi in prealabil.

Pentru orice informatii suplimentare va rugam sa ne contactati.

Persoane de contact:

BAKO Mihaly, misi@ngo.ro, tel. 0788 350 150, 0723 644 909
Adela DANCIU, adela.danciu@apti.ro.

Context international: Conferinta IGF 2006, organizata la Atena, sub egida ONU (30 oct. – 2 noi. 2006).

La IGF s-au identificat patru teme prioritare:

– deschidere (libertate de exprimare, circulatia libera a informatiei, ideilor si a cunostintelor);
– diversitate (multilingualism, continut local);
– acces (connectivitate internet: politici si costuri)
– securitate (supraveghere, protectia datelor personale, ‘criminalitate in spatiul virtual (cybercrime)’

Masa rotunda se organizeaza in cadrul programului “ICT Policy Portal Initiative” al APC (Association for Progressive Comunications).

In numele organizatorilor,

Adela DANCIU, APTI
BAKO Mihaly, Strawberrynet
“

I know, I know! In the last time I wrote too much about Microsoft, but wasn’t my intention though.
The thing is, every day, news from Romania is popping in my eyes, end everywhere I found the name Microsoft.

Is that country under Microsoft domination on the IT market? I think the answer is YES!

Today I read about the fact that MS is testing there a pilot program named “pay-as-you-go”. The program is not news nor a surprise; what mostly appears interesting is where they are testing it: South Africa, Mexico and Romania.
Why would they choose these countries? Why are they not testing it in North America or other developed countries? Because of competition? Because a lack of options in South Africa, Mexico and Romania?

He-he, try to imagine if the Romanian government will “decide” that this is a good deal and will make a governmental contract for the public institutions with MS?!
Get the point? Make some calculations.. This is not an impossible scenario.  

Anyway, you can read more here:

“Microsoft quietly tests a new “pay-as-you-go” rental scheme for Office” - the comments are interesting too

Alternatively, you can find a close Romanian translation here:
“Microsoft testeaza în România un program pentru închirierea Office” - you will not find too many Romanians comments, I wonder why..

“Vizita lui Bill Gates in Romania a fost pregatita in avans de compania Primera Communicatios, intreg centrul Bucurestiului fiind ornat cu logo-ul Microsoft.”

“In cadrul ceremoniei, presedintele Traian Basescu l-a decorat pe Bill Gates cu distinctia Steaua Romaniei in grad de Comandor,..”

Sa continui? Nu are rost, distrati-va singuri citind restul articolului. Cred ca  nu mai e nimic de demonstrat.

(Am citat in romaneste pentru ca mi-a fost rusine sa traduc in engleza.)