My plans for Software Freedom Day 2011

This year's Software Freedom Day will be celebrated on September 17, 2011. Now, many of you would already know what this event is. But for those who still have no idea, it is actually an annual celebration of free software. It is actually an effort to educate and to increase awareness that there is actually free software which can be used as an alternative for proprietary software.

Together with Mr. RJ Ian Sevilla, we were able to successfully celebrate Software Freedom Day for two consecutive years (2009 and 2010). However, this year is going to be different. Since Rj and I have gone our separate ways in search for greener pasture, I'm planning a different approach in celebrating this year's SFD, but still retain the essence and purpose of the celebration. And since I am no longer connected with the education sector, I might find it a little hard to convince participants to come and celebrate with me. However, with 877 friends on Facebook, it's not gonna be that hard. I think it's time to bring my celebration to the social network. All I need now is support from friends with the same vision and belief.

You may not really know it yet, but I believe that many of you are already supporting this cause in your own special way. How? By using Free and Open Source Software, but you're just unaware of it. Every little amount of awareness counts! Are you using Mozilla Firefox? That's FOSS. Are you using Skype? That's FOSS! Are you using Open Office? That's FOSS! Are you using Ubuntu? That's FOSS!

Now, please don't get confused between Free Software and Free and Open Source Software, 'cause they are two very different things!

Anyway, I will be updating this post soon, so make sure to come and visit this page often. I may need to connect with other people who helped me celebrate the event in the past. Sir RJ, if you're reading this, give me a buzz!

Respectfully yours,

Jonathan Paul C. Solis

FOSS Advocate

Zamboanga city, Philippines

MY VISION: Free Computer Education For The Less Fortunate!!!

In a world of technology, where computers seem to be an integral part of our everyday lives, a person who has knowledge about computers would be at an edge. In other parts of the world, especially in 1st and 2nd world countries, children as young as 4 years old would be exposed to computers. You would see them clicking on the mouse, tapping on the keyboard, enriching their young minds playing educational games.

This is something we rarely see in the Philippines, especially in Zamboanga city, my homeland. Here, in the rural areas, you'd see children on the streets, scavenging in garbage piles, looking for plastic, tin cans, or anything that they could sell. Yes, we are a city where poverty reigns over the rich. And having that in perspective, it would be right to say that these children's parents could not afford to give them proper education, which only the rich and middle class could afford.

It was around the year 2002 when our class was asked by our English instructor to make a research paper about anything that would interest our minds. Instantly, I thought about "Free Computer Education for the Less Fortunate." At first, it was just something that I thought I would do simply for the sake of submitting my research paper. Which I did.

And now, 8 years later, I'm thinking of bringing this advocacy to reality. I have been a computer instructor for the past two years now, and I have been advocating the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) to my students, colleagues, friends, and families alike. Together with a prominent figure in the world of FOSS, we have successfully celebrated "Software Freedom Day" two years in a row. I believe that with the right people, and enough finance to back up my dream, this advocacy would become a reality.

I tried to run a little computer shop at home, charging a very minimal fee. It went on for about two years. The idea was to let kids experience first-hand what it's like to use a computer, how to use the internet, and develop their hand-and-eye coordination by playing educational computer games. But unfortunately, due to insufficient funds, the shop had to be scrapped.

The plan is:

• 1.) To visit some of the rural areas in Zamboanga city
• 2.) Bring with me a team of volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge in the name of charity
• 3.) Convince parents to bring their children (even themselves) to attend a "Free Computer Training - The Very Basics of Computers "
• This might include Office, Internet browsing, playing educational games, etc. (preferably Open Source Software...)
• 4.) Set up camp (for atleast 1 day); complete with PC units, laptops, projectors or visual aids
• 5.) Start teaching/tutoring the children (and their parents)...
• 6.) and at the end of the day, be filled with a very contented and satisfied feeling of relief knowing that these kids will have an edge one day when they apply for work...

For now, this may seem impossible. But what is impossible? Impossible is nothing!

It may be a small step, but this small step may mean everything for the children I am trying to help. It is for their future, and with proper skills come great leaders!

I need volunteers to help me realize this dream!

Are you willing to become a part of my team?

1st FOSS CONFERENCE IN REGION IX a SUCCESS!!!

STI College Zamboanga, together with the Mindanao Open Source Society (MOSS), recently concluded it's first ever two-day conference dubbed as "1st FOSS CONFERENCE in REGION IX"... and it was a complete success, even though there were some obstacles in the way...

This conference is in connection with the celebration of the international Software Freedom Day, which was celebrated last September 18, 2010. The main objective of the celebration is to spread information about Free and Open Source Software and to let people know that there is a wide range of alternative software out there. Or, it is one way of advocating the use of Free and Open Source Software as an alternative to proprietary software.

Just a brief overview of what transpired during the two-day affair:

DAY 1:

We were expecting participants from other colleges and universities to attend, unfortunately, the CHED Endorsement came late, hence, no participants from other schools.

However, considering the small number of participants, the show must go on!

Our first speaker was Ms. Yolynne Medina. Ma'am Yolynne talked about "Open Source Software in an Open World". The main focus of her talk was actually about "BLOGGING". What is blogging? According to our speaker, it is an outlet for the blogger to express his feelings, and share it with the whole world. It is also a place for sharing ideas, and collaboration. It is also a place where one can be recognized in other parts of the world. Why? How can one be recognized in other parts of the world? The answer... Simple... Once you post your "blog" in the web and indicate specific tags for this specific post, someone on the other side of the world might look it up one day, and find your post as one of the entries returned to him by the search module. When this user is satisfied with what you have posted, he might reply and thank you on your post, and then share your post with other people. This is how you will get recognized. Who knows, you might become a very sought-after speaker one day.

The next speaker was our very own, Mr. RJ Ian Sevilla. Sir Rj showed us clips about the "10 Tactics to turn Information into Action". It basically contained short interviews with renowned activist around the world, specifically in Asia, who used the advantages of Information technology, especially the Internet, in exposing the wrong-doings of public officials,schools and their organizations, and other personalities of higher authority. Some of the tools used in exposing these "truths" include; Facebook, Youtube, Plurk, Twitter, and other social networking sites. On the other hand, it is not just a tool for exposing these negative things. It can also be used as a way to help others. For example, conducting "Fund Raising Campaign" through social networking sites which will benefit the poor, the needy, and the sick. Just make sure you will not be taking advantage of other people's generosity. Spreading world-wide awareness of significant events, plans, and anything under the sun.

Sir RJ also talked about FrontlineSMS. It is an online, centralized texting software which will enable users to collaborate, and share ideas by using special keywords in sending messages through text.

We gave away prizes in the form books which were sponsored by Tactical and 8-layer technology. We asked the participants specific questions, and whoever would answer them correctly will get the book together with an installer of the specific book title.

Day 1 ended early, giving the committees enough time to redecorate, and prepare for the next day.

DAY 2:

With the atmosphere almost similar to the first day, and the number of participants unchanged, we still had to move on and continue our advocacy.

Our first speaker was Mr. Al-Hamis. Network Administrator of Ateneo de Zamboanga. He talked about Linux OS, and the Linux Server. It was a long 2-hour talk which covered almost all of the basics about Linux, how it is virus-free, and up to setting up a server using Linux. It was actually a hustle, 'cause the brownouts kept interrupting his talk. Anyway, the participants were fulfilled and satisfied after his talk.

Our second speaker was Ms. Jet Butchan, also from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Ms. Jet talked about the Netbeans IDE and discussed how it is better than all the other IDE's in the market today. She also showed us how to use Java in Netbeans, and how it is very different from all the other Java programming interfaces. She also gave out prizes.

The last speaker was Leonor Ycaza, also an Atenean. She talked about PHP, and how to develop effective static and dynamic pages using PHP. It was a short talk, but the content of the talk was pretty broad. She showed us sample template of some the works she did with PHP. I bet it stirred up our student's curiosity after that.

Then it was actually time to close the 1st FOSS Conference, but before that, a short City Tour took place. The participants, organizing committees, instructors and some of the heads joined the tour. It was just a short tour, but it was actually one way of de-stressing. It was a time to relax! Everyone enjoyed the tour! (Eventhough there was not enough tetra juice for everyone.)

After the tour, a short de-briefing commenced at the third floor with all the Organizing Committee, together with Sir RJ, Sir JM, and ME (ofcourse!) It was just a way of thanking everyone for the success of the 1st FOSS Conference. Everyone shared their experiences from the planning days, to execution, and up to the end. Everybody was happy!

But it didn't end there. As a tradition, which Sir RJ and I experienced during the last FOSS celebration, we decided to give ourselves a treat! This is our way of thanking everyone for a job well done.

A short walk to the Paseo del Mar, a few picture taking, next thing we knew, we were munching on bbq chicken with unlimited rice and bottomless iced-tea... what a way to celebrate!!!

Let us all join together in promoting the use of Free and Open Source Software as an alternative for Proprietary Software! Let us continue the advocacy! Together, let us be advocates for a good cause!

Long live FOSS!

long live STI College Zamboanga!!!

'til next year!!! enjoy the pictures...

Let's Eat...

Sir JM, busug ya? Nuay pa gane kome???

it's time to reap what we have sowed... chow time!!!

so many cameras!!!

a pose with Mr. RJ Sevilla...

sunset view at the Paseo del Mar...

The sunset view...

don't you just love being young?

pictures here... there... everywhere!

just goofing off...

Posing at the Paseo del Mar

woohoo!

don't you just love cameras with auto-timers?

We just kept posing!

a pose with the Organizers... after all has been said and done!

With Sir Carmelo on the wheel, everything is going to be fine...

Ma'am Feng and Ma'am Kaye exposing their ear-rings!

the pose of the century...

"we are having fun!"

never-ending gestures...

Never-ending pose...

having Fun!

the guys with Sir JM in the bus for the City Tour

The Organizers and participants with Sir RJ in the bus for the City Tour

ME! in the bus for the City Tour...

Ms. Leonor Ycaza talks about PHP

Ms. Leonor Ycaza

Ms. Jet Butchan talks about the Netbeans IDE

Ms. Jet Butchan

Mr. Al Hamis talks about the Linux OS and Linux Server

Mr. Al Hamis

The secretariat... 2nd day!

more participants...

Participants with their photogenic pose

Mr. RJ Ian S. Sevilla

Sir RJ giving his talk about 10 Tactical ways to turn Information into Action

Mr. Timhar also gets a prize for answering a question...

Mr. Phoebus also answers a question and got a prize...

Mr. Sergil Manlucu answers a question and received a prize!

Ms. Yolynne Medina

Ma'am Yolynne giving her talk about Open Source in an Open World

Sir Mike sits with the organizers

Sir RJ introduces the first speaker

The participants listening attentively

Ma'am Feng giving her opening remarks and welcome address

The streamer!

The secretariats pose with Sir RJ

The Secretariat in action

Jonathan Paul C. Solis

FOSS Advocate

STI College Zamboanga

1st FOSS CONFERENCE IN MINDANAO!

This is to formally announce and invite participants to attend this year's biggest I.T. Event in Region IX, dubbed, "The 1st FOSS CONFERENCE IN MINDANAO".

On September 21 and 22, 2010, STI College Zamboanga, together with Mindanao Open Source Society (MOSS), will be spearheading this event. It will be a 2-day conference filled with new innovations in the field of open source computing. It will satisfy the "geek-in-you" by showcasing the latest trends in the FOSS world. It's like a feeding-frenzy of information about FOSS. This activity is also in connection with the international celebration of Software Freedom Day 2010, which will be on September 18.

There will be speakers, all professionals of their respective field coming from around the Philippines and other parts of the world, who will talk about and impart their knowledge about FOSS, and why it is the best alternative for any dominating propriety software.

Registration fee is P500.00 per head. This will include your training kits, snacks for two days, certificates, and other goodies.

Yes! There will be freebies and snacks!

WHAT: 1st FOSS CONFERENCE IN MINDANAO!

WHERE: 3rd Floor, STI College Zamboanga

WHEN: September 21 and 22, 2010

WHY: To promote the use of Free and Open Source Software as an alternative to Propietary Software.

WHO: For inquiries, please call 991-2956 and look for RJ or Jonathan

or email us at info@minoss.org

or visit our official site at: http://minoss.org/sfdRIX

or register now! http://minoss.org/sfdRIX/?page_id=29

See you There!!!