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Vote here:<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://devalpatrick.com/issue/freesoftware">http://devalpatrick.com/issue/freesoftware</a><br>
Not sure what is this about? read below:<br>
<p class="plain_to_html_first_par">Governments in Massachusetts are
increasingly dependent on software to
operate. Citizens access important services via the Internet, and
critical
public documents are now digitally archived. Buying new software isn't
like buying new desks and chairs for the office anymore. The makers of
software now exert substantial control over how government operates. </p>
<p>
Most software currently used by Massachusetts governments is like a
black
box. It's proprietary, which means that the government and its
citizens are not allowed to look inside the box to see how it works.
Proprietary software also comes with a set of restrictions that prevent
the software from being modified or copied without explicit permission.
</p>
<p>We place the fate of our democracy in the hands of a few private
entities
when we accept these restrictions on the technology we depend on for
everything from social services to voting information. Government needs
to
serve the public interest, and so has an obligation to remain
independent
of such control. </p>
<p>Government choice of software dictates the software citizens are
able to
use to access information and services. If the government chooses a
proprietary program---for example, to build its web sites---this often
means that citizens will have to install another compatible proprietary
program on their own computers in order to take advantage of the
resource.
In this way, the government locks its citizens into a relationship with
a
particular company and takes away their freedom to choose something
different. </p>
<p>Fortunately, there is a solution. Massachusetts governments should
begin
switching to free "as in freedom" software. Free software is
software that permits users to run, copy, distribute, study, change,
and
improve the software for any purpose. Because the source code for free
software is publicly available, it is sometimes also called "open
source". Being able to look inside the box is only one of several
important aspects, though, so it is more accurate to use the term
"free software". </p>
<p>There are thousands of free software programs already available.
Free
operating systems like GNU/Linux are fully capable of replacing the
proprietary alternatives made by Microsoft and Apple. Many people are
already using free software applications like Mozilla Firefox and
OpenOffice.org. Governments could accelerate this trend with their
support
and encouragement. </p>
<p>Respecting freedom is reason enough to switch to free software, but
there
are practical benefits as well. For example, free software is generally
more secure than proprietary software. The government can test and
inspect
the software directly, and benefit from the fact that people all around
the
world---because the source code is available--are inspecting the very
same
software for problems. When problems are discovered, they can be fixed
much more quickly because the fixes don't have to wait on a single
vendor. </p>
<p>Instead of handing the technological machinery of our democracy to
small
groups of individuals or businesses and locking our citizens into
dependent relationships with these groups, governments should be using
and
supporting software that is publicly available and freely licensed.
It's the only way to preserve the independence of Massachusetts
governments from private interests, and the only way to respect the
freedom of Massachusetts citizens. </p>
<p>Deval Patrick said of Massachusetts in his inaugural address,
"American ideals were first spoken here, first dreamed about here.
Our constitution is the oldest, and one of the most explicit about
individual freedoms." If it is to continue as a lead advocate for
individual freedoms, Massachusetts must recognize the negative impacts
of
its current software policies. </p>
<p>For more information about free software, please visit: </p>
<p><a href="http://www.binaryfreedom.info">http://www.binaryfreedom.info</a>
| <a href="http://www.fsf.org">http://www.fsf.org</a></p>
<input name="issue_id" value="7626258" type="hidden">
<br>
Solidarity<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Chris Fernandez (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://rek2.binaryfreedom.info">http://rek2.binaryfreedom.info</a>)
FSF member #697 (<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.fsf.org">www.fsf.org</a>)
BinaryFreedom Founder (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.binaryfreedom.info">http://www.binaryfreedom.info</a>)
gNewSense Developer.(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.gnewsense.org">http://www.gnewsense.org</a>)
Stop the Wars coalition (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.stopthewars.org">http://www.stopthewars.org</a>)
Socialist Party USA (<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.spboston.org">http://www.spboston.org</a>)
Democratic socialists of America(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.dsausa.org">http://www.dsausa.org</a>)
Digital revolution, socialism and CopyLeft!
Free Speech!
Free Software!!!!!!
Take back the NET from corporate gangs!(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.eff.org">http://www.eff.org</a>)
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