Software Freedom Day in the Eyes of a Non-Geek

Last weekend, no thanks to my husband's insistence, I tagged along the Philippine leg for Software Freedom Day in the ASTI Building of the University of the Philippines Diliman. The event was co-organized by the Computer Professionals Union (CPU) et al.

I was apprehensive as we approached the ASTI building. Baka naman hindi ako maka-relate pag nandoon na? I'm not a computer geek, much less a techie! I still think of computers as
extended typewriters. I covet gadgets mostly on the basis of sheer visual appeal. Installing even the simplest of devices or programs scares the bejeezus out of me. My idea of troubleshooting an errant computer involves a lot of hard hand slaps on cold plastic surfaces and colorful invectives hurled out of frustration. And my most informed responses to intense technology-enamored conversations between my husband and his colleagues has so far consisted of monosyllabic, vague affirmations ("Uhm, yah!", "wow!", or "nice!"--all sincerely meant, nonetheless).

My fears were soon allayed upon entering the conference room filled with a hundred or so participants. The people inside looked normal and friendly and smart (duh--what an absurd statement...what else was I expecting?! Aliens?). Later on I learned that the participants came from different fields: students, teachers from IT schools, professionals, graphic artists, bloggers and website designers, government employees. There were also familiar faces among the activists, both the young and (to my delight) the young-at-heart, who were interested in learning how the concept of "free software for all" works (mabuhay kayo!).

The program started off fairly well. Simultaneous proceedings of the Software Freedom Day activities in Davao (at maraming tao ang umattend!) were projected onscreen. Kits with free Ubuntu CDs and stickers (these I liked!) were being handed out to everyone like candy. The Secretariat also hawked apple green (pun unintended) Software Freedom Day t-shirts nearby.

The event was advocating for the use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in the Philippines. Fortunately, I had no problem with that. I use Linux at home because that's what my husband installed, hehe. Gani once tried using different versions--the ones with, uhm, weird-sounding animal names (what's with 'feisty fawn' and 'dapper drake'?! baka naman meron nang 'courteous carabao' o 'tasty tarsier' courtesy of Pinoy programmers?!). Besides, who wouldn't be endeared to software that has an overfed, bug-eyed penguin for a logo?

Linux/Ubuntu, therefore, didn't come across as a totally alien experience. If I wake up early, Kalikasan's press releases are composed on OpenOffice and sent through Firefox. The graphics on this blog were produced using GIMP (which I think seems easier to navigate around than Photoshop--I'm still trying to learn how to use both). I don't know if this is my perception only, but there seems to be less viruses with FOSS. At the office computers, where everyone has yet to be weaned away from Microsoft, there are all sorts of viruses popping out at regular intervals--yuck! Besides, Linux also started some really nice games such as the Battle of Westnoth and Frozen Bubble, heheh.

During the program, I learned other larger advantages about using FOSS. Since it's free, it has the potential to be used and made available to a larger number of peoples who need computers yet who can not afford the costs of what they call "proprietary software". This includes farmers in the countryside and elementary students from rural schools. FOSS can also be of use to smaller cause-oriented organizations (such as environmental advocate groups) and networks because the precious little money spent on buying proprietary (or even pirated) software can be used elsewhere.

One of the most common complaints against using computer technology is that it is "mahal", expensive and therefore inaccessible. Using free software can work in the way of vastly reducing costs. Of course, this doesn't mean that we should forgo the larger struggle for genuine land reform and national industrialization and social change, because all of these will create conditions for more people to democratize and develop their access to technology later on.

I also learned that it will take political will to shift to FOSS on a larger scale. While some unsavory Philippine government officials under the Arroyo administration are entering into controversial internet broadband deals that will prove more atrociously burdensome to the people, other countries such as Venezuela under Hugo Chavez are making FOSS mandatory among government offices, if only to cut down on costs that could be better diverted to social services. Unfortunately, I missed the talk of Venezuelan diplomatic official Manuel Iturbe on his country's experience in using FOSS in trying to democratize access to technology. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino also gave an update on a FOSS bill that his office filed in Congress--sayang, that too I missed due to another appointment nearby.

The afternoon workshops on FOSS for daily use were generally interesting and practical. A talk by Michael Cole showed us how FOSS could be used to download and process all the nice little things on the net--music, photos, and videos. The last workshop taught us how to start a website using the drupal program. This I personally found very motivating since (1) Kalikasan PNE's website was created using drupal and (2) Noel, the guy giving the lecture, actually started learning the program only a few months back (and now he does websites). Too bad time was enough only for a short demonstration. (As for KPNE's site, we're still in the process of completing the site contents, trying to come up with a better template, and learning how to actually execute all these using the program so please bear with us...)

I also thought that the organizers should, next time, hold a separate "Linux for Dummies and Microsoft Babies" introductory workshop for those who are experiencing Linux and its applications for the very first time. For people who couldn't care less (or don't have the time to find out) about what source codes and all those other techie terms are but are nonetheless need computers to produce their reports and websites and graphics and blog entries. Pang-levelling off ba. While there were demonstration booths all over the place, a common lecture for clueless newbies would've been great. Hopefully, it could encourage more people who wouldn't normally give a hoot about what software they use to attend and give FOSS a chance.

I left the event with a lot less apprehension and skepticism than when I first entered the room that morning. Like proprietary software, I'm sure that FOSS has its limitations and challenges. But like other products of technology and creativity, FOSS has the potential to be utilized for the greater good.

FOSS is political precisely because it points towards the direction of change. Let's hope and work to ensure that it does.