I had the pleasure of listening to this entire interview. In the first half,
Mr. Baskar spoke in detail about the Free Software Movement, Stallman's
contributions, the GNU project; the Linux kernel, and then about Torvalds'
contribution.
Then he discussed about the collaborative model of software development as
opposed to the proprietary model followed by most Corporate companies.
Mr. Baskar then emphasized the strong growth and acceptance of the GNU/Linux
Server by most Corporate companies and the various uses it is put to.
In the second half, Mr. Baskar lamented the fact that a kernel and Operating
System both of which were born from Academic Institutions is not being taught
in Academic institutions in India. He launched a scathing attack on proprietary
software companies and the practices which they follow to impose their products
in the curriculum to the exclusion of Free and Open Source Software.
He then spoke about how Universities in Tamil Nadu are named after great
thinkers like Anna and Periyar; and how they have bowed down to commercial and
vested interests these days. He compared the strong efforts taken by the Kerala
Govt. to impart FOSS based curriculum beginning from primary school level and
above.
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Overall, it was a very pleasing interview, and Mr. Baskar spoke in Tamil quite
fluently; and indeed I myself could not follow many of the words which he used.
His strong passion and commitment to the cause of Free Software was evident
throughout the interview. His humble beginnings and strong self-belief in
starting and sustaining his own company based on FOSS were remarkable.
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I had only one major correction for him - he used the phrase 'Copyrighted
Software' to describe 'Proprietary Software'. I felt he should've stuck to
Proprietary itself; since even Free Software derives its Freedom because of the
GPL License; which itself derives its existence from the concept of Copyright.
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All in all, it was a fantastic interview, and I feel ilugc members must
congratulate him warmly for his efforts and achievements.
Thanks
...KRS
