Many people are not allowed to enjoy this kind of freedom, their governments continually block websites and monitor their activity online. Usually to prevent their citizens finding out about atrocities or failings of that particular ruling party.
Amnesty International has set up a website called Irrepressible. They are encouraging users of the internet to speak out about censorship on the internet.
The internet has allowed normal users to create content that challenge the world around them. Citizens can create video footage, images and articles and quickly and easily get them to people who can make their voice heard to a wider public audience. This is part of how a democracy works, without it people can not remain informed. To many authoritarian governments the criticisms are unsettleing and they block their citizens from viewing this information, to maintain the status quo
Irrepressible.info have a small script you can add to your website that will display a quote that citizens of China, Iran, Myanmar, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Syria and Vietnam have been blocked from viewing. They have my support and I have added the script to my site.
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Just finished reading a great book called "The Code Book" by Simon Singh. I picked it up from the library a few weeks ago and haven't be able to put it down for long since.
It is a complete history of code making and code breaking from the first Caesar Cipher, to the Enigma and right up to PGP. He talks about the people involved, and how they created a cipher or broke it and why. The history is just as interesting as the actual codes themselves.
It evens goes further and touches on quantum cryptography. I am also glad to hear that even though quantum computing would spell the end of secure PGP/RSA encryption, that quantum physics also allows for theoretically unbreakable encryption. I would butcher the explanation so I encourage you to read the book instead.
Simon Singh has a clear and easy writing style, he makes allows the complete novice to understand nearly all the concepts involved. He has another book called "Fermat's Last Theorem", I have no idea what its about but I have thoroughly enjoyed "The Code Book" so will be getting that from the library as soon as I can.
I have recently taken an interest in encryption, specifically the most secure form available, PGP. Though I intended only to use it as a way of signing my documents and emails. I do draw comfort form the fact that I can securely encrypt my communications and enjoy the privacy that it brings. I have written a guide to using PGP on various computer platforms, and will be publishing it soon.
As a side note, if anyone knows of a good book that explains quantum computing I'll be glad to hear a reccomendation, "The Code Book" touches on the topic but I have been itching to understand more about the topic for a long time.
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While organising Software Freedom Day I had a problem. You are not allowed to distribute "Free Printed Matter" without a £250 license per person. The idea is to try and cut down the litter caused by promotional leaflets that are handed out. There are exemptions for charities, religions and political groups, but unfortunately I don't think I could convince Birmingham City Council I was anyone of those three.
I got around this problem because to distribute a free CD is fine, as you don't need a street seller license and as long as you don't erect any structures you don't need permission.
I needed a way to put information onto the CDs though. I already knew some crafty origami, so could fold an A4 piece of paper to make a CD case, but I couldn't find any templates on the internet that were editable using OpenOffice. So I made my own.
Ubuntu Case
The Open CD Case
The files are in Open Document graphics format, *.odg. If you don't have OpenOffice you can download it for free to open the files.
Once you've printed them off, follow these instructions.
If you want to start from scratch and add your own text, here is a blank CD case. The text boxes are all orientated correctly, so click, type and OpenOffice will flip them around so when you fold they come out the right way. Some of the basic fold lines are on there, but not all. It's very easy to make the cases after you've practised a few times.
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Yesterday was Software Freedom Day and it was great! I stepped out into Birmingham City Centre to hand out CDs along with Suntish and Richard, just down from the Floozy in the Jacuzzi. Overall we've handed out over 200 CDs. A mix of Ubuntu Fiesty and The Open CD.
It was heartening to speak to people that already new about Open Source software or Linux, and it was great to talk to people who had no idea but were enthusiastic to try it out. One nice surprise was a IT/PHP volunteer for Friends of the Earth, apparently the Birmingham Office of FOTE have a few of Ubuntu machines, and are planning to use a LAMP server!
Here are some gratuitous publicity shots.
This year I tried to organise the event by myself, and to be honest it was more than I could handle. Without help from the people beblow I wouldn't have been able to pull it off
I'd like to thank,
Suntish Narain - Helping hand out CDs
Richard Rothwell - Helping Hand out CDs and giving tips.
John Pinner and The Linux Emporium - For printing CDs
Mary Mooney - Printing the CD wallets
Housemates - For helping to fold the CD cases and pack the CDs
Girlfriend - For being really quick at folding CD cases.
Zeth Green - For saying hello
Sophie @ Shared Earth - For letting us stash our Swag
Alan Pope - Letting me use the Lug Masters mailing list
I hope to do this again next year, but its far too much for one person to organise. This year it was only basic, just handing out CDs. Next year I'd like a table, with leaflets, a laptop demonstrating Ubuntu, and open source Windows Software, the ability to burn off CDs when we run out and anything else I can think of. If you'd like to take part in Software Freedom Day 2008 please contact me, I'll be glad for the help.
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Friday
I help with the set up today, just some bag stuffing and manual labour. I also have been initiated into the Crew (with a fetching T-shirt), and my duties now include helping to record as many talks as we can get.
During the Friday preparations Zeth misbehaved. He was punished and put in a dark corner to think about what he had done.
Saturday
First and only talk I have attending so far has been the Introduction to Python, done by John Pinner. It was great to have a proper introduction and start using some code. I always find that learning anything is much easier when you have someone there to describe the principles.
My audio duties seemed to involve running around between lecture rooms carting the equipment and uploading the files.
Hopfully the files will be up on the PyCon UK wiki in a few days, after editing.
The GPG key signing that I was meant to be running has fallen through a bit. Holding a key signing party in the lunch area seems like a good idea but everyone is much more interested in eating their food! Not a complete loss got my key signed (Hopefully by two people), and found out about CACert. An organisation that allows you to verify identities and issue SSL certificates.
This Afternoon
Recording more talks! Also going to have 5mins to talk about Software Freedom Day. Fingers crossed for more helpers.
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