Hello folks!✨

This talk is going to be about software

what kind of software?

  • the software that made Mark Zuckerberg drop out of Harward
  • the software that lets us have a smart-phone for under 15k.
  • the software that determines our placements!

But that's not all

This talk is also about:

  • Freedom
  • Developer Learnings
  • MEC

Quick question

What is a Program?

A set of instructions written in code that is designed to perform specific tasks or functions for the users, in order to accomplish their objectives.

Heard about FOSS?

Another Question

Why MEC?

Introduction to FOSS

What it really is
and
Why you should care

$whoami

Aldrin Jenson

  • Software Engineer at Parseable
  • Volunteer at IndiaFOSS
  • MEC Alumni✨

@aldrinjenson

Okay, Let's now talk about Masala Dosa

...Proprietary Software,

You pay money to buy software

BUT

You cannot share with others what you bought

You don't have the right to know how your program functions

You can't make any modifications to the functionality

Seems a bit sad no?🥹

Free software

Software that respects the freedom of users

Any software which satisfies the 4 freedoms

The 4 Freedoms

Freedom 0: The freedom to use the software for any purpose.

Freedom 1: The freedom to study how the software works and modify it

Freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies of the software.

Freedom 3: The freedom to distribute modified copies of the software.

The Free Software Movement

The GNU Project

Impacts of FOSS

2002

https://www.debian.org/users/edu/mec

https://diffusion.mec.ac.in

In almost any domain you can think of,
FOSS has had an impact

For someone conscious of privacy,

FOSS is just the best!

For a Developer,

FOSS is just the best!

Getting Started with FOSS

It's okay to start small

  • Look for the most common programs you use in your daily life
  • Figure out if they are FOSS
  • If not, see if you can switch to a FOSS alternative.

alternativeto.net

F-DROID

good to contribute as well

Other steps

  • Seriously Consider Linux
    • Ditch Microsoft, choose Freedom!
  • Consider Lineage OS

Join Communities

  • FOSS United
  • Linux User Groups
  • Open Street Maps
  • r/freesoftware r/foss

Go for Conferences/Meetups

Contributing back to the community

Bringing more people to defy the status quo

Preach!

Tell people about FOSS

Volunteer

Help make communities better

If you like to code,

Contribute Code

Conclusion

If you have a choice, always consider the software that respects your freedom

Thank You✨

Shout out to

  • Sree Laxmi
  • Srilakshmi
  • IB Computing
  • Titty Jacob Sir(MEC)

@aldrinjenson

aldrinjenson.tech


This presentation was built using Free Software!

Resources

Approaches of looking at FOSS

  1. FOSS is about Challenging the status quo

  2. FOSS is about bringing Freedom to the user

  3. FOSS is about Community

  4. FOSS is about Innovation and creativity

  5. FOSS is about empowerment

1. FOSS is about Challenging the status quo

2. FOSS is about bringing Freedom to the users

3. FOSS is about Community

4. FOSS is about Innovation and creativity

5. FOSS is about empowerment

notes

talk about MEC

Good evening

Let's learn about something new today!

what kind of software?

the

how many from cs background?

how many don't have ay programming experience at all?

what is a program?

know about FOSS United?

know about IndiaFOSS?

everyone know about FOSSMEC?

how many of you clearly know why they exist

why mec placements is so great?

and now, for the talk,

![bg right w:500 h:500](./aldrin.jpg)

can't share

can't modify

cant' see what's inside

what is FOSS

what comes to your mind when you hear about FOSS

# Let's get some basics clear Just so we are all on the same page

what is FOSS

FSF Movement

---

or ofc you get ads

you can use it till the specified duration

cracked software is an option

but, can you trust it

netflix

blocking people out

drm

olx

tax software

you don't know what is is running behind the scenes

google chrome

youtube removal of dislike button

## hr ytm twitter

talk about the printer

in 1981

xerox story

It's like having a bicycle that you can ride to school, use for exercise, or even decorate as a piece of art—it's your choice!

Explanation: With Freedom 1, you can look at the "recipe" (the source code) of the software, see how it's made, and even change the ingredients (the code) if you want to make it better or suit your needs.

Explanation: imagine buying a book and sharing it with your inds after you have read it

150+ computers in MEC

Example: Imagine you have a toy that you like, but you think it could be even better with some modifications. You can make those changes, and if your friends like them too, they can use your improved version of the toy.

mark zuckerberg

Harward, 2004

added in 2005

only 5 institutions in India

immense opportunity to learn and explore

you don't have to install Ubuntu right away!

google chrome example

Debconf 2023

kochiFOSS 2022

5 slides on ways in which you can contribute back

start small

start communities

donate your time