THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a new sunrise in the Orkut, happening since the last few days. An image of a sun rising in the distant green mountains sprinkling lots of golden embers. The image has been replacing personal snaps from Orkut and other community websites in large numbers. Thanks to an innovative idea adopted by free software enthusiasts to celebrate their moment of liberation. The aim is to take home the message of free software. What better way to do it than the e-way? That’s when the free software users group (fsug) in the capital decided to do away with the usual campaign tools and go a little wild. The fsug in Thiruvananthapuram alone has more than 1,000 members.
``When hundreds of Orkut profiles carry the same image, people will start wondering about the reason. It carries the logo Software Freedom Day 2009. So, curious-minded will definitely probe into the term and get acquainted with the idea. It’s one of the best tools to spread the idea, we thought,’’ said Prasad S.R., a senior member of the fsug-tvm.
The website of the group in Google has already been loaded with questions on the image. The members have been sending the link to whoever racking their brains on the `star’ image.
Many members have actually begun posting it in their blogs and lots of them carry it in other community websites too. Interestingly, the group has been receiving inquiries from free software enthusiasts in other states too.
The website of fsug, which is ilug-tvm.com, has been acting as an online call-centre for providing details on free software. In the last few days, there has been heated discussions on how to celebrate Software Freedom Day, that is internationally celebrated on September 19. Install fests, rallies, seminars...but Orkut as a campaign tool won all votes. Last year, a Freedom Walk taken out by four youngsters from the Capital, had served as a toast to the idea. With each passing year, it’s getting better and reaching more people, says free software enthusiasts. After all freedom is the biggest intoxication.