Doing the right thing, the wrong way.

I have just come back from a 2-day FOSS event called NCAR2010. This FOSS event, organised by the Free Software Movement of India, and inaugurated by our famous scientist President Honble. Abdul Kalam himself was a place where we were expected to talk and listen about FOSS. The anticlimax came when some of the lecturers found it important to use "Microsoft Power Point", to make their presentations. FOSS admirers like me were naturally shocked and furious to see this double standards. Do we really need Microft tools, to tell us what FOSS is all about ? The organisers of course found it all very acceptable and fine. I complained to the organisers, and left the venue.

When I came back the next day, I was in for more surprise. The lecturers still had their powerless-pointless presentations. The organisers were still blissfully ignorant of this incoherency. I left the venue this time, promising I would never again attend any event promoted by the FSMI. Amen.

The learned lecturers, most of them from reputed academic institutions were dull and bland. They made an absolutely shabby show, making even debutants feel ashamed of their performance. Does no one have any sense of guilt or shame ? I understand that these lecturers were handpicked by the organisers. In addition, there was one institution which dominated and monopolised the entire event. Maybe, the organisers don't see anyone else in the city who knows a thing or two about FOSS.

In short, the show was a big disappointment.

Moral of the story :: If you are looking for some serious FOSS event, NCAR is not the place, and FSMI is not the one who you should trust.

partha