Happy Software Freedom Day

On Saturday, August 28, it is possible a new holiday will be born: Software Freedom Day. Organized by grassroots groups, the worldwide event is an effort to promote wider use of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS).

Elizabeth Millard at Linux Insiders reports, “Sunil Abraham, IOSN spokesperson in its Malaysia office, told LinuxInsider that the group is assisting in promoting the events because it feels that open-source software is in line with the organization’s development goals, because it increases access, ownership and control of information and communication technologies.

One of the largest regions to see events associated with this day will be Asia, which will have software giveaways in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Vietnam, among other countries. Although organized by smaller groups, it will be publicized by some heavy hitters: The International Open Source Network (IOSN), the United Nations Development Program and the Asia-Pacific Development Information Program.

According to the Software Freedom Day organizer site, 33 countries are involved in event planning and execution.”