Linux Australia, Inc – the organisation representing thousands of Linux and open source community members in Australia – was recently accepted as a member of the Open Source Initiative–the global non-profit working to promote and protect open source software–further strengthening international relationships with partner organisations committed to free and open source software, hardware and culture.
The Open Source Initiative is the steward of the Open Source Definition (OSD) and the community-recognised body for reviewing and approving licenses as OSD-conformant. The organisation’s members play an important role across the world in community building, education and public advocacy to promote the importance of non-proprietary software. In doing so they further international awareness of how open source technologies, licenses and models of development can provide economic and strategic advantage.
President of Linux Australia, Kathy Reid, was delighted with the move.
“We’re incredibly proud to bring Linux Australia into the Open Source Initiative fold – joining a strong and active international community of practitioners, policy advocates and technologists committed to the benefits that open source technologies can provide. As the Open Source Initiative celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we look forward to partnering with both OSI and other partners to continue to strengthen international open source communities of practice. As new developments such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual reality and other emergent technologies come to the fore, the principles and ethos underpinning open source are more important than ever. “
Patrick Masson, General Manager of the Open Source Initiative, was equally positive.
“We’re honored to welcome Linux Australia as an OSI Affiliate Member. As a community-driven organization working to advance software freedom, Linux Australia serves as a model for open source collaboration, co-operation, and co-creation. Most already know of Linux Australia’s premier international conference, linux.conf.au, however Linux Australia’s efforts to advance free and open source software are far broader: cultivating communities of practice, supporting projects to promote Linux, creating educational resources to further understanding and adoption. We look forward to working with Linux Australia and their membership–in all their activities–and thank them for their ongoing commitment and contributions to software freedom.”
About Linux Australia
Linux Australia is the peak body for Open Source communities in Australia. Linux Australia represents thousands of users and developers of Free Software and Open Technologies, and facilitates internationally-renowned events including linux.conf.au — Australasia’s grassroots Free and Open Source Software Conference. Individuals who join Linux Australia directly
participate in online discussions on mailing lists covering a range of topics and user communities. Members of Linux Australia participate in sub- committees and special interest groups, organise events or stand for election to the Linux Australia council. Linux Australia Members may submit applications for funding for projects relevant to or beneficial to the Australian FOSS community under the grants programme. Linux Australia membership is free and anyone can join.
Media contact: Kathy Reid, President, Linux Australia
president@linux.org.au
About the Open Source Initiative
Founded in 1998, the Open Source Initiative promotes and protects open source software, development and communities, championing software freedom in society through education, collaboration, and infrastructure, stewarding the Open Source Definition, and preventing abuse of the ideals and ethos inherent to the open source movement. The OSI Affiliate Program allows non-profit organizations to become OSI members–an ideal way to support the mission of the OSI and contribute to the continued awareness and adoption of open source software. Affiliate Membership A “who’s who” of open source communities. For more information about the OSI, see https://opensource.org.
Media Contact: Italo Vignoli, Director, Open Source Initiative
italo@opensource.org
