Software Freedom Day Christchurch survives earthquake

Software Freedom Day survives earthquake

Media Release: Software Freedom Day, Team Christchurch, New Zealand

13 September, 2013

The Christchurch Unix community has its annual technical show next weekend, as part of international Software Freedom Day celebrations. Personal Computer operating systems derived from Unix offer an alternative, to Microsoft desktop security issues and costs, and are maintained by a large international community. Main variants of Unix are GNU/Linux and Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) operating systems. BSD is the core of Apple Computer's OS-X. Licensed free software installation discs and install help are made available to the public on Software Freedom Day.

The local event had to be relocated last year due to earthquake damage of the venue, but this year is back at South Learning Centre in the South Christchurch Library. Talks, demonstrations and videos make the day focused on education and sharing. It is a familiy-friendly day of fun for all, with computers and related technology as the platform. Safe use of telecommunication devices is the strong emphasis here, helping people become independently secure in their online lives.

Other types of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) can run on top of Microsoft Windows, providing extra user choice. The Firefox web browser and Open Office suite are popular examples. Firefox has over a quarter of the desktop browser market alone, to which other browsers such as Apple's add to make big competition for Microsoft's Internet Explorer. But the industry playing field is not level, hence the need for Software Freedom Day, user support, and publicity.

The Christchurch Software Freedom Day team was the first to get going in New Zealand, at the event's gloabl inauguration in 2004, and is the only one still standing in 2013 at the ten-year anniversary next week.

The practical continuity of SFD here confirms Christchurch as the technical innovation capital of New Zealand, says team leader Rik Tindall. Christchurch's recovery will be comprehensive and influential, going by SFD's nationally-unique survival here under all conditions, Tindall concludes.

Software Freedom Day takes place Saturday 21 September, from 10am to 4pm at the South Learning Centre, South Christchurch Library, 66 Colombo Street, in Beckenham.

ENDS

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Software Freedom Day Christchurch survives earthquake