Laws and political parties that support free software in Spain – Hypertext

Are you interested in politics and free software? Want to know what has been legislated and what proposed by political parties about? Read carefully.

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That free software is something beneficial for society does not seem very debatable, let it be said without intransigence. It is not simply that he -and technological progress is encouraged, therefore, human , which not only Wagner living woman and man and that use economic resources are saved, but that also the philosophy of free software implies a conception of culture and knowledge as a right of the people : freedom of access exponentially drives development in all areas with the exchange and cooperation, and obstacles in this sense only delay us as a society.

Spanish legislation on free software

• Law 11/2007 of 22 June, electronic access of citizens to Public Services: seeks encourage free reuse own technological resources of the Government by sharing applications updated directory.

• The Law 56/2007 of 28 December on Measures to Promote the Information Society: that the National Reference Center Application Technologies of Information and Communication (CENATIC) has to be who assess and disseminate open source applications Administration .

• The Order EDU / 2341/2009, of 27 August, establishing the National Center for Curriculum Development is created in no Homeowners Systems: is to design, develop and promote digital educational content strategies for schools have the resources produced with free software .

• The Royal Decree 4/2010 of January 8, laying regulates the National Interoperability in the field of eGovernment: set to be improve the already implemented systems rather than developing new , facilitate application code in free directories to foster collaboration and efficiency and, again, the CENATIC encourage free software projects for reuse and interoperability, ie that all areas of the administrative system have the freedom to use the same shared software if you find it advantageous.

Of course, these timid legislative initiatives are not very useful if not staffs, training and resources to carry out what they raise. Perhaps the political parties who allegedly endorsed the philosophy of free software and included in the proposals of their election programs to make a difference if govern. Let’s see what games are

Politicians with free software

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• Partido Socialista : “To promote the renewal methodological and didactic classroom, promote the use of free software and open licensing centers and facilitate access to digital materials education and culture to advance the knowledge society and change our production model “. It would be nice if it were true. It would not be surprising that miraseis this proposal with skepticism, but do not forget that the four small legislative impulses of those who have tried before a government approved during this match; though perhaps because political groupings which will be discussed below have not had a chance yet to approve royal decrees.

• Izquierda Unida : “Implementation of free open source software in education and organize Educational Administration from a network of digital, public, free and shared resources (wikieduca) that replace progressively books digital material text produced by the educational community. ” It seems a more concrete proposal. I wish also materialize how to carry it out, which, in any case, is the usual problem of electoral programs. They continue: “… manage publicly copyright , free software and cultural policy to support the creators from the base and disseminate the arts among all levels of population “. These ideas are, at least you daring as is the courtyard with the public; and conjecture would find much opposition among those who cut the cod in the cultural industry; . but not less than venturing other parties who now see

• we : “social regeneration through culture and the knowledge society (…). Culture as transversal axis of change. Enhance the cultural work (…) promoting the use of free software tools within public institutions ; programs to increase international cooperation; strengthen public and commonality of the assets . ” This is part of the electoral program of the party that everyone speaks of a time now presented in recent elections Andalusian. It seems to me more a wish list than a specific proposal. Underdeveloped, in any case

• Union, Progress and Democracy . “Promoting priority use of free software in public administration, especially in those processes where the use of systems under copyright suppose a cost to citizens in their dealings with the Government and the exercise of fundamental rights. ” Here we find an interesting initiative, eyeing as the use of free software can benefit most directly to citizens. How do I take out? Here’s the question. He continued: “Public Domain: legitimize it as a space for creation or amateur free option for creating professional promotion, priority registration print works. It will boost the access to digital commons funds (such as RTVE), priority use of copyleft licenses and free software in eAdmon “. Release of contents; not bad

• EQUO . “The government should be adopting free software solutions in their computer systems: savings License, increased cycle life of equipment, freedom of choice of supplier, greater transparency and ease of propagation software, besides its portability to different languages ​​as possible, position the free software as a necessary option for development New Information Society and Knowledge. All software developed or contracted by the Administration shall be available for use through free licenses “. Delve into the details of the use of free software by the Administration. At least it seems they have thought about it a lot more than other games I insist. “The new technologies have to reach citizens in a generalized manner, since its use by the Administration to facilitate the management and citizen participation giving a central role in software free, guaranteeing net neutrality and a sustainable technologies look . This development should occur at confluence and contributing to a boost of creative industries in a scenario that regulates balanced the interests of creators , intermediaries and end users with the common good in the center of priorities. Meanwhile governance should promote this paradigm shift while ensuring the right of access to culture, from libraries, archives and museums , heritage protection in a broad sense and cultural promotion in and out as synonymous with social and human development, all from a professional management “. Good wishes would need such good plans

• Pirate Party. “We are committed to the widespread use of Free Software in government, and the use of open standards to ensure that administrations regardless of the tools used, the technology neutrality and safety and privacy of all sensitive information of citizens that is available “. Here’s an interesting point from those who would expect. Free software to ensure neutrality (as EQUO) and privacy

• Animalista Match : “We will implement the use of free software and open standards (…). This measure would save millions of euros for European citizens, and reduce dependence on public administration and citizens regarding IT companies. In areas where it is not possible (…), the Administration should develop the necessary software. This practice should be carried out within the framework of a public competition, where the issue of source codes by the contractor is one of the requirements . This source will be published in a publicly accessible server, in order to ensure access to information “. Where possible the free software, either; where it is not, is also. Diligence is what it takes

• Party X . “A industrial policy in favor of free software , decentralized architectures and point to point encryption, to return the technology to citizens. In the public sector, the publicly funded projects and those that commit citizens by law or in a manner affecting their fundamental rights should always use free software and open standards. ” This game is not to be limited to the use of free software, but also promote the industry as favors, and all public project to be undertaken take his mark. Do you want free software? You’ll be three cups.

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I hope this contribution will serve to get an idea of ​​how’s policy and free software in Spain. It is likely that, given the large number of more minority political parties, missing from this list others who also want to promote it, but I preferred to focus on the most representative. Now if you consider that these proposals are somewhat important in deciding your vote in the next elections, I suggest you do not have in mind that only but look also at what the well known games that are not listed here . Nudge, nudge; wink, wink, to say the Monty Python

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