International Free Software Forum Web security debate

Concern about the amount of data stored online applications like Google Docs will be the main topic to be discussed at the 11th edition of International Forum of Free Software (FISL), held from 21 to 24 July in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Even being practical enough - and increasingly popular following the growth of broadband and laptop computers with little memory to store files - the technology of "cloud computing" has its detractors.

"The question is what level of reliability that we have to archive our information systems 'Cloud Computing'", questions the ambassador Libre.org Software Association, Sady Jacques.

The central theme is divided into 17 lines ranging from software development languages to education and digital inclusion. 400 lectures and discussions will be on digital culture for all skill levels, as expected, involved between five and seven thousand people from all over the world. It is the biggest free software event in Latin America.

Although some of the programming is aimed at developing practical solutions and the creation of specific programs, for the most contentious issues the organization intends to present immediate alternatives, but seeks dialogue. "These are questions that can yield solutions perhaps in ten years", plans to Jacques.

The debate on the evolution of communication technologies seems to be the main aim of the Forum of Free Software, not coincidentally, is a present event. "The collaborative action network places us in a world without borders. We are connected to hundreds of others around the world, all the time. Even so, touch is essential for the dialogue will be strengthened even further," justified.

To that end, the 2010 edition will be discussed in a specific social network, created and supported by the Noosphere: an unusual free web platform for this purpose, developed in Brazil. In the noosphere, the user profile becomes a personal blog and all content can be produced collaboratively.

Subscriptions for the 11th International Free Software Forum via the Internet and are closed, but be able to log directly in Porto Alegre, while the event is happening.

Large companies are also investigating open source

Between the first meeting and that of 2009, which was attended by Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, the difference is the competitiveness that currently support free software. "These systems are much more stable, better finishes and better quality of construction," praises Sady Jacques.

If ever there was distrust on the part of users, their use is now a reality in industry and especially within governments. However, in the eyes of ordinary people, even free software has not been popularized in the same proportion. "There are many systems whose uses are invisible to the eyes of the consumer," he laments.
Calls proprietary companies - that have not yet allow free movement of their codes on the web - are also investing in research and recognize the importance of open source solutions. "IBM and HP are examples of that reality," he said.
This results in today's open source operating systems are adapted perfectly to the peripherals produced by the owners. "The Linux system recognizes the connection of any printer, webcam or camera," exemplifies.

Despite the spread, there is no precise numbers of users of open source software. "It is difficult to account precisely because it is a controlled system, there are organizations that centralize data. But we know that thousands of creators in the amount of projects in progress," says Jacques.