[At-Large] At-Large Digest, Vol 29, Issue 31

[Carlton Samuels]

Go Vladimir!  So much easier when it can be done by diktat!  :-)

==============================
Carlton A Samuels
Mobile: 876-818-1799
Strategy, Planning, Governance, Assessment & Turnaround
=============================


On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 7:18 AM, Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com> wrote:

> Just to add to resolutions and charity work in this new year,
>
> Vladimir Putin Orders Russian Government to Switch to Free Software by
> 2015:
>
> Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed a government order
> that lays out the groundwork for the transition of federal bodies and
> agencies to use free software, including Linux, by 2015.
>
> http://mashable.com/2010/12/27/vladimir-putin-free-software-by-2015/
>
> ;o)
>
> Happy New Year all!
>
> Fouad
>
> On Tue, Dec 28, 2010 at 5:00 PM,
> <at-large-request at atlarge-lists.icann.org> wrote:
>
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: Evan Leibovitch <evan at telly.org>
> > To: ICANN At-Large list <at-large at atlarge-lists.icann.org>
> > Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:20:31 -0500
> > Subject: [At-Large] A geek's way to give back (off-topic)
> > Hello everyone, I hope this email finds you well during this time of
> year.
> >
> > For some, the coming of the new year offers a time to reflect; many make
> new
> > years' resolutions and others make contributions to charity
> >
> > I have a suggestion to make, of a small but worthwhile contribution you
> can
> > make that costs no money and very little time. The contribution is in the
> > form of unused processing and memory power in your computers, which can
> be
> > used to contribute to assist research projects intended to enhance human
> > scientific progress.
> >
> > Some of you may be already aware of the project known as
> > "SETI at Home<http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/>",
> > which has been using the power of hundreds of thousands of under-used PCs
> in
> > homes and businesses worldwide to decode radio signals in the search for
> > Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence. What is less known is that the same
> > distributed processing network used for SETI and other math projects is
> also
> > being used to assist research to combat Cancer, AIDS, Malaria, Muscular
> > Distrophy, Dengue and other diseases. Specifically, I am referring to
> > the "World
> > Community Grid <https://secure.worldcommunitygrid.org/index.jsp>", an
> > IBM-sponsored way for researchers to have access to this distributed
> > processing system. Among other projects are efforts study climate change
> > models and find ways to provide clean water.
> >
> > Getting involved is easy. The open-source client software, called
> > BOINC, is available
> > for Windows, Macs and Linux <http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php>.
> After
> > installing it you attach it to the project(s) of your choice. My own
> systems
> > are attached to the WCG as well as "malariacontrol.net" and SETI.
> >
> > Once connected, as your computer(s) complete the tasks assigned to them
> you
> > earn "credits", a point system that acknowledges your contribution.
> >
> > Almost all projects have a concept of "teams", which is nothing more than
> > arbitrary groups of individual account holders. Most teams are based
> around
> > educational institutions, computer clubs etc. and many participants are
> > members of a team (though it's not required). For what it's worth, I've
> > created ICANN teams at SETI, the WCG and malariacontrol.net. Feel free
> to
> > join -- membership is not limited to At-Large and there is no moderation
> > process -- just to see what we can do collectively.
> >
> > This may not be everyone's idea of community work, and some may even
> > consider it a form of
> > "slacktivism<http://www.snopes.com/info/glossary.asp#slack>"
> > because it's so low-effort (once you install and join, there's not much
> for
> > you to do except track the progress of your projects). But such activity
> has
> > real value to the researchers and ... who knows? You may have a tiny role
> to
> > play in solving some of mankind's more complex medical and environmental
> > challenges.
> >
> > I'm more than happy to assist anyone having problems connecting, though
> > chances are than an audience that is already savvy on issues such of DNS
> and
> > IPV6 doesn't need too much hand-holding. Being a volunteer in ICANN
> policy
> > making already shows that you have an interest in giving and improving
> > society through use of the Internet.
> >
> > This email and this effort have not been submitted to anyone for
> endorsement
> > -- and I have no intention on doing so, since it's way out of scope for
> > ICANN -- but I think it's a good idea for individual effort.
> >
> > Thanks, and have a good and happy holiday season.
> >
> > Evan Leibovitch
> > Co-Chair of ALAC, but speaking on behalf of nobody but myself.
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > From: Evan Leibovitch <evan at telly.org>
> > To: ICANN At-Large list <at-large at atlarge-lists.icann.org>
> > Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:35:41 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [At-Large] A geek's way to give back (off-topic)
> > Sigh.
> >
> > Evan Leibovitch
> >> Co-Chair of ALAC, but speaking on behalf of nobody but myself.
> >>
> >
> > That's *Vice*-Chair. Sorry. There was no intent to misrepresent.
> >
>
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