Where Freed.in - 2007 attempted to connect the Free and Open Source Software community with a much larger audience, Freed.in - 2008 shifts into a higher gear, focusing not just on the tools but to the creation of an open knowledge ecosystem.

1. Knowledge Shall Set You Free - inspire, influence and enable.

   
   It is no longer sufficient to learn to know, one must learn to learn. Free flow of information plays a central role in a modern-open society; digital media and networks promise an environment, where exchanging knowledge can now be extended to include everyone in the world.

   However, there are significant hurdles posed to the emerging digital commons. It is imperative that the systems being put into place now be open, transparent, participatory and inclusive.

2. YOU are the Community!

   
   The focal point of the event is YOU, the unique individual that represents the community as a whole, and who can act as a fulcrum for leveraging genuine change.

   We seek the involvement from curious minds interested in technology and software, and their impact on society.

   Expected attendees will include both developers, and people with expertise in non-technical areas.

3. The Format

   
   The 2008 event is intended largely as a brainstorming conclave, from which plans for action will emerge and a series of invited talks. See the schedule here.
   

See you soon. Meanwhile, help us spread the word as you choose – write about it on your blogs and communities, link to http://freed.in/2008 , talk about it to your friends… you decide. :)

It has been many months since Kishore first mentioned Freedel - a free & open source event that he and others from the ILUG-D had been promoting for the last several years. Some help was needed on communication and marketing Kishore said and that's where I jumped in...

The result:

As a leading community event, in the subcontinent and the developing world, promoting freedom and personal privacy in software, technology and other related fields, Freed.in is different in that it is entirely of, for and by the FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) community in India.

At the core are:

1. Promotion of FOSS software - muft (free) and mukt (freedom, do
   with/ to it, what you will).
   As a newbie, the more I get into the subject, the more fascinating it becomes. No I am not there yet, in terms of using a FOSS operating system etc., but the 'Beginners' track at the event promises to take me there, the fun way.
2. Any closer and there's fear of conjoining, but the event brings the FOSS community together anyway, as also new people into it.
3. Coming together of exponents from within and outside the country usually leads to new projects besides common learning.

My first 'community' event and it's been fun - from an outsider who just came in to help on a project, I have decided to stay part of the group.

You can join in, to attend; to volunteer; to promote.

Registration is needed, but entry is free! Are you freed, yet?