CCI Hosts Software Freedom Activist Richard Stallman

Presentation and discussion set for Friday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m., Performing Arts Center

CCI hosts software freedom activist Richard Stallman on Feb. 26.

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 19, 2010) -- The University at Albany�s College of Computing & Information (CCI) will host Richard M. Stallman, renowned software developer and software freedom activist, for a presentation and discussion about the Free Software Movement and the GNU/Linux Operating System. The discussion, coordinated by CCI�s Department of Computer Science, will be held Friday, February 26 at 4 p.m. in the Recital Hall of the Performing Arts Center on the uptown campus.
 
Stallman will speak about the goals and philosophy of the Free Software Movement and the status and history of the GNU operating system, which, in combination with the kernel Linux, is now used by millions of people worldwide. His talk is aimed at the general computer-using public and will be presented in non-technical terms.
 
CCI and the Computer Science Department will host a reception in the Futterer Lounge immediately following Stallman�s presentation.
 
Stallman is a software developer and software freedom activist. In 1984, he launched the development of the GNU operating system (see www.gnu.org); a Unix-like operating system meant to be entirely free software, utilized, modified and redistributed without permission or royalties. Stallman has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award, and the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several honorary doctorates.

�It�s an honor to welcome Mr. Stallman to the University,� said CCI Dean Peter Bloniarz. �Stallman offers a distinctive view of software culture, and his presentation will provide a keen perspective on the evolving global software environment.�

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