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{\Large  IST-6th Framework Programme}\\\vspace{3mm}

{\Large (EOI.FP6.2002)}\\\vspace{3mm}

{\Large Expression of Interest}\\\vspace{6mm}

{\large (Priority 1.1.2 - Information Society Technology)}\\\vspace{6mm}

{\LARGE\bf LAFIS - LAying the Foundations for the Information Society}\\\vspace{3mm}

{\LARGE\bf (Integrated Project)}\\\vspace{6mm}

{\em Draft 
$Date: 2002/05/21 10:27:45 $
}\\\vspace{6mm}
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%{{{ Description

% EC Indication:

% Integrated projects are designed to give increased impetus to the
% Community's competitiveness or to address major societal needs by
% mobilising a critical mass of research and technological development
% resources and competence.

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\section{Description}\label{description}

Free Software -- sometimes also referred to as ``Libre software'' or
``Open Source Software''~\footnote{For reasons that can be found online
  at {\em http://fsfeurope.org/documents/whyfs.en.html}, this document
  will use Free Software as the preferred term.}  -- is best defined
by the following four freedoms:
\begin{enumerate}
\item freedom: The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
\item freedom: The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it
    to your needs. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
\item freedom: The freedom to redistribute copies.
\item freedom: The freedom to improve the program, and release your
    improvements to the public, so that the whole community
    benefits. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
\end{enumerate}

Free Software provides a new concept, a new discipline as a stable
basis for the information age and the knowledge economy. Its working
principles are changing the IT sector towards a more stable, lasting
and sustainable approach with higher dynamics and increased
efficiency.\\

Any region adopting Free Software on a larger basis can benefit in
terms of
\begin{itemize}
\item Greater independence from foreign interests
\item Increased sustainability
\item Freedom from foreign mono- and oligopolies
\item Alternative hard- and software possibilities
\item Strengthened domestic market and local industries
\item Better cooperation between research and economy
\item Encouraged transdisciplinary research
\item Better protection of civil rights
\end{itemize}

For a more detailed explanation, please see the {\em ``Recommendation
  of the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSF Europe) and supporting
  parties for the Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament
  and of the Council concerning the rules for the participation of
  undertakings, research centres and universities and for the
  dissemination of research results for the implementation of the
  European Community framework programme 2002--2006''} of April 30th,
2002,~\footnote{Online at {\em http://fsfeurope.org/documents/fp6/}.}\label{recommendation}
in which the FSF Europe with support of about 50 European companies,
research institutes and associations explains in more detail why and
how Free Software offers these advantages.

\subsection{Rationale}

Software is the lifeblood, medium and fundament of the information
society and knowledge economy. Therefore, providing and furthering the
strongest and most durable infrastructure has to be a goal of any
region willing to participate in the information age.\\

Because of its significant advantages, it is obvious that the first
region to adopt and support Free Software on a larger scale can profit
enormously and get a head-start into the information society.\\

Other regions are beginning to get ready to capitalize on these
advantages, as -- for instance -- the recent activities in Peru have
shown.~\footnote{For reference, please see the letter by the Peruvian
  Congressman Villanueva. Mirrored in several places
  like {\em http://pimientolinux.com/peru2ms/} .}\\

Europe, however, is given a uniquely favorable position to become the
global leader in the Information Economy due to its vibrant Free
Software community. It has already begun taking small steps in this
direction within the 5th Framework Programme that should be built upon
{\bf now}.\\

LAFIS intends to promote an Integrated Project to solve problems and
close gaps which are present or will arise in Free Software
development and production. In doing so, it will complete the
infrastructure needed for global mass adpotion of Free Software in
Europe by end-users, companies, governmental institutions etc.\\

Through this, LAFIS will lay the foundations for a European
information society.

\subsubsection{Issues with integration of Free Software into FP6}

Although the 6th Framework Programme and Europe in general would
profit immensely from the mass-adoption of Free Software, the current
structure of the FP6 makes it difficult to provide adequate support
for Free Software. There are several reasons for this that we would
like to bring into the FP6 thought process.\\

First of all, Free Software is not limited to a single domain or
thematic area, its positive effects transcend research disciplines,
markets, society.\\ The Free Software paradigm changes the workings
and rules of software towards a climate that rewards cooperative
efforts and stronger integration. This sort of climate change,
although very obvious, is hard to quantify.\\

The paradigms are shifted away from a supply-driven IT industry
towards a demand-driven model. In other words: The user truly becomes
a determining factor. Therefore the direction of important Free
Software projects is often hard to predict. Demand may overrule the
ideas of supply and give the project a new direction. This very
positive effect -- some people go as far as calling it ``collateral
use'' -- makes Free Software harder to predict.\\

Another difficulty poses the definition of a ``researcher.'' The
classical ``researcher'' in IT would probably be a developer, but
every other participant (interface designers, usability testers and so
on) in a software project could likewise and reasonably argue to be
seen as a ``researcher.''\\ Free Software follows an enabling
paradigm. It empowers people, companies, organizations,
governments. This means that the quantification of a ``researcher'' is
even less solid. The best way might be to differentiate by dedication
and amount of contribution.\\

And last but not least: Players in the Free Software field can
currently not be judged by their finances. Competence, not money is
the most important capital of Free Software players today. Although
this is likely to change with a greater adoption of Free Software, it
is a problem we face in relation with the FP6. \\ The ``Funding by
size'' paradigm is one that is likely to fail for Free Software,
because in the current situation it would usually further the least
competent parties.\\

These problems should be addressed and discussed to find a solution
that will allow Europe to capitalize on the advantages of Free
Software in the best and most efficient way.

\subsection{Objectives}\label{objectives}

The objectives of LAFIS are finding and completing powerful solutions
for fundamental technical and technological problems, fill
strategically important gaps in Free Software and to promote it along
with the ethical principles that underlie its production towards mass
adoption in every information technology field as the preferrable
solution.\\

Some current gaps, needs and problems are:
\begin{enumerate}
\item Create and extend complete Free Software support of thematic
  areas; for instance:
\begin{itemize}
\item Multimedia
\item Secure Email
\item Small/medium/large size company automation; including CRM, ERP,
  Workflow-Management.
\end{itemize}
\item Where applicable: Create ``Drop-In-Solutions'' for these areas.
\item Extend usability through creation of
\begin{itemize}
\item More and better documentation.
\item Better, easier, more intuitive and user-friendly documentation tools.
\item Better, more complete databases of Free Software applications and supported hardware. 
\item Usability schemes and ergonomy studies.
\end{itemize}
\item Extended hardware support.
\item Maintenance of crucial ``orphaned''
  applications.\footnote{``Orphaned'' applications are Free Software
    programs which have been abandoned, for various reasons, by their
    maintainer(s). Some of them are key elements and their maintenance
    can be considered a crucial strategic necessity.}
\item Development, maintenance and support of Free, patent
  unencumbered formats and protocols.
\item Identification and solution of other problems and needs that may
  arise.
\item {\bf Comment: Anything else that you feel should be in here?}
\end{enumerate}
LAFIS main objective is to find global and optimal solutions to such
problems, this way fostering the mass adoption of Free Software by
single users, companies and institutions. This implies also the
organisation of sub-projects concerning dissemination, training and
demonstration events.

\subsection{General approach to achieve the objectives}

LAFIS approaches the objectives by assembling a consortium of the most
knowledgeable and strongest European players in the Free Software
field to coordinate
\begin{enumerate}
\item multiple sub-projects devoted to research and development in the
  fields touched by the problems listed in section~\ref{objectives};
  these projects will be designed and scheduled in time to achieve the
  most efficient and productive development sequence.
\item a common development, announcement and advertising ground for
  all sub-projects mentioned in 1.
\item the organisation of dissemination, training and demonstration
  events to promote and show Free Software in the appropriate contexts
  and facilitate its adoption.
\item the maintenance of a European platform for coordination and
  cooperation in the objectives described above.
\item {\bf Comment: Anything else that you feel should be in here?}
\end{enumerate}
The purpose of this approach is to give the European Free Software
community an active and efficient way of getting involved in essential
solutions to current problems of strategic interest.

%}}}

%{{{ Need and Relevance

% EC Indication:

% How the proposed research activities contribute to realising the
% objectives of a priority thematic area and why it requires a European
% mobilisation of activities and resources through the means of an
% Integrated Project

\section{Need and Relevance}

Software has not only become a seminal economic and cultural property,
it also provides the grounds upon which the information society and
economy will be built.\\

Those who depend on foreign interests to uphold their own economy,
communication, education and research will most likely not become key
players in the information age. Becoming and remaining independent
From foreign hardware and software oligopolies is a crucial step
towards a sustainable and lasting approach.\\

As laid out in the recommendation referenced on
page~\pageref{recommendation} in section~\ref{description}, Free
Software offers protection from foreign and internal hardware and
software monopolies, encourages freedom of markets, protects privacy
and therefore trust in information technologies, furthers research and
education and empowers all Europeans to become active participants in
the information society.\\

Through LAFIS, Europe will not only gain the necessary foundations for
the desired knowledge economy, it will also make a leap towards
becoming the global leader and region of competence for these
technologies.

%}}}

%{{{ Scale of Ambition and Critical Mass

% EC Indication:

% Suitably ambitious objectives, particularly in terms of their
% strategic impact on reinforcing competitiveness or on solving societal
% problems.

% Description of the strategic importance to Europe of the research
% activities proposed, including a justification of the timeliness of
% the research activities for the implementation of the Integrated
% Project and the critical mass in Europe needed to achieve it;
% demonstration of how the Integrated Project would enhance European
% excellence in terms of major scientific and technological advances and
% new knowledge.

\section{Scale of Ambition and Critical Mass}

The main objective of LAFIS is to find optimal answers for the needs
arising out of the shift towards a knowledge society as described in
section~\ref{objectives}. Many of these solutions have not yet been
found, nor can they be found in the current development trend of Free
Software. Finding them requires fundamented research and development,
which would best be done within a the organization of an integrated
project of the size and partnership as outlined in the 6th EC
Framework Programme. As such, the ambitions of LAFIS are:
\begin{enumerate}
\item push the technical solutions in Free Software beyond the final
  threshold to allow addressing any problem with the advantages of
  Free Software. Achieving this result would bring enormous benefits
  in terms of
\begin{enumerate}
\item macro-economic benefit: most of the economics related to
  software (which are nowadays lead by countries outside the EC) would
  turn back into European Countries, with an increase of investments
  and jobs in Europe;
\item macro-economic benefit: currently, the whole European IT
  industry is utterly dependent on foreign oligopolies that can shut
  down parts or all of the European IT industry should this seem
  politically or economically useful. Free Software will eliminate
  this dependency;
\item economic benefit: the efficiency of the economic model of Free
  Software would provide societies with a greater wealth of services
  at a fraction of the total costs involved today;
\item economic benefit: because of the freedoms granted, Free Software
  is the most secure IT investment possible today. Bringing companies
  security in their IT investments will allow them to invest more
  heavily in other areas;
\item social benefit: Free Software secures the capability of every
  European citizen to participate and get active in the information
  society;
\item social benefit: through its principles of cooperation,
  transparency and ethics, Free Software helps creating an overall
  computer-literacy that will benefit a climate of democracy and
  cooperation;
\item social benefit: a shift towards Free Software would raise
  consciousness for the issues raised by the information age.
\end{enumerate}
\item give Europe a head-start into and leadership in the information
  society; as stated elsewhere, Europe is in a uniquely favorable
  position to achive this position: an Integrated Project like LAFIS
  seems like the best way of building the foundations for this role.
\item {\bf Comment: More ambitions here?}
\end{enumerate}
More details can be found in the recommendation referenced on
page~\pageref{recommendation} in section~\ref{description}.

%}}}

%{{{ Integration

% EC Indication:

% An adequate description of the necessary integration activities
% (research and, as appropriate, technological development,
% demonstration, and training) as well as of resources needed to achieve
% the objectives.

% Description of all activities needed to achieve the objectives
% (research and technological development, innovation related
% activities, including demonstration, training and any other actions
% needed) plus readiness and availability of the scientific and
% technological excellence, multidisciplinary skills; a list of the
% leading industrial and academic European research centres and other
% major envisaged participants, together with a very short description
% of their potential role.

\section{Integration}

The objectives stated in section~\ref{objectives} on
page~\pageref{objectives} will best be reached through the following
activities:
\begin{enumerate}
\item horizontal and interdisciplinary research (research and
  development will be conducted in parallel on several aspects,
  leading to synergetic effects and communication exchange between
  several sub-projects)
\item creation of template solutions for special industries
\item dissemination and training activities (including specialised and
  non-specialised training)
\item demonstration activities to show Free Software in action in
  different contexts, in particular in large companies and
  institutions
\item global coordination and management of these activities
\end{enumerate}

In order to reach these objectives and to set up these activities, a
consortium of the most knowledgeable and most experienced Free
Software players in Europe will be constituted, including

\begin{itemize}
\item {\bf Free Software Foundation Europe (FSF Europe)}\\ Founded in
  2001, the FSF Europe makes up the global Free Software Foundation
  network together with its sister organizations, the Free Software
  Foundation North America and the Free Software Foundation India.\\
  The FSF was originally founded in 1985, which makes it the most
  experienced organization in the field. It maintains the most widely
  accepted definition of Free Software and is responsible for the GNU
  General Public License (GPL), the license under which more than 50\%
  of all Free Software is being released.\\ Examples for recent
  activities of the FSF Europe are participation in the expert
  workshop of the UK ``Commission on Intellectual Propery Rights'' and
  partnership in the EU project ``AGNULA'' (IST-2001-34879). More
  information available at {\em http://fsfeurope.org}.

\item {\bf Alcove}, Paris, France\\ Premier European company providing
  professional Free Software services since 1996. More information
  available at {\em http://www.alcove.com}
  
\item {\bf Alcove Germany}, Bonn, Germany\\ {\bf NEED DESCRIPTION
    HERE.} More information available at {\em
    http://www.alcove.com/de/}

\item {\bf Associação Nacional para o Software Livre (ANSOL)},
  Portugal\\ Free Software association furthering Free Software in
  Portugal.  More information available at {\em http://www.ansol.org}

\item {\bf Centro Tempo Reale}, Firenze Italy\\ A center devoted to
  music research, production and education. Coordinator of the AGNULA
  project IST-2001-34879 {\em http://www.agnula.org}. More information
  available at {\em http://www.centrotemporeale.it}

\item {\bf LinuxTag e.V.}, Germany\\
  Free Software association furthering Free Software through
  conferences and exhibitions like LinuxTag, the largest and
  most important exhibition and conference in Europe, which covers
  Free Software and GNU/Linux.  More
  information available at {\em http://www.linuxtag.org/}

\item {\bf Prosa Progettazione Sviluppo Aperto S.r.l.}, Padova, Italy\\
  A totally Free Software based company whose mission is to realize
  products and services to promote GNU/Linux an other Free Software
  usage in professional and enterprise environment. More information
  available at {\em http://www.prosa.it}

\item {\bf Verein zur Förderung Freier Software (FFS)}, Austria\\
  Free Software association furthering Free Software in Austria. More
  information available at {\em http://www.ffs.or.at}
  
\item {\bf Verein zur Förderung Informationen und Software e.V. (\emph{ffis})}, Germany\\
  Free Software association furthering Free Software and information
  in Germany.  Founded in 1999 \emph{ffis} supports developer
  meetings, exhibition and conferences, tutorials, workshops and
  software development. More information available at {\em
    http://www.ffis.de/}

\item {\bf VIPS Lab}, Verona, Italy\\The VIPS Lab. is devoted to
  research in computer vision, pattern recognition, image and sound
  processing, and it fosters free software use and development in
  these fields. It coordinates the SOb project IST-2000-25287
  (http://www.soundobject.org), and it is involved in the ARROV
  project (http://arrov.disi.unige.it/) as well as in other national
  research and industrial projects. The VIPS Lab. organized the
  COST-G6 Conference on Digital Audio Effects in 2000.  More
  information available at http://vips.sci.univr.it

\item {\bf Comment: Who else?}

\end{itemize}

{\bf Comment: These are some partners I would like to see (could
  imagine seeing) in the project with some sample descriptions of the
  partners. Neither is the complete/final, nor is there ``official''
  confirmation for the participation of this partner. People from
  these companies/organizations/institutes: Please rewrite your
  description appropriately, these are just ideas. Also please let me
  know whether you want to participate. :) }

\begin{itemize}
  
\item {\bf Association Pour la Promotion et la Recherche en
    Informatique Libre (APRIL)}, Paris, France\\ Free Software
  association furthering Free Software in France.  More information
  available at {\em http://www.april.org}
 
\item {\bf Associazione Software Libero (AsSoLi)}\\ Free Software
    association furthering Free Software in Italy.  More information
    available at {\em http://www.softwarelibero.it}
 
\item {\bf Association Electronique Libre (AEL)}, Brussels, Belgium\\
  Free Software association furthering Free Software in Beligum.  More
  information available at {\em http://www.ael.be}
  
\item {\bf Association For Free Software (AFFS)}, UK\\ Free Software
  association furthering Free Software in the UK.  More information
  available at {\em http://www.affs.org.uk}
  
\item {\bf Comment: Should Alcove Germany also be on the list as a
    separate entity?}
  
\item {\bf Easter-Eggs}, Paris, France\\ Company based entirely on
  Free Software. Focused on GNU/Linux support and solutions. More
  information available at {\em http://www.easter-eggs.com}
  
\item {\bf Förderverein für eine Freie Informationelle
    Infrastruktur~e.V. (FFII)}, Munich, Germany\\ Association
  furthering Free Software infrastructure in Germany.  More
  information available at {\em http://www.ffii.org}

\item {\bf g10 Code GmbH}, Düsseldorf, Germany\\ A company based
  entirely on Free Software. Focused on cryptography, privacy and
  security. Home of the ``GNU Privacy Guard'' (GnuPG), the only
  supported implementation of the OpenPGP standard. Has experience
  working for the German government. More information available at
  {\em http://www.g10code.de}
  
\item {\bf Intevation GmbH}, Osnabrück, Germany\\ A company based
  entirely on Free Software. Focused on strategic Free Software
  consultation, project coordination and Geographical Information
  Systems (GIS). Publisher of the ``FreeGIS'' CD and a global leader
  in the field of Free Software GIS systems. Has experience working
  for the German government. More information available at {\em
    http://www.intevation.de}
  
\item {\bf Lolix SA}, Paris, France\\ A company based entirely on Free
  Software. Running the Free Software developer job-market ``Lolix.''
  More information available at {\em http://www.lolix.com}
  
\item {\bf Luminas Internet Applications Ltd}, UK\\ A company based
  entirely (?) on Free Software. Focused on providing internet
  solutions. More information available at {\em
    http://www.luminas.co.uk}

\item {\bf MandrakeSoft S.A.}, Paris, France\\ One of the premier
  GNU/Linux distributors. More information available at \linebreak{\em
  http://www.mandrakesoft.com}
  
\item {\bf Nevrax SA}, Paris, France\\ A company based entirely on
  Free Software. Focused on creating the next generation of massively
  multi-user persistent worlds. Aiming to build the finest platform
  for digital environments. More information available at {\em
  http://www.nevrax.com} 
  
\item {\bf Organization for Free Software in Education and Teaching
    (Ofset)}, France \\ Globally active Free Software organization
  promoting the use of Free Software in the educational area. More
  information available at {\em http://www.ofset.org}
  
\item {\bf Prosa, Srl}, Padova, Italy\\ A company based entirely on
  Free Software. Focused on GNU/Linux other Free Software solutions.
  More information available at {\em http://www.prosa.it}
  
\item {\bf [wearlab]@TZi}, Bremen, Germany\\ Part of the TZi
  (Technologie-Zentrum Informatik / Center for Computing Technologies)
  of the University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany. One of the global
  leaders in Free Software mobile computing solutions. More
  information available at {\em http://www.wearlab.de}

\item {\bf Comment: I will have forgotten more than one, but WHO?}
 
\item {\bf Comment: What about the SuSE and possibly one or two of the
  European Red Hat branches?}
  
\item {\bf Comment: There are a few more I can think of that are run
    by people that understand Free Software and would clearly listen
    to us, but their business models sometimes are not as clean as we
    would like them to be. The question is: Do we want them in or not?
    There are arguments for both...}

\end{itemize}

%}}}

\end{document}