Concept Paper on software freedom to Microsoft on behalf of KU

1. Title: Introducing software freedom in Microsoft

2. Background:

Microsoft is the well known and widely used software worldwide. It is popular among the students and faculties in Kathmandu University as well. But the major problem we have been facing while using Microsoft is its numerous license and patents. These have created an inconvenience for our users. The tools Microsoft issues are very useful but due to the fact that these tools are friendly with only the Microsoft os environment is little disapproving. With a number of students and faculties involved in computer-related fields, open sources are preferred. The tools of Microsoft embellished with software freedom will be the real gold for everyone.

3. Purpose:

Microsoft introducing software freedom will be a great news for every other users and programmer. The usability of brilliant Microsoft tools in any platform is every learners and programmer's dream come true. Microsoft is currently very strict when it comes to licensing and patent. The company is practicing patenting codes and software features. Such practice is quite discouraging for the programmers. Instead, by removing any such patents and making the software free will provide a solid ground for programmers to discover loopholes and solutions to mend them. Microsoft can actually use their ideas to further enhancement of their preexisting programs. Free sources like GNU/ Linux is gaining quite a popularity than Microsoft due to its open platform. This can be seen as a little threat to the company which can be reversed by introducing software freedom in Microsoft. This will increase the likability and profits of Microsoft and also will be a great help to students and faculties of Kathmandu University as well.

4. Project Description:

Software freedom with Microsoft will be beneficial for both the company and the users. The users will be able to openly modify the applications as per their need. They can even fix any bugs related to the application. This aids to the improvement of creativity among the students. Moreover, it increases the use of Microsoft products. Open sources like Linux has been very popular among the programmers for accessibility of the codes and is being quite popular as well. It is high time for Microsoft to reconsider its policies and patents. We will start with small changes like making the Microsoft tools friendly in other open source surroundings and removing some patents and copyright policies. Similarly, it can also support the idea of copyleft licensing for open source programmers. This encourages the users to effectively use Microsoft tools and increase its popularity which finally brings more business home.

For starters, we will use KU students and faculties as a research subject in introducing software freedom in Microsoft. Depending on this result we can either decide to promote the idea of software freedom or stick with the pre-existing ideas.

5. Contact Information:

Khimbaja Merina

Student, Computer Engineering

Department of computer science and engineering,

Kathmandu University