[plug] Easymail for linux.

[Oliver White]

Hi, I've heard through the grapevine
that Telstra is reluctant to release the
Easymail(tm) specs to Open Source
developers. I'll forgo the usual rant
about short-sighted proprietary
thinking, which is unlikely to win your
favor, and try to make a few points
about the advantages of such a move.

Linux is a free operating system, able
to run on older computers, such as a
386. This provides a very low cost
alternative for those who would like to
use the internet. Based on the
assumption that Easymail(tm) is targeted
at those who would like to use email and
email only, a linux version of this
software would provide a 'bargain
basement' package for the less well off,
while providing Telstra(tm) with both
new markets and great PR.

Associates of myself are working hard on
providing old pcs with linux installed
to those who cannot afford new computers
(The Computerbank project), and
Telstra's Easymail package obviously
provides enormous cost benifits to those
who want a bare-bones email service.
Together this would provide real
benifits to low income earners.

The simplest way to create and maintain
such an application would be to give
into the hands of the free software
community, the specifications to the
Easymail system. In a short space of
time a fully functional Easymail
software package would be generated for
linux.

I'm sure the issue of quality is the
formost thought in Telstra's mind, a
user-interface specification could be
included if so desired, and the free
software community is regarded by many
as producing the most robust software in
existance.

Thankyou for your time,

Oliver White.