Review and Collaboration Request: The Iranian Halaal By* Digital Ecosystem
Review and Collaboration Request: The Iranian Halaal By* Digital Ecosystem
A Moral Alternative To The Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem
| Document Number: | PLPC-180036 [ .bib ] |
| Version: | 0.1 |
| Dated: | October 08, 2012 |
| Group: | announce |
| Primary URL: | http://www.by-star.net/PLPC/180036 |
| Federated Publications: | ByTopic -- ByContent |
| AccessPage Revision: | This AccessPage was produced on October 12, 2012 at 10:36 PDT (-0700) |
| Author(s): | Banan, et al. |
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Review and Collaboration Request: The Iranian Halaal By* Digital Ecosystem
| Date: | October 9, 2012 |
| Subject: | The Iranian Halaal By* Digital Ecosystem – Review and Collaboration Request |
[ Please distribute this as widely as possible, wherever appropriate.
The latest version of this announcement is web published
as
PLPC-180036 and is also available in
pdf format. ]
Dear Iranian Colleague,
The current direction that Internet application services are headed is putting humanity in danger.
Today the Internet Services industry is a proprietary construct, almost entirely owned and controlled by proprietary American commercial interests. Google, Facebook, Yahoo, MSN, YouTube, Apple, LinkedIn, and virtually every other major Internet service – these are all for-profit proprietary American corporations, with no responsibility to the public welfare. This represents a significant hazard to the broader welfare of society. Under the existing proprietary American Internet model, critical societal freedoms are being seriously compromised by narrow commercial self-interests.
Today, the world is largely unaware of this. The public is completely oblivious to the perils of the proprietary Internet model, and happily entrusts its personal data, its privacy, its freedoms and its civil liberties to proprietary American business interests. And the people whose responsibility it is to safeguard the public interest – government, and the engineering profession – are asleep at the wheel.
In the model of the proprietary American digital ecosystem a deal has been made. Corporations provide people/consumers gratis (free-of-charge) service (their email, their personal web site, etc). The consumer in turn provides information about herself to corporations. Individual’s privacy and autonomy have become a form of currency. We believe this is all wrong.
We want to create a complete parallel Halaal/Libre Digital Ecosystem to stand against and in contrast to the existing Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem.
By “Digital Ecosystem”, we mean the whole thing. Software, Internet application services, content publication and content generation facilities and social and societal frameworks. Clearly, such an effort must be very multi-disciplinary and include, engineering, moral, societal, social, economic and business dimensions.
The umbrella title we have chosen for this work is:
The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem
A Moral Alternative To The Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180016
Much consideration has gone into the choice of every word that is in that title.
Preservation of ByStar user’s autonomy, privacy and freedom are the primary factors driving design of ByStar Services. Health of society is our goal. The correct (halaal) manner-of-existence of software and correct manner-of-existence of internet application services are our focus.
The full scope of the halaal/libre ByStar digital ecosystem is all of humanity. In this communication, we additionally underscore ramifications of this work for Iran, for Iranians and for Persian speakers.
We have built persoarabic.org to focus on implementation and deployment of “The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem” in the context of writing, publishing, communicating and processing in Persian and in Arabic. All documents mentioned here are available at www.persoarabic.org
We believe that ByStar’s framework for halaal manner-of-existence of software and Internet services and ByStar’s framework for the entirety of the halaal/libre digital ecosystem can contribute to formulation of Iranian national policy towards software and internet services.
1 Roadmap
In Figure 1, we present a multi-disciplinary roadmap in form of layers. Each layer has a document that addresses it – you can click on the PLPC numbers and obtain the document. Each layer builds on those beneath.
At the lowest layer lies moral and societal questions of right and wrong (halaal and haraam). Included in these layers is also the question of money, business and economics (in the form of an open business plan). In other words, we are saying that when it comes to something as important as Internet application services, we should not drive it purely based on economics and profit. This is in stark contrast to the purely economically driven proprietary American digital ecosysytem.
A Moral Alterantive To The Proprietary Digital Ecosystem
PLPC-180016
A User Environment For The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem
PLPC-180004
Basis for Abolishment of The Western So-Called Intellectual Property Rights Regime
PLPC-120041
Figure 1: The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem Roadmap
The layers in Figure 1 are color coded. Each of the layers are either:
- A Conceptual Layer.
- Representing concepts. Layers 1,2,3,4,7 and 8 are in Green, Blue and Yellow.
- A Tangible Layer.
- Representing software/service implementations. Layers 5 and 6 are in Orange and Brown.
The tangible layers are bound by the conceptual layers underneath them and receive legitimacy from those concepts.
The conceptual layers are validated by the tangible layers.
The green layers (1 and 2) at the bottom are philosophical, moral and societal. Their scope is wider than the moral digital ecosystem that we are after. Generally speaking, these are not the domain of engineers. They are the domain of ethicists, philosophers and sociologists.
The blue layers (3, 4 and 8) are philosophical, moral, societal, social and engineering aspects of digital ecosystems that require direct involvement of engineers and the engineering profession. The yellow layer (7) is economics and business.
The orange/brown layers (5 and 6) are engineering constructs. They are in-use software and in-use Internet application services.
2 By* Digital Ecosystem Layers
2.1 Introducing Halaal and Haraam into Globish
The lowest layer (Layer 1) is a general conceptual layer, presented in green in Figure 1.
Our focus as engineers, is to do the right thing.
We emphasize that our model is based on morality, ethics, philosophy, the health of society and sanctity of individual’s autonomy. This is all very unlike the model of proprietary American digital ecosystem which is purely based on economics – and full of externalities.
In an essay titled:
Introducing Halaal and Haraam into Globish
Based on Moral Philosophy of Abstract Halaal
معرفیِ حلال و حرام به بقیهیِ دنیا
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/120039
we formally introduce the extremely potent words: “Halaal” and “Haraam”.
We use the word Halaal carefully and consistently to emphasize that our work is anchored in morality.
2.2 Nature Of Poly-Existentials
Layer 2 is a general conceptual layer, presented in green in Figure 1.
Central to our approach is full rejection of the Western so-called Intellectual Property Rights regime of copyright and patents.
We present our rationale for this conclusion in:
The Nature of Poly-Existentials:
Basis for Abolishment of The Western So-Called Intellectual Property Rights Regime
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/120033
In that paper we analyze and discredit the Western Intellectual Property Rights regime based on the inherent nature of what it seeks to control and restrict – poly-existentials: all that is digital and all that can be learned and remembered.
The Western intellectual property rights regime is in conflict with nature, it does not serve the ideal intended purpose of societal regulations, i.e. to balance rights equitably among conflicting constituencies. On the contrary, it has the effect of enriching a minority of powerful vested interests, to the very great detriment of society at large. The detrimental effects include the obstruction of engineering creativity, a distortion of the competitive business environment, and denial of the benefits thereof to the public.
Under Western dominance, the most basic moral underpinning of poly-existentials, the so-called “Intellectual Property Rights,” is haraam. Based on economic values and economic power, Westerners are imposing their self-serving and misguided ownership models for copyright and patents onto the rest of the world.
Many societies fully reject the basic concept of patents and copyright. Yet, the Western Intellectual Property ownership regime is portrayed by Westerners as universal and global. Since poly-existence and digital entities are inherently not restricted by borders, the nature of global Internet demands rejection of the Western Intellectual Property ownership regime.
2.3 Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Software
Layer 3 is a societal and engineering profession conceptual layer, presented in blue in Figure 1.
We have chosen the word “Halaal” as the main qualifier for our software and services. Through this word, we want to focus on morality and ethics of the manner-of-existence of software and the manner-of-existence of Internet services.
Note that we are applying morality and ethics here only to the manner-of-existence of software and Internet services. And not to functionality of software and Internet services. And not to usage of software and Internet services.
So, anytime that we speak of “Halaal Software” and “Halaal Internet Services” we mean “Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Software” and “Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Internet Application Services”.
We believe that label of “Halaal Software” is far better than “Free Software” or “Open-Source Software” or FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software), etc. In order to make it clear to our FOSS brothers and sisters that we are on the same side, we sometimes expand the label to become “Halaal/Libre”.
We focus on the question of correct manner-of-existence of software and the correct manner-of-existence of Internet Application Services in a document titled:
Defining Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Software
And Defining Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Internet Services
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/120041
and in Persian/Farsi as:
تعريفِ ماهیتِ وجودیِ حلالِ نرم افزار
و تعريفِ ماهیتِ وجودیِ حلالِ خدمات اينترنتى
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/120035
As engineers, our legitimacy for addressing this topic is our responsibility to the engineering profession and the engineering profession’s responsibility to society. Our definitions for halaal manner-of-existence of software and Internet service are concrete and precise.
2.4 Concept Of Libre Services
Layer 4 is a societal and engineering profession conceptual layer, presented in blue in Figure 1.
We have formulated a radically new, non-proprietary model for delivery of Internet services. In the document titled:
Libre Services:
A non-proprietary model for delivery of Internet services
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/100101
we introduce the Libre Services model.
Libre Services are an extension of the principles of free software into the Internet services domain. They are Internet services that can be freely copied and reused by anyone. Any company or organization can reproduce and host any Libre Service, either for its own use, or for commercial or non-commercial delivery to others. The Libre Services model exists in relation to the proprietary Internet services model of Apple, MSN, Yahoo and Google, in an analogous way to how GNU/Linux exists in relation to Microsoft Windows.
2.5 ByStar Federation of Autonomous Libre Services
Layer 5 is a tangible layer, presented in orange in Figure 1. It refers to the actual By* internet application services.
The Halaal/Libre model is not just theory. We have built a set of real, working, in-use Libre Services. We call these the By* Federation of Autonomous Libre Services. By* (pronounced “by-star”) is a unified services model, unifying and making consistent a large number of services that currently exist in functional isolation. It is a coherent, integrated family of services, providing the user with a comprehensive, all-encompassing Internet experience.
In the document titled:
ByStar Federation of Autonomous Libre Services
Overview of Concepts and Models
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180015
we introduce ByStar services.
The By* services are based on 100% halaal/libre software and patent-free protocols, and are thus completely transparent and reproducible by anyone. They are a communal public resource, not owned by anyone, freely available for use by society at large. Their widespread deployment and usage is in the direct interests of the general public welfare.
ByStar services are structured in two layers. (1) Autonomous Libre Services and (2) Federated Libre Services.
2.5.1 Autonomous Libre Services
An Autonomous Libre Services is a Libre Service where the primary user of the service is the “owner” of the service. The concept of Autonomous Libre Services focuses on preserving privacy by providing control over information to users with safe guards of functional transparency, information portability and non-retention controls. Formal definitions are provided in Defining Halaal Manner-Of-Existence Of Software – And Defining Halaal Internet Application Services
The ByStar Autonomous Libre Services presently includes ByName, ByAlias, ByAuthor, ByAlias, ByMemory, BySMB/ForSMB, ByFamily, ByNumber, ByWhere and ByEvent.
2.5.2 Federated Libre Services
The concept of Federated Libre Services is layered above Autonomous Libre Services and focuses on interactions amongst Autonomous Libre Services and facilitation of information aggregation amongst Libre Services.
The ByStar Federated Services presently includes: ByContent, ByTopic, ByInteraction, ByLookup, ByHookup, BySource and ByBinary.
The ByStar Federation is vast in scope. Its basic structures are in place and many services are built or are partially built. The Libre Services collaborative framework allows for ByStar to grow dynamically.
2.6 Blee: The ByStar Libre Emacs Environment
Layer 6 is a tangible layer, presented in orange in Figure 1. It refers to the actual software of user environments.
The first User Environment for ByStar Libre Services is called: “Blee”. An overview of this User Environment is provided in:
Blee – ByStar Libre Emacs Environment:
A User Environment For The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180004
Blee is a layer above emacs that integrates GNU/Linux capabilities into emacs and provides for integration with ByStar Services.
Emacs is world’s most potent multilingual editor-centered user experience platform. Emacs comes with a rich mail reader, a personal planner, an address book, a calendar, spell checkers for English and Persian, multi-lingual dictionary interfaces and many other tools and packages; all integrated together. Because Emacs supports Persian, all these tools and packages also support Persian.
Two built-in Persian input methods are part of the Emacs 24 distribution. These are described in:
Persian Input Methods
For Emacs And More Broadly Speaking
شیوههایِ درج به فارسی
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/120036
2.7 Neda Open Business Plan
Layer 7 is an economics and business conceptual layer, presented in yellow in Figure 1. It is in the form of an in use open business plan.
The economic and business consequences of halaal software and services are a fundamental shift of business operations from the for-profit, proprietary quadrant into for-profit, non-proprietary quadrant.
The halaal manner-of-existence of software creates a powerful generative development model for halaal internet services. This generative model is absent from proprietary/haraam internet services. Thus halaal internet services have a major advantage and can compete directly with proprietary/haraam Internet Services in terms of development.
The basic recurring revenue models for halaal internet service providers are essentially the same as for haraam internet Service providers. Thus in terms of revenue generation, halaal and haraam services are on an equal footing.
As part of our responsibility to create a viable implementation construct we have fully analyzed the business dimension, and we have formulated the business model in the form of an Open Business Plan, titled:
The By* Federation of Autonomous Libre Services
An Inversion to the Proprietary Internet Services Model
An Open Business Plan
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180014
http://www.neda.com/StrategicVision/BusinessPlan
2.8 The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem
Layer 8 is a conceptual layer, presented in blue in Figure 1.
The totality of halaal software, halaal Internet services, content generation and content publication facilities and societal frameworks that we described, forms the “The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem”.
The description of the overarching model and structure of our digital ecosystem is presented in:
The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem
A Moral Alternative To The Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180016
3 Foundation and Infrastructure
We see our primary role as one of guardianship of the goals and direction setting and facilitation of collaboration and growth. Towards that, we have formed the following structures and foundations.
3.1 The Free Protocols Foundation – non-profit, non-proprietary
Free Protocols Foundation (FPF), exists with the mission to maintain the integrity of public protocols, software and Internet services.
FPF is a non-profit entity.
3.2 Neda Communications, Inc. – for-profit, non-proprietary
Neda Communications, Inc. is a for-profit . Neda is a consulting firm specializing in Internet and Linux. Neda engineers have developed the ByStar Federation of Autonomous Libre Services. The entire ByStar software is GPLed (Affero v3). Neda plans to profit from widespread deployments of The Halaal/Libre ByStar Digital Ecosystem in a variety of ways.
3.3 LibreCenter.net – Home of ByStar Libre Services
We have built our own data center. It is distinct and different from other data centers in that is built purely on Halaal/Libre Software. At this time most ByStar Services are hosted at Libre Center. Our software distribution services – BySource and ByBinary – are also hosted at LibreCenter.net.
4 Assistance: Your analysis and critique
The above picture is vast. Many consider it unbelievable and fantasy. Thus far, the entire By* formulation and development has been done by a very small team.
By* can only be significant if its usage is widespread and if By* collaborative development involves many. And now we ask you, as recipient of this email, to assist us in making By* widespread.
The entire By* design revolves around principles of planet wide scalability, very distributed systems, autonomous control and end-to-end interactions. As such, By* has the potential for becoming a basis for national Internet services in Iran.
The above documents collectively permit others to independently subject our approach to examination and validation.
As a first step, we ask you to review these and give us your critique. If you think our work has merit, we also ask you to help us in spreading the word. Please feel welcome to further distribute this note where appropriate.
You can send us your comments, criticisms and corrections through the following
URL:
http://mohsen.1.banan.byname.net/contact
or by email through feedback@ our base domain which is mohsen.1.banan.byname.net.
The top level orienting document to read is:
A Moral Alternative to the Proprietary American Digital Ecosystem
http://www.persoarabic.org/PLPC/180016
There we also describe the frameworks that are in place for collaboration and we invite you to participate in this work.
—–
At your service,
| Mohsen Banan | http://mohsen.1.banan.byname.net |
| محسن بنان | http://mohsen.1.banan.byname.net/Persian |
| Free Protocols Foundation | http://www.freeprotocols.org |
| Neda Communications, Inc. | http://www.neda.com |
| Contact | http://mohsen.1.banan.byname.net/contact |
