Hello,
That is Goren from UALUG. I've contacted you earlier asking you not to send essential information, such as templates for documents you seek to receive, in proprietary formats that do not respect their users' freedom. Regrettably, not only haven't you gratify me with any response whatsoever, but my plea itself seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Now I've received templates for documents that are essential for collaboration of our club with AUSA in proprietary .doc format that is associated with Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office is non-free software that do not have its source codes available, so the users have no control over helpful and harmful features that software might have. That also means that no person or entity other than Microsoft itself can port the software to any new platforms and operating systems. As a result, Microsoft Office does not natively work on any of free operating systems such as GNU/Linux.
In essence that means that people who for cultural, ethical, political or any other reasons choose not to use non-free software and non-free operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or OSX will not be able to open the templates and prepare the necessary documentation to affiliate with AUSA. For our club, to give one instance, this may hinder our chances for reaffiliation or even destroy them altogether. This is one example of how the policy of sending essential information in non-free file formats discriminates against people that choose to use free software exclusively. This kind of discrimination is perhaps less discussed than discrimination of people based on their race, gender, culture or faith, but is essentially the same in terms of mechanics and impact on a society. I am cross-posting this message to the Cultural Affairs Officers, for lack of a dedicated anti-discrimination executive in AUSA, because it is important for the situation to be understood in all seriousness and dealt with accordingly as soon as possible. This discriminatory and abusive policy should not be allowed to continue.