The Free Software User’s group of Thrissur had its first public gathering at the Sahithya Academy hall on Dec 4th; if the interest and enthusiasm shown by an audience numbering about 300 is any indication, the new year is going to witness a dramatic change in the way people in the Cultural capital of Kerala use computers - it’s going to be good bye and good riddance to Microsoft, and welcome to the wonderful world of GNU/Linux and Free Software!