# articles

feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-15-new-gnu-releases-in-march
title: GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: 15 new GNU releases in March!
uri: GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-15-new-GNU-releases-in-March
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-15-new-gnu-releases-in-march
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/automake/">automake-1.16.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.5.3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/">coreutils-8.32</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/ddrescue/">ddrescue-1.25</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/">gcc-9.3.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/guile/">guile-3.0.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gwl/">gwl-0.2.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/help2man/">help2man-1.47.13</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/hyperbole/">hyperbole-7.1.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/jacal/">jacal-1c7</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mailutils/">mailutils-3.9</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mtools/">mtools-4.0.24</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/">nano-4.9</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200322</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/swbis/">swbis-1.13.2</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>. You can use the url
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>
<p>As always, please feel free to write to us at <a href="mailto:maintainers@gnu.org">&#109;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#116;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#64;&#103;&#110;&#117;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/hackers-and-hospitals-how-you-can-help
title: HACKERS and HOSPITALS: How you can help
uri: HACKERS-and-HOSPITALS-How-you-can-help
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/hackers-and-hospitals-how-you-can-help
content:
<p>Free software activists, as well as many scientists and medical
professionals, have long since realized that proprietary medical
software and devices are <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/freedom-devices-and-health/">neither ethical nor adequate to our
needs</a>. The COVID-19 pandemic has illuminated some of these
shortcomings to a broader audience -- and also given our community a
unique opportunity to offer real, material help at a difficult
time. We're putting together a plan to pitch in, and we hope you'll
join us: keep reading to find out what you can do!</p>
<p>You may already be aware that software and hardware restrictions are
<a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/wxekgx/hospitals-need-to-repair-ventilators-manufacturers-are-making-that-impossible">actively hampering</a> the ability of hospitals to repair desperately
needed ventilators all over the world, and how some Italian volunteers
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/17/21184308/coronavirus-italy-medical-3d-print-valves-treatments">ran into problems</a> when they 3D printed ventilator valves. (As you
can see from the link, the stories vary about exactly what their
interaction with the manufacturer was, but it's clear that the company
refused to release proprietary design files, forcing the volunteers to
reverse-engineer the parts.)</p>
<p>The struggles of free software activists we've covered in the past to
free the devices they use include:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Software Freedom Conservancy executive director and <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/public-lab-and-karen-sandler-are-2017-free-software-awards-winners-1">Free Software
  Award winner</a> <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/karen-sandler">Karen Sandler's</a> efforts to raise the alarm
  about the dangers of proprietary software in medical devices,
  including her own pacemaker;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The struggles of <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/freedom-devices-and-health/">LibrePlanet speaker</a> and <a href="https://openaps.org/">OpenAPS</a>
  co-founder Dana Lewis, and <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/04/looping-created-insulin-pump-underground-market/588091/">many others</a> to help Type 1 diabetics
  take control of their medical treatment using an Artificial Pancreas
  System; and</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The efforts of <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xwjd4w/im-possibly-alive-because-it-exists-why-sleep-apnea-patients-rely-on-a-cpap-machine-hacker">many patients and activists</a> to improve the
  effectiveness of their sleep apnea treatment by hacking their CPAP
  machines.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>We've also seen how free software can deliver better health outcomes
from our friends at <a href="https://gnuhealth.org">GNU Health</a> and <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/speakers/#2744">GNU Health Embedded</a>,
and how the participation of everyday people in the scientific process
can help to save the environment through <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/public-lab-and-karen-sandler-are-2017-free-software-awards-winners-1">Free Software Award winners
Public Lab</a>, and help in disaster relief through <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/social-benefit-award-2006">Free Software
Award winners Sahana</a>.</p>
<p>So it's clear that the free software community has a lot of creativity
and know-how to contribute in the tough days ahead, and that with over
350,000 people worldwide stricken with COVID-19 as of this writing, we
absolutely need to pitch in if we can help people to avoid illness,
and to recover from coronavirus. <strong>We know that the 3D printing of
medical equipment is distinctly <em>not</em> an advisable hobby for amateurs,
and that the production of anything more complex than cloth masks will
require expert input.</strong> But we also know that the outlook is bleak if
supplies run short – and that shortages are <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/03/18/ventilator-shortage-hospital-icu-coronavirus/">almost certain</a>.</p>
<p>That's why we're looking into what we can make with our in-office
<a href="https://ryf.fsf.org/">Respects Your Freedom (RYF)-certified</a> 3D printers, and we're
talking to the brand new Mass General Brigham Center for COVID
Innovation so they can direct our efforts. We're also gathering
resources for our "HACKERS and HOSPITALS" plan at the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/HACKERS_and_HOSPITALS">LibrePlanet
wiki page</a>, and if you have expertise, 3D printers, or supplies to
contribute, please contact Michael via <a href="mailto:sysadmin@fsf.org">&#115;&#121;&#115;&#97;&#100;&#109;&#105;&#110;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>. If you do
not have the means to produce medical gear and you still want to help,
research can be done from anywhere with only a computer and an
Internet connection. Add any projects that are freely licensed working
towards helping with COVID-19 to the wiki!</p>
<p>We've always believed that it's of crucial importance to human freedom
and creativity to allow us to use all the tools at our disposal with
no restrictions, and right now, we may be able to use the free
software we've built, preserved, and advocated for together to save
lives.</p>


title: Better than Zoom: Try these free software tools for staying in touch
uri: Better-than-Zoom-Try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch

content:
<p>In times like these it becomes all the more important to
remember that tools like Zoom, Slack, and Facebook Messenger are not
benign public services, and while the sentiment they've expressed to
the global community in responding to the crisis may be sincere, it
hasn't addressed the fundamental ethical issues with any piece of
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/">proprietary software</a>. </p>
<p>After taking the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-in-person-component-canceled-but-well-see-you-online">LibrePlanet 2020</a> conference online, we received
a number of requests asking us to document our streaming setup. As the
pandemic grew worse, this gave way to more curiosity about how the
Free Software Foundation (FSF) uses free tools and free communication
platforms to conduct our everyday business. And while the stereotype
of hackers hunched over a white on black terminal session applies to
us in some ways, many of the tools we use are available in any
environment, even for people who do not have a lot of technical
experience. We've started documenting ethical solutions on the
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">LibrePlanet wiki</a>, in addition to starting a <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/remotecommunication">remote communication
mailing list</a> to help each other advocate for their use.</p>
<p>In the suggestions that follow, a few of the tools we will recommend
depend upon some "self-reliance," that is, steering clear of
proprietary network services by hosting free software solutions
yourself, or asking a technical friend to do it for you. It's a
difficult step, and the benefits may not be immediately obvious, but
it's a key part of preserving your autonomy in an age of ubiquitous
digital control.</p>
<p>To those who have the technical expertise and available
infrastructure, we urge you to consider hosting instances of free
communication platforms for your friends, family, and your community
at large. For example, with a modest server and some GNU/Linux
knowledge, you could help local students learn in freedom by
volunteering to administer an instance of one of the programs we'll be
recommending below.</p>
<p>The need to self-host can be an uncomfortable reminder of our
dependence on the "cloud" -- the network of someone else's computers
-- but acknowledging our current reliance on these providers is the
first step in making new, dependable systems for ourselves. During
dangerous and stressful times, it's tempting to sideline our ethical
commitments for easier or more convenient ways to get things done, and
software freedom is no exception. We hope these suggestions will
inspire you to inform others about the importance of their freedom,
privacy, and security.</p>
<h2>Chat</h2>
<p>When we can no longer communicate face-to-face, tools for voice and
video calling often come to mind as the next best thing. But as
evidenced by the size and success of the proprietary software
companies that sponsor these tools, their development isn't easy.
Promoting <a href="https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority-projects/">real-time voice and video chat clients</a> remains a High
Priority Project of ours. Though we may still be waiting for a truly
perfect solution, there are some projects that are far enough along in
their development that we can recommend them to others.</p>
<h3>Audio calls</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong><a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Mumble">Mumble</a></strong>: Mumble is a real-time, low latency program for hosting
  and joining audio conversations. Clients are available for every major
  operating system, and even large rooms tend not to put too much
  stress on the network. When it was time for us to go fully remote,
  the FSF staff turned to Mumble as a way to have that "in-office"
  feel, staying in touch in rooms dedicated to each of our teams and a
  general purpose "water cooler" room.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong><a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Asterisk">Asterisk/SIP</a></strong>: When we give tours of the FSF office, people
  often think we're joking when we mention that even the FSF's
  <em>conference phones</em> run free software. But through Asterisk and our
  use of the SIP protocol, it's entirely true. Although it can be
  difficult to set up, it's worth mentioning that free software can
  manage your traditional phone lines, and even transfer calls
  seamlessly to digital extensions or SIP clients like <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jami">Jami</a> and
  <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Linphone">Linphone</a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Video calls and presentations</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong><a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jitsi">Jitsi</a></strong>: Jitsi was a key part of LibrePlanet 2020's success.
  Providing video and voice calls through the browser via WebRTC, it
  also allows for presenters to share their screen in a similar way to
  Zoom. And unlike Zoom, it doesn't come with serious <a href="https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/k7e599/zoom-ios-app-sends-data-to-facebook-even-if-you-dont-have-a-facebook-account">privacy
  violations</a> or threats to user freedom. The connection between
  callers is direct and intuitive, but a central server is still required
  to coordinate callers and rooms. Some of these, like the Jitsi
  project's own "Jitsi Meet" server, recommend proprietary browser
  extensions and document sharing tools. If you're able, hosting your
  own instance is the most free and reliable method.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>OBS</strong>: Another much-used software program this LibrePlanet was
  <a href="https://obsproject.com/">OBS Studio</a>. Illness, different timezones, or unforeseen travel
  were no match for the solutions that OBS Studio offered. It's a flexible
  tool for streaming video from multiple inputs to a Web source,
  whether that's combining your webcam with conference slides, or even
  your favorite free software game. At LibrePlanet, OBS allowed our
  remote speakers to record their presentations while speaking in one
  screen, and sharing audiovisual materials in a second window. </p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Text chat</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>XMPP</strong>: If you've ever used "Jabber," older iterations of Google
  Talk or Facebook Messenger, then you've used XMPP. XMPP is a
  flexible and extensible instant messaging protocol that's lately
  seen a resurgence from clients like <a href="https://f-droid.org/en/packages/eu.siacs.conversations/">Conversations.im</a> and
  encryption schema like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OMEMO">OMEMO</a>. XMPP is the instant messaging
  method we prefer at the FSF when we need to discuss something
  privately, or in a secure group chat, as everything is sent through
  servers we control and encrypted against individual staff members'
  private key. Also, access to the FSF XMPP server is one of the many
  benefits of our <a href="https://fsf.org/join">associate membership program</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong><a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Irc">IRC</a></strong>: Messaging services have become all the rage in office
  atmospheres, but nothing about Messenger or Slack is new. In fact,
  Slack (and its counterpart for video games, Discord) takes more than
  a few cues from the venerable Internet Relay Chat (IRC). IRC remains
  an enduring way to have a text-based chat in real-time, and as
  evidenced by Web clients like <a href="https://thelounge.chat/">The Lounge</a>, or desktop clients
  like <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Pidgin">Pidgin</a>, it can be as stripped down or feature-rich as you
  like. For a true hacker experience, you can also log into IRC using
  <a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/erc/index.html">Emacs</a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Long-form discussion</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<p><strong>Encrypted email</strong>: While it's asynchronous and maybe the most "old
  school" item on our list, GPG-encrypted email is a core part of the
  FSF workflow, and helps guard against prying eyes, whether they're
  one room over or in an NSA compound across the country. The initial
  setup can sometimes be a challenge, which is why we provide the
  <a href="https://emailselfdefense.fsf.org">Email Self-Defense Guide</a> to get you up and running.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Discourse</strong>: <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Discourse">Discourse</a> is the message board software that powers
  the <a href="https://forum.members.fsf.org/">FSF associate member forum</a>, and we couldn't be happier to
  recommend it. While the concept may seem a little antiquated,
  message boards remain a good way to coordinate discussions on a
  particular topic. Discourse's moderation tools are intuitive and
  easy to use, and it even includes achievements for users to earn!</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Document Sharing</h2>
<p>If you're unused to working remotely, finding ways to collaborate with
others on a document or presentation can be a challenge. At the FSF,
<a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Etherpad">Etherpad</a> is the main tool that we use to keep live meeting notes
and work together on other documents. It provides all the features you
need for quick collaboration, including comments, revision tracking,
and exports to a variety of formats. You can host your own instance,
or you can select an instance <a href="https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/wiki/Sites-that-run-Etherpad-Lite">made available</a> by others and start
sharing.</p>
<h2>File Sharing</h2>
<p>At the FSF office, we have a common server to store our files. Not
everyone has the luxury of a setup like that, and especially not due
to the fast changeover from office to home. To avoid using proprietary
"solutions" and disservices like Dropbox, you can turn to the widely
popular <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Nextcloud">Nextcloud</a> to synchronize your text and email messages,
share calendars with coworkers, and exchange files privately with your
friends.</p>
<p>If you need something temporary, there's always <a href="https://github.com/Upload/Up1">Up1</a>. Up1 is a
temporary, encrypted text and image sharing program you can host
locally, making sure those files you need to exchange are only there
for just as long as it takes for your friend to download them. And
while we don't use it ourselves, we've heard good things about the
<a href="https://riseup.net">Riseup</a> network's <a href="https://share.riseup.net">instance</a> of Up1, and will occasionally
suggest it to those wanting a quick and easy way to share files while
retaining their freedom.</p>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>This is just a small selection of the huge amount of free software out
there, all ready to be used, shared, and improved by the community.
For more suggestions on both local and Web-based programs, visit the
FSF's <a href="https://directory.fsf.org">Free Software Directory</a>, our volunteer-run wiki which aims
to be a comprehensive list of the thousands of free programs available
for everyday use.</p>
<p>As always, free software is a moving target. We reap as much as
the community puts into it, and as more and more attention shifts to
the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus, the tools themselves are
likely to see an increased amount of development. Please collaborate
with us on the <a href="https://libreplanet.org">LibrePlanet wiki</a>'s entry on <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">remote
communication</a> to help people find ways of communicating that put
user freedom as a priority. </p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/the-cataloging-of-free-software
title: The cataloging of free software
uri: The-cataloging-of-free-software
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/the-cataloging-of-free-software
content:
<p><em>The original version of this blog <a href="https://www.fsf.org/it/feffla-catalogazione-del-software-libero">is in Italian, here</a>.</em></p>
<h1>The principles of the Free Software Directory</h1>
<p>The <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page">Free Software Directory</a> is a collaborative catalog of software aimed to be the primary source for representing all free software. Each free program has its own page in the Directory from which it is possible to study the evolution it has undergone in both technological and legal terms through a chronological system similar to that of Wikipedia. Each catalogued program is distinguished by one or more aliases, and accompanied by a huge amount of information, which goes beyond the pure needs of the end user. Snapshots of the graphic interface, detailed descriptions, change logs, links to social pages, and lists of licenses and dependencies are examples of all the useful information which can be carefully attached by users to each page.</p>
<p>Everyone can freely subscribe to the Directory and create new pages, but only the pages reviewed and approved by administrators become visible and indexable. Administrative approvals are always made according to strict rules aimed at preventing the spread of proprietary content. As on Wikipedia, each user can have a self-approved personal page, where they can define their identity and discuss with other users. Users can also include sub-pages on which to publish their thematic articles, and any tools useful for the daily life of the Directory. User access rights are assigned to active users, and all those who demonstrate that they have the necessary technical skills and wish to devote themselves daily to the care of the pages have a chance to be welcomed onto the staff. This serene and flexible organization, based on bonds of trust built on facts and adherence to well-defined common ideals, guarantees that the technological and social development produced by the project is gradual but unstoppable. Thus, any investment of time by volunteers is amply repaid.</p>
<p>The project has proved to be a clear success, so much that over the years it has received funding from UNESCO, and is still supported by the Free Software Foundation. The portal boasts the participation of more than 3,000 users from all over the world. Since its creation, it has accumulated more than 80,000 verified and recorded revisions for posterity in the chronology of the MediaWiki pages, all of which are dedicated to facilitating the essential freedoms in more than 16,000 free programs.</p>
<p>The portal's ability to adapt and survive was possible not only because of the technical creativity of the staff, but also by the solid ideal at its base. By guaranteeing maximum visibility to free software, it has thus rewarded developers who freely employ their knowledge for the good of humanity. The transition to free licenses is indeed a moral duty of every developer, and the Free Software Directory is deployed at the forefront to facilitate it with great benefit to the world's cultural heritage.</p>
<h1>My experience as an administrator of the Free Software Directory</h1>
<p>I am Lorenzo L. Ancora, an Italian citizen born in Calabria. I have been part of the administration of the Free Software Directory since 2018, when I started collaborating with the staff and volunteers of the Free Software Foundation. Below, I will describe what I've learned during my participation in the administrative life of the Directory, while omitting the overly technical and boring details.</p>
<p>Over the years, I've developed the belief that the Internet was created to preserve and spread knowledge, and that this must remain its primary use. The Directory can be compared to a social network, and therefore needs constant moderation to avoid the irrational behaviors of a few that could damage the common cultural heritage. Hatred and discrimination must not find a place in the chronology of the pages, nor in any related communications, without exceptions. In fact, the first quality required to be an administrator is to self-moderate, and be able to moderate others, in order to preserve the existing order and ensure long-term efficiency.</p>
<p>While end users can afford to make mistakes because changes are not immediately visible, those with administrative privileges do not have this comfort. It is never recommended to act without careful planning. Contrary to what most think, it is better to spend more time in planning before making any changes, regardless of your level of competence. The same applies to acts of moderation and for the publication of new content, because any superficial behavior leaves permanent traces, whether they are physical (the chronology of the pages, designed to be permanent) or psychological (users collaborate only when there is a serene environment). Every time we carry out revisions with the utmost care, we leave a good example for those who come after us. Every time we treat others with respect and humanity, we distinguish ourselves from the crowd, and establish a pretext for such courtesy to be repeated.</p>
<p>Going down in the details, officially, my role as administrator is to solve the most serious problems affecting the Web portal. We call this activity "Backlog Management." In addition to doing this, I often validate the pages, manage online meetings, or publish new software. Flexibility is essential, because sooner or later all administrators must go beyond their pre-established role. Due to time zone differences, disasters affecting various areas of the world, or personal commitments, sometimes volunteers cannot fulfill their duties, and neglecting tasks can introduce weeks of delay, or, worse, result in an injustice towards end users. You can participate by writing markup and style sheets, scripting and graphic design, reviewing documentation, and assistance via email and chat. Regardless of what you do, you need to make improvements until it is totally sure that the final result is more than adequate.</p>
<p>As is well known by now, the Directory is a community work, and even many administrative decisions are made democratically, with participation from not only other administrators, but also with the bureaucrats and users present. There are many ways to face even the simplest tasks. For this reason, behind every decision, there is first of all the need to find the best workflow through common consensus. Thanks to the trust built through mutual collaboration, the administrators have the luxury of being able to ask for a common opinion. This proves to be fundamental during the approval and revision of the pages, because each published software program is unique, and is based on heterogeneous technologies and licenses.</p>
<p>By sharing their knowledge and cooperating with each other, all those who participate in the life of the Free Software Directory choose to follow the hard path to extend their cultural background and discover new strategies to creatively reuse what they already know. If we think that the product of our efforts is a catalog of free code, which everyone can execute, study, modify, improve and re-share freely, then it is easy to deduce that there is no more noble use of the network of networks.</p>


title: Contributing from afar: My internship from Italy with the campaigns team
uri: Contributing-from-afar-My-internship-from-Italy-with-the-campaigns-te
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/contributing-from-afar-my-internship-from-italy-with-the-campaigns-team

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/contributing-from-afar-my-internship-from-italy-with-the-campaigns-team

content:
<p>Hi, everyone! My name is Leonardo Luca Vignini. I was born and still live
in Italy, in a city called Imola, near Bologna. Currently, I'm an
intern at the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and, in particular, I'm
working in the campaigns team. I'm learning how to manage contacts
with CiviCRM, and I write to journalists and organizations to inform them
about our campaigns, and I'm learning how the FSF works to spread the word and
sensitize people about free software. Through these activities, I'm also deepening my
understanding of some aspects about free software that I didn't know.
For example, I checked some parts of the <a href="https://www.defectivebydesign.org/">Defective by
Design</a> Web site, and it was an
excellent opportunity to inform me further about Digital Restrictions
Management (DRM) and the campaign against it.</p>
<p>I learned about free software during the first year of university,
thanks to a friend of mine who had been using GNU/Linux for some time.
I have a degree in philosophy, and I'm currently studying political
science. My main interests are studying developing countries,
politics, technology, and philosophy; in my spare time, I dedicate
myself to cinema and music. I have experience in the field of
information and nonprofits, having worked at some newspapers and at
some nonprofit organizations of which I am still a member.</p>
<p>I certainly cannot say that in Italy there is a lot of sensitivity
regarding software ethics, and I certainly cannot say it was discussed
in places where I grew up or at the schools and institutions that I
attended. Since I started following the free software movement, I have
never known about events or projects related to it happening near me.
And of course the schools and institutions that I attended have never
talked about or promoted free software. The only and few initiatives
of this type that I learned of took place in the biggest Italian
cities, like Milan or Turin.</p>
<p>Software freedom attracted me from a theoretical point of view rather
than a technical one. In fact, everyone can be involved and talk about
free software, even those like me who have only basic technical
skills. What convinced me was therefore the message of freedom and
collaboration at the base of the movement. I think it is the best tool
to face great challenges, such as problems related to privacy, the
"Internet of Things," and AI.</p>
<p>I believe that the strength of free software lies precisely in the
fact that anyone can collaborate, even those without technical skills.
In this sense, collaborating means sharing and helping others to know
more about the world, raising awareness, and helping them. As for me,
after getting to know free software I tried to fully understand what
it was about by reading books and articles, and watching videos.
After becoming an <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join">associate member</a> of the
FSF, I immediately tried to become an activist in my small way, and I
started doing it in the simplest and most immediate way: talking about
it with people. It was incredible to see how many people share the
things the FSF says, and how that helps people to decide to change their
technological habits, for example, by installing a GNU/Linux
distribution or choosing to use applications with free licenses on
their smartphones. This made me understand that the issues addressed
by the free software movement are shared by many people everywhere.
Therefore, it is essential to inform and sensitize people globally
through events, conferences, campaigns, and interventions in schools,
and locally through all the means available in daily life, especially
through word of mouth.</p>
<p>Since various people in my city often ask me about free software, I
decided with a friend of mine to create a Web site
(<a href="https://libreadvice.org/">libreadvice.org</a>), which, thanks to the
support of the FSF, now fully works with LibreJS. Its purpose is to
provide information and guides on the use of free software for people
who do not have any kind of technical skills. In fact, to bring more
people closer, I believe we must deliver the message that free
software is not necessarily something distant and difficult to use,
but that it often concerns simple and functional tools.</p>
<p>To close, I am happy to have the opportunity to directly contribute to
the Free Software Foundation through this remote internship. During
this experience, I would like to contribute in the campaigns against
bulk surveillance. In fact, surveillance is a problem always present
and especially now -- during the COVID-19 pandemic -- and if no limits are
placed on surveillance measures put in place from countries, there
could be very serious consequences for our freedom. I will continue to
make my skills available to the campaigns team, and I hope to be able
to further contribute to the spread of free software in Italy, which is, in my
opinion, a country that is not free enough.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week
title: How to livestream a conference in just under a week
uri: How-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week
content:
<p>For the first time ever, <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020">LibrePlanet 2020</a> was a fully
virtual conference due to ongoing issues caused by the
coronavirus pandemic. In our last week of preparations before the
live event, increasingly disturbing news related to the virus
made us realize we could not responsibly hold our usual
conference on software freedom in person while protecting the
safety of our participants and their communities. So we turned
everything around to eventually bring 35 free software
presentations to our community through the filter of a computer
screen. After the conference, we had many people writing to ask
us for more details about what we used to do it, so we wanted to
take this opportunity to share how we were able to create a fully
free interactive and educational virtual experience.</p>
<p>LibrePlanet 2020 videos were recorded from the livestream, and they
will be posted online soon. For the sessions that are not too
dependent on the visual information from the slides, we'll also
be providing the audiostreams via an RSS feed for anyone to
listen to while they exercise, bake, garden, or seek distraction
from very stressful times.</p>
<h3>The setup</h3>
<p>Because our community is an international one, we have been
streaming our event online for years using fully free
software. Thankfully, the tech team could <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2019/Streaming">build on this
experience</a> to make sure that we delivered a smooth online
conference. Previously, we used <a href="https://github.com/soonum/hubangl">HUBAngl</a>, which was developed
specifically for LibrePlanet, by Free Software Foundation (FSF)
intern David Teste. It fetches audio and/or video input streams,
and then streams to the <a href="https://icecast.org/">Icecast</a> streaming server. The
streams that are broadcasted and stored can be audio-only,
video-only, or both at once.</p>
<p>In 2016, we gained some <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2016/spring/mr-snowden-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-gstreamer">livestreaming experience</a> when we
interviewed Edward Snowden live from Moscow. To minimize the risk
of failed recordings due to overly complex or error-prone
software systems, we made it a priority to achieve a pipeline
with low latency, good image quality, and low CPU usage. The
application we used then was <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jitsi-Meet">Jitsi Meet</a>, and the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2016/Streaming">tech info
and scripts we used for streaming</a> from 2016 are available for
your information and inspiration.</p>
<p>Naturally, for this year, with no time for researching other
applications, we opted to build on our experience with Jitsi
Meet. We hosted our own instance for remote speakers to connect
to and enter a video call with the conference organizers. A
screen capture of this call was then simultaneously recorded by
the FSF tech team, and streamed out to the world via
<a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Gstreamer">Gstreamer</a> and <a href="https://icecast.org/">Icecast</a>. Some parts of the Jitsi Meet
configuration were set up differently than suggested to bypass
recommendations of nonfree services or software. In the days
following the conference, we have already <a href="https://vcs.fsf.org/?p=streamdesktop.git;a=summary">improved the script we
used for streaming your screen or window</a>, and it is free
for you to use and adapt.</p>
<p>At the time of the conference, it was still considered safe to
have a small number of people together, so we were able to have
some of our staff and volunteers in the office. Speakers called
in to a dedicated digital conference room for their session,
where they were assisted by a room monitor and a tech team member
who coordinated the session together. The call was received on a
local monitor in the office. Our <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/program/">three digital conference
rooms</a> all had similar streaming setups, with the local
monitor being broadcast through Gstreamer to Icecast. The
desktops used were <a href="https://libreboot.org/docs/hardware/kgpe-d16.html">ASUS KGPE-D16 motherboards with
Libreboot</a>; this hardware has previously also been certified
under the <a href="https://ryf.fsf.org/products/VikingsD16">Respects Your Freedom</a> (RYF) certification
program.</p>
<p>When everyone was ready and everything worked, they would start
the stream. All speakers were asked to deliver their slides in
advance. That way, if a presenter had trouble sharing their
screen with Jitsi Meet, the slides could be loaded from the FSF
server and controlled by the tech team member in charge of
coordinating that digital conference room as a backup
solution. In some exceptional cases, like major time differences
or panel coordination challenges, the talk was pre-recorded. If
so, it was played locally on the machine with the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Mpv">mpv</a> video
player.</p>
<h3>Interactivity</h3>
<p>We hosted interactive <a href="https://webchat.freenode.net">IRC</a> sessions on the Freenode network. In
addition to a private channel to communicate directly with the speakers
about technical issues, we had a general #libreplanet channel, and
additional channels for every conference "room." In these rooms, the
speakers connected directly to the audience to field questions and
join the conversation. We enlisted volunteers to monitor the rooms for
safe space policy issues, but the audience was so great and
enthusiastic that we did not have a single issue!</p>
<p>Each year at LibrePlanet, we've facilitated a self-organized
meeting of associate members who discuss the FSF's work and
opportunities, and share their feedback and ideas with us
afterward. We didn't want to miss out on this year's feedback, so
we moved the member meeting online as well. This required more
conversational communication and note taking, so we opted for a
combination of <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Etherpad">Etherpad</a> for note taking and written
feedback, <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Mumble">Mumble</a> for voice communication, and the use of
the dedicated IRC channel.</p>
<h3>Issues and improvements</h3>
<p>We had only a week to select and and optimize our streaming
setup, but the experience itself taught us a lot. If given the
opportunity, or for those of you now bringing your event online,
some things we would do differently are:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>We would set up a continuous stream and insert the session into
  this; this would relieve the need to refresh between sessions
  and improve the viewer experience.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>It is important to notify speakers of bandwidth used by the
  streaming. Make sure they test their connection or have
  dedicated Internet lines. This is especially important with
  the international connections, as they showed to be more
  unreliable than local connections; this presented itself mostly
  in connection issues, and in difficulties with sharing the presentation screen.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>For a better experience for people on the move, or to
  experience the event via mobile, we advise the deployment of
  audio-only feeds and a lower bandwidth alternative feed for the
  videos.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The FSF tech team is currently experimenting with <a href="https://bigbluebutton.org/">Big Blue
  Button</a> and <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Canvas">Canvas</a> for interactive streaming that
  allows for video, slide sharing, and instant chat. We will post
  about our work with these applications soon as well, and they
  are worth considering if you are planning a conference,
  interactive video session, or online meeting.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Hosting your conference freely is absolutely possible. You do not
have to compromise freedom when you want to connect to your
community, and you most certainly do not have to settle for
proprietary software to help you communicate. You can read more
about this subject in our recently published article <em><a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">Better
than Zoom: Try these free software tools for staying in
touch</a></em>, join the conversation on the <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/remotecommunication">remote communication
email list</a>, or contribute to our evolving <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">list of remote
communication tools</a> on the LibrePlanet wiki.</p>
<p>If you have an upcoming event and are interested in a
freedom-respecting setup, but need a hand, you can email us at
<a href="mailto:info@fsf.org">&#105;&#110;&#102;&#111;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> and we might be able to help. In recent weeks, the
FSF technical and campaigns teams have spent a lot of time working on
and communicating about free communication tools. If you want to
support our work in this space, and help us improve our
setup to develop more remote solutions, please consider becoming an <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join">associate member</a>, or making a <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate">donation</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/summer-internships-at-the-fsf-apply-by-may-10
title: Summer internships at the FSF! Apply by May 10
uri: Summer-internships-at-the-FSF-Apply-by-May-10
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/summer-internships-at-the-fsf-apply-by-may-10
content:
<p>Do you believe that free software is crucial to a free society? Do you
want to help people learn why free software matters, and how to use
it? Do you want to dig deep into software freedom issues like
copyleft, <a href="https://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm_digital_restrictions_management">Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)</a>, or surveillance
and encryption? Or, do you want to learn systems administration,
design, or other tasks using only free software?</p>
<p>The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is looking for interns to spend the
summer contributing to work in one of three areas: campaigns,
licensing, or with our tech team.</p>
<p>While in-office intern positions here in Boston are typically
preferred, due to COVID-19, this summer the FSF is only hosting remote
interns. As such, applicants from anywhere in the world will be
considered.</p>
<p>These positions are unpaid, but the FSF will provide any appropriate
documentation you might need to receive funding and school credit from
outside sources. We place an emphasis on providing hands-on
educational opportunities for interns, in which they work closely with
staff mentors on projects that match their skills and interest.</p>
<p>Interns can choose from the following fields of work:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Campaigns team interns might focus on privacy, encryption, or
  expanding and updating our outreach; they also might assist in
  preparations for the 2020 <a href="https://www.defectivebydesign.org/dayagainstdrm/2019">International Day Against DRM</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Licensing team interns might assist with the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/endorsement/respects-your-freedom">Respects Your
  Freedom</a> hardware product certification program. Or, they might
  work to improve the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page">Free Software Directory</a>, or analyze the
  <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-compatibility.html">compatibility of other licenses with the GPL</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Tech team interns may choose from our current list of projects,
  including the new <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/coming-soon-a-new-site-for-fully-free-collaboration">plan to to launch a public code hosting and
  collaboration platform</a>, or "forge," or suggest an idea of their
  own. A past tech team intern did extensive work to set up a <a href="https://status.fsf.org/main/public">GNU
  social</a> instance; others created <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/free-software-video-streaming-hubangl-powered-libreplanet-2017">HUBAngl</a> for easy video
  streaming, worked on porting <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-librejs-new-and-improved">LibreJS to WebExtensions</a>,
  penetration tested our network, researched Ceph distributed object
  storage, and researched <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/single-board-computer-guide-updated-free-software-is-winning-on-arm">the freedom status of single-board
  computers</a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Summer internships have a flexible beginning, with possible start
dates as early as June, and typically run for a period of twelve
weeks. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2020.</p>
<p>To apply, send a letter of interest and a resume with two references
to <a href="mailto:hiring@fsf.org">&#104;&#105;&#114;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>. Please send all application materials in free
software-friendly formats like .pdf, .odt, and .txt. Use "Summer
internship application" as the subject line of your email. Please
include links to your writing, design, or coding work if it applies --
personal, professional, or class work is acceptable. URLs are
preferred, though email attachments in free formats are acceptable,
too. Learn more about our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/volunteer/internships">internships</a>, and direct any questions
to <a href="mailto:info@fsf.org">&#105;&#110;&#102;&#111;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/membership/your-fsf-membership-makes-timely-important-work-possible
title: Your FSF membership makes timely, important work possible
uri: Your-FSF-membership-makes-timely-important-work-possible
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/membership/your-fsf-membership-makes-timely-important-work-possible
content:
<p>The last few months have been eventful to say the least. Putting
together our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/looking-back-at-libreplanet-2020-freeing-the-future-together">annual LibrePlanet conference</a> is always an
inspiring time, in which we engage with new and existing
community members about many different free software issues and
perspectives. Our annual associate member meeting, also held
online this year, brings us focus and helps us understand how the
work we do is received. One of the things we learned from the
member meeting notes of this year is that it is good to share
what we are working on. As a Free Software Foundation (FSF)
associate member, you are at the core of our community, so we'd
like to share some of the things we're initiating, things that
are on our minds, and how you can get more involved!</p>
<h2>Connecting people without sacrificing freedom</h2>
<h4>Tackling the problem of nonfree communication platforms</h4>
<p>As announced at the <a href="https://www.libreplanet.org/2020">LibrePlanet 2020</a> conference, in the
keynote by executive director John Sullivan, we've been building
up a working group focused on freedom in communications
technology.</p>
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic has given us and the world a reminder of the
pressing need for free (as in freedom) communication tools: networks
and clients that have user freedom as their top priority. </p>
<p>Living in freedom depends on being able to communicate in
freedom. Now, as people are confronted with online communication
more than ever, it is important to remain committed to our ethics
surrounding them, and we want to provide the knowledge and
resources needed for people to take their freedom into their own
hands. The aim of the Communicating in Freedom working group is
to gather experts, activists, and users to document and address
these obstacles.</p>
<p>We have already started our work in this area, for example, by
sharing a list of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">free communication platforms</a> we use to
conduct our everyday business. The list provides information to
counter the consistent pressure on people to forfeit their
freedom and privacy in order to be able to communicate
professionally or socially by using applications like Zoom, and
other proprietary systems. There is also an <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">ongoing
documentation project</a> happening on the LibrePlanet wiki about
remote communication tools, and we started the collaborative
documentation of resources on public production of COVID-19
related material called <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/HACKERS_and_HOSPITALS">Hackers and Hospitals</a>.</p>
<p>Behind the scenes, we have been hard at work helping some
institutions use more free software to meet their needs, and we
have been thinking about how we can motivate and help provide free
resources to people that are not able to set this up
themselves. Stay tuned for blog posts and emails that are related
to this topic. In the meantime, you can already sign up to the
<a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/remotecommunication">remote communication email list</a> to join this important
conversation.</p>
<h4>Involving the community in the LibrePlanet conference</h4>
<p>The LibrePlanet conference is our pride and joy. Every year, it
brings a wide range of free software enthusiasts and newcomers to
the movement together to talk about the success and progress of
free software globally. We want to do more to involve community
members in different elements of the organization of the
conference, to keep it dynamic and improving. We're formalizing
our plans to bring together a group of community members to
assist with the talk selection process. We also want to continue
involving people in things like outreach, promotion, organizing
and promoting satellite instances, and more.</p>
<p>We're still working on the details, but as we're currently still
tingling from the success of this year's online version of
LibrePlanet, we'd love to hear from you at <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> if you
see yourself taking on any of these responsibilities.</p>
<h4>Update to the High Priority Projects (HPP) list</h4>
<p>The <a href="https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/priority-projects">High Priority Projects (HPP)</a> list has been an important
campaign of the FSF since 2005. The HPP list draws attention to a
relatively small number of projects of great strategic importance
to the goal of freedom for all computer users. The list serves to
foster work on projects that are important for increasing the
adoption and use of free software applications and free software
operating systems, and it serves as inspiration for community
members to initiate projects. We work hard all year on ongoing
and new initiatives that take up much of our time, many within
the listed priority areas, and we have not had the time to step
back to revisit the list since January 2017, but a lot has
happened in the free software movement, and with an eye on future
developments and opportunities, we feel it is important that the
list is updated now.</p>
<p>A public call for submissions for the list will follow shortly after
the review committee has been finalized. </p>
<h2>Making free software a kitchen table issue</h2>
<h4>Building relationships to grow the movement</h4>
<p>Connecting with new audiences, especially young people, is one of
our biggest challenges, and we are fully aware of the benefits of
collaborations and connecting through media. In this spirit, we
interviewed <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/young-hackers-to-deliver-opening-keynote-for-libreplanet-conference">young hackers</a> at the LibrePlanet
conference, and asked them to tell us more about their views on
free software. The video and audio of this interview will be
released soon. We also initiated the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/awards/onfsc-award">Award for Outstanding New
Free Software Contributor</a> this year, so we can honor and promote
the young enthusiasts that are the future of our movement.</p>
<p>The list of blogs, media outlets, and journalists that we can
write to is forever evolving, and building relationships is key,
but it takes time. If we want to make free software a kitchen table
issue, we need to be at the forefront of media outlets and
people's minds. The FSF campaigns team is constantly developing
and learning, and though we take this part of our jobs very
seriously, we can always use help! We appreciate anyone
contacting <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> us to introduce us to your
contacts, or to link us to your favorite blogs and magazines. In
the last few months, we have also added a <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Mastodon">Mastodon</a> account
to our list of social media. You can connect with us at
<a href="https://hostux.social/@fsf">https://hostux.social/@fsf</a>.</p>
<h4>Speak up for free software to the media</h4>
<p><a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:FSF_Community_Team">The FSF Community Team</a> is a network of activists who aim to
spread the free software philosophy in the press, and in blogs, forums,
and social media. The idea is to help the FSF respond immediately
to articles, posts, and discussions related to free
software. These are non-inflammatory and persuasive rapid
responses to those who misunderstand or misrepresent free
software. It is a longstanding and important method of activism
to have concerned people speaking up directly to media outlets
they follow, and explaining why these issues are important in
their own words.</p>
<h4>Connect with other FSF associate members in the forum</h4>
<p>If you haven't already, please <a href="https://forum.members.fsf.org">join us</a> in the FSF member
forum. It is a great place to meet other free software
activists. It's a place only members and staff have access to, and
therefore guaranteed to be a place where you will find great free
software connections.</p>
<h2>Your support keeps us going</h2>
<p>We're a small team, and we have a high workload and big dreams,
and associate members provide the energy and resources to help us
make these dreams a reality. We thank the members who gathered
online in March at the annual associate members meeting and
provided us with thoughtful feedback; but even if you were not
able to attend, we can <em>always</em> use your help and your ideas, and
we love connecting with you.</p>
<p>Now that remote and digital connections are playing a bigger role
in our daily lives than ever before, it is important to
communicate about and push for free software continuously. We
don't want to come out of this crisis realizing people were
forced to give up their freedom in order to live their daily
lives with technology. We want to improve conditions now,
and even more importantly, we want to build social and technical
infrastructure so that we will all be better prepared for a
future crisis. We are grateful for your continued support, which is
critical in allowing us to do so. Please continue your advocacy
for free software, and bring new people into the fold. We need
you.</p>
<p>Thank you for being an associate member. </p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-videos-now-available-online
title: LibrePlanet 2020 videos now available online
uri: LibrePlanet-2020-videos-now-available-online
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-videos-now-available-online
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: left; width: 250px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 10px;">
<img src="media/9c9ea6d4.team.jpg" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/libreplanet/2020/communications/team.jpg" alt="LibrePlanet AV team" style="width: 250px;" />
<figcaption>The FSF tech team facilitating streaming and recording during <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">LibrePlanet 2020</a></figcaption>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>Looking for entertaining and educational advocacy materials to point
people to while explaining the importance of free software for a
free society? The recordings and slides from <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">LibrePlanet 2020: Free
the Future</a> sessions are now available online! What's more, we've
taken the time since the conference to smooth over some glitches or
small gaps you may have experienced while watching the conference
live.</p>
<p>You can now watch <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-day-1-can-free-software-carry-an-entire-online-conference-yes-it-can">Saturday's</a> opening keynote featuring Free
Software Foundation (FSF) campaigns manager Greg Farough in
conversation with <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/young-hackers-to-deliver-opening-keynote-for-libreplanet-conference">three young hackers</a>: Alyssa Rosenzweig, Taowa,
and Erin Moon. You can also view the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-online-second-day-of-the-conference-closes-on-a-high-note">Sunday</a> keynotes by Public
Lab founder and fellow with the Shuttleworth Foundation <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/environmental-activist-shannon-dosemagen-joins-fsf-conference-keynote-lineup">Shannon
Dosemagen</a>, and Internet Archive founder and Internet Hall of Famer
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/first-libreplanet-2020-keynote-announcement-internet-archive-founder-brewster-kahle">Brewster Kahle</a>. We hope these recordings can provide inspiration
and knowledge that will be useful both now and in the years ahead.</p>
<p>Video of thirty more sessions from the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/looking-back-at-libreplanet-2020-freeing-the-future-together">successful first online
edition</a> of LibrePlanet can be found in the conference's <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">video
library</a>. And of course, the story doesn't end there. The
LibrePlanet archives have hours of additional talks, keynote sessions,
and presentations from past years of the conference. You can spend
hours there diving deep into the wide range of free software
activists, experts, and entrepreneurs who have shared their knowledge
with the LibrePlanet audience over time, and endlessly expand your
free software knowledge.</p>
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 250px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 10px;">
<img src="media/ee28dfc4.videos.JPG" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/libreplanet/2020/communications/videos.JPG" alt="Volunteering at LibrePlanet online" style="width: 250px;" />
<figcaption>Volunteer Sara Kimmich streamlining the talks and facilitating questions at <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">LibrePlanet 2020</a></figcaption>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>The <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/speakers/">LibrePlanet 2020 program page</a> has links to all recorded talks
and their accompanying slides. For more information about the sessions
and how they were streamed and recorded with free software, visit our
page on the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2020">LibrePlanet wiki</a>, or read our detailed blog post
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">"How to livestream a conference in just under a week"</a>.</p>
<p>We're still working on the audio streams for the talks, which, by
popular demand, for the first time, will be uploaded in conjunction with an RSS feed you can use to discover talks or catch the ones you missed in your
favorite podcasting app or general purpose RSS reader.</p>
<p>We publish our recordings on the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Mediagoblin">MediaGoblin</a> platform so you can
watch them without proprietary software, which means we do not have
access to the built-in promotion available on the more popular nonfree
platforms. So if you want to make a small contribution to a world
where we don't have to use proprietary software to watch videos
online, please share the LibrePlanet recordings today.</p>
<p>Finally, we want to give another heartfelt thanks to all the
volunteers and speakers who worked hard to have all the sessions run
smoothly. You are LibrePlanet's future!</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/april-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-16-new-gnu-releases
title: April GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: 16 new GNU releases!
uri: April-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-16-new-GNU-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/april-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-16-new-gnu-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.5.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/chess/">chess-6.2.6</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/datamash/">datamash-1.7</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gawk/">gawk-5.1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/">gettext-0.20.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnustep/">gnustep-0.28.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/guix/">guix-1.1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/help2man/">help2man-1.47.15</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/librejs/">librejs-7.20.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mcron/">mcron-1.1.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/">nano-4.9.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200422</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/r/">r-4.0.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/shepherd/">shepherd-0.8.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/taler/">taler-0.7.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/unifont/">unifont-13.0.02</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>.  You can use the URL
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help.  The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>
<p>As always, please feel free to write to us at <a href="mailto:maintainers@gnu.org">&#109;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#116;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#64;&#103;&#110;&#117;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.</p>


title: Virtual LibrePlanet raffle: Encourage others to join FSF and win prizes!
uri: Virtual-LibrePlanet-raffle-Encourage-others-to-join-FSF-and-win-prize
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/virtual-libreplanet-raffle-encourage-others-to-join-fsf-and-win-prizes

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/virtual-libreplanet-raffle-encourage-others-to-join-fsf-and-win-prizes

content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 10px;">
<img src="media/13f1b7fe.sticker-pack.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/shop-graphics/sticker-pack.png" alt="FSF sticker pack" style="width: 300px;" />
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>For the past few years, the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">LibrePlanet
conference</a> has featured a fundraiser raffle with prizes donated from
the free software community. The raffle is always a great opportunity
for us to highlight the companies and groups selling products of 
interest to free software activists. Importantly, it also helps pay for the
many costs associated with planning the preeminent two-day free
software conference, including scholarships, logistics, and staff
time.</p>
<p>Even though <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-in-person-component-canceled-but-well-see-you-online">LibrePlanet was held online this year</a>, we still have the raffle prizes generously
donated by <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/sponsors/">Technoethical, Vikings, JMP.chat, No Starch Press, and
ThinkPenguin</a>. For a limited time, you have a chance to win these
prizes while helping us grow the free software community and
supporting next year's LibrePlanet conference.</p>
<p><strong>From April 30, 2020 to May 31, 2020, the FSF will be holding an
associate membership referral drive. In order for you to 
qualify to win a prize, new members have to sign up using your referral link. 
You will find your personal referrer link on the dashboard after logging in at <a href="https://my.fsf.org/">https://my.fsf.org/</a>.</strong></p>
<p>You can win prizes by helping us sign up new annual associate members
($120 per year, or $60 for students). Let them know that membership comes with 
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits">many benefits</a> on top of the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/membership/your-fsf-membership-makes-timely-important-work-possible">invaluable reward of supporting the free
software movement</a>! No matter how many new members you refer, telling your 
community that you care about free software goes a long way in making free software 
a kitchen table issue.</p>
<h2>Prizes</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Everyone who refers at least one new annual associate member during
   the drive will receive a special <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/stickers/super-sticker-mega-multi-pack">Super Sticker Mega Multi Pack</a> from
   the GNU Press shop.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Refer two new annual associate members who join, and you can win a limited edition <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/tshirts-hoodies/libreplanet-2020-t-shirt">LibrePlanet 2020
   T-shirt</a> and <strong>one</strong> of the following: a ThinkPenguin wireless-N Mini VPN router v2
   <strong>or</strong> a libre-friendly Vikings WNDR3800 WLAN home router.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Refer three new members, and you can win <strong>one</strong> of the following: a custom GNU Press shop bundle 
   (can include GNU beanie/scarf, LibrePlanet T-shirt, GNU Emacs gear) 
   <strong>or</strong> a three-year JMP.chat gift certificate.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Refer more than three new members, and you win both a $200 Vikings 
   store gift certificate <strong>and</strong> a $120 gift certificate for libre-friendly hosting 
   through Vikings.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Refer the most new members and win a Technoethical S2 smartphone <strong>and</strong> a $200 Vikings 
   store gift certificate <strong>and</strong> a $120 gift certificate for libre-friendly hosting 
   through Vikings.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><em>There is a very limited number of prizes which will be awarded first
come, first served: the sooner you refer members who join, the more
likely you are to get a coveted prize. Referrers will be notified as
their referrals come in. Other than the sticker pack, prizes do not
stack between tiers. The FSF can ship prizes to you <a href="https://status.fsf.org/notice/2329999">once the Boston office is
operating on a regular schedule again</a>; due to the mandatory office
closure, prizes may not be shipped until later in the calendar year.</em></p>
<p>There is no better time than the present to help grow the free
software community -- and win prizes while they are still available!</p>


title: RMS article: “Saying No to unjust computing even once is helpful”
uri: RMS-article-Saying-No-to-unjust-computing-even-once-is-helpful
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/rms-article-201csaying-no-to-unjust-computing-even-once-is-helpful201d

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/rms-article-201csaying-no-to-unjust-computing-even-once-is-helpful201d

content:
<p>In today’s article on gnu.org, free software movement founder Richard Stallman (RMS) corrects a common misunderstanding: that utilizing any nonfree software at all is to be regarded as complete capitulation and grounds for excommunication from free software circles. RMS says that “Nothing could be further from the truth,” and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) agrees. </p>
<p>Part of the difficulty of escaping proprietary software is that so many important tasks in your life may be caught up in its web (for instance, schools, governments, and job applications frequently require the use of specific programs). However, every step towards complete freedom -- whether it means installing and teaching yourself a new free program, or refusing an activity that requires a proprietary program -- is an important one. Furthermore, every refusal to engage in a Zoom or Skype chat is a teachable moment, giving you an opportunity to educate your friends, colleagues, or loved ones about why software freedom matters. And the necessity for online communication right now during COVID-19 lockdowns makes these teachable moments more common than ever, giving free software advocates plenty of occasions to introduce the people they care about to <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">excellent free software substitutes</a> that enable them to stay in touch without being abused by proprietary software companies!</p>
<p>Read the rest of the article at <a href="https://gnu.org/philosophy/saying-no-even-once.html">https://gnu.org/philosophy/saying-no-even-once.html</a>.</p>


title: A roundup of recent updates to our licensing materials: November 2019 to April 2020
uri: A-roundup-of-recent-updates-to-our-licensing-materials-November-2019
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/a-roundup-of-recent-updates-to-our-licensing-materials-november-2019-to-april-2020

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/a-roundup-of-recent-updates-to-our-licensing-materials-november-2019-to-april-2020

content:
<p>We recently added a new license to our our list of <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#hippocratic">Various Licenses and Comments about Them</a>, as well as a few other minor updates to that page. We also revamped our materials on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing/seminars/">seminars on free software licensing and GPL compliance</a>. What follows is a brief rundown of those changes.</p>
<h2>The Hippocratic License 1.1</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#hippocratic">This license</a> is the latest addition to our license list, but unfortunately, it falls in the nonfree category. It restricts uses of the software "that actively and knowingly endanger, harm, or otherwise threaten the physical, mental, economic, or general well-being of individuals or groups in violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights." While avoiding harm like this is of vital importance, <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2019/fall/building-ethical-software-based-on-the-four-freedoms">a copyright license isn't necessarily the correct tool for achieving it</a>. A restriction like this on <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/programs-must-not-limit-freedom-to-run.html">Freedom 0</a> (the freedom to run the program for any purpose) may be difficult to enforce, as well as for users to understand, and may cause unintended consequences that could worsen the same problems it aims to solve. </p>
<h2>Additional updates to the license list</h2>
<p>We also made a few quick updates to the license list since our last report. The <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list#CryptixGeneralLicense">Cryptix General License</a> previously stated that it was similar to the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#X11License">X11 license</a>, but it more accurately resembles the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#FreeBSD">FreeBSD or "BSD 2-clause" license</a>. Many lax licenses are quite similar in terms of both language and effect.</p>
<p>Additionally we've moved the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.en.html#CC0">Creative Commons Zero license</a> down to the section with "Licenses for Works of Practical Use Besides Software and Documentation." In our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/a-roundup-of-recent-updates-to-our-licensing-materials-november-2018-to-june-2019">last update</a>, we explained why we updated our comments on the license given its explicit denial of a patent grant. Since we do not recommend its use on software, it made sense to move it to a category that does not include software.</p>
<h1>Seminars revamped</h1>
<p>The Free Software Foundation routinely provides free software licensing seminars. These events are targeted at legal practitioners and law geeks, providing an in-depth education on free licenses like the GPL. These events happen annually, and offer in-person attendees a great chance to learn from and interact with some of the best legal experts in the free software world. In the past, the educational materials produced for these events didn't have a centralized home, making it difficult for people who could not attend to find the full wealth of information provided. We set about to change that recently by creating a new home page for our GPL seminars, located at <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing/seminars/">https://www.fsf.org/licensing/seminars/</a>. The seminars page provides background and information on our past events, as well as providing all the materials. We hope to grow this resource in the future to include videos from the events themselves.</p>
<h1>Other licensing updates</h1>
<p>On our our article <a href="https://gnu.org/licenses/license-recommendations.html">"How to choose a license for your own work,"</a> we added some insight into the decisions confronting the licensing of libraries for free formats. Often, the success of a format depends on others (including proprietary developers) implementing that format in their programs or on their devices. As such, a more lax license may make sense. Ogg Vorbis, however, presents an example where this strategy may not have worked so well:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>... this strategy did not succeed for Ogg Vorbis. Even after changing the copyright license to permit easy inclusion of that library code in proprietary applications, proprietary developers generally did not include it. The sacrifice made in the choice of license ultimately won us little.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On our <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html">GPL FAQ</a>, we recently added a new entry addressing the situation where a company distributes its own GPL-licensed work as a <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#TradeSecretRelease2">trade secret</a>. While the copyright holder on a work can deal with it as they please, a company that distributes their own GPL-licensed work as a trade secret is making a contradictory statement about the licensing of that work.</p>
<p>Finally, there was an update to the explanatory text for the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.en.html">Free Software Definition</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For example, if the code arbitrarily rejects certain meaningful inputs -- or even fails unconditionally -- that may make the program less useful, perhaps even totally useless, but it does not deny users the freedom to run the program, so it does not conflict with freedom 0. If the program is free, the users can overcome the loss of usefulness, because freedoms 1 and 3 permit users and communities to make and distribute modified versions without the arbitrary nuisance code.</p>
</blockquote>
<h1>Licensing team updates</h1>
<p>We are looking forward to the summer internship period, and are currently welcoming a few new volunteers to the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing/team/">licensing team</a>. We're constantly making minor updates to help improve the materials we provide. But if we missed something, or if you would like to see more resources added, let us know by sending us an email at <a href="mailto:licensing@fsf.org">&#108;&#105;&#99;&#101;&#110;&#115;&#105;&#110;&#103;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>. Here's what else you can do to help:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Help your colleagues stay informed by letting them know about the FSF's <a href="https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/mailing/subscribe?reset=1&amp;gid=1524">licensing updates mailing list</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Want to know more? Check out our previous <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/a-roundup-of-recent-updates-to-our-licensing-materials-november-2018-to-june-2019">licensing updates blog</a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Thank you to all the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/join">FSF associate members</a> and <a href="https://donate.fsf.org/">donors</a> who make this important work possible.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-audio-now-available-online
title: A new way to enjoy LibrePlanet 2020 sessions: Podcast format
uri: A-new-way-to-enjoy-LibrePlanet-2020-sessions-Podcast-format
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-audio-now-available-online
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: left; width: 300px; margin: 0% 2% 0% -6%;">
<a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/tag/libreplanet-2020-audio"><img src="media/98f17dff.audio.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/libreplanet/2020/communications/audio.png" alt="LibrePlanet Audio Now Online" style="width: 300px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/tag/libreplanet-2020-audio">Listen to the LibrePlanet 2020: Free the Future audio recordings!</a></strong></p>
<p>Looking for some audio entertainment to get you through a slow
afternoon, or to accompany you on a walk through the park?
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">LibrePlanet 2020: Free the Future</a> sessions are now available as
audio files! We have uploaded them in conjunction with an RSS feed you
can import into your favorite podcasting app or RSS reader, enabling
you to discover new talks and catch all of the ones that you might
have missed using a free podcast app like <a href="https://antennapod.org/">AntennaPod</a> via Android,
or <a href="https://gpodder.github.io/">gPodder</a>, if you are on your desktop computer.</p>
<p>As of today, the videos and slides, and audio from 
LibrePlanet: Free the Future sessions are available in the <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">LibrePlanet
archives</a>, a treasure trove of shareable talks and panels from past
years of the annual conference on current issues in ethics, social
justice, and technology.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/speakers/">LibrePlanet 2020 program page</a> has links to all recorded
videos, audio, and the accompanying slides. For more information about
the sessions, particularly how the FSF tech team was able to transform
a popular in-person conference to a fully livestreamed event using
only free software, visit our page on the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2020">LibrePlanet wiki</a> or
read our detailed blog post, <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">"How to livestream a conference in just
under a week."</a></p>
<p>We publish our recordings through <a href="https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&amp;id=36">GNU MediaGoblin</a>, which ensures
you can watch and listen to them without proprietary software. As with
everything we do, we're putting the freedom of our supporters above
all of our other concerns, meaning we do not benefit from the built-in
promotional tools or analytics of (dis)services like YouTube, which
require users to run nonfree JavaScript. As such, we're relying on you
to help us spread the LibrePlanet recordings far and wide, please
share them.</p>
<p>If you would like to <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2020/Transcripts">help us transcribe</a> the 2020 sessions to open
up the sessions to a wider audience, we created a page on the
LibrePlanet wiki.</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020, Free Software Foundation, Inc., by Zoë Kooyman, Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0</a> International license.</em></p>


title: Remote education does not require giving up rights to freedom and privacy
uri: Remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-priv
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy

content:
<p><img src="media/d20b48a7.students.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/email/zoe/students.png" alt="Students" width="400" align="right" hspace="20" vspace="20" /></a></p>

<p>As countries around the world are beginning their long and slow
recovery from the coronavirus, schools and universities may have to
continue their struggle to give their students a quality education
while using remote communication services until the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/28/us/coronavirus-schools-reopen.html">end of the
year</a>. With the need to continue classes and exams, school
administrators have ended up relying on proprietary conference tools
like <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">Zoom</a> to stay connected, and are unfortunately turning to
contracting proctoring businesses with names like <a href="https://www.educationdive.com/news/colleges-flock-to-online-proctors-but-equity-concerns-remain/575642/">ProctorU</a>,
<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/04/24/no-lockdown-exams-sorry-kids-this-creepy-webcam-tech-lets-you-sit-them-at-home/#3a2a6e945cc5">Proctorio</a>, and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/29/21232777/examity-remote-test-proctoring-online-class-education">Examity</a> to monitor testing and exams.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2020/04/01/birmingham-tech-firm-sees-surge-in-hires-inbound.html">increased use</a> of proprietary test-administering software is a
dangerous development, both because of the software's proprietary
nature, and because of its inherent purpose of exposing a student's,
or in some cases a family's, data to the proctor. In schemes like
these, the user ends up sacrificing both personal information and
biometric data. Because the software is proprietary, there's no
possibility of understanding how it works -- besides leaking personal
data, it could also create security concerns or deliver bad quality
tests (and results). Requiring students to cede control over their
entire computer to a test proctoring company is fundamentally
unjust. Worse, we cannot be sure that any of these nonfree software
dependencies and their accompanying surveillance techniques will be
rolled back after social distancing guidelines are no longer enforced.</p>
<p>It is important that decisions made in the education sector are first
and foremost ethically motivated. Here at the Free Software Foundation
(FSF), we have started a free communications working
group. Initiatives include a <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/remotecommunication">remote communication email list</a>, as
well as a <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">collaborative resource page</a> for documenting and sharing
free communication tools to help spread awareness of the ethical
choices that <em>can</em> be made. We have also been assisting educational
professionals in offering their classes online using only free
software. And we have been reading many stories about activism in
education from the larger community, and want to share those with
you. They have inspired and motivated us. We need more people like
this around the world to be vocal and critical about infringements on
user freedom in the area of remote learning.</p>
<h2>Students revolt against online proctoring</h2>
<p>As educational institutions are scrambling to offer remote learning,
online proctoring companies will likely be used well into the
fall. These businesses require students to identify themselves with
valid ID, and then give consent to access their browser history. Of
course, the "consent" is hardly meaningful, since the student is not
given the option to take their test without monitoring, so this means
that they either submit to monitoring or flunk their exam.</p>
<p>The students are made to give a tour of their bedroom, desk, and
anything the proctor demands, in order to establish a "cheat-safe"
environment. The students are also forced to waive their rights so the
company can record their webcams and microphones, the student's
keystrokes, screen, mouse movements, and even facial expressions.</p>
<p>Students are also forced to consent to the organization's right to
retain much of what they gather from students’ computers and
bedrooms. <em>The Daily Mail</em> reports that "Examity's fine print notes
that students handed over their data 'at their own risk' because <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8243637/Creepy-software-used-stop-university-students-cheating-online-exams-amid-coronavirus.html">'no
data protection procedures are entirely infallible.'"</a> Reports have
centered around <a href="https://dailycampus.com/stories/2020/4/17/students-worried-about-online-exams-with-webcam-monitoring">added stress for the students</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/03/16/schools-internet-inequality-coronavirus/?tid=lk_interstitial_manual_65&amp;itid=lk_interstitial_manual_65">inequality
issues</a>, as well as (naturally) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/20/concerns-raised-australian-universities-plan-use-proctorio-proctoru-exam-monitoring-software">privacy concerns</a>. <a href="https://twtext.com/article/1252225044861693954">Cory
Doctorow</a> highlighted the issue that the software, by design,
allows the organization to hijack the student's hardware, leaving it
outside their control, even after the exam is finished, or when the
user wants it to stop.</p>
<p>But students in Australia took matters into their own hands, forcing
institutions and global media to recognize the issue at hand. Thirteen
groups from the Australian National University (ANU) wrote an <a href="https://www.woroni.com.au/news/anu-clubs-speak-out-against-online-invigilation-program-proctorio/">open
letter</a> calling for the university to find an alternative approach
that is acceptable for all students. And once the ANU open letter
gained some traction in media, <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/uq-students-raise-privacy-concerns-over-third-party-exam-platform-20200419-p54l77.html">other Australian student groups</a>
followed their lead. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/04/01/online-proctoring-college-exams-coronavirus/"><em>The Washington Post</em></a> reports that a
faculty group in California also recognized that the privacy and
digital rights of their students could not be sacrificed for the
purpose of the "expediency of a take-home final exam." In the
Netherlands, students of the University of Tilburg started a <a href="https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2020/04/big-brother-is-watching-you-take-an-exam-students-protest-at-online-surveillance/">petition
against</a> the use of proctoring software, which is currently signed
almost 5,000 times.</p>
<h2>Free conferencing video implementations for classes</h2>
<p>We have seen many reports on the dangers of using proprietary
conferencing tools like <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/04/03/thousands-zoom-video-calls-left-exposed-open-web/">Zoom</a> recently. Zoom has gotten enough
negative attention that <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/05/zoom-new-york-city-schools/">New York City banned Zoom usage</a> by
schools, sadly in favor of the equally dangerous nonfree <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2020/04/27/your-whole-companys-microsoft-teams-data-couldve-been-stolen-with-an-evil-gif/#5859599339fc">Microsoft
Teams</a>. Now, the recently launched <a href="https://mashable.com/article/facebook-messenger-rooms-privacy-problems/">Facebook Messenger Rooms
service</a> is also receiving its fair share of criticism. But there
is hope yet, as some governments and institutions are expressing
concerns and are actively looking to preserve people's freedom.</p>
<p>In Italy, <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200320005105/en/Teach-Home-WeSchool-Brings-Italys-Classrooms-Online">WeSchool</a>, an organization dedicated to the
digitization of Italian schools, decided to opt for Jitsi over
proprietary tools like Zoom to help teachers bring their classes
online. We don't know the full extent of their commitment to freedom,
but their effort to provide a platform for teachers aiming to respect
the student's freedom, now that videoconferencing is such an
significant part of education, is laudable. Nearly two million
students connect, collaborate, and learn via video with the help of
this organization.</p>
<p>And in France, a <a href="https://apps.education.fr/">temporary platform</a> has been built by the French
government offering teachers and employees of the French Ministry of
National Education access to free software applications like <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Etherpad">Etherpad</a>,
<a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Nextcloud">Nextcloud</a>, and <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Discourse">Discourse</a>, tools that were also on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">our
recommendation list</a> for free software tools to help us get
through social distancing.</p>
<p>In San Antonio de Benageber, near Valencia, Spain, one free software
advocate made a <a href="https://www.valenciatech.com/caso-de-exito-jitsi/">major difference in his community</a>. Javier
Sepulveda was informed by his children's school that they intended to
continue teaching weekly lessons, using proprietary videoconferencing
software. Realizing this was not an isolated decision affecting only
his children, Javier <a href="https://www.socmusab.es/noticias/escuela-de-musica-clases-on-line-mas-justas-y-seguras/">turned the school's choice</a> towards free
software instead.</p>
<p>After convincing the teachers, he set up a <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jitsi-Meet">Jitsi Meet</a> instance
on a virtual private server (VPS) with enough resources to be able to
offer this server to the school as well. He also continues to work
with the local English school, single-handedly mitigating a spread of
proprietary software in his community. Together with the local
<a href="https://gnulinuxvalencia.org/ponemos-en-marcha-un-servidor-jitsi-de-libre-utilizacion/">GNU/Linux group</a>, he then proceeded to set up another server, so
they could <a href="https://www.valenciatech.com/jitsi-software-para-video-conferencia/">offer it publicly</a>.</p>
<h2>Advocacy matters</h2>
<p>It's logical to seek remote connections during this time, but let's
not forget that businesses are filling their pockets because of
decisions made in urgency. It is wrong to open up students' personal
information to proprietary software companies, and to require students
to use a specific company's proprietary products in order to get
credit. As Javier puts it: "We need to make decisions based on the
welfare of the children." It is young people's futures that are at
stake, and the above examples show that advocacy matters. Small
successes are what we need to make a difference, and to give others
the confidence to take a stand.</p>
<p>Now is not the time to accept just any decision because of the unique
positions we have been placed in. We should stand up, and continue to
fight for our rights and lay bare the issues and solutions for
organizations struggling to make the right decisions. You can support
such efforts by sharing your knowledge, giving feedback to
institutions that are making decisions (right or wrong),
<a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate">donating</a> to the FSF and other organizations fighting for
freedom, and speaking out publicly about your successes. If you have a
success story to share, you can share it on the <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/remotecommunication">remote communication
email list</a>, and we would be happy to help your story be heard.</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020, Free Software Foundation, Inc., by Zoë
Kooyman, Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0</a>
International license.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/microsoft-build-same-old-recycled-stuff-no-upcycling
title: Microsoft Build: Same old recycled stuff, no upcycling
uri: Microsoft-Build-Same-old-recycled-stuff-no-upcycling
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/microsoft-build-same-old-recycled-stuff-no-upcycling
content:
<img src="media/bce18efa.windows_box4.jpg" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/windows/windows_box4.jpg" width="300" align="right" hspace="20" vspace="20" />

<p>Often, a proprietary software company's <em>silence</em> can speak as loudly
as their latest campaign against a computer user's right to freedom.
This is the case with Microsoft's developer-centric "Build" event.
While Microsoft announced a few more welcome additions to its free
software output, it missed the opportunity to demonstrate a real
commitment to user freedom by upcycling its recently abandoned Windows
7 operating system under a free software license.</p>
<p>The predictable failure here here fits together well with the
corporation's <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070607054337/http://www.groklaw.net/articlebasic.php?story=20070108020408557">complex history</a> of mixed messaging on freedom,
which once compared copyleft to "a virus that gobbles up <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/not-ipr.en.html">intellectual
property</a> like a <a href="https://www.theregister.co.uk/2001/06/20/gpl_pacman_will_eat_your/">Pac-Man</a>," and yet now would have you believe
that it "loves [free software]." Our <a href="https://fsf.org/windows/upcycle">Upcycle Windows 7 petition</a>
has given Microsoft the perfect opportunity to take the next step in
its promotion of free software, to show that its "love" was real. We
are disappointed, but not surprised, that they have ignored this call
from us and thousands of potential users.</p>
<p>Although the petition signatures and "special gift" were signed,
sealed, and delivered safely to their Redmond, WA headquarters, the
FSF has not received any response from a Microsoft representative. Of
course, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the operations of even the
largest companies, but as of yet, we haven't heard anything from
Microsoft suggesting this was the reason for the lack of response.
They certainly seem to have had the resources to put on a 48-hour
video marathon about proprietary software.</p>
<p>We can only take this to mean that it's "<a href="https://fsf.org/windows">business as usual</a>" as
far as the corporation is concerned, but things don't have to remain
that way. And while Microsoft has failed to live up to its own words,
we (and all of our petition signers) aren't just shouting into the
void. 13,635 free software supporters from around the globe signed the
petition, and the initiative saw more than 6,000 newcomers subscribe
to the monthly <a href="https://fsf.org/supporter"><em>Free Software Supporter</em></a> newsletter.</p>
<p>Of course, this small setback is just another bump in the road in our
fight for a world in which people can use their computers to work,
hack, and play in complete freedom. In this vein, we encourage
everyone Microsoft has left in the lurch to give a <a href="http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html">fully free
operating system</a> a try. Your friends, colleagues, and loved ones
might be surprised by how free software's elegance and ease-of-use
continues to improve each day, and you might get your first glimpse of
living in participating in a collaborative digital community: one in
which your contributions, whether they're in the form of code,
translations, graphic design, or bug reports, can benefit the
experience of users everywhere. And unlike a certain operating system
from Redmond, we can assure you that GNU/Linux isn't going anywhere
anytime soon. After all, it powers the Internet!</p>
<p>There's still time for Microsoft to step up and show its respect for
user freedom, and if they do, we're ready to give them all the
assistance that they need. We'll continue to welcome the contributions
Microsoft has been making to various free software programs. It's not
that we don't appreciate those. Rather, it's that they still exist in
a context where the company appears to be trying to get the best of
both worlds -- proprietary and free -- and they just passed up a huge
opportunity to show their commitment by ending the waffling. But if
they still choose not to, we and every other free software activist
can take consolation in the fact that to deny users freedom is to be
on the <a href="https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&amp;px=Microsoft-Pres-On-Open-Source">wrong side of history</a>.</p>


title: Don’t miss your chance to win fabulous prizes: Get your friends to join the FSF!
uri: Don-t-miss-your-chance-to-win-fabulous-prizes-Get-your-friends-to-j
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/don2019t-miss-your-chance-to-win-fabulous-prizes-get-your-friends-to-join-the-fsf

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/don2019t-miss-your-chance-to-win-fabulous-prizes-get-your-friends-to-join-the-fsf

content:
<p>As you may already know, every associate member is incredibly valuable
to the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Since most of our funding comes
from individual donations and memberships, associate members aren’t
just a number. Each new membership magnifies our reach and our ability
to effect social change, by demonstrating your commitment to the
crucial cause of software freedom.</p>
<p>Right now, FSF associate members have the opportunity to reap some
fantastic rewards by participating in our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/virtual-libreplanet-raffle-encourage-others-to-join-fsf-and-win-prizes">virtual LibrePlanet
membership drive</a>. We still have the raffle prizes generously
donated by <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/sponsors/">Technoethical, Vikings, JMP.chat, and ThinkPenguin</a> for
this year’s <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-videos-now-available-online">LibrePlanet conference</a>, which we held <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">entirely
online</a> this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we’re giving
them away to those who go the extra mile to help us grow by referring
new annual associate members to sign up!</p>
<p>Associate members receive a range of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits/">benefits</a> for their
contribution, like an FSF email alias, access to the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/about-the-member-forum">member
forum</a>, 20% discount in the <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/">FSF shop</a>, and gratis entrance to
the annual <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">LibrePlanet</a> conference. In fact, we've been working
hard to add an exciting new member benefit this month as well -- stay
tuned!</p>
<p>Winning the prizes is easy: just find a friend, acquaintance,
colleague, or family member who uses free software, knows about free
software, or is just worried about how corporate abuses of computer
users by proprietary software <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">are ramping up right now</a>, and tell
them why they need to support the FSF today.</p>
<p><strong>In order for you to qualify to win a prize, new members have to sign
up using your referral link. You will find your personal referrer link
on the dashboard after logging in at <a href="https://my.fsf.org/">https://my.fsf.org/</a>.</strong></p>
<p>To see the prize list, and find out how many referrers you need for
each prize, check out our original announcement of the raffle at
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/virtual-libreplanet-raffle-encourage-others-to-join-fsf-and-win-prizes">https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/virtual-libreplanet-raffle-encourage-others-to-join-fsf-and-win-prizes</a>.</p>
<p>It shouldn’t be difficult to understand or explain why our work is so
crucial today, and why the fight to free our software deserves
everyone’s support. We hope you’ll agree with John Hamelink, who told
us he became an associate member this month because "We've never
needed the Free Software Foundation more than right now."</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/may-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-12-new-releases
title: May GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: 12 new releases!
uri: May-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-12-new-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/may-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-12-new-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.6.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/denemo/">denemo-2.4.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/emms/">emms-5.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/freeipmi/">freeipmi-1.6.5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/">gcc-10.1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/">gdb-9.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuastro/">gnuastro-0.12</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/health/">gnuhealth-3.6.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mediagoblin/">mediagoblin-0.10.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/">nano-4.9.3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nettle/">nettle-3.6</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200522</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>. You can use the URL
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>
<p>As always, please feel free to write to us at <a href="mailto:maintainers@gnu.org">&#109;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#116;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#64;&#103;&#110;&#117;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.</p>


title: FSF gives freedom-respecting videoconferencing to all associate members
uri: FSF-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-member
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-members

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-members

content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: left; width: 300px; margin: 0% 2% 0% -10%;">
<a href="https://jitsi.member.fsf.org/"><img src="media/d6db102f.remote.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/email/zoe/remote.png" alt="Communicate freely with the FSF" style="width: 300px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p><strong>The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is now offering all FSF associate
members free "as in freedom" videoconferencing as an additional
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits">member benefit</a>. <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=jitsi&amp;pk_source=joinsupporter">Becoming a member</a> now helps you push back against 
increased societal pressure to use nonfree software to 
communicate with coworkers, friends, and loved ones during the 
COVID-19 pandemic, and after.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/about-the-fsf-jitsi-meet-server"><strong>Information about how to use the FSF videoconferencing instance for associate members</strong></a></p>
<p>We have been raising the alarm about encroachments upon user freedom by
popular remote communication tools since social distancing
guidelines were issued. You might have seen our recent
publications warning users about widely used nonfree applications
for <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">remote communication</a> and <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">education</a>, like Zoom.</p>
<p><a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/keynote-by-fsf-executive-director-john-sullivan/">As promised at LibrePlanet 2020</a>, we have formed a working group
to document and address major issues facing free software
communication platforms, and this project is part of that
effort. Another initiative in our free communication toolbox is a
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Remote_Communication">collaborative resource page</a> created to steer users to
applications that respect them, and away from conferencing tools like
Zoom, which requires users to give up their software-related
freedoms, and which has been a recent focal point of <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/zoom-security-issues-zoombombings-continue-include-racist-language-and-child-abuse/">criticism</a>
due to problems ranging from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/apr/02/zoom-technology-security-coronavirus-video-conferencing">security issues to privacy
violations</a>.</p>
<p>The platform we use to offer ethical videoconferencing access is
<a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jitsi-Meet">Jitsi Meet</a>. We used it previously to <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">stream</a> and
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-videos-now-available-online">record</a> our annual <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020">LibrePlanet conference</a> for an
online audience after the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to cancel
the in-person event. Choosing Jitsi Meet is only the first step
to addressing the problems posed to user freedom by services like Zoom
and Facebook. Even users that start a call via a server running
Jitsi could still be vulnerable if that server depends on or
shares information with third parties. The FSF made changes to
the code we are running, in order to enhance privacy and software freedom,
and <a href="https://vcs.fsf.org/?p=jitsi-ansible.git">published the source code</a>, to motivate others to host
their own instances. The FSF instance does not use any third
party servers for network initialization, and does not recommend
or link to any potentially problematic services.</p>
<p>In order to be able to provide a sustainable and reliable
service, we are offering the ability to create conversations on
the server exclusively to associate members, and it is only intended for
personal, noncommercial use. Members can create a channel using
their member credentials, but then any person or group can
participate in the conversation. Nonmembers can be invited, but
cannot start a channel.</p>
<h2>Privacy and encryption in the FSF Jitsi Meet instance</h2>
<p>Jitsi Meet offers end-to-end encryption for conversations between
two people. For conversations between three or more people, there
will always be encryption at the network level, but you still
have to place some level of trust in the server operators that
process your video stream. Because the FSF controls the physical
machine, we can offer members the respect of privacy and freedom
you have come to expect from us. The FSF servers do not store any
voice, video, or messages from calls, and logging is minimal --
for the purpose of troubleshooting and abuse prevention
only. Jitsi is working on <a href="https://jitsi.org/blog/e2ee/">developing end-to-end encryption</a>
for calls with more than two people, and we will implement these
changes on our instance as soon as this becomes available.</p>
<p>As a nonprofit, the FSF has limited resources, which may at times
affect the server capacity. We will experiment with different
parameters and limitations and improve the instance as
needed, and update the <a href="https://vcs.fsf.org/?p=jitsi-ansible.git">repo</a> accordingly. </p>
<h1>Support our work</h1>
<p>Now that remote and digital connections are playing a bigger role
in our daily lives than ever before, it is important to
communicate about and push for free software continuously. Our
success hinges on the people that support us, and in return, we
want to do our part to make sure no one is forced to give up
their freedom in order to live their (now remote) daily lives
with technology. Please consider an <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/">FSF associate
membership</a> to help support our work, and continue your
advocacy for free software.</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020, Free Software Foundation, Inc., by Zoë Kooyman, Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0</a> International license.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/introducing-bandali-intern-with-the-fsf-tech-team
title: Introducing Amin Bandali, intern with the FSF tech team
uri: Introducing-Amin-Bandali-intern-with-the-FSF-tech-team
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/introducing-bandali-intern-with-the-fsf-tech-team
content:
<p>Hi there, I'm Amin Bandali, often just <code>bandali</code> on the interwebs. I
wear a few different hats around GNU as a maintainer, Web master, and
Savannah hacker, and I'm very excited to be extending that to the Free
Software Foundation (FSF) as an intern with the FSF tech team for spring 2020.</p>
<p>Growing up around parents with backgrounds in computer engineering and
programming, it did not take long for me to find an interest in
tinkering and playing with computers as a kid, and I first came into
contact with GNU/Linux in my teenage years. My first introduction to
the world of free software came a few years later, when a friend kindly
pointed out to me that what I had vaguely known and referred to as "open
source" software is more properly referred to as free software, and
helped me see <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html">why "open source" misses the point of free
software</a>.
After learning about and absorbing the ideas and ideals of free
software, I have since become a free software activist. As a computer
scientist who enjoys studying and hacking on various programs and
sometimes writing my own, I have made a point of releasing all I can
under strong copyleft licenses, particularly the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html">GNU
AGPL</a> license.</p>
<p>My involvement with the <a href="https://www.gnu.org">GNU Project</a> started in
2016, first as a volunteer Web master, and later as one of the maintainers
of <a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuzilla/">GNUzilla and IceCat</a> late
last year. Also around the same time, I led a group of volunteers in organizing and holding <a href="https://emacsconf.org/2019">EmacsConf
2019</a> as a completely online conference,
using only free software tools, much like the excellent <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/LibrePlanet:Conference/2020">LibrePlanet
2020</a>. I love
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/">GNU Emacs</a>, and use it more than
any other program. GNU Emacs helps me do a wide variety of tasks such
as programming, reading and composing emails, and chatting via IRC.</p>
<p>More closely related to my internship with the FSF tech team, I have
been familiarizing myself with various pieces of the <a href="https://savannah.gnu.org">GNU
Savannah</a> infrastructure with help from
veteran Savannah hacker Bob Proulx, gradually learning and picking up
tasks helping with the administration and maintenance of Savannah. I am
also a member of the Systems Committee of my university's computer
science club, overseeing and maintaining a large fleet of GNU/Linux
servers for our club members.</p>
<p>For my internship with the Free Software Foundation, I will be working
with the FSF tech team on a number of tasks, including helping with the
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/coming-soon-a-new-site-for-fully-free-collaboration">free software
forge</a>
project, as well as various improvements for gnu.org. I look forward to
learning many new things and picking up valuable skills through my
internship with the FSF's exceptional tech team, who do <em>so much</em> for
the GNU project and the wider free software community.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/software-patents-are-another-kind-of-disease
title: Software patents are another kind of disease
uri: Software-patents-are-another-kind-of-disease
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/software-patents-are-another-kind-of-disease
content:
<p>On Friday May 8th, the USPTO announced the <a href="https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/news-updates/uspto-announces-covid-19-prioritized-examination-pilot-program-small-and">COVID-19 Prioritized
Examination Pilot Program</a>. Doctored up to look like a helpful
response to a global pandemic, it's actually the exact opposite. Under
the program, the USPTO will waive some fees associated with
accelerated application review for patents on works that require US
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. They'll also work to try
and get these applications granted within six months. These changes
will make it easier and faster for people to gain patents on any
technology related to the pandemic, including patents on
software. It's not in our scope to determine the impact of other kinds
of patents, but we know specifically that they are terrible for
software, and at a time where software is critical to saving lives,
expediting software patent applications will only cause harm.</p>
<p>To be clear, this program does not speed up FDA approval, or help to
get lifesaving technology to the people who need it most. It doesn't
create supply chains or help fund the development of medical
technologies and software. All it does is make it easier for someone
to "own" that technology, to make it quicker and cheaper to restrict
others from implementing and sharing tools that people need to
survive. It rushes the patent application process so that someone
could be able to sue others trying to save seriously ill patients
around the world before the global pandemic is over.</p>
<p>While the crisis was unfurling, the GNOME Foundation was still
expending resources fighting off a patent suit started in 2019. On May
20, 2020, the GNOME Foundation succeeding in securing <a href="https://www.gnome.org/news/2020/05/patent-case-against-gnome-resolved/">a release and
covenant not to sue</a> from the patent aggressor for all software
released under a free license. This was a major win for software
freedom that took months and months to realize. But the threat
remains, and the only reason someone would need to get their patent
granted sooner is because they want to start their lawsuits sooner, to
disrupt the flow of medical technology in order to siphon off profits
from those seeking to alleviate the worst pandemic in a century.</p>
<p>Taken together with a recently released <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/05/patent-office-adjusting-supreme-court-ruling-ignoring-it">report from the USPTO</a>
patting themselves on the back for ignoring the US Supreme Court in
order to increase the number of software patents, it's clear that the
USPTO views its mandate as requiring them to crank out as many patents
as they possibly can. In <strong>Alice v. CLS Bank</strong>, the US Supreme Court
limited the patent eligibility of software implemented on a general
purpose computer. As the USPTO report stated, this increased the
number of patent applications receiving initial rejections. So last
year the USPTO released "guidance" that weakened those limitations,
and now the number of software patents speeding through its pipeline
has increased once again.</p>
<p>Even in normal times, increasing software patent restriction is
harmful to everyone. Software patents threaten all developers, putting
them in the line of fire for ruinous lawsuits simply for creating and
sharing their own code. Until the day when we can completely <a href="http://endsoftpatents.org/">end all
software patents</a>, we should be reducing the harm done, not coming
up with programs and guidance to accelerate the damage. But in the
midst of a global crisis where hundreds of thousands have already
died, where supply chains for medical technology are stretched beyond
limits, creating a cheaper and easier fast track for causing further
patent disruption is downright criminal.</p>
<p>While the USPTO is pretending to help with the response to COVID-19,
it is actually throwing a supercharged wrench into the gears of
medical supply distribution, so we the people have to come up with our
own response that actually helps. Software patents cut people off from
one another, but if we're going to respond adequately and humanely to
this crisis, we need to all work together. That is why we are asking
you to join our <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:COVID-19_Response_Team">COVID-19 Response Team</a> on the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org">Free Software
Directory</a>. The Free Software Directory is a volunteer-run catalog
of over 16,000 free software packages. It helps users to find software
that they can modify and share with their friends. The ethics of free
software are more important than ever, and we need to help people gain
access to software that respects their rights. On the COVID-19
Response Team, we're directing our efforts towards ensuring that
everyone has access to medical software, 3D printing designs of
medical technology, and other tools that will be useful in the fight
against this global pandemic. You can <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Free_Software_Directory:Participate">jump in</a> and start working
right away, or join us every Friday from 12 pm to 3pm EDT in the #fsf
irc channel on <a href="irc://chat.freenode.net/fsf">Freenode</a>.</p>
<p>Software patents are another kind of disease, and the USPTO has
decided to become a super-spreader of that infection, which will in
turn worsen the physical infections. Join together with us to fight
back. We hope to see you every Friday, but here are some other ways
that you can help:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Have a 3D printer? Help <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/HACKERS_and_HOSPITALS">the HACKERS and HOSPITALS initiative</a> to
print protective devices and other medical equipment.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Support our work in the fight against software patents by becoming
an <a href="https://www.fsf.org/join">associate member of the Free Software Foundation</a>, or making a
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/donate">donation</a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/june-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twelve-new-releases
title: June GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: Twelve new releases!
uri: June-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-Twelve-new-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/june-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twelve-new-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/adns/">adns-1.6.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.6.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/chess/">chess-6.2.7</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnun/">gnun-1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/guile/">guile-3.0.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libmicrohttpd/">libmicrohttpd-0.9.71</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/">linux-libre-5.7-gnu</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mcsim/">mcsim-6.2.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mit-scheme/">mit-scheme-11.0.90</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200622</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/r/">r-4.0.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/shepherd/">shepherd-0.8.1</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>.  You can use the URL
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>This month, we welcome Jacob Bachmeyer as co-maintainer of DejaGnu.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help.  The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/dont-let-proprietary-digital-voting-disrupt-democracy
title: Don't let proprietary digital voting disrupt democracy
uri: Don-t-let-proprietary-digital-voting-disrupt-democracy
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/dont-let-proprietary-digital-voting-disrupt-democracy
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0% -2% 2% 2%;"><a href="https://u.fsf.org/voting"><img src="media/9e8f9e95.voting.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/images/email/zoe/voting.png" alt="Democracy" style="width: 300px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure> </p>
<p>Here at the Free Software Foundation (FSF), we fight for the freedom
of all software users. We believe that everyone has the right to
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">understand and study</a> the systems that they use, and that not
being able to exercise this right is a violation of our freedom. This
applies to our personal software usage, but becomes even more
important in processes of democracy. It is particularly relevant for
the upcoming November 2020 elections in the United States.</p>
<p>A free country has the responsibility to make sure all of its
citizens can be heard, and that voting processes are transparent
and fair. So what happens if people are still self-isolating in
November, in order to try and prevent a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-second-coronavirus-wave-is-not-inevitable-in-the-fall-2020-5">second wave of the novel
coronavirus</a>? As more of our life processes have gone online
due to the pandemic, we have seen <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/21/politics/mail-in-voting-partisan-divide/index.html">debates</a> rise over a call
for mail-in voting. This discussion seems to be clearing a path
for a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/08/online-voting-304013">renewed interest</a> in online voting software as a remote
alternative to in-person voting. This is cause for grave concern.</p>
<p>I am arguing in this post that it is essential that software used in
any part of the voting process be published free software. It is
unacceptable for such an important democratic system to be placed in
the hands of any for-profit, proprietary software corporation that
controls the source code, data management, reporting, updates, and
testing. No good can come from requiring a court order to be permitted
to study the source code of voting software in order to confirm the
process is fair and democratic. But additionally, I might surprise the
reader by laying out arguments to say that despite supporting the wish
to increase access and ease for all eligible voters, the only truly
free, ethical, and democratic voting system is actually a system that
steers clear from using software.</p>
<p>Technology can assist in the non-fundamental parts of the voting
process, like speeding up simple on-site calculations or verification
processes, in which case transparency is absolutely vital, and the
systems used must therefore be free software. Source code should be
provided freely for anyone to test the application, <a href="https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#v3VotingMachine">submit
modifications</a> that can be adopted to improve the software, and make
recommendations, long before it has any opportunity to muddle with
results. But digital systems have no place in the key parts of the
voting system, including voter registration, casting a vote, and
tallying results. The experts agree on this, and I will explain why in
more detail below. Even when the source code is available, although we
can compel transparency and reproducibility, we still <a href="https://www.technewsworld.com/story/Next-US-Elections-Open-Source-vs-Commercial-Software-84794.html">risk
unacceptable vulnerabilities</a>.</p>
<p>The examples below demonstrate some of the pitfalls of using
proprietary software in the voting process, and why the peddlers
of proprietary software cannot be trusted with crucial democratic
processes.</p>
<h3>Tallying and the Iowa caucus fiasco</h3>
<p>In February 2020, during the kickoff of the primary elections to
determine the US presidential candidates, the <a href="https://people.howstuffworks.com/iowa-caucus.htm">Iowa caucus</a>
introduced a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/03/us/politics/iowa-caucus-app.html">newly developed app</a> designed to help tally votes and
make the results faster and more accurate. It did the opposite.</p>
<p>The Iowa caucus failed due to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/04/iowa-caucus-app-debacle-is-one-of-the-most-stunning-it-failures-ever.html">shoddy design and lack of testing</a>
of the app built by <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/shadow-vendor-iowa-dems-reporting-app/story?id=68754002">Shadow Inc.</a>, a for-profit technology company
that provides "smarter" technological infrastructure for Democratic
party campaigns. The flaws didn't surface until the primaries, because
of its proprietary nature. While the caucus results trickled in over
the days following the primary, debates arose about the accuracy of
its outcome, and voters started <a href="https://www.cityweekly.net/utah/voting-app-blues/Content?oid=14861769">questioning</a> the role that
technology should play in our elections. This fallout successfully
prompted other states to act with caution, and mostly scrap the plans
to use the same app.</p>
<h3>Online voting applications</h3>
<p>Even before the virus broke out, jurisdictions like Delaware, Georgia,
and Philadelphia had already committed to replacing existing systems
with digital voting machines, despite their <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/03/01/election-vulnerable-voting-machines-1198780">unacceptable risks of
interference</a>.</p>
<p>Voatz, Inc. the for-profit company behind the private mobile <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/13/us/politics/voting-smartphone-app.html">voting
app</a> by the same name, developed a pilot program in 2019, claiming
they delivered "secure" digital voting. The trial for the proprietary
app focused on people with disabilities and people residing
overseas. Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia signed
up, but studies found that the app posed <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/01/coronavirus-online-voting-229690">security risks</a> like
leaving votes visible and exposing them to tamperers. Researchers from
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) <a href="media/17fa5c89.SecurityAnalysisOfVoatz_Public.pdf" data-original-source="https://internetpolicy.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SecurityAnalysisOfVoatz_Public.pdf">reviewed the app</a>
and found an alarming number of <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/f/615195/hackers-can-change-votes-in-an-online-election-app/">vulnerabilities and privacy
issues</a>.</p>
<p>Now, in recent primaries, <a href="https://reason.com/2020/06/10/amid-coronavirus-fears-2-states-will-allow-online-voting/">some states</a> have implemented online
voting using a system called OmniBallot, claiming that it offers safe
remote voting during the virus. Democracy Live, the organization
behind the system used in Delaware, West Virginia, and New Jersey
states that the system is not <em>really</em> online voting, because a printed
ballot is still generated when the voter's ballot is downloaded by the
voting committee. But that doesn't account for the fact that the votes
are still cast <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/01/coronavirus-online-voting-229690">electronically and transmitted online</a>, which
means they are <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/06/researchers-say-online-voting-tech-used-in-5-states-is-fatally-flawed/">still vulnerable to tampering</a>. In fact, OmniBallot
was also reviewed by MIT, and again, the <a href="media/b0051a1e.OmniBallot.pdf" data-original-source="https://internetpolicy.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/OmniBallot.pdf">conclusion</a> was that the
system is unsafe. It proved vulnerable to manipulation, and
additionally has no privacy policy to deal with the voter's sensitive
information. </p>
<h3>Vulnerabilities explained</h3>
<p>As much as different states want to spend millions of taxpayer
dollars to implement online voting systems to some degree or
another, there simply is no safe way to do so. <a href="https://observer.com/2020/06/election-security-why-cant-people-vote-online/"><em>The Observer</em>
explains</a> that an online system has to take into account too
many factors, from verifying identification to creating a secret
ballot, to voting and getting that vote to the committee, and
then verifying it again on the other end. To make it all secure
is nearly impossible.</p>
<p>Security experts have long been expressing concern as well. After the
2016 US presidential elections, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
conducted elaborate research into the future of voting, and published
a report called <a href="https://www.nap.edu/read/25120/chapter/1">"Securing the Vote: Protecting American
Democracy."</a> The preface of this 157-page document states: "We
were constantly reminded in news stories, by congressional hearings,
and through reports from the intelligence community, of the
extraordinary threat from foreign actors using cyber weapons and
social media to manipulate the electorate, and to target our elections
and cast doubt on the integrity of the elections process."</p>
<p>The report mentions that in 2016, the United States presidential
election was targeted by a foreign government, and voter information
was captured. While the exact consequences of this invasion are still
largely unclear, the fear of surveillance by outside parties and the
meddling with results is obviously justified. The NAS concludes that
the current system is vulnerable to internal and external threats, and
recommends <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/24/opinion/order-prevent-another-voting-debacle-turn-paper-balloting/">verifiable paper ballots</a>, audits, and clear
distinctions between different elements of the process.</p>
<h3>Paper ballots and analog processes for democracy</h3>
<p>Having full transparency and control is the only way in which we can
verify the legitimacy of elections. Transparency is currently best
accomplished by individual paper balloting. We will get the closest to
fair results by working with an analog system.</p>
<p>If we need to do remote voting, <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/10/nation/fact-check-president-trump-keeps-calling-mail-in-voting-fraudulent-election-officials-advocates-say-otherwise/">contrary to some claims</a>, mail-in
voting is a reliable fallback. <a href="https://siepr.stanford.edu/research/publications/neutral-partisan-effects-vote-mail-evidence-county-level-roll-outs">A study by Stanford University</a>
concludes that: "(1) vote-by-mail does not appear to affect either
party’s share of turnout; (2) vote-by-mail does not appear to increase
either party’s vote share; and (3) vote-by-mail modestly increases
overall average turnout rates, in line with previous estimates. All
three conclusions support the conventional wisdom of election
administration experts, and contradict many popular claims in the
media."</p>
<p>From voter registration to tallying, all steps in the voting
process could hypothetically be done digitally. But voting is a
highly personal, sensitive, and complicated system, one that
involves some of the most powerful stakeholders imaginable, and
where freedom is at stake. Free software shows us the system and
allows us to improve it. It does not, however, guarantee the
entire process to be unbreakable. Let's steer clear from digital
systems for now, for freedom.</p>
<hr />

<h2>Here's what you can do to stand up for your voting rights</h2>
<h4>Contact your representative</h4>
<p>If you are in the US, please contact your <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">local representative</a> to
let them know you oppose electronic voting, and in particular
proprietary electronic voting. You can copy or personalize our
sample text:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Dear [Representive],
I am [Name], and I live in your district. 
I am very concerned about the security and integrity of our
voting systems, and do not think any computer-based system is
safe, especially not any proprietary system. I agree with the
Free Software Foundation article about the dangers of digital
proprietary voting at u.fsf.org/voting, and request the use
of only paper ballots in upcoming elections. Please oppose any
move to digital voting systems, and advocate for our right to
vote analog safely. Thank you."</p>
<p>[Name], [City/State]</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>Tell your friends about the threat of digital voting on social media!</h4>
<p>Use the tags #NoDigitalVoting and #UserFreedom on your favorite
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/share">microblogging</a> sites.</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020, Free Software Foundation, Inc., by
Zoë Kooyman, Licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution
4.0</a> International license.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-is-what-unites-us
title: Free software is what unites us
uri: Free-software-is-what-unites-us
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-is-what-unites-us
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: left; width: 375px; margin: 0% 2% 4% -8%;"><a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/sacha-chua"><img src="media/da0a04de.2-lovefs.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/2-lovefs.png" alt="Sacha Chua's comic on loving free software" style="width: 375px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>This spring, as the time for planning our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab1">biannual appeal</a> came
around, we discussed the difficult time all of us are
experiencing: charities like us, the free software community, and
every individual. And it led us to consider why people from all
walks of life cherish user freedom.</p>
<p>The socially distant, digital way in which we are carrying on our
work and private lives is affecting our software
freedom. Globally, decisions to transition to an online and
remote life were made with less consideration than we normally
put into them, giving proprietary corporations access to parts of
our lives we normally protect. Lately, we have been pointing to
grim examples of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">bulk surveillance</a> and <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2019/spring/its-not-just-about-privacy">privacy
violations</a> in the realms of education and <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">communication</a>
to help everyone understand why this fight is so important.</p>
<p>But we shouldn't forget that free software is an inherently positive
story. It celebrates the creativity and skill that come from
collaboration, and the freedom that you have if you understand a
program or can freely choose to rely on information about it from
someone you trust. <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">Having the right</a> to read, modify, contribute
to, and share software we use has changed our lives, and countless
others. There are so many people who continue to motivate us to fight
for free software with their work, so we decided to ask them to share
their stories on why they love free software, and what user freedom
means to them or their business.</p>
<hr />
<p>We spoke with <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/pouhiou">Pouhiou</a>, co-director of the French nonprofit
organization <a href="https://framasoft.org">Framasoft</a>, who told us:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"What I love about the free software movement: we care about the
 people and their emancipation, so we make digital tools to
 empower both. I mean, I've never written a single line of code,
 but I've been contributing to free software culture for many
 years just by writing words and talking with (beautiful)
 people!"</p>
</blockquote>
<p>He further explained:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"By itself, free software is not enough. But mixed with respect
 for privacy, user-oriented design, and popular education, it is
 a cornerstone. To me, and to Framasoft, free software is the
 first and essential step on the road where we can built digital
 tools that can change the world, one byte at the time."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We also heard from <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/jim-garrett">Jim Garrett</a>, long-time free software supporter and
LibrePlanet 2020 volunteer: </p>
<blockquote>
<p>"I've found that it doesn't occur to most people that there
 exists an ethical dimension to software at all. To them, it's
 not a question of one mode being more ethical than another, it's
 thinking about ethics at all. Frankly, I didn't see this clearly
 myself until attending the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/conference">LibrePlanet conference</a> some
 years ago."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>One of the most endearing and positive submissions was created by
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/jim-garrett">Sacha Chua</a>, whom you may know from her weekly <em>Emacs News</em>,
and her notes on her personal blog at <a href="https://www.sachachua.com">sachachua.com</a>. We
share her visual contribution with you in this post as a reminder
of why we fight for software freedom.</p>
<p><strong>Check out our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/meet-the-free-software-community">working-together pages</a> for the complete testimonials</strong> </p>
<hr />
<p>Whether your support for and approach to free software is
philosophical and ethically motivated, or purely technical, we
love hearing and amplifying these stories. If you have your own
story to contribute, please share it in the <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss">libreplanet-discuss
email list</a>. We will be publishing items from our collection
of new testimonies on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/meet-the-free-software-community">our pages</a> from now until the end of
the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab1">summer fundraiser</a> on August 7th. </p>
<p>It's your support that makes this work so impactful. Together, we can
continue to protect crucial rights for freedom that are being
sacrificed in favor of transitioning business or social life to be
remote. Like one of our recent <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab1">donors</a> said: <em>"Not enough people
know about or understand free software. I just want to spread the
word."</em> And so do we. We are working towards our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab1">new member goal</a>
of 200 new <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab1">FSF associate members</a> before August 7, and we could
really use your help. You can use one of the beautifully designed
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/badges">free software images</a> to help raise awareness, and <a href="https://fsf.org/share">publicly
bring attention</a> to the need for free software using the hashtag
<strong>#UserFreedom</strong>.</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020 by Sacha Chua, Licensed under Creative Commons <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Attribution 4.0 International license</a>.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom
title: Sign this petition for freedom in the classroom
uri: Sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom
content:
<p><strong>Read, sign, and share the petition: <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom</a></strong></p>
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 400px; margin: 0% -1% 2% 2%;"><a href="http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/"><img src="media/30ed89a2.petition_rect.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/petition_rect.png" alt="Illustration of a student being spied on while seated at a computer." style="width: 400px;" /></a>
<div style="font-size: 75%; color: grey; margin-top: 5px;"><strong>Use this embed code to add this image to your Web site or blog to link to the petition:</strong></p><p>&lt;a href=&quot;https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=bagde&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/petition_rect.png&quot; alt=&quot;Fight for students' #UserFreedom. Sign the petition today!&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;</p></div>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>As we've recently <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">written</a>, learning remotely does not have to
(and shouldn't have to) mean forsaking basic freedoms. New
developments in the remote education landscape have only contributed
to the worrying trend of treating the school as a testing ground for
ubiquitous surveillance and other dystopian practices. This is
especially dangerous for digitally native children, who may be unaware
that there are alternatives, let alone that the perceived
"alternative" is in actuality the only ethical option.</p>
<p>As discussion among free software activists on our
<a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss">libreplanet-discuss</a> mailing list has shown in recent weeks,
digital education can thrive when we make freedom a priority. No
student should have to trade their freedom for an education. The Free
Software Foundation (FSF) has already worked together with an <a href="https://www.gnu.org/education/teaching-my-mit-classes-with-only-free-libre-software.html">MIT
professor</a> to free his classes, and have been sharing our knowledge
with the Boston public school system. Today, we're taking the next
step in that commitment.</p>
<p>Beginning today, we are working to change the remote education
landscape with a new petition targeting the serious harm proprietary
software poses to students, and at the same time, emphasizing the idea
that there is an ethical solution. Whether it's <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21244058/google-meet-microsoft-teams-webex-personal-data-collection-privacy-policy-concerns">Microsoft Teams</a>
being used to connect students to each other, Google Classroom being
used to write every document, or <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">Zoom</a> being used for the
classroom session itself, we want to get the message across that the
only acceptable answer when it comes to how much proprietary software
should be permitted in schools is <em>none</em>. Making students depend on
nonfree software to learn is not only harmful to them in the
short-term, but it is a failed opportunity to impart the values of
free access, studying, sharing, and collaboration.</p>
<p>At the FSF, we are working hard to make free software a kitchen table
issue: one that's spoken about and taken seriously by people from all
walks of life, and is not just a cause taken up by a small but
impassioned community. We understand that speaking up for yourself
about these issues can be difficult, which is why we're offering to
put our voice behind yours as the leading organization in the
movement. <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">When signing the petition</a>, you have the option to let
us know if you're a student, parent, teacher, or administrator of a
school that requires the use of proprietary software. We'll get in
touch with their administration on your behalf, and let them know that
a global community of activists and everyday people alike have signed
a statement in support of <a href="https://gnu.org/education/">free software in education</a>.</p>
<p>This initiative and petition were motivated by the loss of student
rights caused by the pandemic, but we don't plan to call it quits when
the novel coronavirus is finally under control. We envision this
statement having a permanent place on <a href="https://fsf.org">https://fsf.org</a>, and we are
committed to getting in touch with as many schools as we can as part
of our efforts to encourage free software adoption.</p>
<p>Your standing together with us on this issue means the world to us.
The success of any petition is only as strong as its messaging and the
people who rally behind it, which is why we deeply appreciate you
taking the time to sign. Signing this statement of principles is one
way we're offering you to help put "freedom in action" during our
<a href="https://fsf.org/appeal/">summer appeal</a>, and to be a voice for #UserFreedom around the
world.</p>
<p>For thirty-five years, the FSF has been campaigning for complete
software freedom. In all that time, and though it would have been
convenient and popular to do so, we've never compromised our
principles. Being the <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/libreplanet-2016-the-last-lighthouse-3d51/">"last lighthouse"</a> of user freedom means
keeping a vigilant eye on the state of how computer software is being
used to help or harm those who depend on it. Please take a moment to
<a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">sign the petition</a> to stand up for the rights of students
everywhere, whether those rights are your own, your child's, or simply
those of someone you know. Together, we can sever the connection
education has to proprietary software, and nurture freedom instead.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/people-everywhere-are-standing-up-for-free-software
title: People everywhere are standing up for free software
uri: People-everywhere-are-standing-up-for-free-software
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/people-everywhere-are-standing-up-for-free-software
content:
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab2"><img src="media/b293ac85.3-agriculture.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/3-agriculture.png" width="450px;" style="margin-top:1px;" /></a> </p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>"John F. Kennedy once said that a farmer is the only person
'in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything
at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.'</em></p>
<p><em>This exploitation has extended into the age of data, where
corporate agriculture tech giants sell proprietary software to
farmers that funnel enormous amounts of valuable data into
closed and proprietary databases, which is then used to sell
more seed, inputs, and hardware back to the farmers. Free
software offers a way to give back control to the people in
this economy who produce valuable resources like food, and the
environmental and agricultural knowledge surrounding it.</em></p>
<p><em>Working together, we can ensure that this knowledge is put
toward the benefit of everyone, not just a small set of large
company shareholders. This is how we will achieve true
sustainability in the coming centuries."</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>The above is a statement from <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/michael-stenta">Michael Stenta</a>, lead developer
of <a href="https://farmos.org/">FarmOS</a>, and a <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/stewarding-technological-freedom-in-agriculture/">LibrePlanet 2020 speaker</a>. He
submitted his thoughts for us to add to the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/">"Working Together
for Free Software" pages</a>, which we have been updating as part
of a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab2">summer push</a> highlighting "free software in action."
On these pages, we explore the different reasons why people dedicate their time
to free software, and highlight all the different ways that user
freedom is important to them.</p>
<p>With each submission that comes in, we realize again just how far
the fight for software freedom stretches. Thankfully, like
Michael and many other community members that we have <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/">spoken to
recently</a>, there are people all over the globe and in many
industries, who are fighting for justice.</p>
<p>Right here in the Boston area, <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/micky-metts">Micky Metts</a> (also known as
<a href="https://www.drupal.org/u/freescholar">FreeScholar</a>, and a member of <a href="https://agaric.coop/">Agaric</a>, a worker-owned
cooperative of Web developers), is working with the Boston Public
School system to host an online Learning Management System (LMS),
as schools will not be open for the summer, and possibly not even
in the fall. Agaric is using some packages the FSF put together
with <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Canvas">Canvas</a> as the LMS and BigBlueButton as the video
chat/whiteboard. On Micky's <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/micky-metts">"Working Together" page</a>, you can
find more information about the timely and relevant work that
Agaric does with free software in education, immigration, and
community engagement.</p>
<p>When asked why free software is so important, Micky tells us: </p>
<blockquote>
<p><em>"When data consumption and data breaches at large corporations are at
an all-time high, organizations need to understand that using
proprietary solutions for their customers and clients puts everyone at
a great disadvantage."</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Even where the FSF is not directly involved, our broad work
advocating for the principles of free software and best practices
in its licensing and development help make and hold the space for
others to accomplish impressive feats for freedom. We will
continue to give people like Michael and Micky <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org">a platform</a>,
and, most importantly, we help grow the community of people that
are taking on this important work of defending user freedom in
this time when proprietary software corporations are exploiting
the consequences of the virus in more ways than we can imagine.</p>
<p><strong> Check out our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/meet-the-free-software-community">working-together pages</a> for the complete testimonials</strong> </p>
<p>Together, we can continue to protect crucial rights for
freedom. <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab2">This summer</a>, our goal is to reach <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab2">200 new
associate members</a> before August 7, and we could really use
your help. You can use one of the beautifully designed <a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/badges">free
software images</a> to help raise awareness, and <a href="https://fsf.org/share">publicly bring
attention</a> to the need for free software.</p>
<p>You can also share your own story about your field or industry,
and how you are using free software to defend #UserFreedom via
social media, on our <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss">LibrePlanet mailing</a> list, or, if you
are an FSF associate member, on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/about-the-member-forum">the forum</a>. Knowing that
there are people standing up for freedom all over the world is
inspiring. Connecting with the community over your challenges and
successes will help us all get stronger.</p>
<p>The FSF is also taking action to defend
students' #UserFreedom. <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom">Read more</a>, and <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">sign the petition</a> for
freedom in the classroom.</p>
<p>Thank you for being part of this fight.<br />
</p>
<p>Illustration Copyright © 2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc., by
Raghavendra Kamath, licensed under Creative Commons <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Attribution
4.0 International license</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/presenting-the-expanded-free-software-foundation-bulletin-online
title: Presenting the expanded Free Software Foundation Bulletin, online!
uri: Presenting-the-expanded-Free-Software-Foundation-Bulletin-online
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/presenting-the-expanded-free-software-foundation-bulletin-online
content:
<p>Right now, in a rapidly changing and uncertain world, free software has a special role to play. This issue of the biannual <em>Free Software Foundation Bulletin</em> addresses some of the challenges that life during the COVID-19 pandemic poses to software freedom, but it also highlights some of the unique contributions that activists are making to safeguard your rights today. Whether through manufacturing desperately-needed medical supplies, advocating for and supplying free and secure videoconferencing for remote learning, or creating flexible and portable libre medical information systems, activists have put in extraordinary effort to ensure that our user freedom is protected along with our safety. </p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/issue-36-spring-2020">Read the <em>Free Software Foundation Bulletin</em> online</a></strong></p>
<p>Every free software supporter is important to our mission, and we’re so grateful for your commitment. If you can spare just $10/month ($5 for students), it’s more important than ever to take that commitment to the next level by <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=bulletin">becoming an associate member</a> of the Free Software Foundation (FSF). </p>
<p>The value of a membership goes far beyond the dollars and cents needed to help us weather the challenges of this year: a membership is a vote of confidence that helps us launch and support initiatives like the ones you’ll read about in this <em>Bulletin</em>. Plus, membership comes with plenty of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits">benefits</a>, including the newest member perk: access to our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-members">Jitsi Meet videoconferencing server</a>. </p>
<p>The <em>Bulletin</em> is one way that the FSF gives a platform to hard-working activists all over the world. This deluxe edition makes the articles even easier to share, in order to introduce others to the work that is being done globally. Despite the pandemic challenging us, we <em>also</em> managed to send out printed versions of the <em>Bulletin</em>, so you may already have one in your mailbox! If you’ve gotten yours, we encourage you to post a picture on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/share">social media</a> with /#fsfbulletin.</p>
<p>In these difficult times, it’s so encouraging to see the community come together and apply their diverse skills and inspiring idealism to the challenges of the moment. New threats may arise, but free software users and developers are creative problem-solvers with an ironclad commitment to freedom and ethical treatment of others. We hope the stories in this <em>Bulletin</em> inspire as well as inform, and we can’t wait to see how you and the rest of our vibrant community continue to put free software into action.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-in-business-success-stories
title: Free software in business: Success stories
uri: Free-software-in-business-Success-stories
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-in-business-success-stories
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 350px; margin: 0% -2% 4% 2%;"><a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab3"><img src="media/49172dc0.5-share.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/5-share.png" alt="Illustration of 2 groups of people. One person reaches out to another" style="width: 350px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>Even though the vast majority of software development and news
articles on technology still predominantly focus on proprietary
software, public pressure is increasingly shifting the conversation to
include ethical considerations. Whenever you feel that free software
is not making strong enough waves, I urge you to look at the
LibrePlanet <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/tag/libreplanet-2020-video/">conference video collection</a> (or <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/tag/libreplanet-2020-audio/">listen</a> to the
talks), to strengthen your belief. Making free software a kitchen
table issue in every home can at times seem like an insurmountable
challenge, but there are so many community members doing incredibly
inspiring work driving user freedom forward.</p>
<p>This is why we have been updating our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/">"Working Together for Free
Software" pages</a> in the last few weeks, with new testimonials from
activists and enthusiasts. We have heard why people <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-is-what-unites-us">believe in free
software</a>, and how free software can <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/people-everywhere-are-standing-up-for-free-software">make a difference</a> in all
industries. This third blog post in the series inspired by interviews
with community members will bring some attention to the success that
people have had advocating for free software through their
occupations. It manifests how appeals to user freedom, and successful
free software implementations, are driving forces behind the
advancement of businesses all over the world.</p>
<p>Adam Monsen, senior director of engineering at C-SATS R&amp;D, and a
founder of <a href="https://seagl.org/">SeaGL</a>, the Seattle GNU/Linux Conference, puts it
simply:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Free software is the backbone of our robust software
supply chain at C-SATS. We know we'll always be able to improve
or customize it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But for some people, free software is not an option their employer
presents for them, or it doesn't seem like a natural go-to for the
business or its customers. Alper Atmaca, a law professional, and board
member of the Free Software Association <a href="https://www.oyd.org.tr/en/">(Özgür Yazılım Derneği)</a>
in Turkey, runs into this daily, and poetically explains:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>A needle that refuses to go through certain fabric is as
ridiculous as today's computing restrictions. But we laugh
about the former, and continue to use the latter.</p>
<p>As a law professional who works in criminal and data protection
cases mainly, I see this is truer everyday. It is generally 
accepted that a law office runs on overpriced, hyped nonfree
software. That expectation drives an unwarranted
standardization of tools that do not necessarily drive the
client's best interest in law spheres.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Alper starts conversations about free software every day, and
convinces his clients of its value in his professional field. You can
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/alper-atmaca">read his entire statement</a> to learn more about how he invests time
in his clients to educate them. He states:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I am proud to have had some clients who became even fiercer
freedom advocates than I am.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Individuals who bring their advocacy to their workplace can make a
huge difference for the movement. We can benefit greatly if we bring
conversations around software freedom to the conference table as well
as the kitchen table. In recent years, we have seen organizations that
prioritize freedom secure a stronger foothold in a range of
industries. One example is <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Nextcloud">Nextcloud</a>, the popular file sharing
and collaboration platform founded by <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/frank-karlitschek">Frank Karlitschek</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Working in a global community where decisions aren't purely
dependent on boring company politics and where code is reused
instead of reimplemented is just so much more interesting and
rewarding! </p>
</blockquote>
<p>He continues:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[...] when I was young, free software was still almost always a
hobby, something you did as a student, until you got a "real"
job. One where you showed up in a suit, did things you knew
were often useless, working on projects that were not going
anywhere and didn't help anyone. I wanted to change that for
myself, and later, also for others. And today, my company
employs several dozen developers, and we're hiring new ones all
the time!</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As Adam, Alper, and Frank show us, the use of free software in
business <em>for reasons related to freedom</em> is not just viable, but
advantageous. You can advocate for free software within your industry
by making an effort to show <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/alper-atmaca">how free software fits</a> your clients'
needs, and your passion for <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/frank-karlitschek">free software can translate</a> into a
successful business. Your advocacy through your workplace will help
make progress towards free software becoming a true kitchen table
issue.</p>
<p><strong>Check out our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/meet-the-free-software-community">working-together pages</a> for the complete
testimonials.</strong></p>
<hr />
<p>Free software is an idea, a set of principles, and a community that's
been growing in both size and importance every day for over 35
years. This set of principles needs to be protected against constant
threats, like the novel coronavirus, and the billions of dollars from
governments and proprietary software corporations that we're up
against. It's an uphill battle, but we most certainly are making
headway.</p>
<p>Right now, we are very close to reaching our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=collab3">associate member
goal</a> before August 7th. A larger community means more speaking
power, and a greater ability to uplift community members who refuse to
accept the proprietary status quo, like the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/working-together/profiles/meet-the-free-software-community">inspiring group of
people</a> we have interviewed over the past few weeks.</p>
<p>To help raise awareness, you can also share your own story about your
work or business using free software and how you are defending
#UserFreedom via social media using the hashtag and one of our
beautifully designed <a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/badges">free software images</a>. You can connect with
community members on our <a href="https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss">LibrePlanet mailing</a> list, or, if you
are an FSF associate member, on <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/about-the-member-forum">the forum</a>. Knowing that there
are people standing up for freedom all over the world is so inspiring
to us, and we hope it's inspiring to you as well.</p>
<p>Thank you for being part of this fight. </p>
<p>Illustration Copyright © 2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc., by
Raghavendra Kamath, licensed under Creative Commons <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Attribution 4.0
International license</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/july-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-22-new-releases
title: July GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: 22 new releases!
uri: July-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-22-new-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/july-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-22-new-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/adns/">adns-1.5.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/">binutils-2.35</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.7</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gama/">gama-2.09</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gcc/">gcc-10.2.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gettext/">gettext-0.21</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnun/">gnun-1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnunet/">gnunet-0.13.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnupg/">gnupg-2.2.21</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/guile/">guile-3.0.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/help2man/">help2man-1.47.16</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libextractor/">libextractor-1.10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libgcrypt/">libgcrypt-1.8.6</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libidn/">libidn-1.36</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fsfla.org/ikiwiki/selibre/linux-libre/">linux-libre-5.7-gnu</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mcsim/">mcsim-6.2.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mpfr/">mpfr-4.1.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/">nano-5.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200722</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/shepherd/">shepherd-0.8.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/tramp/">tramp-2.4.4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/unifont/">unifont-13.0.03</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>. You can use the url
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>
<p>As always, please feel free to write to us at <a href="mailto:maintainers@gnu.org">&#109;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#116;&#97;&#105;&#110;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#64;&#103;&#110;&#117;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-the-fsf-tech-team-empower-software-users
title: Help the FSF tech team empower software users
uri: Help-the-FSF-tech-team-empower-software-users
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-the-fsf-tech-team-empower-software-users
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 350px; margin: 0% -2% 4% 2%;"><a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=tech "><img src="media/bf0b398c.6-freedoms.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/6-freedoms.png" alt="Illustration of 2 people working on a computer" style="width: 350px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>The Free Software Foundation (FSF) tech team is the four-person
cornerstone of the primary infrastructure of the FSF and the GNU
Project, providing the backbone for hundreds of free software
projects, and they epitomize the hard work, creativity, and can-do
attitude that characterize the free software movement. They’re pretty
modest about it, but I think they deserve some serious credit: it’s
only because of their everyday efforts (with the help of volunteers
all over the world) that the FSF can boast that we can host our own
services entirely on free software, and help other people to become
freer every day. It’s also largely to their credit that the FSF staff
were able to shift to mostly remote work this spring with barely a
blip in our operations. </p>
<p>You can <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/tech-team-update">read a summary</a> of their work over
the last six months in <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/magazine/2020-spring/">the most recent issue</a> of the <em>Free
Software Foundation Bulletin</em>, but I wanted to give you a few highlights:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>This March, the novel coronavirus swept in and caused the shutdown
  of nearly all in-person activities at the most inopportune time in
  the FSF’s yearly schedule: the week of the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2020/">2020 LibrePlanet
  conference</a>. After deep discussion, <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-in-person-component-canceled-but-well-see-you-online">the decision was made</a> to
  take LibrePlanet online-only on Monday, March 9th; the conference
  was due to begin on Saturday, March 14th. You can see all of the
  details of how the conference ultimately ran <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">on our blog</a>, and
  you can watch the session videos <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">on our MediaGoblin
  page</a>. However, the thing that I want to emphasize here is that
  the tech team successfully ran an entire conference online, which
  they had never done before, and made it all run smoothly <em>with only
  five days to prepare</em>, and every piece of software used was free
  software. Like I said, they’re modest.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Next, the tech team set about addressing how proprietary remote
  communication tools used for <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">staying in touch</a> and for
  <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">education</a> are becoming a dangerous fact of everyday
  life. Having used <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Jitsi-Meet">Jitsi Meet</a> as one part of the livestreaming
  process for LibrePlanet, they created a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-members">Jitsi Meet
  instance</a> that FSF associate members can use for work and
  play. They can invite anyone to connect with them in a
  <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/about-the-fsf-jitsi-meet-server">freedom-respecting video chat room</a>. Not only does <a href="https://jitsi.member.fsf.org/">this
  instance</a> enable you to chat with the people you care about
  without the abuses of proprietary software, but it also makes it
  easier than ever to demonstrate the advantages of free software to
  everyone you know!</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Finally, we’re so proud that FSF Web developer Michael McMahon
  spearheaded the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/HACKERS_and_HOSPITALS">HACKERS and HOSPITALS project</a> on the
  LibrePlanet wiki, enabling the hacker community to share resources
  and connect with activists who have been manufacturing an astounding
  variety of desperately-needed medical and protective equipment. Only
  free software gives hackers and makers the complete flexibility and
  freedom they need (and deserve!)  in order to meet immediate needs,
  and Michael and many others have risen to the occasion
  admirably. You can <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/hackers-and-hospitals">read a dedicated article on HACKERS and
  HOSPITALS</a> in the new issue of the <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/magazine/2020-spring/"><em>Free Software Foundation
  Bulletin</em></a>.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>If you’re finding these accomplishments as exciting as we do, we hope
you’re now motivated to chip in by <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=tech">becoming an associate member of
the FSF</a>! At this writing, we are only 13 members away from our
goal of 200. The farther we surpass this goal, the more our tech team
can achieve!</p>
<p>The value of a membership goes far beyond the dollars and cents needed
to help us weather the challenges of this year: a membership is a vote
of confidence that helps us launch new initiatives and puts weight
behind our campaigns, licensing, and technical work. Plus, membership
comes with plenty of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits">benefits</a>, including merchandise discounts,
a bootable membership card, and the newest member perk: access to our
Jitsi Meet videoconferencing server. </p>
<p>We don’t know what the future will bring in many ways, but we know
that we can count on the ingenuity and hard work of the FSF tech team
-- and so can you. Thank you so much for supporting their efforts!</p>
<p>Illustration Copyright © 2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc., by
Raghavendra Kamath, licensed under Creative Commons <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Attribution
4.0 International license</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/statement-from-fsfs-new-president-geoffrey-knauth
title: Statement from FSF's new president, Geoffrey Knauth
uri: Statement-from-FSF-s-new-president-Geoffrey-Knauth
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/statement-from-fsfs-new-president-geoffrey-knauth
content:
<p>The FSF Board chose me at this moment as a servant leader to help the
community focus on our shared dedication to protect and grow software
that respects our freedoms. It is also important to protect and grow
the diverse membership of the community. It is through our diversity
of backgrounds and opinions that we have creativity, perspective,
intellectual strength, and rigor.</p>
<p>It is the community that has selflessly built the impressive
collection of free software the world now enjoys. The community must
be given credit for this achievement. The free software movement may
have started with Richard Stallman's passion and lifelong commitment,
and we all are grateful to that spark of imagination that gave us high
purpose. At the same time, we are all aware that this community has
grown large over the years. That's a very good thing. </p>
<p>It requires
renewed focus to achieve our goals. We must remember what unites us
and why we came to free software in the first place. What inspired us
in the past? What will keep us inspired, and what will inspire new
generations of free software developers? We must be kind to each
other and respect each other when our good faith arguments differ, in
order to produce the best solutions together. I pledge to support
honest dialog and emerging leaders in the quest to secure the future
for free software for generations to come, and not to alter the tenets
of the free software vision.</p>
<p>I have been an active supporter and contributor from the moment the
GNU Manifesto appeared, and by accident of time and space, I was lucky to
witness the birth of a movement truly great and wonderful. To be
honest, at the time my first thought was, "What a noble idea, but one
person cannot do all this." Then I saw how over time, many good
people from literally every corner of the planet gave of themselves to
make free software a reality. It is you who are important, it is you
who joined the effort to help the world see the virtues of free
software, the dedication of its thousands of contributors and
volunteers, the high quality of free software used every day around
the world, and its sheer endurance and ability to find itself in
widespread use even by those who were once fierce opponents to free
software. Take that to heart, let's keep it going. Tell it to your
children, and let's make sure your children have the freedoms you have
achieved, and more.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-fsfs-approach-to-using-online-videos-for-advocacy
title: The FSF's approach to using online videos for advocacy
uri: The-FSF-s-approach-to-using-online-videos-for-advocacy
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-fsfs-approach-to-using-online-videos-for-advocacy
content:
<p>A consistent bit of feedback we hear from both current and potential free software supporters is: do better at using video to communicate the importance of free software philosophy. If we aim to make free software a "kitchen table" issue, it is imperative we reach new audiences and make our points clearly, in formats that successfully engage people with limited time, across a diverse set of learning styles. From a technical perspective, this means reaching them where they are -- or more specifically -- on whatever device they are using at the moment.</p>
<p>Many unfortunately commonly used devices such as the iPhone do not support the video and audio formats we prefer to use in the world of free software. Apple's iron grip on the device prevents all but technically advanced users from installing the software necessary to play these formats: among them <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Ogg_Vorbis">Ogg Vorbis</a>, <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/FLAC">FLAC</a>, and WebM. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) and other free software activists advocate for these formats due to the danger posed by <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/software-patents.html">software patents</a>, a pernicious legal invention that <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/software-patents-are-another-kind-of-disease">casts a dark cloud over</a> all software development. Software patents make it possible for patent owners who can state their case well enough to make claims against any piece of free software. This alone puts developers at risk. One doesn't even need to have a valid patent to threaten action: if the developer lacks the funds to defend themselves, an absurd patent claim could be equally dangerous.</p>
<p>In contrast to this, some authors of common formats choose to freely license any potential patent claims along with all other aspects of their project. Groups like these are intentionally helping to create the world we want to live in, and they are worthy of our support.</p>
<p>While we must continue campaigning against Apple and other companies for their support of software patents and insistence on trying to control users, we can't do that nearly as effectively if users of those platforms can't hear us. Without supporting video codecs other than those above, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Video_Coding">Advanced Video Coding</a> (commonly called H.264), we run the risk of reaching only those who already know about free software.</p>
<p>To make it possible for users new to free software to watch the videos we make about free software, we've set up a "fallback" system for our embedded video player. Formats like WebM and Ogg Theora are preferred, but if these are not supported by the device, a file encoded in H.264 is played instead. Thus, without signing any agreement "buying" or attaining any supposed patent license, we can make sure that these users can access our materials. Ideally, these videos will motivate them to move to a device or operating system that respects their freedom. This brings one more person into the "free world," moving us closer to eliminating software patents and proprietary software altogether.</p>
<p>Although formats preferred by the free software community are now much more widespread than they were when we launched the <a href="https://playogg.org">PlayOgg</a> campaign, most media sharing sites require you to use nonfree software (often in the form of JavaScript) or agree to ethically unacceptable terms of service (often claiming to prohibit you from writing your own software similar to that running the service). True to our principles, the FSF self-hosts all of its media, supports decentralization and federation, and never requires nonfree JavaScript. The FSF will continue campaigning against software patents, and will always ensure that our materials can be viewed by systems that exclusively run free software.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-university-of-costumed-heroes-a-video-from-the-fsf
title: The University of Costumed Heroes: A video from the FSF
uri: The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-A-video-from-the-FSF
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-university-of-costumed-heroes-a-video-from-the-fsf
content:
<p></br>
<iframe src="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=blogpost/no-autoplay/" id="videoframe" scrolling="no" style="overflow: hidden; margin: auto; border: 0 none; display: block; height: 450px" width="95%"></iframe>
</br>
This video is <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/presenting-shoetool-happy-holidays-from-the-fsf">the second</a> in a series of animated videos
created by the Free Software Foundation's (FSF), and this one is
themed around our campaign against the use of proprietary <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">remote
education software</a>. </p>
<p>We must reverse the trend of forsaking
young people's freedom, which <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom">has been accelerating</a> as
corporations try to capitalize on the need to establish new
remote education practices. Free software not only protects the
freedoms of your child or grandchild by allowing people to study
the source code for any malicious functionalities, it also
communicates important values like autonomy, sharing, social responsibility, and collaboration.</p>
<h3>Support our work</h3>
<p>To further help us bring attention to, and start a conversation
with, institutions that are endangering students' futures and
jeopardizing their education by relying on proprietary software ,
please show your support for free software in education and this
video by <a href="https://fsf.org/share?u=https://u.fsf.org/fsfheroes&amp;t=Support%20students%27%20%2523UserFreedom.%20The%20University%20of%20Costumed%20Superheroes%20is%20an%20animated%20video%20from%20@fsf%20on%20the%20dangers%20of%20proprietary%20software%20in%20remote%20education.%20Support%20their%20campaign%20at%20">promoting it</a>.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Share a <a href="https://fsf.org/share?u=https://u.fsf.org/fsfheroes&amp;t=Support%20students%27%20%2523UserFreedom.%20The%20University%20of%20Costumed%20Superheroes%20is%20an%20animated%20video%20from%20@fsf%20on%20the%20dangers%20of%20proprietary%20software%20in%20remote%20education.%20Support%20their%20campaign%20at%20">pre-populated message</a> on your favorite microblog.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Here's a short URL you can use: <a href="https://u.fsf.org/fsfheroes">https://u.fsf.org/fsfheroes</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Use <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/fsf-heroes-stills.zip">these images</a> and the #UserFreedom hashtag</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>If you enjoy this video, consider becoming an <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=fsfheroes">FSF associate
member</a> or <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=fsfheroes">donating to the FSF</a> to help us create more
videos like this to help spread free software awareness.</p>
<hr />
<h1>Download the video:</h1>
<ul>
<li>webm: <a href="media/f090249c.The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-720p.webm" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-720p.webm">720p</a> | <a href="media/9f8cfa0f.The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-360p.webm" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-360p.webm">360p</a>   <br />
</li>
<li>Ogg Theora:  <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-720p.ogv">720p</a> | <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-360p.ogv">360p</a>             <br />
</li>
<li>mp4: <a href="media/32c845cf.The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-720p.mp4" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-720p.mp4">720p</a> | <a href="media/c673a163.The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-360p.mp4" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/videos/The-University-of-Costumed-Heroes-360p.mp4">360p</a>                            <br />
</li>
<li>Source files: <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/source-files">Source files</a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-fsfs-approach-to-using-online-videos-for-advocacy">More information about the different formats the FSF chooses to use.</a> </p>
<h1>Subtitles and translations</h1>
<p>Help us translate to many different languages so we can share
this video across the globe! Translation <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:FSF/FSFHeroes_Video_Translation">drafts and the how-to
explanation</a> can be found on our the LibrePlanet wiki. Once you have
finalized a translation, email <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> and we will
publish it. </p>
<p><strong>Subtitle files:</strong> <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/captions/fsfheroes_en.vtt">English</a></p>
<h1>Embed</h1>
<p>Embed <em>The University of Costumed Heroes</em> on your site or blog with this code: </p>
<pre>
&lt;iframe src=&quot;https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/&quot; id=&quot;fsf-heroes-video&quot; scrolling=&quot;no&quot; style=&quot;overflow: hidden; margin: 0; border: 0 none; display: block; width: 100%; height: 67vw; max-height: 550px;&quot;&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;
</pre>

<h1>Video credits:</h1>
<p><strong> <em>The University of Costumed Heroes</em> by the Free Software Foundation</strong>               <br />
<strong>LENGTH</strong>: 02:33                 <br />
<strong>PRODUCER &amp; DIRECTOR</strong>: Brad Burkhart    <br />
<strong>STORY</strong>: Douglas J. Eboch             <br />
<strong>ANIMATOR</strong>: Zygis Luksas      <br />
</p>
<p><em>The University of Costumed Heroes</em> by the <a href="https://www.fsf.org">Free Software Foundation</a> Copyright © 2020 is
licensed under the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/a-tech-antitrust-hearing-misses-the-point
title: A tech antitrust hearing misses the point
uri: A-tech-antitrust-hearing-misses-the-point
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/a-tech-antitrust-hearing-misses-the-point
content:
<p>On <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/29/technology/big-tech-hearing-apple-amazon-facebook-google.html">July 29th</a>, the CEOs of Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon
were called before the US Senate Judiciary Committee to give testimony
to lawmakers considering substantial revisions to antitrust laws. Yet
despite a five-hour hearing, conducted using some of the very same
software which is at the root of these issues, little headway was
made.</p>
<p>It's easy to focus, like these hearings, on the specific objectionable
purposes for which the software these companies are involved with has
been used. Specific actions have caused specific harms, and we
understand the importance of talking about that and potentially taking
or requiring remedial actions. However, it is imperative that we not
stop there. We must go deeper, and expose the fact that it is the very
way our predominant proprietary software culture and legal regimes
operate -- giving software companies immense power over users -- which
will inevitably lead to recurring specific problems until addressed.</p>
<p>Attempting to address the problem of monolithic corporations like the
ones in question, and their control over the digital sphere, will fail
without addressing the issue at the core of their exploitation of
users: proprietary software, or software that does not respect its
users' <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">freedom</a>. The terms of use and distribution for the
software are by no means the only issue, but they are central to many
of the issues causing public concern. We've been waiting for follow-up
coverage to acknowledge the conspicuous absence of discussion about
our rights as users to control the software we use, but it has not
happened. This is evidence that the Free Software Foundation, the free
software movement, and anyone else concerned with ending the dystopian
control tech companies have achieved over our lives, have our work cut
out for us.</p>
<p>Proprietary software is one of the chief ways in which these
corporations are able to continually abuse their users. If the
software were instead free to study, share, and modify, others would
be able to detect and remove (or substantially mitigate) unwanted
"features" like the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-surveillance.html">user tracking</a> frequently discussed throughout
the hearing. Even users without technical know-how could then use the
altered software to protect themselves, and would benefit tremendously
from a robust community of software professionals and hobbyists able
to verify that their computer or cell phone isn't violating their
rights. Giving the community of users insight into and control over the
tools that they use is crucial to retaining their freedom.</p>
<p>Besides enabling abusive features, nonfree software also helps these
companies achieve and maintain their monopolistic dominance on the
market. The Apple App Store uses <a href="https://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm_digital_restrictions_management">Digital Restrictions Management</a>
(DRM) to ensure that only programs that Apple approves are able to run
on Apple devices. This gives them tremendous control over the
applications people get to download, and naturally tends toward a
monopoly. As long as Apple uses DRM to ensure that their phones are
only able to run software with their permission, Apple retains
unilateral control over its users, and over an entire industry of
developers, creatives, and tinkerers who develop applications for
mobile phones. To make matters worse, the US and other governments
actually subsidize this control via laws that make breaking it or
sharing information about how to break it a criminal offense. The
solution here isn't to tell Apple that it can't use its control in
some specific ways, like banning apps that compete with Apple
products, which is something it regularly does. The solution is to
take this unjust control away from them and other companies that push
DRM.</p>
<p>During the course of the hearing, subcommittee chairman David
Cicilline continually referred to Google and the other firms up for
discussion as "walled gardens." Proprietary software is the core
reason for this term, yet in the hearing itself, there was no
indication of the understanding that nonfree software establishes the
conditions to trap users in the first place.</p>
<p>Likewise, nowhere in the hearing did we hear a reference to any free
and easily deployable software that could challenge the monopolizing
powers while giving users similar functionalities. Through network
federation and decentralization, communities could deploy smaller
servers that mesh together to form one larger network, avoiding the
further "siloization" of the Internet. Decentralized social networks
like <a href="https://joinmastodon.org">Mastodon</a> have already attracted millions to their platform.
Even Google's dominance on Web queries could be challenged by
deploying federated search software, such as <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/YaCy">YaCy</a>. Twitter has
<a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/johns_FSF/status/1204791037216120833?p=p">publicly said</a> that they are exploring such possibilities -- there is
no reason all of the platform companies in this hearing shouldn't be
doing the same.</p>
<p>The Free Software Foundation has been campaigning for complete
software freedom for nearly thirty-five years, and is the
organizational home of <a href="https://gnu.org">GNU</a>, the first operating system written
for the sole purpose of giving users their freedom. If we want to heed
chairman Cicilline's warning and not "<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jul/29/tech-hearings-facebook-mark-zuckerberg-amazon-jeff-bezos-apple-tim-cook-google-sundar-pichai-congress">bow before the emperors of the
online economy</a>," we should start by letting our friends,
families, and lawmakers know that as long as software is nonfree, we
enable corporations like these to continue their assault on human
dignity and user freedom.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/thank-you-for-helping-us-welcome-over-200-new-members
title: Thank you for helping us welcome over 200 new members
uri: Thank-you-for-helping-us-welcome-over-200-new-members
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/thank-you-for-helping-us-welcome-over-200-new-members
content:
<p><figure><figure style="style"><a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/autoplay?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=thank-you/"><img src="media/d97b6015.defeated.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/videos/fsf-heroes/thumbnails/defeated.png" style="width: 560px;" alt="Still from University of Costumed Heroes" /></a></figure style></figure></p>
<p>In the year 2020, every shred of good news is something to be grateful for, and the outpouring of support we've experienced during <a href="https://www.fsf.org/appeal/">our spring fundraiser</a> is very good news indeed. Over the course of the last month, not only did we exceed our goal of 200 new associate members, but we've gained more memberships this July than in any other July in the history of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) associate membership program. We are thrilled that in a time of many pressing concerns about freedom and safety, our supporters have grasped the central importance of the FSF's role in defending our right to control the software in our lives. We cannot possibly thank you enough for helping to ensure that we can continue leading this battle.</p>
<p>While the fight to free all software will always need <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=thank-you/">financial support</a>, it also requires advocacy to bring in more supporters at all levels of technological knowledge. We hope you'll use, enjoy, and share some of the newer tools and advocacy materials we've produced over the last few months:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-university-of-costumed-heroes-a-video-from-the-fsf">The University of Costumed Heroes video</a>: An urgent software freedom issue right now, during the novel coronavirus pandemic, is the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">required use of proprietary remote education software</a> (as well as <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/trial-by-proprietary-software">in courtrooms</a> and other environments where people would normally congregate in person). We've commissioned a fun animated video that illustrates why this trend is dangerous, and we encourage you to share it and use it to start the conversation.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom">Petition for freedom in the classroom</a>: Please join others in declaring in that we won't stand for the serious harm that proprietary software poses to students! Not only does signing communicate that you care, but you also have the option to specify if you're a student, teacher, parent, or administrator at a school that is forcing you to use proprietary software to learn or teach. If you choose to provide this information, we will contact your school administration on your behalf. Free software activists are already <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/jitsi-spain">converting schools to free videoconferencing programs</a> today, and we want to help make your school another success story if we can. Please <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=thank-you/">read, sign,</a> and <a href="https://www.fsf.org/share?u=https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom&amp;t=Help%20protect%20students'%20%2523UserFreedom.%20By%20signing%20the%20%40fsf%20petition%20you%20help%20reverse%20the%20trend%20of%20forsaking%20young%20people's%20freedom%20in%20name%20of%20education.">share</a> the petition today! </p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-gives-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-to-all-associate-members">The FSF Jitsi Meet instance</a>: Finally, one of the easiest ways to introduce people to free software is to use it for something they were going to do already, like video chat! If you're an <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=thank-you/">associate member of the FSF</a>, and you're planning a video chat with a friend or family, member, it's as easy as opening a Jitsi Meet chat room and sharing the URL. I've personally used the FSF Jitsi Meet instance to convert my friends' team trivia game to free software videoconferencing, and it's another great way to start a conversation about why the people you care about should embrace the cause of free software. </p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Once again, we're so grateful and humbled by your support at a time when many nonprofit organizations are struggling to stay afloat. It's your conviction and commitment that make our work possible, and we hope that with your help, we'll keep the good news coming. </p>
<p><em>Screenshot from </em>The University of Costumed Heroes<em> by the Free Software Foundation Copyright © 2020 is licensed under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License</a>.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/submit-your-session-for-libreplanet-2021-before-oct-28
title: Submit your session for LibrePlanet 2021 before Oct. 28
uri: Submit-your-session-for-LibrePlanet-2021-before-Oct-28
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/submit-your-session-for-libreplanet-2021-before-oct-28
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: left; width: 330px; margin: 2% 2% 4% -6%;"><a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog"><img src="media/d772ef71.CFS.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/libreplanet/2021/communications/pubs/CFS.png" alt="Call for Sessions LP image" style="width: 330px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://my.fsf.org/lp-call-for-sessions?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">Submit your session to LibrePlanet 2021: 
Empowering Users</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://my.fsf.org/lp-call-for-sessions?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">Submissions</a> are being accepted through Wednesday, October 28 at 12:00 Eastern Daylight Time (16:00 UTC). General registration, award nominations, exhibitor registration and sponsoring packages will open soon.</p>
<p>We invite activists, hackers, law professionals, artists, students, developers, young people, policymakers, tinkerers,
newcomers to free software, and anyone looking for technology
that aligns with their ideals, to <a href="https://my.fsf.org/lp-call-for-sessions?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">submit a proposal</a> for a
session at <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">LibrePlanet</a>. Session proposals can focus on
software development, copyleft, community, or other related
issues.</p>
<h2>Theme: Empowering Users</h2>
<p>The theme for 2021 is <strong>Empowering Users</strong>. Over our thirty-five
years of campaigning for freedom, the Free Software Foundation
has seen countless people start to adopt free <a href="https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html">"as in
freedom"</a> software as a tool to affect meaningful change in
their communities. When users have the freedom to study, change,
share, and contribute to the software that they depend on, they
are empowered to take charge of their own digital lives.</p>
<p>Right now, we are seeing people all over the world band together
to show how technology can make us safer and keep us connected
without compromising our freedoms. In education, we've reported
on people hosting their own videoconferencing services to
<a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/jitsi-spain">facilitate free remote learning</a>, and have seen examples of
educators <a href="https://www.gnu.org/education/teaching-my-mit-classes-with-only-free-libre-software.html">teaching university classes</a> with <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/free-online-classroom">exclusively free
software</a>. From <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/17/21184308/coronavirus-italy-medical-3d-print-valves-treatments">Italy</a> to the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/2020/spring/hackers-and-hospitals">US</a>, parents, health
care professionals, hackers, and tinkerers are getting together
to facilitate access to much needed medical equipment to help
combat the novel coronavirus. As discontent and distrust with
technology conglomerates grows, we see calls for users to
navigate away from <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/08/09/whatsapp-security-apple-iphone-google-android-apps-update-signal-telegram-encryption/#6c6671664b32">Facebook's WhatsApp</a> messaging service,
and spikes in users on <a href="https://gadgets.ndtv.com/social-networking/news/mastodon-what-it-is-and-why-gaining-popularity-in-india-2129392">decentralized microblogging</a>
services.</p>
<p><a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">LibrePlanet 2021: Empowering Users</a> will be a celebration of
such stories. Our work has been motivated by seeing people help
others move away from proprietary tools that embrace corporate
control and government bulk surveillance. Movements like this
help build a future that empowers users and their communities
rather than the harmful business models of monopolistic
proprietary software companies.</p>
<h2>What kind of sessions are we looking for?</h2>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Examine free software through this year's theme, <strong>Empowering
  Users</strong>, through broader spheres of education, licensing,
  medicine, government, business, art, or social movements;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Share an update on your free software project;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Present strategies for strengthening the free software community;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Explore current topics in free software licensing and copyleft, or
  give a great licensing tutorial;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Host a workshop on how to use a free software tool, free software
  program, or free hardware project;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Explore a free software concept or share your technical
  knowledge in an interactive session; or</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Lead a project "sprint" (a group work session).</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>All sessions will be reviewed by a community council representing
a wide range of expertise. It's important to us to provide
sessions that are friendly to newcomers, as well as those that
help experienced hackers improve their technical skills. Whatever
your experience level or the experience level of your audience, 
we want to include your session! If you're new to the
community, or if you're looking for inspiration, check out this past 
year's <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/tag/libreplanet-2020-video/">conference site and session videos</a>.</p>
<h2>Will this be an in-person event?</h2>
<p>This year has been an exceptional year for everyone, and the
future is uncertain for in-person events. The FSF will continue
to monitor public health notifications, and will follow the guidelines
of the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the World
Health Organization (WHO), and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). </p>
<p>Whether we can safely hold the event in the Boston area and enjoy
all the pleasures of meeting the community in person is not yet
known. While the goal is to hold LibrePlanet 2021: Empowering
Users in person in the Boston area, our conference planning will
incorporate the possibility of an online conference. We know many
of our attendees and speakers need to plan any travel well in
advance; we will do our best to announce the decision on
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021?pk_campaign=LP21&amp;pk_source=cfsblog">libreplanet.org/2021</a> and by email as soon as we responsibly can.</p>
<p>We will take the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/how-to-livestream-a-conference-in-just-under-a-week">lessons we learned</a> from our online
experience this year with us and organize an event that is
inclusive and allows people from all over the (libre)planet to
participate. With this in mind, we ask everyone submitting a
session to tell us if they can be physically present in
Boston. Remote sessions will be reviewed with the intent of
integrating quality sessions into the schedule. As always, if you
will need help traveling to the event, the FSF is offering a
limited amount of speaker scholarships, for which you can apply
in the session proposal form. You can also donate to <a href="https://my.fsf.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&amp;id=60">help others
attend</a>.</p>
<h2>Office hours on IRC</h2>
<p>We will be holding office hours on Internet Relay
Chat (IRC). Those will be designated times where the LibrePlanet
team, including experienced community volunteers, will be
available to help potential speakers prepare their session
proposals for the conference. Office hours are on Tuesdays, and
start August 25 on the #libreplanet <a href="https://webchat.freenode.net/">IRC channel</a> on the
Freenode network. They will continue every Tuesday until the
Call for Sessions closes on October 28.</p>
<p>Times will be every Tuesday, starting August 25 until October 27,
from 13:00 - 14:00 Eastern Daylight time (17:00 UTC).</p>
<p>You can always email us at <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> with any questions
as well.</p>
<h2>Share the Call for Sessions with others</h2>
<p>Help LibrePlanet grow far and wide by sharing this <a href="https://www.fsf.org/share?u=https://libreplanet.org/2021&amp;t=%40fsf%20announced%20LibrePlanet%27s%202021%20theme%20is%20%22Empowering%20Users.%22%20Do%20you%20have%20something%20to%20say%20about%20this%20subject%2C%20user%20freedom%2C%20free%20software%2C%20digital%20ethics%2C%20or%20technology%3F%20Share%20it%20at%20%2523LibrePlanet%202021%20by%20submitting%20your%20session%20proposal%20before%20October%2028.%20">sample
message</a> on your favorite microblog. Feel free to adapt the
text and use it with the #LibrePlanet hashtag and the
included image.</p>
<p><em>@fsf announced LibrePlanet's 2021 theme is "Empowering
 Users." Do you have something to say about this subject, user freedom, free
 software, digital ethics, or technology? Share it at LibrePlanet
 2021 by submitting your session proposal before October
 28. https://my.fsf.org/lp-call-for-sessions</em></p>
<p>We're looking forward to seeing all of the engaging sessions come
through. Please join us, and have your voice heard during vital
conversations on free software's role in empowering users at
LibrePlanet 2021.</p>
<p>Kind regards, </p>
<p>Zoë Kooyman          <br />
Program Manager </p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/august-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-14-new-releases
title: August GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: 14 new releases!
uri: August-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-14-new-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/august-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-14-new-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.7.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/">emacs-27.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libc/">glibc-2.32</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/health/">gnuhealth-3.6.5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnunet/">gnunet-0.13.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/libredwg/">libredwg-0.11</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/linux-libre/">linux-libre-5.8</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mailutils/">mailutils-3.10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mcron/">mcron-1.2.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/mpc/">mpc-1.2.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/nano/">nano-5.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200822</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/pspp/">pspp-1.4.0</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/vera/">vera-1.24</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>.  You can use the url
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>This month, we welcome Rayner Lucas, Tristan Miller, and Jason Evans as
maintainers of GNU STUMP and WebSTUMP.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help.  The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>


title: Free Software Awards: Recognize those who advance our freedom by October 28th
uri: Free-Software-Awards-Recognize-those-who-advance-our-freedom-by-Octob
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-recognize-those-who-advance-our-freedom-by-october-28th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-recognize-those-who-advance-our-freedom-by-october-28th

content:
<p>The work of dedicated contributors is at the center of free
software's ability to <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/submit-your-session-for-libreplanet-2021-before-oct-28">empower users</a>. Whether they're developers,
documentation writers, community organizers, or inspiring new
volunteers, everyone plays their own role in building the movement.
Together, the work of these community members contributes to the technical
excellence of free software, but more importantly, it makes it
possible for everyday people to live a full digital life without
compromising their freedom. </p>
<p>Each year, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) formally expresses our
appreciation to these individuals and organizations through the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/awards/">Free
Software Awards</a>. These awards are given each year at
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021">LibrePlanet</a>, our conference for free software community
activists, domain experts, and people seeking their own solutions to
problems like user-abusive antifeatures and bulk government
surveillance. The Free Software Awards let these people and projects
know that their work is deeply appreciated, and that they play a vital
role in bringing this global movement toward its goals.</p>
<p>You might know of a contributor or organization who has done
significant and user-empowering work on free software. We invite you
to take a moment to show them (and tell us) that you care, by
nominating them for an award in one of three categories: the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/awards/fs-award"><strong>Award
for the Advancement of Free Software</strong></a>, the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/awards/sb-award"><strong>Award for Projects
of Social Benefit</strong></a>, or the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/awards/onfsc-award"><strong>Award for Outstanding New Free
Software Contributor</strong></a>. Don't assume that someone else will
nominate them -- too often, everyone assuming someone else will
express the appreciation means that it never happens. As taking
initiative and speaking up for the community are important parts of
free software, why not take the time yourself to make sure your voice
is heard?</p>
<p>The deadline to submit your nominations is <strong>October 28th</strong>, 2020, at
15:00 UTC.</p>
<h1>Award for the Advancement of Free Software</h1>
<p>The FSF Award for the Advancement of Free Software is presented
annually to a single individual who has made a great contribution to
the progress and advancement of free software, through activities that
are in accord with the spirit of the community. Last year's award was
accepted by <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/fsf-award-ceremony/">Jim Meyering</a>, whose work on GNU <a href="https://gnu.org/software/coreutils/">Coreutils</a> and
numerous other utilities was foundational in the early development of
the GNU operating system, and helps to keep it robust. Previous winners
include Deborah Nicholson, Karen Sandler, Alexandre Oliva, and Matthew
Garrett.</p>
<p>Submit your nomination for this individual award <a href="https://my.fsf.org/advancement-of-free-software-award-nomination">here</a>!</p>
<h1>Award for Projects of Social Benefit</h1>
<p>The FSF Award for Projects of Social Benefit is presented to an
organization or team responsible for applying the principles of the
free software movement to a project that intentionally and
significantly benefits society in other aspects of life. Last year's
award was accepted by <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/fsf-award-ceremony/">Let's Encrypt</a>, an HTTPS certificate
authority that has made great strides in democratizing security on the Web.
Previous winners of this award include OpenStreetMap, Public Lab,
SecureDrop, GNU Health, Tor, and the Internet Archive.</p>
<p>Submit your nomination for this project/team award <a href="https://my.fsf.org/projects-of-social-benefit-award-nomination">here</a>!</p>
<h1>Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor</h1>
<p>The Award for Outstanding New Free Software Contributor is presented
annually to an individual newcomer to the community who has
demonstrated an outstanding dedication to software freedom. The award
recipient must have made their first significant free software-related
contributions in 2020, and show a pattern of ongoing activity. Their
contributions may have included things like: empowering the community
by organizing local meetups, software development, becoming involved
in the strategic or logistical planning of a project, working on
documentation, or helping to make improvements in the environment to
attract and keep contributors. Last year's award was accepted by
<a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/fsf-award-ceremony/">Clarissa Lima Borges</a>, who upon beginning an internship through
<a href="https://outreachy.org">Outreachy</a>, immediately hit the ground running on improving
usability tests for <a href="https://gnome.org">GNOME</a> desktop applications.</p>
<p>Submit your nomination for this individual award
<a href="https://my.fsf.org/outstanding-new-free-software-contributor-nomination">here</a>!</p>
<p>In the face of threats to user freedom coming from every different
angle -- including the ongoing pandemic -- let's press forward by
showing the hardworking members of our movement that we deeply
appreciate their dedication.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/assine-esta-peticao-pela-liberdade-na-sala-de-aula
title: Assine esta petição pela liberdade na sala de aula
uri: Assine-esta-petição-pela-liberdade-na-sala-de-aula
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/assine-esta-peticao-pela-liberdade-na-sala-de-aula
content:
<p><strong>Leia, assine e compartilhe a petição: <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom</a></strong></p>
<p><figure style="float: right; width: 400px; margin: 0% -1% 2% 2%;">
    <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/"><img src="media/30ed89a2.petition_rect.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/petition_rect.png" alt="Ilustração de um estudante sendo espionado enquanto usa um computador." style="width: 400px;" /></a>
    <div style="font-size: 75%; color: grey; margin-top: 5px;">
        <strong>Use este código de incorporação para adicionar esta imagem a seu site ou blog para referenciar a petição:</strong>
        <pre style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
&lt;a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom?pk_campaign=frspring2020&amp;pk_source=bagde"&gt;&lt;img src="media/30ed89a2.petition_rect.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/appeal2020/spring/petition_rect.png" alt="Lute pela liberdade dos estudantes (#UserFreedom).  Assine a peti&ccedil;&atilde;o hoje!"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
        </pre>
    </div>
</figure></p>
<p>Conforme <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/remote-education-does-not-require-giving-up-rights-to-freedom-and-privacy">escrevemos</a> recentemente, o aprendizado remoto não
precisa (e não deveria) significar a renúncia das liberdades básicas.
Novos desenvolvimentos na área da educação remota apenas contribuíram
para a preocupante tendência de tratar a escola como uma área de
testes para a vigilância ubíqua e outras práticas distópicas.  Isto é
especialmente perigoso para as crianças nativas do mundo digital, que
podem não saber que existem alternativas, muito menos que a
"alternativa" percebida é, na verdade, a única opção ética.</p>
<p>Como a discussão entre ativistas do software livre na nossa lista de
e-mails <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss">libreplanet-discuss</a> mostrou nas semanas recentes, a
educação digital pode triunfar quando fazemos da liberdade uma
prioridade. Nenhum estudante deveria trocar sua liberdade por uma
educação. A Free Software Foundation (FSF) já trabalhou junto com um
<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21244058/google-meet-microsoft-teams-webex-personal-data-collection-privacy-policy-concerns">professor do MIT</a> para libertar as aulas dele e seguimos
compartilhando nosso conhecimento com o sistema de escolas públicas de
Boston. Hoje estamos dando o próximo passo nesse comprometimento.</p>
<p>Iniciando hoje, trabalharemos para mudar o cenário da educação remota
com uma nova petição contra o dano severo que o software privativo
representa aos estudantes e, ao mesmo tempo, enfatizando a ideia de
que há uma solução ética. Seja quando o <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21244058/google-meet-microsoft-teams-webex-personal-data-collection-privacy-policy-concerns">Microsoft Teams</a> é usado
para conectar estudantes, o Google Classroom é adotado para escrever
todos os documentos ou o <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">Zoom</a> é empregado para a sessão da sala
de aula, queremos transmitir a mensagem de que a única resposta
aceitável no tocante à quantidade de software privativo que deveria
ser permitida nas escolas é <em>nenhum</em>. Fazer estudantes dependerem de
software não livre para aprender é não apenas danoso a eles a curto
prazo, mas também uma oportunidade desperdiçada de passar os valores
de livre acesso, estudo, compartilhamento e colaboração.</p>
<p>Na FSF, estamos trabalhando duro para fazer do software livre uma
questão de reunião de família: uma que seja falada e levada a sério
por todas as pessoas e não apenas uma causa abraçada por uma
comunidade pequena mas motivada. Entendemos que fazer-se ouvir sobre
estes problemas pode ser difícil, motivo pelo qual estamos oferecendo
colocar nossa voz atrás da sua como a organização responsável pelo
movimento. <a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">Ao assinar a petição</a>, você tem a opção de nos informar
se é um estudante, pai/mãe, professor ou administrador de uma escola
que requeira o uso de software privativo. Contataremos a administração
deles para lhe representar e evidenciar a eles que uma comunidade
global de ativistas e pessoas normais assinaram um posicionamento
apoiando o <a href="https://gnu.org/education/">software livre na educação</a>.</p>
<p>Esta iniciativa e petição foram motivadas pela perda de direitos dos
estudantes causada pela pandemia, mas não planejamos parar quando o
novo coronavírus estiver finalmente sob controle. Visualizamos para
este posicionamento um espaço permanente em <a href="https://fsf.org">https://fsf.org</a> e
estamos comprometidos em contatar quantas escolas conseguirmos como
parte de nossos esforços para encorajar a adoção do software livre.</p>
<p>Seu posicionamento junto a nós neste problema significa muito para
nós. O sucesso de qualquer petição é tão forte quanto sua comunicação
e as pessoas que se manifestam por trás dela, e por isso apreciamos
que você se disponibilize a assinar. O ato de firmar este
posicionamento de princípios é uma forma que lhe oferecemos para
colocar a "liberdade em ação" durante o nosso <a href="https://fsf.org/appeal/">apelo de verão</a> e
ser uma voz para a liberdade do usuário no mundo todo #UserFreedom.</p>
<p>Por trinta e cinco anos, a FSF realiza campanhas pela completa
liberdade do software. Por todo esse tempo, e apesar de parecer
conveniente e popular fazê-lo, nunca sacrificamos nossos princípios.
Ser o <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/libreplanet-2016-the-last-lighthouse-3d51/">"último farol"</a> da liberdade do usuário significa manter-se
vigilante sobre a ajuda ou dano causados pelo uso dos programas de
computador contra quem deles depende. Por favor, reserve um tempo para
<a href="https://my.fsf.org/give-students-userfreedom">assinar a petição</a> pelos direitos dos estudantes em todo o mundo,
sejam estes os seus direitos, dos seus filhos ou simplesmente de algum
conhecido. Juntos, podemos cortar a conexão que a educação tem com o
software privativo e, em seu lugar, fomentar a liberdade.</p>
<p><em>Read this article in English at <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom">https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom</a></em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/hello-world-from-eostre-emily-danne-intern-with-the-fsf-tech-team
title: Hello world from Eostre Emily Danne, intern with the FSF tech team
uri: Hello-world-from-Eostre-Emily-Danne-intern-with-the-FSF-tech-team
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/hello-world-from-eostre-emily-danne-intern-with-the-fsf-tech-team
content:
<p>Greetings!</p>
<p>I'm Eostre (they/she), one of the new interns here at the FSF. I'm primarily here to update systems, rebuild servers, configure Apache, and really anything else that involves coercing GNU/Linux until it does what I want. Prior to this, I've done GNU/Linux almost exclusively as a hobby; now I'm trying to turn my hobby into a career. At home, I run a bunch of weird little hobby distros/BSDs. Interning at the FSF, where we primarily use Trisquel, is giving me a healthy appreciation for Ubuntu-based systems too.</p>
<p>In my hobby work, I've worked on making OS installs highly reproducible - my <code>/</code> is a read-only squashfs image that gets periodically rebuilt, my <code>/etc</code> is a git repo, and I keep my <code>/home</code> distributed across a few machines via Syncthing. At the FSF, I'm applying that experience by reimplementing some infrastructure as neat little scripted installs. Without revealing too much about our infrastructure, we have some systems that were created using forgotten knowledge by previous generations of sysadmins; it's my job to turn the arcane shell invocations in their <code>~/.bash_history</code> files into something we can eventually manage with Ansible, though for now I'll just be writing shell scripts that do the same thing.</p>
<p>This also comes as Trisquel is about to release version 9.0, so I'll probably end up testing that too.</p>
<hr />
<p>There are also some aspects of myself that don't involve computers or GNU/Linux in some way:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>I play Dungeons and Dragons, whenever the stars align and our group is able to meet.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I do a bit of modding for the free software video game Endless Sky. (I lied, this one involves computers!)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I house sixteen highly evolved dinosaurs! We have four ducks and twelve chickens; they're all between four and six months old, so they haven't started laying eggs yet, but they have gotten big enough to cause trouble.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I also have two cats, two mice, a snake, and some fish.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I am willing to share pictures of my animals :)</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>I'm trans, nonbinary, pan, and poly. On top of that, I'm autistic too. I like who I am, and who I've become.</p>
</li>
</ul>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/volunteers-needed-help-maintain-our-webmail-page
title: Volunteers needed: Help maintain our webmail page
uri: Volunteers-needed-Help-maintain-our-webmail-page
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/volunteers-needed-help-maintain-our-webmail-page
content:
<p>The Free Software Foundation (FSF) needs your help! We are looking for
several reliable volunteers to keep our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/resources/webmail-systems">Free Software Webmail
Systems</a> page up to date, and respond to community questions about
webmail programs as they come in. Between 1,000 and 2,000 visitors
check out this resource every month, and we want to make sure our
recommendations are accurate! If you're interested, please contact us at <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>.</p>
<p>Our Free Software Webmail Systems page is used to share resources for
people interested in using their email over the Web without
compromising their freedom. Many webmail systems meet at least some of
our standards for respecting users, including compliance with <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-librejs-new-and-improved">GNU
LibreJS standards</a>, but they're constantly changing, and new
services are popping up every day. When sites listed on this page
change their services for the better or the worse, they don't tend to
notify us, which means that some vigilance is required to make sure
that this resource stays useful.</p>
<p>Volunteers need to be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Doggedly persistent</li>
<li>Detail driven</li>
<li>Patient </li>
</ul>
<p>You will need to utilize the following skills, or be willing to learn:</p>
<ul>
<li>Using a Mozilla-based browser with the LibreJS plugin</li>
<li>Email terminology</li>
<li>Editing HTML </li>
</ul>
<p>At the moment, we have a backlog of requests from community members
asking us to vet assorted services or changes to the Free Software
Webmail Systems page. We need volunteers to work through that
backlog. Once all requests are cleared up, we will need our volunteers
to do regular maintenance, to make sure the page is current. We'll
also need volunteers to field queries from free software supporters,
who often submit questions and suggestions for webmail programs to
use. To research, you'll need to visit Web sites, sign up and use mail
programs, make notes on successes or failures, and make a call on
whether the criteria for free software have been met. You then submit
a markup text of needed edits to the FSF campaigns team, who will make
those edits on the FSF Web site. Volunteers can also make suggestions
to help improve the appearance of the page and the criteria used to
determine which sites are listed.</p>
<p>Helping us keep this valuable resource up to date will only require
occasional effort, but will net tremendous gratitude from the team at
the FSF, and provide a very important service for the free software
community.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-the-fsf-bulletin-trial-by-proprietary-software
title: From the FSF Bulletin: Trial by proprietary software
uri: From-the-FSF-Bulletin-Trial-by-proprietary-software
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-the-fsf-bulletin-trial-by-proprietary-software
content:
<p><em>This article was originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of the <strong><a href="https://www.fsf.org/bulletin/">Free Software Foundation Bulletin</a></strong>, our biannual newsletter, which is mailed to over 10,000 free software supporters around the world. See the rest of the special expanded online issue of the <strong>Bulletin</strong> at <a href="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/magazine/2020-spring/">https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/magazine/2020-spring/</a>.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/06/19/880859109/zoom-call-eviction-hearings-they-ll-throw-everything-i-have-out-on-the-street"><em>"At a remote eviction hearing...in Collin County, Texas, the court granted landlords the right to evict five people who didn't or couldn't dial into the [Zoom] hearing."</em></a> </p>
<div style="float: right; width: 250px; margin: 10px 0px 10px 10px; padding: 4px; background-color: #EEEEEE; text-align: center; font-size: 75%;">
<img alt="John Sullivan, Executive Director of the FSF, does a presentation at the FSF Continuing Legal Education Seminar in Raleigh, North Carolina, in October 2019." src="media/358975be.john-cle.jpg" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/magazine/2020-spring/images/john-cle.jpg" width="250" />
<p style="margin: 10px 0px;">John Sullivan, Executive Director of the FSF, does a presentation at the FSF Continuing Legal Education Seminar in Raleigh, North Carolina, in October 2019.</p></div>

<p>There has been so much to worry about during the COVID-19 pandemic, even just within the category of technology policy. At the FSF, our role is to worry specifically about the impact of software on human freedom. Software can be a tremendous tool for solving social and scientific problems, but only when the terms of its distribution and use allow everyone to inspect how it works, share copies of it, modify it for their own purposes, and share those improvements or tweaks with others.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, with the shutdown of in-person institutions around the world, people have turned to the proprietary software companies that had the sales and marketing resources to quickly insert themselves as "solutions." Among these institutions are courts of law, many of which have been conducting some proceedings over <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/better-than-zoom-try-these-free-software-tools-for-staying-in-touch">Zoom</a>. While Zoom is a "service," it also requires those using it to run nonfree software on their local devices -- either the official client application, or downloaded nonfree JavaScript when connecting via a Web browser.</p>
<p>While Zoom's software itself doesn't cost an individual any money to use, it raises two clear categories of concern: requiring people to agree to Zoom's arbitrary demands as a condition for access to justice, and the state's public endorsement of Zoom.</p>
<p>First, for a person to use Zoom, they ostensibly have to agree to Zoom's terms of service. Having to agree to a contract with a private company in order to access public services is immediately objectionable. It puts that company in the position of being an actual gatekeeper for our rights under the law. The fact that they can change their terms at any time makes the situation even worse. Right now, they make users promise not to aid any effort to reverse engineer Zoom software -- something which is ethical and legal when done cleanly. Similarly to a celebrity's rider, they also require assent to an assortment of ridiculous provisions. Don't you dare put a Zoom trademark in a picture frame! It's not allowed, if you want to use Zoom. A company attempting to make you mind their trademarks in such specific ways before you can explain why you shouldn't lose your home is horrifying.</p>
<p>Second, for the state to require use of Zoom is for it to promote and subsidize that company. This promotion influences public perception of videoconferencing tools, a business area that depends heavily on network effect (people will use the tools that most other people they know are already using). If the state is going to promote a platform, it should be one that all citizens -- and their businesses -- can use and build on. The money spent every month on Zoom contracts could instead be spent improving free software, on the foundation of some very capable free platforms that already exist for this purpose, like <a href="https://www.fsf.org/news/free-software-foundation-announces-freedom-respecting-videoconferencing-for-its-associate-members">Jitsi Meet</a> and Big Blue Button. The state's choice of Zoom sends the wrong social message and misappropriates public resources. Further, the state has an obligation to preserve its own autonomy, which it by definition cannot do when it cannot see the source code or choose from multiple providers to fix or improve the software.</p>
<p>Whether videoconferencing is acceptable for court proceedings at all is a separate and important topic. Even free software wouldn't address the fact that videoconferencing requires a sufficiently capable Internet connection and a sufficiently powerful computer with a camera, neither of which everyone has access to. Other issues, like how personal data is handled by the service, also need to be considered, separately from what software is used. But no matter what, if there is videoconferencing, people should never be required to run nonfree programs to participate. We should not accept opaque, proprietary software as infrastructure for our democracy.</p>
<p>It is asking a lot to say that people should refuse to use Zoom for a court date, since they could face serious repercussions. If anyone is able to take such a stand, the FSF will amplify their story and help make it count. When localities anywhere in the world do the right thing, we can highlight their work and help share how they did it. As an individual, even without a court date, you should write letters to your local officials, and then share those letters on libreplanet.org so others can reuse them and add to them. The FSF will be working hard with you on these challenges through the pandemic and beyond. We know that if we don't do this together, user freedom won't get the public hearing it needs.</p>
<p>And if you do have to attend a Zoom court date, please consider putting a framed copy of the Zoom logo on the wall behind you.</p>
<p><em>Photo Copyright ©2019 Free Software Foundation, Inc. This image is licensed under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 International license</a>.</em></p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twelve-new-releases
title: September GNU spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: Twelve new releases!
uri: September-GNU-spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-Twelve-new-releases
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twelve-new-releases
content:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/binutils/">binutils-2.35.1</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/bison/">bison-3.7.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/dico/">dico-2.10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gama/">gama-2.10</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/global/">global-6.6.5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnuastro/">gnuastro-0.13</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnunet/">gnunet-0.13.3</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnupg/">gnupg-2.2.23</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/gnu-pw-mgr/">gnu-pw-mgr-2.7.2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/grep/">grep-3.5</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/parallel/">parallel-20200922</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/pspp/">pspp-1.4.1</a></li>
</ul>
<p>For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <a href="https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu">https://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/info-gnu</a>.</p>
<p>To download: nearly all GNU software is available from
<a href="https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/">https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/</a>, or preferably one of its mirrors from
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html">https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html</a>. You can use the url
<a href="https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/">https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/</a> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.</p>
<p>This month, we welcome Amin Bandali as comaintainer of Jami and John
Darrington as comaintainer of PSPP.</p>
<p>A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance: please see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint">https://www.gnu.org/server/takeaction.html#unmaint</a> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/help.html</a>.</p>
<p>If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<a href="https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html">https://www.gnu.org/help/evaluation.html</a>.</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community
title: FSF at 35 -- join us in celebrating the incredible community
uri: FSF-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community
content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 75%; margin: 2% -25% 2% 2%;"><a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=eventpage"><img src="media/902e5efb.fsf35image.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/fsf35/fsf35image.png" alt="Celebration image" style="width: 75%;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>Today, on October 4th, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) celebrates
its thirty-fifth year of fighting for software freedom. Our work will
not be finished until <em>every</em> computer user is able to do all of their
digital tasks in complete freedom -- whether that's on a desktop,
laptop, or the computer in your pocket. The fight for free software
continues, and we wouldn't be here without you.</p>
<p>To celebrate, we have a full week of announcements and surprises
planned starting today, and we will end in an <a href="https://fsf.org/events/fsf35">online anniversary
event</a> featuring both live and prerecorded segments this Friday,
October 9th, from 12:00 EDT (16:00 UTC) until 17:00 EDT (21:00 UTC).
We'd love for you to join in celebration of this amazing community by
submitting a short (two-minute) video sharing your favorite memory
about free software or the FSF, and a wish for the future of software
freedom. We'll be collecting the videos all week and airing a
selection during the birthday event on October 9th. Please follow the
<a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Video_upload_instructions">instructions</a> linked below on how to successfully (and freely!) submit the
video via FTP.</p>
<p>If you are able to, please make a <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=announce">donation</a> of $35 or more to help
keep the fight for user freedom going another 35 years, we'll send you
a commemorative pin as pictured in this blog post.</p>
<h1>Uploading a video</h1>
<p>We'd love to have you submit a video for us to show
during this week's festivities. Please follow the instructions we've
posted to the <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Video_upload_instructions">LibrePlanet wiki</a> to upload your video, and write
to us at <a href="mailto:campaigns@fsf.org">&#99;&#97;&#109;&#112;&#97;&#105;&#103;&#110;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#115;&#102;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> when you're finished. Please keep your
comments on the topic of free software and the FSF, and your video
length under two minutes.</p>
<p>There's no better way to commemorate the FSF's 35th anniversary than
to spread the free software message. We've come up with a few more
ways you can do so, and ideally encourage your friends to do the same.
The best gifts we can ask for are the individual contributions that
keep this movement going.</p>
<h1>Ways to celebrate</h1>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Try a <a href="https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html">fully free</a> distribution of GNU/Linux, which can be run
  "live" without making any permanent changes to your computer's hard
  drive.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Take an hour to follow our <a href="https://emailselfdefense.fsf.org/en/">Email Self-Defense Guide</a> guide, and
  learn how to opt out of <a href="https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/surveillance">bulk surveillance</a>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Download and experiment with one of the oldest parts of the GNU
  operating system, the <a href="https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/">GNU Emacs</a> text editor. Try the tutorial
  by launching the editor and typing <code>Ctrl-h + t (C-h t)</code>, or see if
  you can make it through some of the games included with Emacs, such
  as <code>Alt-x (M-x) dunnet</code> or <code>M-x tetris</code>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make the commitment to replace one nonfree program that you use with
  one that respects your freedom, such as using <a href="https://libreoffice.org">LibreOffice</a>
  instead of Microsoft Office.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Petition the administrators of your favorite Web site to free the
  <a href="https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/freejs">proprietary JavaScript</a> lurking on their page that many users
  run and download without ever realizing it.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Contribute to the <a href="https://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Main_Page">Free Software Directory</a> by writing or
  updating the entry for a freely licensed program you enjoy, or join
  us on the Freenode IRC channel <a href="https://webchat.freenode.net">#fsf</a> Fridays from 16:00-19:00
  UTC for our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/the-free-software-directory-needs-you-irc-meetups-every-friday">weekly meetings</a> on how to improve the Directory.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 150px; margin: 2% 2% 2% 2%;"><a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=eventpage"><img src="media/ae0fac42.pin.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/fsf35/pin.png" alt="Image of anniversary pin" style="width: 150px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Help support the FSF's important work by buying manuals, apparel,
and other GNU gear at the <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/">GNU Press shop</a>! You could upgrade your
skills with a GNU/Linux command line manual, or just get an adorable
stuffed baby GNU as a companion for late-night hacking. Also, keep
your eyes peeled for special items related to our 35th anniversary.
The pin you see here is just one of them!</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Watch and share the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-university-of-costumed-heroes-a-video-from-the-fsf">videos</a> from our animated series, as well as the
  keynotes, presentations, and panels given at <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">LibrePlanet</a>, the
  <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021/">annual conference</a> dedicated to defending computer user
  freedom.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Have an Android phone? Install <a href="https://f-droid.org/">F-Droid</a>, a repository with
  hundreds of fun and useful free software apps.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.fsf.org/share?u=https://u.fsf.org/fsf35&amp;t=Join%20me%20in%20celebrating%20%2523fsf35%20with%20the%20free%20software%20community%20and%20the%20%40FSF%20this%20Friday%2C%20October%209th%20by%20tuning%20into%20fsf.org%20for%20the%20live%20anniversary%20event">Share</a> a message on social media about the FSF's thirty-fifth
  anniversary! Feel free to adapt the text and use it with the #fsf35
  hashtag and the included image.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Join me in celebrating #fsf35 with the free software community and
  the @FSF this Friday, October 9th by tuning into fsf.org for the
  live anniversary event.</em></p>
<p>We're another year older, but that doesn't mean we're slowing down our
efforts to bring software freedom to users around the globe. Stay
tuned for more information on how we plan to ring in the FSF's next
year, and the vital role each one of us plays in ensuring free
software's success for the future. We hope that you'll be able to take
part in our festivities this week!</p>


feed_id: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/fsf-35-years-limited-edition-t-shirt-and-poster-for-sale
title: FSF 35 years: Limited edition T-shirt and poster for sale
uri: FSF-35-years-Limited-edition-T-shirt-and-poster-for-sale
url: http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/fsf-35-years-limited-edition-t-shirt-and-poster-for-sale
content:
<p>For the Free Software Foundation's (FSF) thirty-fifth birthday, we
collaborated with free culture illustrator <a href="https://www.davidrevoy.com/">David Revoy</a> to create
a marvelous design, and we think you'll like the results.</p>
<p><strong>Behold the FSF thirty-fifth anniversary graphic:</strong> </p>
<p><a href="https://shop.fsf.org/wall-art/fsf-35th-anniversary-poster?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop"><img src="media/902e5efb.fsf35image.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/fsf35/fsf35image.png" width="450px;" style="margin-top:1px;" /></a> </p>
<p>It's wonderful, but what is it? The undersea architecture of the
future, of course! We looked up traditional thirty-fifth anniversary
gifts, and learned that the thirty-fifth is our "coral anniversary."</p>
<p>This is auspicious: the more we considered coral -- particularly
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scleractinia">Scleractinia</a>, the reef-forming "stony corals" -- the more
similarities to the free software ethos became apparent. In a coral
reef, countless individuals of diverse species band together and share
resources to collectively create the framework for an ecosystem of
dazzling diversity. The free software movement is similar, being a
large group of individuals collaborating to advance human freedom and
an array of related ethical goals.</p>
<p>A reef is home to thousands upon thousands of different species of
fish, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidaria">cnidarians</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mollusca">molluscs</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crustacean">crustaceans</a>, and more, all
built on the bedrock infrastructure of the coral. Sound familiar?
Colonies of coral share resources by circulating food and water
between individuals; they can split apart collectively or individually
to go separate ways, or multiple colonies can join together in
cooperation. Humans stand to learn much from coral -- lessons already
embodied in the free software movement.</p>
<p>As we consider what we can learn from coral, it's apparent that we are
responsible to give something back. Coral reef ecosystems, much like
free software, are under severe threat all around the world.</p>
<h2>Get the design on a T-shirt or poster through the shop</h2>
<p>By becoming an <a href="https://my.fsf.org/join?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop">FSF associate member</a>, you will be a vital part of
the free software ecosystem, one which helps continue to create a
world where all software respects our freedom and dignity. Of course,
as one of the <a href="https://www.fsf.org/associate/benefits/">benefits</a>, you receive a 20% discount at the GNU
Press Shop, which will come in handy when you are so impressed with
this design, you decide that you would love it on a <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/tshirts-hoodies/fsf-35th-anniversary-t-shirt?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop">T-shirt</a> or a <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/wall-art/fsf-35th-anniversary-poster?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop">18 x
24" poster</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://shop.fsf.org?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop"><img src="media/26cd6fe3.merch.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/fsf35/merch.png" width="450px;" style="margin-top:1px;" /></a> </p>
<p>The items are available <strong>now</strong> at the <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop">GNU Press Shop</a>. We have
limited quantities, so <a href="https://shop.fsf.org/?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=shop">get yours</a> before they sell out!</p>
<p>Happy thirty-five years of FSF!</p>
<p>Matt Lavallee                 <br />
Operations Assistant           <br />
</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc., by David
Revoy, licensed under Creative Commons <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Attribution 4.0 International
license</a>.</em></p>


title: Join the FSF for an online birthday celebration on Friday, October 9th
uri: Join-the-FSF-for-an-online-birthday-celebration-on-Friday-October-9th
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/join-the-fsf-for-an-online-birthday-celebration-on-friday-october-9th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/join-the-fsf-for-an-online-birthday-celebration-on-friday-october-9th

content:
<p><figure>
<figure style="float: right; width: 300px; margin: 0% -2% 4% 2%;"><a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=program"><img src="media/902e5efb.fsf35image.png" data-original-source="https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/fsf35/fsf35image.png" alt="FSF birthday ilustration" style="width: 300px;" /></a>
</figure style>
</figure></p>
<p>Thirty-five years after the founding of the Free Software Foundation
(FSF), its mission is more important than ever, and the organization
has grown to fill that need, with multiple departments attending to
crucial education, advocacy, and enforcement. Our Campaigns Team
sounds the alarm about freedom-restricting developments and creates
educational materials to bring more free software advocates to the
movement. Our <a href="https://www.fsf.org/licensing">Licensing and Compliance Lab</a> defends the GNU General
Public License (GPL) and the thousands of programs distributed
under its terms, and is actively building a future in which we can
direct people to ethical hardware of any kind through the <a href="https://ryf.fsf.org/">Respects
Your Freedom</a> (RYF) program.</p>
<p>Free software is first and foremost about ethical principles. But we
also want everyone to be able to actually live in freedom, and to
demonstrate the way free software can be technically excellent.  This
work is supported by our talented Tech Team, who provide dedicated
"bare metal" and virtual machines for the daily operations of the GNU
Project and other free software communities, including Web hosting,
mailing lists, software repositories, and compiling and testing
software packages. The FSF Tech Team is also building a <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/coming-soon-a-new-site-for-fully-free-collaboration">free
collaboration site</a>, which will assist free software projects and
developers with being able to share their code, as always, in full
freedom.</p>
<p>We are so grateful for our community, who have stood with the FSF to
demand change for the past thirty-five years. And as we celebrate the
FSF's birthday week, we reflect upon the changes that we are all
fighting for. Change is necessary, because people view and experience
the world through technology, and that view is obstructed by the lens
that proprietary software corporations try to force us to look
through.</p>
<p>We couldn't let thirty-five years of free software accomplishments
pass without a celebration with, and for, the community that has made
this happen. Traditionally, we would celebrate such a milestone in
person, but for this exceptional <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/fsf-35-years-limited-edition-t-shirt-and-poster-for-sale">coral anniversary</a> of the FSF, we
had to get creative.</p>
<h2>Birthday event program for Friday, October 9th</h2>
<p>This Friday, October 9th, from 12:00 EDT (16:00 UTC) until 17:00
(21:00 UTC), we will host a fun and informative live event with guests
from all over the world, to discuss the future of free software and
learn from their experiences in different fields driving free software
forward. You can find the <a href="https://fsf.org/events/fsf35">full program</a> on the FSF Web site, but
here are some of the highlights we are looking forward to:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>We invited illustrator and artist <a href="https://www.davidrevoy.com/">David Revoy</a>, who also
  designed our beautiful coral anniversary artwork, to join us and
  talk about his artwork, the challenges of design in free software,
  and his work with <em>Pepper &amp; Carrot</em>. You can join us in the IRC #fsf
  channel on <a href="https://webchat.freenode.net/">Freenode</a> to ask him questions as well!</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>We count on federated social media to keep developing our ethical
  social experience online, so we asked Pouhiou, co-director of
  <a href="https://framasoft.org/en/">Framasoft</a>, to have a conversation with us about what a program
  like video sharing platform <a href="https://joinpeertube.org/en/">Peertube</a> can mean for the future,
  and the importance and challenges of moderating a server.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>We will also be joined by Eda Nano, board member at <a href="https://www.april.org/en">April</a> in
  France, who can elaborate on developments of free software in
  France, and talk about collaboration between organizations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>A segment focusing on the challenges and successes of local free
  software activism worldwide will welcome organizers from free
  software groups large and small, including long-time LibrePlanet
  speaker <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/u/libreplanet/m/libreoffice-s-tenth-anniversary-the-many-faces-of-a-global-free-software-community/">Italo Vignoli</a> from The Document Foundation, located in
  Italy, and Bonnie Mehring, <a href="https://fsfe.org/">Free Software Foundation Europe</a>'s junior project manager.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Also, be sure to join us for short talks from FSF president Geoffrey
  Knauth, executive director John Sullivan, and FSF founder Richard
  Stallman on the last thirty-five years of software freedom, and what
  the future holds for the FSF.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>It is promising to be a fun, educational, and entertaining event. You
can join us via <a href="https://www.fsf.org">fsf.org</a>, and join the conversation with our
speakers live through IRC on Freenode in the #fsf channel; we'll make
sure we put the link up prominently on our homepage as well. You can
also join the online experience by sending in <a href="https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fsf-at-35-join-us-in-celebrating-the-incredible-community">your own video</a>
commemorating the occasion, following <a href="https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Video_upload_instructions">the instructions</a> on the
LibrePlanet wiki.</p>
<p>This birthday celebration is gratis, and all of our speakers are
volunteering their time to create a joyous event where we can share
our experiences and knowledge together. The <a href="https://libreplanet.org/2021/safe-space-policy/">LibrePlanet safe space
policy</a> will be followed throughout the event, so please make sure
you read it. If this online experience is anything like <a href="https://media.libreplanet.org/">LibrePlanet
2020</a>, we will have a wonderful event, and we can't wait to see
everyone online.</p>
<h2>Support the FSF and get an anniversary pin</h2>
<p>If you can, please support our work for this celebration. With your
help, we can effect major change! You can show your support for the
future of free software by <a href="https://my.fsf.org/donate?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=program">donating</a> $35 or more to the FSF
during this birthday week to get a free anniversary pin (while stocks
last). You can also support free software by purchasing David's
magnificent design on a T-shirt or poster through the <a href="https://shop.fsf.org?pk_campaign=bday&amp;pk_source=program">GNU Press
Shop</a>.</p>
<p>We hope to see you this Friday, October 9th, to help us celebrate!</p>
<p><em>Illustration Copyright © 2020 Free Software Foundation, Inc., by David
Revoy, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
license</a>.</em></p>


title: LibrePlanet 2021: Join us online on March 20 & 21 with keynote Julia Reda
uri: LibrePlanet-2021-Join-us-online-on-March-20-21-with-keynote-Julia-R
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2021-join-us-online-on-march-20-21-with-keynote-julia-reda

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2021-join-us-online-on-march-20-21-with-keynote-julia-reda


title: Committee begins review of High Priority Projects free software list
uri: Committee-begins-review-of-High-Priority-Projects-free-software-list
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/committee-begins-review-of-high-priority-projects-free-software-list

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/committee-begins-review-of-high-priority-projects-free-software-list


title: LibrePlanet 2021 will be an online event, CFS extended to November 11th
uri: LibrePlanet-2021-will-be-an-online-event-CFS-extended-to-November-11t
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2021-will-be-an-online-event-cfs-extended-to-november-11th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2021-will-be-an-online-event-cfs-extended-to-november-11th


title: Streaming services, beware: International Day Against DRM (IDAD) is coming Dec. 4
uri: Streaming-services-beware-International-Day-Against-DRM-(IDAD)-is-co
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/streaming-services-beware-international-day-against-drm-idad-is-coming-dec-4

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/streaming-services-beware-international-day-against-drm-idad-is-coming-dec-4


title: November GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: Nineteen new GNU releases
uri: November-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-Nineteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-nineteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-nineteen-new-gnu-releases


title: IDAD is almost here: Stand with us on Dec. 4
uri: IDAD-is-almost-here-Stand-with-us-on-Dec-4
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/international-day-against-drm-idad-is-almost-here-stand-with-us-on-dec-4

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/international-day-against-drm-idad-is-almost-here-stand-with-us-on-dec-4


title: Share this holiday fairy tale to teach your loved ones about free software
uri: Share-this-holiday-fairy-tale-to-teach-your-loved-ones-about-free-soft
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/share-this-holiday-fairy-tale-to-teach-your-loved-ones-about-free-software

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/share-this-holiday-fairy-tale-to-teach-your-loved-ones-about-free-software


title: Free Software Directory meeting day changes for the rest of the year
uri: Free-Software-Directory-meeting-day-changes-for-the-rest-of-the-year
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/free-software-directory-meeting-day-changes-for-the-rest-of-the-year

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/free-software-directory-meeting-day-changes-for-the-rest-of-the-year


title: Replicant: A free mobile phone OS is more important than ever, and needs your help
uri: Replicant-A-free-mobile-phone-OS-is-more-important-than-ever-and-nee
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/replicant-a-free-mobile-phone-os-is-more-important-than-ever-and-needs-your-help

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/replicant-a-free-mobile-phone-os-is-more-important-than-ever-and-needs-your-help


title: Celebrating the FSF’s 35th anniversary: Stories from the Licensing and Compliance Lab
uri: Celebrating-the-FSF-s-35th-anniversary-Stories-from-the-Licensing-a
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/celebrating-the-fsf2019s-35th-anniversary-stories-from-the-licensing-and-compliance-lab

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/celebrating-the-fsf2019s-35th-anniversary-stories-from-the-licensing-and-compliance-lab


title: January GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: Twenty-three new releases
uri: January-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-Twenty-three-new-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twenty-three-new-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-twenty-three-new-releases


title: Register to attend the FSF's March 22nd seminar on free software licensing
uri: Register-to-attend-the-FSF-s-March-22nd-seminar-on-free-software-licen
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/register-to-attend-the-fsfs-march-22nd-seminar-on-free-software-licensing

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/register-to-attend-the-fsfs-march-22nd-seminar-on-free-software-licensing


title: New changes to Twitter make it even worse for free software users
uri: New-changes-to-Twitter-make-it-even-worse-for-free-software-users
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-changes-to-twitter-make-it-even-worse-for-free-software-users

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-changes-to-twitter-make-it-even-worse-for-free-software-users


title: Step by step encryption with the updated Email Self-Defense guide
uri: Step-by-step-encryption-with-the-updated-Email-Self-Defense-guide
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/step-by-step-encryption-with-the-updated-email-self-defense-guide

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/step-by-step-encryption-with-the-updated-email-self-defense-guide


title: FSF-funded call for white papers on philosophical and legal questions around Copilot
uri: FSF-funded-call-for-white-papers-on-philosophical-and-legal-questions
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/fsf-funded-call-for-white-papers-on-philosophical-and-legal-questions-around-copilot

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/fsf-funded-call-for-white-papers-on-philosophical-and-legal-questions-around-copilot


title: Keeping your freedom intact when registering or renewing as a DMCA agent
uri: Keeping-your-freedom-intact-when-registering-or-renewing-as-a-DMCA-age
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/keeping-your-freedom-intact-when-registering-or-renewing-as-a-dmca-agent

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/keeping-your-freedom-intact-when-registering-or-renewing-as-a-dmca-agent


title: LibrePlanet 2022 returns online: Submit your session proposal by Dec. 1
uri: LibrePlanet-2022-returns-online-Submit-your-session-proposal-by-Dec
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2022-returns-online-submit-your-session-proposal-by-dec-1

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2022-returns-online-submit-your-session-proposal-by-dec-1


title: Free Software Awards: Nominate those who help us live liberation by November 30th
uri: Free-Software-Awards-Nominate-those-who-help-us-live-liberation-by-No
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-nominate-those-who-help-us-live-liberation-by-november-30th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-nominate-those-who-help-us-live-liberation-by-november-30th


title: Join the fight against software patents with the revamped campaign site
uri: Join-the-fight-against-software-patents-with-the-revamped-campaign-sit
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/join-the-fight-against-software-patents-with-the-revamped-campaign-site

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/join-the-fight-against-software-patents-with-the-revamped-campaign-site


title: Activists (including the FSF) helped secure a new round of DMCA anticircumvention exemptions
uri: Activists-(including-the-FSF)-helped-secure-a-new-round-of-DMCA-antici
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/activists-including-the-fsf-helped-secure-a-new-round-of-dmca-anticircumvention-exemptions

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/activists-including-the-fsf-helped-secure-a-new-round-of-dmca-anticircumvention-exemptions


title: Wrapping up my internship, focused on helping build the GPLv3 drafting archive
uri: Wrapping-up-my-internship-focused-on-helping-build-the-GPLv3-drafting
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/wrapping-up-my-internship-focused-on-helping-build-the-gplv3-drafting-archive

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/wrapping-up-my-internship-focused-on-helping-build-the-gplv3-drafting-archive


title: LibrePlanet 2022 will be held March 19-20, CFS extended to December 15th
uri: LibrePlanet-2022-will-be-held-March-19-20-CFS-extended-to-December-15
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2022-will-be-held-march-19-20-cfs-extended-to-december-15th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2022-will-be-held-march-19-20-cfs-extended-to-december-15th


title: Support the FSF through the GNU Press shop with great holiday picks
uri: Support-the-FSF-through-the-GNU-Press-shop-with-great-holiday-picks
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-the-fsf-through-the-gnu-press-shop-with-great-holiday-picks

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-the-fsf-through-the-gnu-press-shop-with-great-holiday-picks


title: Find your free software footing with the FSF Licensing and Compliance Lab
uri: Find-your-free-software-footing-with-the-FSF-Licensing-and-Compliance
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/find-your-free-software-footing-with-the-fsf-licensing-and-compliance-lab

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/find-your-free-software-footing-with-the-fsf-licensing-and-compliance-lab


title: Support the Freedom Ladder campaign: Lessons we learned so far and what's next
uri: Support-the-Freedom-Ladder-campaign-Lessons-we-learned-so-far-and-wha
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-the-freedom-ladder-campaign-lessons-we-learned-so-far-and-whats-next

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-the-freedom-ladder-campaign-lessons-we-learned-so-far-and-whats-next


title: Last minute gift ideas: give an FSF membership and other free software gifts
uri: Last-minute-gift-ideas-give-an-FSF-membership-and-other-free-software
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/last-minute-gift-ideas-give-an-fsf-membership-and-other-free-software-gifts

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/last-minute-gift-ideas-give-an-fsf-membership-and-other-free-software-gifts


title: Will you support user freedom by helping to reach our membership goal before December 31
uri: Will-you-support-user-freedom-by-helping-to-reach-our-membership-goal
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/will-you-support-user-freedom-by-helping-reach-our-membership-goal-before-december-31

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/will-you-support-user-freedom-by-helping-reach-our-membership-goal-before-december-31


title: Help keep the end-of-year momentum going: Membership drive extended to January 20th
uri: Help-keep-the-end-of-year-momentum-going-Membership-drive-extended-to
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-keep-the-end-of-year-momentum-going-membership-drive-extended-to-january-20th

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-keep-the-end-of-year-momentum-going-membership-drive-extended-to-january-20th


title: Share your free software journey and help others start their own: Join us on Jan. 20
uri: Share-your-free-software-journey-and-help-others-start-their-own-Join
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/share-your-free-software-journey-and-help-others-start-their-own-join-us-on-jan-20

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/share-your-free-software-journey-and-help-others-start-their-own-join-us-on-jan-20


title: New year, new LibrePlanet: Register now to join us on March 19 and 20
uri: New-year-new-LibrePlanet-Register-now-to-join-us-on-March-19-and-20
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-year-new-libreplanet-register-now-to-join-us-on-march-19-and-20

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-year-new-libreplanet-register-now-to-join-us-on-march-19-and-20


title: Chile citizens: Support these constitutional proposals for free software and user privacy by Feb 1
uri: Chile-citizens-Support-these-constitutional-proposals-for-free-softwa
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/chile-citizens-support-these-constitutional-proposals-for-free-software-and-user-privacy-by-feb-1

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/chile-citizens-support-these-constitutional-proposals-for-free-software-and-user-privacy-by-feb-1


title: 390 new members take their first step: Our gratitude to all who helped
uri: 390-new-members-take-their-first-step-Our-gratitude-to-all-who-helped
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/390-new-members-take-their-first-step-our-gratitude-to-all-who-helped

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/390-new-members-take-their-first-step-our-gratitude-to-all-who-helped


title: This year, take some time to reflect on why you love free software
uri: This-year-take-some-time-to-reflect-on-why-you-love-free-software
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/this-year-take-some-time-to-reflect-on-why-you-love-free-software

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/this-year-take-some-time-to-reflect-on-why-you-love-free-software


title: The LibrePlanet 2022: Living Liberation schedule is here for 19 & 20 March
uri: The-LibrePlanet-2022-Living-Liberation-schedule-is-here-for-19-20-M
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-libreplanet-2022-living-liberation-schedule-is-here-for-19-20-march

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-libreplanet-2022-living-liberation-schedule-is-here-for-19-20-march


title: February GNU Spotlight with Mike Gerwitz: Nineteen new GNU releases!
uri: February-GNU-Spotlight-with-Mike-Gerwitz-Nineteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-nineteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-mike-gerwitz-nineteen-new-gnu-releases


title: LibrePlanet: "Living Liberation" Day two retrospective, and motivation for freedom
uri: LibrePlanet-Living-Liberation-Day-two-retrospective-and-motivation
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-living-liberation-day-two-retrospective-and-motivation-for-freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-living-liberation-day-two-retrospective-and-motivation-for-freedom


title: Take the next step in "living liberation": watch the LibrePlanet 2022 videos today!
uri: Take-the-next-step-in-living-liberation-watch-the-LibrePlanet-2022
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/take-the-next-step-in-living-liberation-watch-the-libreplanet-2022-videos-today

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/take-the-next-step-in-living-liberation-watch-the-libreplanet-2022-videos-today


title: Antitrust Day: Tech monopolies shouldn't be allowed to control app stores
uri: Antitrust-Day-Tech-monopolies-shouldn-t-be-allowed-to-control-app-sto
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/antitrust-day-tech-monopolies-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-control-app-stores

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/antitrust-day-tech-monopolies-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-control-app-stores


title: Live session: Richard Stallman - The state of the free software movement (April 13th)
uri: Live-session-Richard-Stallman-The-state-of-the-free-software-moveme
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/live-session-richard-stallman-the-state-of-the-free-software-movement

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/live-session-richard-stallman-the-state-of-the-free-software-movement


title: Fresh in the LibrePlanet archives: LibrePlanet 2022 workshop videos
uri: Fresh-in-the-LibrePlanet-archives-LibrePlanet-2022-workshop-videos
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fresh-in-the-libreplanet-archives-libreplanet-2022-workshop-videos

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fresh-in-the-libreplanet-archives-libreplanet-2022-workshop-videos


title: Spring "Bulletin": Verifying licenses, free software in education, and more!
uri: Spring-Bulletin-Verifying-licenses-free-software-in-education-and
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/spring-bulletin-verifying-licenses-free-software-in-education-and-more

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/spring-bulletin-verifying-licenses-free-software-in-education-and-more


title: LibrePlanet 2023: Let's chart the course together! Submit your session by November 2
uri: LibrePlanet-2023-Let-s-chart-the-course-together-Submit-your-session
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2023-lets-chart-the-course-together-submit-your-session-by-november-2

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2023-lets-chart-the-course-together-submit-your-session-by-november-2


title: Free Software Awards: Nominate those who have charted a course to freedom by November 30
uri: Free-Software-Awards-Nominate-those-who-have-charted-a-course-to-free
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-nominate-those-who-have-charted-a-course-to-freedom-by-november-30

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/free-software-awards-nominate-those-who-have-charted-a-course-to-freedom-by-november-30


title: September GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Seventeen new GNU releases!
uri: September-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Seventeen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases


title: Contribute to the free software movement: Intern at the FSF! Apply by November 10
uri: Contribute-to-the-free-software-movement-Intern-at-the-FSF-Apply-by
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/contribute-to-the-free-software-movement-intern-at-the-fsf-apply-by-november-10

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/contribute-to-the-free-software-movement-intern-at-the-fsf-apply-by-november-10


title: Privacy and freedom should be the legacy we leave, not the opposite
uri: Privacy-and-freedom-should-be-the-legacy-we-leave-not-the-opposite
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/privacy-and-freedom-should-be-the-legacy-we-leave-not-the-opposite

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/privacy-and-freedom-should-be-the-legacy-we-leave-not-the-opposite


title: November 16-18: Envelop yourself in stuffing at FSF's fundraiser mailing
uri: November-16-18-Envelop-yourself-in-stuffing-at-FSF-s-fundraiser-maili
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-16-18-envelop-yourself-in-stuffing-at-fsfs-fundraiser-mailing

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-16-18-envelop-yourself-in-stuffing-at-fsfs-fundraiser-mailing


title: LibrePlanet 2023 will be held March 18-19, CFS extended to November 23
uri: LibrePlanet-2023-will-be-held-March-18-19-CFS-extended-to-November-23
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2023-will-be-held-march-18-19-cfs-extended-to-november-23

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2023-will-be-held-march-18-19-cfs-extended-to-november-23


title: Baby gnus, hoodies, and more: Show your support for free software through the GNU Press shop
uri: Baby-gnus-hoodies-and-more-Show-your-support-for-free-software-thro
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/baby-gnus-hoodies-and-more-show-your-support-for-free-software-through-the-gnu-press-shop

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/baby-gnus-hoodies-and-more-show-your-support-for-free-software-through-the-gnu-press-shop


title: GNU Guix: Support the growth of the distribution into 2023 and beyond
uri: GNU-Guix-Support-the-growth-of-the-distribution-into-2023-and-beyond
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-guix-support-the-growth-of-the-distribution-into-2023-and-beyond

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu-guix-support-the-growth-of-the-distribution-into-2023-and-beyond


title: Fifteen years of LibrePlanet: Register now to join us on March 18 and 19
uri: Fifteen-years-of-LibrePlanet-Register-now-to-join-us-on-March-18-and
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fifteen-years-of-libreplanet-register-now-to-join-us-on-march-18-and-19

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/fifteen-years-of-libreplanet-register-now-to-join-us-on-march-18-and-19


title: November GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Fifteen new GNU releases!
uri: November-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Fifteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-fifteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-fifteen-new-gnu-releases


title: IDAD is coming soon: Stand with us in support of the freedom to share on December 16
uri: IDAD-is-coming-soon-Stand-with-us-in-support-of-the-freedom-to-share
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-is-coming-soon-stand-with-us-in-support-of-the-freedom-to-share-on-december-16

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-is-coming-soon-stand-with-us-in-support-of-the-freedom-to-share-on-december-16


title: Surprise your loved ones with an FSF membership gift this holiday season
uri: Surprise-your-loved-ones-with-an-FSF-membership-gift-this-holiday-seas
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/surprise-your-loved-ones-with-an-fsf-membership-gift-this-holiday-season

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/surprise-your-loved-ones-with-an-fsf-membership-gift-this-holiday-season


title: IDAD 2022: Celebrating the freedom to share with a new advocacy video
uri: IDAD-2022-Celebrating-the-freedom-to-share-with-a-new-advocacy-video
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-2022-celebrating-the-freedom-to-share-with-a-new-advocacy-video

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-2022-celebrating-the-freedom-to-share-with-a-new-advocacy-video


uri: A-message-from-FSF-president-Geoff-Knauth-Your-FSF-membership-will-he
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/your-fsf-membership-will-help-us-build-a-stronger-future-for-software-freedom

title:
A message from FSF president Geoff Knauth: Your FSF membership will help us build a stronger future for software freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/your-fsf-membership-will-help-us-build-a-stronger-future-for-software-freedom


title: Help us defend the freedom to share: Membership drive extended to January 20
uri: Help-us-defend-the-freedom-to-share-Membership-drive-extended-to-Janu
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-us-defend-the-freedom-to-share-membership-drive-extended-to-january-20

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/help-us-defend-the-freedom-to-share-membership-drive-extended-to-january-20


title: December GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Seventeen new GNU releases!
uri: December-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Seventeen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/december-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/december-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases


title: Associate members are invited: Nominate new candidates to the FSF board
uri: Associate-members-are-invited-Nominate-new-candidates-to-the-FSF-boar
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/membership/associate-members-are-invited-nominate-new-candidates-to-the-fsf-board

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/membership/associate-members-are-invited-nominate-new-candidates-to-the-fsf-board


title: January GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Nineteen new GNU releases!
uri: January-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Nineteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-nineteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-nineteen-new-gnu-releases


title: I Love Free Software Day is here: Share your love, software, and a video
uri: I-Love-Free-Software-Day-is-here-Share-your-love-software-and-a-vid
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/i-love-free-software-day-is-here-share-your-love-software-and-a-video

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/i-love-free-software-day-is-here-share-your-love-software-and-a-video


title: New Hampshire residents: Voice your support for software freedom on Thursday, February 16
uri: New-Hampshire-residents-Voice-your-support-for-software-freedom-on-Th
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-hampshire-residents-voice-your-support-for-software-freedom-on-feb-16

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-hampshire-residents-voice-your-support-for-software-freedom-on-feb-16


title: New Hampshire residents: Support another software freedom initiative on Tuesday, February 21
uri: New-Hampshire-residents-Support-another-software-freedom-initiative-o
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-hampshire-residents-support-another-software-freedom-initiative-on-tuesday-february-21

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/new-hampshire-residents-support-another-software-freedom-initiative-on-tuesday-february-21


title: Experience the fifteen years of LibrePlanet celebration firsthand as a volunteer
uri: Experience-the-fifteen-years-of-LibrePlanet-celebration-firsthand-as-a
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/experience-the-fifteen-years-of-libreplanet-celebration-firsthand-as-a-volunteer

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/experience-the-fifteen-years-of-libreplanet-celebration-firsthand-as-a-volunteer


title: February GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Eighteen new GNU releases!
uri: February-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Eighteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-eighteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-eighteen-new-gnu-releases


title: The LibrePlanet 2023: Charting the Course schedule is here for March, 18 and 19
uri: The-LibrePlanet-2023-Charting-the-Course-schedule-is-here-for-March
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-libreplanet-2023-charting-the-course-schedule-is-here-for-march-18-and-19

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-libreplanet-2023-charting-the-course-schedule-is-here-for-march-18-and-19


title: From Freedom Trail to free boot and free farms: Charting the course at LibrePlanet day two
uri: From-Freedom-Trail-to-free-boot-and-free-farms-Charting-the-course-at
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-freedom-trail-to-free-boot-and-free-farms-charting-the-course-at-libreplanet-day-2

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-freedom-trail-to-free-boot-and-free-farms-charting-the-course-at-libreplanet-day-2


title: Google's decision to deprecate JPEG-XL emphasizes the need for browser choice and free formats
uri: Google-s-decision-to-deprecate-JPEG-XL-emphasizes-the-need-for-browser
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/googles-decision-to-deprecate-jpeg-xl-emphasizes-the-need-for-browser-choice-and-free-formats

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/googles-decision-to-deprecate-jpeg-xl-emphasizes-the-need-for-browser-choice-and-free-formats


title: Watch the LibrePlanet: Charting the Course videos on GNU MediaGoblin and PeerTube
uri: Watch-the-LibrePlanet-Charting-the-Course-videos-on-GNU-MediaGoblin-a
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/watch-the-libreplanet-charting-the-course-videos-on-gnu-mediagoblin-and-peertube

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/watch-the-libreplanet-charting-the-course-videos-on-gnu-mediagoblin-and-peertube


title: Tech team intern Nick Shrader shares why free software is important
uri: Tech-team-intern-Nick-Shrader-shares-why-free-software-is-important
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/tech-team-intern-nick-shrader-shares-why-free-software-is-important

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/sysadmin/tech-team-intern-nick-shrader-shares-why-free-software-is-important


title: Spring Bulletin: From privacy-respecting browser extensions to natural disaster relief
uri: Spring-Bulletin-From-privacy-respecting-browser-extensions-to-natural
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/spring-bulletin-from-privacy-respecting-browser-extensions-to-natural-disaster-relief

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/spring-bulletin-from-privacy-respecting-browser-extensions-to-natural-disaster-relief


title: Adrien Béraud and Sébastien Blin of GNU Jami: Working together for free communication
uri: Adrien-Béraud-and-Sébastien-Blin-of-GNU-Jami-Working-together-for-f
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/adrien-beraud-and-sebastien-blin-of-gnu-jami-working-together-for-free-communication

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/adrien-beraud-and-sebastien-blin-of-gnu-jami-working-together-for-free-communication


title: The campaigns team and the community work together for free software
uri: The-campaigns-team-and-the-community-work-together-for-free-software
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-campaigns-team-and-the-community-work-together-for-free-software

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/the-campaigns-team-and-the-community-work-together-for-free-software


title: Working together for free software: Our interview with Protesilaos Stavrou
uri: Working-together-for-free-software-Our-interview-with-Protesilaos-Sta
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/working-together-for-free-software-our-interview-with-protesilaos-stavrou

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/working-together-for-free-software-our-interview-with-protesilaos-stavrou


title: From pro-democracy activists to minorities: Why people use Tor and encrypted chats
uri: From-pro-democracy-activists-to-minorities-Why-people-use-Tor-and-enc
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-pro-democracy-activist-to-minorities-why-people-use-tor-and-encrypted-chats

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/from-pro-democracy-activist-to-minorities-why-people-use-tor-and-encrypted-chats


title: "Web Environment Integrity" is an all-out attack on the free Internet
uri: Web-Environment-Integrity-is-an-all-out-attack-on-the-free-Internet
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/web-environment-integrity-is-an-all-out-attack-on-the-free-internet

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/web-environment-integrity-is-an-all-out-attack-on-the-free-internet


uri: Parents-domestic-violence-victims-lawyers-Read-about-people-who-pro
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/parents-domestic-violence-victims-lawyers-read-about-people-who-protect-their-privacy-with-free-software

title:
Parents, domestic violence victims, lawyers: Read about people who protect their privacy with free software

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/parents-domestic-violence-victims-lawyers-read-about-people-who-protect-their-privacy-with-free-software


title: August GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Seventeen new GNU releases!
uri: August-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Seventeen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/august-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/august-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-seventeen-new-gnu-releases


title: Call for sessions for LibrePlanet 2024: Cultivating Community now open
uri: Call-for-sessions-for-LibrePlanet-2024-Cultivating-Community-now-open
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/call-for-sessions-for-libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community-now-open

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/call-for-sessions-for-libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community-now-open


title: September GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Twelve new GNU releases!
uri: September-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Twelve-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-twelve-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/september-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-twelve-new-gnu-releases


title: GNU40 USA: Meeting with old and new friends, and some first few steps on the freedom ladder
uri: GNU40-USA-Meeting-with-old-and-new-friends-and-some-first-few-steps
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu40-usa-meeting-with-old-and-new-friends-and-some-first-few-steps-on-the-freedom-ladder

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnu40-usa-meeting-with-old-and-new-friends-and-some-first-few-steps-on-the-freedom-ladder


title: Software that supports your body should always respect your freedom
uri: Software-that-supports-your-body-should-always-respect-your-freedom
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/software-that-supports-your-body-should-always-respect-your-freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/software-that-supports-your-body-should-always-respect-your-freedom


title: Protecting free software against confusing additional restrictions
uri: Protecting-free-software-against-confusing-additional-restrictions
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/protecting-free-software-against-confusing-additional-restrictions

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/protecting-free-software-against-confusing-additional-restrictions


title: November Gnu Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Fourteen new GNU releases!
uri: November-Gnu-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Fourteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-fourteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/november-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-fourteen-new-gnu-releases


uri: Licensing-Compliance-Lab-updates-and-why-we-need-your-support-to-edu
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/licensing-compliance-lab-updates-and-why-we-need-your-support-to-educate-serve-the-free-software-community

title:
Licensing & Compliance Lab updates and why we need your support to educate, serve the free software community

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/licensing-compliance-lab-updates-and-why-we-need-your-support-to-educate-serve-the-free-software-community


title: A message from president Geoffrey Knauth: Reflecting on the origins of software freedom
uri: A-message-from-president-Geoffrey-Knauth-Reflecting-on-the-origins-of
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/a-message-from-president-geoffrey-knauth-reflecting-on-the-origins-of-software-freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/a-message-from-president-geoffrey-knauth-reflecting-on-the-origins-of-software-freedom


title: Boost the FSF's advocacy for free software in education: Help us reach our stretch goal
uri: Boost-the-FSF-s-advocacy-for-free-software-in-education-Help-us-reach
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/boost-the-fsfs-advocacy-for-free-software-in-education-help-us-reach-our-stretch-goal

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/boost-the-fsfs-advocacy-for-free-software-in-education-help-us-reach-our-stretch-goal


title: LibrePlanet 2024: May 4 and 5, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
uri: LibrePlanet-2024-May-4-and-5-Wentworth-Institute-of-Technology-Bost
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2024-may-4-and-5-wentworth-institute-of-technology-boston-ma

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2024-may-4-and-5-wentworth-institute-of-technology-boston-ma


title: Only six days left to support the FSF through the Combined Federal Campaign
uri: Only-six-days-left-to-support-the-FSF-through-the-Combined-Federal-Cam
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/only-six-days-left-to-support-the-fsf-through-the-combined-federal-campaign

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/only-six-days-left-to-support-the-fsf-through-the-combined-federal-campaign


uri: Gabriel-Cezarin-Popovici-helps-the-campaigns-team-to-spread-the-messag
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gabriel-cezarin-popovici-helps-the-campaigns-team-to-spread-the-message-that-we-need-to-fight-for-our-digital-freedom

title:
Gabriel-Cezarin Popovici helps the campaigns team to spread the message that we need to fight for our digital freedom

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gabriel-cezarin-popovici-helps-the-campaigns-team-to-spread-the-message-that-we-need-to-fight-for-our-digital-freedom


title: Support EmacsConf through the Working Together for Free Software Fund
uri: Support-EmacsConf-through-the-Working-Together-for-Free-Software-Fund
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-emacsconf-through-the-working-together-for-free-software-fund

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/support-emacsconf-through-the-working-together-for-free-software-fund


title: January GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Twenty-two new GNU releases!
uri: January-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Twenty-two-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-twenty-two-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/january-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-twenty-two-new-gnu-releases


title: Exciting talks, hands-on workshops, and thrilling discussions await you at LibrePlanet 2024
uri: Exciting-talks-hands-on-workshops-and-thrilling-discussions-await-yo
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/exciting-talks-hands-on-workshops-and-thrilling-discussions-await-you-at-libreplanet-2024

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/exciting-talks-hands-on-workshops-and-thrilling-discussions-await-you-at-libreplanet-2024


title: February GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Nineteen new GNU releases!
uri: February-GNU-Spotlight-with-Amin-Bandali-Nineteen-new-GNU-releases
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-nineteen-new-gnu-releases

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/february-gnu-spotlight-with-amin-bandali-nineteen-new-gnu-releases


title: The shop is open! Get your LibrePlanet 2024 T-shirt and our newest swag!
uri: The-shop-is-open-Get-your-LibrePlanet-2024-T-shirt-and-our-newest-swa
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/the-shop-is-open-get-your-libreplanet-2024-t-shirt-and-our-newest-swag

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/gnu-press/the-shop-is-open-get-your-libreplanet-2024-t-shirt-and-our-newest-swag


title: Welcome attendees, get to know speakers first hand, and make LibrePlanet a unique experience
uri: Welcome-attendees-get-to-know-speakers-first-hand-and-make-LibrePlan
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/welcome-attendees-get-to-know-speakers-first-hand-and-make-libreplanet-a-unique-experience

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/welcome-attendees-get-to-know-speakers-first-hand-and-make-libreplanet-a-unique-experience


title: There are plenty of ways to socialize at LibrePlanet 2024: Cultivating Community
uri: There-are-plenty-of-ways-to-socialize-at-LibrePlanet-2024-Cultivating
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/there-are-plenty-of-ways-to-socialize-at-libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/there-are-plenty-of-ways-to-socialize-at-libreplanet-2024-cultivating-community


title: Meet the locals: Come to LibrePlanet and connect with free software supporters in New England
uri: Meet-the-locals-Come-to-LibrePlanet-and-connect-with-free-software-su
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/meet-the-locals-come-to-libreplanet-and-connect-with-free-software-supporters-in-new-england

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/meet-the-locals-come-to-libreplanet-and-connect-with-free-software-supporters-in-new-england


title: What role community plays in free software and more -- Interview with David Wilson
uri: What-role-community-plays-in-free-software-and-more-Interview-with
feed_id:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/what-role-community-plays-in-free-software-and-more-interview-with-david-wilson

url:
http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/what-role-community-plays-in-free-software-and-more-interview-with-david-wilson


