Discussion March 2013

discussion@lists.fsfe.org

31 participants
13 discussions

Goal for February 14th: More love reports than bug reports! #ilovefs
by Matthias Kirschner 24 Feb '14

24 Feb '14

(If you are reading FSFE's newsletters [1] (and you should when you have not yet given me feedback what I could improve ;) ), and you already use one of our banners [2], you can skip this post because I copied and pasted it. Else please continue.) Let us admit it, the Free Software community is often very critical. Wewrite bug reports, tell others how they can improve the software, ask them fornew features, and to not spare with criticism. Sometimes we forget to say "thank you, for all your work". As in the last years, we want to change this, at least for one day. So on Tuesday the 14th of February we will celebrate the "I love Free Software" - Day [3]. Get active, buy your favourite developer a drink or give them a hug (ask forpermission first), write an e-mail/letter [4] expressing your feelings, create nice pictures, donate to a Free Software initiative, use another of our suggestions [5] or be create yourself to show how you appreciate people, working hard to enlarge or defend our freedom. Beside that help us to promote the activity with our banners [6], by e-mail, (micro)blog or in your (distributed?) social networks. New this year is a whole day event in the Unperfekthaus in Essen (Germany) [7] and that all our Fellows automatically get an login(a)ilovefs.org e-mail alias. So let's make sure that on February 14th there are more love reports, than bug reports! All the best, Matthias 1. http://fsfe.org/news/newsletter.html 2. http://fsfe.org/campaigns/ilovefs/2012/banners.html 3. http://ilovefs.org 4. http://blogs.fsfe.org/thomaslocke/2012/01/18/why-i-love-free-and-open-sourc… 5. http://ilovefs.org 6. http://fsfe.org/campaigns/ilovefs/2012/banners.html 7. http://fsfe.org/campaigns/ilovefs/2012/unperfekthaus.html -- Matthias Kirschner - FSFE - Fellowship Coordinator, German Coordinator FSFE, Linienstr. 141, 10115 Berlin, t +49-30-27595290 +49-1577-1780003 Free Software is important to you? Join today! (fsfe.org/join) Weblog (blogs.fsfe.org/mk) - Contact (fsfe.org/about/kirschner)

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Kontalk messenger
by Daniele Ricci 05 May '13

05 May '13

Hello! This is my first message here, I've been introduced here by a fellow member of fsfe.org, Massimo Barbieri (thank you!). A couple of years ago I started Kontalk[1], what I thought it could be a community-driven instant messaging network. For all this time, I remained "in the dark", developing this solo project and distributing it only to people I know. After moving to Google Code[2] a month ago, registrations started rising quickly (also due to the Reddit[3] effect), people started donating and showing interest to the project. Now I'm here to introduce it to the fsf, I hope it will gain more interest. In fact we need help and developers :-) As I stated before, Kontalk is a community-driven instant messaging network, built on XMPP (100% compatible - e.g. works with Pidgin, we added a few extensions in order to make it more suitable for mobile phones, domain federation and a couple of other things). We aim to create a network of server nodes run by the community (that is, cheap servers) using XMPP on the same domain (e.g. kontalk.net), based on mobile phone number identification. Primary concerns are democracy and security: client-side encryption, phone numbers not going around the network, a "vote system" based on asymmetric encryption signing, etc... a network running and managing by itself. Although these are all a bunch of nice words :P we do have a service running on our own server. But it's the first release of Kontalk server[4], using a proprietary protocol (source code is available of course), then I decided to switch to XMPP, but both server and clients are still under heavy development. We think we could make the "big switch" at the end of this summer. XMPP development is going fast, we have 2 working servers (still with a few bugs of course) I and a few other people are testing (you're welcome to download the very unstable alpha XMPP client from Google Code). Kontalk[5] is still far from being a full WhatsApp replacement: it still lacks many features and it needs help[6], contributions and ideas from the community. That's it, I guess. Of course this is just an introduction, and remember this is still an embrional solo project, so please be kind :-) [1] https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kontalk [2] http://code.google.com/p/kontalk/ [3] http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1aqekt/an_open_source_decentralise… [4] http://code.google.com/p/kontalk/source/browse?repo=pyserver [5] http://www.kontalk.org/ [6] http://www.kontalk.net/ -- Daniele

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Some reviewing about a recent change in about.en.xhtml on DFD site
by Besnik Bleta 02 May '13

02 May '13

Hello, There's been a little change in about.en.xhtml file, which I spotted while updating my translation of it: "Documents that aren't free are locked to some particular product or company." has been changed to "Documents that aren't free are locked to some particular software or company." The commit messages says: software is not product (r1985 | guest-marado | 2013-03-15 13:42:21 +0200 (Fri, 15 Mar 2013) | 2 lines ) It sounds to me as a bit of diverting readers' attention from the real direction here: proprietary software vendors. That's why I'd like to ask the opinion of the more experienced. On IRC we had a little chat with two of the colleagues there, and their opinions vary. My understanding is that the section deals with software which lock freedom. Those are, almost all, products of certain companies. So stating that those are "products", goes along our efforts to point to the fact that those are intended to be how they are, proprietary, intended to lock users. "Software" is the big bag for all kind of them, while our intention are the proprietary ones. So, at least, it should be stated that they're proprietary, if going back to "product" is not agreed upon. "Software product" was proposed as an alternative by nicooo. I'd like to hear your opinions before updating my translation. Best, Besnik

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Re: Could there be a law to protect the free choice of operating system?
by Albert Dengg 02 May '13

02 May '13

hi, On Tue, Mar 05, 2013 at 04:20:11PM +0000, howard wrote: > I think the car analogy is quite meaningless. The car manufacturers > are entirely responsible for the car as a system and cannot sell it > without stringent safety criteria being met. This would not be > possible without them having control over the components and their > integration into the whole system. There are bits they could leave > out such as radios but not anything necesaary to drive the car. well, i did not bring it up, i was just repling to the topic at hand... as for only beeing able to sell as whole: i don't think it's true, as there are also for example kit cars...but that is getting quite offtopic here. > > The OS in a computer is more like the driver of the car. The car > company is not responsible for how anyone drives, provided the car > is designed in such a way to make it safe for suitable drivers (e.g. > not children, or people who have some disability unless it has been > modied). Computers can run perfectly well under many different > operation systems provided they are built with the appropriate > compatibility. The monopoly enjoyed by Microsoft prevents consumers > choosing their OS of choice. For software that runs under Windows I > prefer XP, but my laptop bundled with Windows 7 home edition cannot > be "downgraded" to XP. This is quite wrong and trading standards > organisations are wrong to let MS get away with their domination of > the hardware manufacturers and retail distributer network. well, while somewhat true this is not completly the point here either... even though the car company might not get sued for something the driver does...nobody has ever tried to sue MS or the hardware vendor for what the user does with the computer. yours, albert

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Could there be a law to protect the free choice of operating system?
by Vicen Rodriguez 02 May '13

02 May '13

Hello: A few months ago I decided to buy a laptop for one of my children. I wanted to buy a new laptop without an operating system (OS) on it to install an OS to my liking. It became a complicated problem. Most stores selling computers offered me a laptop with an OS installed; it was an OS I don't want to use and I don't want to pay for. Finally, in a town near the city where I live (but not in the 1,6 million people city where I live), I found a shop offering new laptops that could be purchased with or without an OS installed, and, in case of buying the computer with OS, they said what was the price that was being paid for it. Despite achieving my goal after a long and tedious process, I realized that in Spain, and perhaps in the entire European Union, most computers are sold with a proprietary OS already installed, without offering details of the amount the citizen is paying for that OS, and do not giving the real possibility of rejecting that OS, buy the computer without it and not be charged for it. 1. - I think it should be a right for all and every citizen of the European Union, when buying a computer, to have the details of the amount which corresponds to the computer or hardware and how much is charged for the OS and other software . 2. - I think it should be a right for all and every citizen of the European Union, when buying a computer, to have the real possibility, at the time of purchase, of rejection of the acquisition of the OS and any other software that the manufacturer and / or seller offered with the computer. I can understand that a manufacturer and / or seller could say that computers they offer have not been tested with an OS other than the one they recommend, but, once the buyer is informed about that, I can't understand why must he buy an OS he may not want and for whose use he must accept a series of contractual terms which are entirely beyond his purpose of buying a computer. I think the freedom and rights of all and every citizen of the European Union must be strictly observed in any transaction, and that freedom and those rights should be the priority over the profit of companies and corporations who may have intended to impose their interests. We can fully exercise our freedom only if we have freedom of choice. I am aware that if a measure such as I propose is adopted for the sale / buying computers process, there would be no reason to not adopt it also in relation to mobile phones, game consoles and other devices. This is not the main objective of my proposal, but, considering these possible implications, I still think it could be a good measure. I also believe that the adoption of a measure such as I propose, in addition to directly defend the rights of citizens and consumers in the European Union, would be an incentive for competition and the free market within the European Union, would promote greater transparency in the relationship between computer manufacturers and developers of operating systems and applications and help avoid the possibility of de facto monopolies, something that could happen if one or more companies take advantage of its dominant position. For all that I have said, I think it could be a good measure that would increase the use of free software. But I do not know how we can get running something like this. I consulted some pages of the European Union website [1] [2] [3], but I lack the knowledge to assess what is the best way to try to carry out the proposal. I'm sure there are people in this forum better informed and with better capabilities than me to take the proposal forward. What can we do? Regards Vicen [1] http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/consultations/index_es.htm [2] http://ec.europa.eu/spain/participa/danos-tu-opinion/index_es.htm [3] http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/welcome?lg=es P.S.: I apologize for my bad English and the mistakes.

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Lumicall in GSoC? Help needed!
by Daniel Pocock 28 Mar '13

28 Mar '13

I'd like to try and get Lumicall accepted as a GSoC 2013 project http://www.lumicall.org/google-summer-of-code This means Google would pay students to work on it over the summer and all work would be contributed back to the free software community. Help is needed: - can anybody with Java experience offer to be part of the mentoring team? - can anybody help with a reference from a previous GSoC participant or a Google employee? I need to submit answers (including mentor names) to Google by tomorrow, so if you can help, please reply ASAP

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Trying to make a DIY server
by Nuno Castro 20 Mar '13

20 Mar '13

Good people, I'm currently planning a big endeavour. I have a small, but dedicated, team of people who want to provide a decentralized, free and ethical web solution for the Portuguese section of the IWA[1]. Our plan is to create a server from scratch. I know of some projects, like Jerry, the DIY server[2] and specific distros for hosting, such as yunohost[3]. But I was wondering if anyone could give me tips or clues to get started and get going with this demanding project. We are planning to make local and nation-wide innitiaves promoting free software, and if we could make this project happen, it would be a big boost to our confidence and it would also be a starting point to make workshops and lectures to share the knowledge we may acquire with the general population, providing the basis to make an ethical, decentralized network of independent service providers. Also, check out this amazing project (it's mostly in catalan, but there's an English translation going on)[4]. Stay cool, happy hacking, Nuno Castro [1]iwa-ait.org [2]http://flavors.me/jerrydiy [3]yunohost.org [4]http://www.guifi.net/en/node/38392 P.S.: pessoal da ANSOL, desculpem estar a escrever em en_US, ainda que saiba que nao e problema.

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Fellowship Shell Server
by Michael Clemens 14 Mar '13

14 Mar '13

Dear fellows, I think it would be nice to have our own multi user unix system that provides shell accounts and maybe additional services to us. Every fellow could have his/her own shell account and access to the following programs: * IRC clients (e.g. irssi) * jabber clients (e.g. mcabber) * mail clients (e.g. mutt, pine) * compilers (gcc etc.) * screen/tmux * git Additional services could be: * OpenVPN service, so fellows can encrypt their connection when they are on the road * web site hosting * databases (MySQL, postgresql etc.) * SSH tunneling * File storage In order to start this project, the following two conditions have to be fullfilled: * Enough fellows have to show interest in such a system * Besides me, I would need two other fellows with skills in Linux/Unix administration (and maybe in IT security) who will take care of the system If this will be the case, I would suggest the following procedure: * I would rent a single server system and an additional FTP account as backup space * We (the 3 admins) would build up a system with some basic services, harden it and develop/implement scripts for the automation of administrative tasks like account creation etc. * We and some some volunteer beta testers would play around with it * The FSFE would take over the server and its rent * The system would be open for all of us * Additional services could be added What do you think? Cheers, Michael

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[FYI] New bittorrent service, users asking for freedom
by Nicolas JEAN 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

Hi all, I was reading the news today about the Bittorrent company launching its new P2P broadcast service, which is apparently non-free. I was pleasantly surprised to see what top priority features the visitors are asking for (at least the top 2): https://bittorrentlive.uservoice.com/forums/137268-general/filters/top :) -- Nicolas JEAN - Web coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe (http://fsfe.org) Is Free Software important to you? Join us! (http://fsfe.org/join)

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Add Fellowship groups to the Wiki menu
by Christian Kalkhoff 13 Mar '13

13 Mar '13

Hi, wouldn't it be nice, if a link to FellowshipGroup would be added to the Wiki's menu? At the moment I can reach events and fellow pages from there but I have to dig a bit (or come from fellowship.fsfe.org) to find the group list. Perhaps the group page could even be made a bit more welcoming, possibly a map with all groups beside the list? What do you think? Regards, Christian -- Christian Kalkhoff - Softwarebefreier - software liberator Fellow of FSFE - Support FSFE! http://fsfe.org/support/?softmetz CAcert assurer http://softmetz.de/

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Discussion March 2013