Upcycling Android ++ Major step for Device Neutrality ++ Nico Rikken + Ada + Job

press at fsfe.org press at fsfe.org
Tue Dec 14 10:54:23 UTC 2021


 = Upcycling Android ++ Major step for Device Neutrality ++ Nico Rikken + Ada + Job =

[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202112.ro.html ]

In the December Newsletter we talk about Upcycling Android, an
initiative to overcome software obsolescence with Free Software. The EU
is voting on the Digital Markets Act, a major step for device
neutrality. Germany aims to adopt PMPC! We interview Nico Rikken for 20
Years FSFE. Meet Ada, a character in a children's book. Spot a job
opportunity.

 == Upcycling Android: Keep using your phone with Free Software ==

In the European Week for Waste Reduction, the FSFE launched its new
initiative "Upcycling Android" [1]: Every time we keep using our phone
instead of buying a new one we support a more sustainable use of our
resources. Upcycling Android helps people to tackle software
obsolescence and to keep using their phones with Free Software.

On the initiative's website, you will find background information and
our multi-language video that explains in a nutshell the environmental
benefits derived from an extended hardware lifespan by using Free
Software. In addition you will find professional information material
[2] from infographics to expert talks to our study on the sustainability
of Free Software.

 == Upcoming DMA vote might be a major victory for Device Neutrality ==

A potential first success for Device Neutrality is about to be
determined. The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to regulate internet
companies that act as gatekeepers in digital markets. Such gatekeepers
may be internet platforms, service providers, manufacturers, and vendors
satisfying criteria defined by law. The Digital Markets Act is an
opportunity to create fairer and more competitive markets for online
platforms in the EU. Open Standards and interoperability will secure
interests of European consumers as well as facilitate Free Software use
and adoption in said markets.

As a major checkpoint, the four principles we called for [3] were
included into the DMA after the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee voted during its meeting on 22 November [4]. All eyes are now
turning to the plenary voting for the final position of the European
Parliament's first reading on 15 December 2021 [5]. Stay tuned!

 == New German government introduces 'Public Money? Public Code!' ==

Promising news does not end here. The newly formed German government
agrees with the FSFE 'Public Money? Public Code!' demand and declares it
as one of the aims of the coalition [6]. It should be noted that this
development did not come out of the blue but only after persistent
advocating from the FSFE: giving workshops, working together with local
German groups, creating an activity package [7] (DE) for volunteers,
conducting 5 interviews [8] (DE) with representatives of German
political parties, forming a vision for the upcoming decades and
concrete demands for the next government [9] and analysing the election
programs of the parties [10].

The decision is an important development for the Free Software movement
in Germany. We would like to thank everyone who advocated with us in
recent years and helped us arrive at this point. The FSFE will now focus
on the implementation of the decision.

 == Children's book character Ada learns the power of software ==

Ada unravels the mysteries of software in an adventure with her friends,
after an unfortunate meeting with the rich and famous inventor
Zangemann. A children's book for young and old readers, 'Ada &
Zangemann' is a fun and educational tale. Matthias Kirschner, author and
FSFE president, conveys to young readers the importance of software, and
even the basics of more complex topics around it. The book is published
under a Creative Commons license.

'Ada & Zangemann' is in German, and it was just released in Germany. It
is already sold out at the publisher, O'Reilly, but you can still get
copies from other booksellers. The FSFE is looking for a suitable
publisher for an English edition. If you would like to see Ada's story
in English and more languages, we welcome donations [11]. "After my son
read the book last night, he told me the whole story this morning... He
wants to make something out of old pallets after school today. And then
he wants to learn programming" said Ingo Wichmann, CEO of Linuxhotel
GmbH.

 == An overview of the past year: software freedom in 2021 ==

Cancelling of large events, limitations in meetings, and travel
restrictions: none of this stopped the FSFE from advancing software
freedom in 2021. From Router Freedom to new podcast episodes to co-
organising the Legal and Policy devroom at FOSDEM, we keep empowering
people to control technology. 'Public Money? Public Code!' online
workshops were offered to volunteers, and an online Legal and Licensing
Workshop for legal experts was organised. The FSFE assisted software
projects to become REUSE compliant with our new initiative, REUSE
Booster.

Meanwhile, a two-year court case initiated by FSFE supporter Luca
Bonissi successfully came to an end, unequivocally recognising the right
to a Windows licence refund. Our yearly report [12] corresponds to our
work during November 2020 - October 2021. Overall, significant
accomplishments for software freedom marked 2021, the year FSFE is
celebrating its 20th anniversary.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to the trust of our supporters, the FSFE counts 20 years. Our
stable presence enables us to succeed in lengthy endeavours for software
freedom, and to be ready at all times to respond to related
developments. We are grateful for the trust of our supporters, and we
will keep on empowering people to control technology. To help us,
consider becoming a supporter [13] and boost our charitable work for
freedom in the information society for the next 20 years.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 == 20 Years FSFE: Interview with Nico Rikken on country teams' activities ==

20 Years FSFE is meant to be a celebration of everyone who has
accompanied us in the past or still does. In our fifth birthday
publication we interviewed Nico Rikken, who has been helping the FSFE
with his technical skills while contributing greatly to community
building since 2014. With this interview [14], you do not only get to
know Nico Rikken, but also the FSFE Netherlands country team, as he is
one of their coordinators. How do people start joining a country team?
This was one of the questions we asked Nico, and we quote a glimpse of
his insight.

"People somehow gained in interest in Free Software and found the FSFE
as the designated party to uphold these values in Europe. Then they
found out about the NL country team, joined the mailing list and
attended a physical meeting. [...] It highlights the importance of
letting people know you exist as a local team, being open to newcomers,
and making it easy to join community meetings [...] As we are all
volunteers, it is important that our supporters do what they enjoy
doing. Most of us have our own topics and efforts we work on, and the
country team is a way to align and get support."

 == Upcoming events ==

- On 15 December, the FSFE Netherlands country team [15] will have its
  monthly online get-together.

 == What we have done ==

- The General Assembly of the FSFE held elections for its Council during
  its annual meeting on November 26th. Matthias Kirschner, Heiki Lõhmus,
  and Patrick Ohnewein were re-elected [16] to the positions of
  President, Vice-President, and Financial Officer respectively. The
  Council is elected every two years.

- On 13 December, the FSFE held an online event discussing the
  modernisation of the public digital infrastructure with public code in
  Spain [17]. Experts such as Luis Falcón, founder of GNUHealth; Ricardo
  Muñoz from Lliurex; Alexis Puente Montiel from Pica Pica HackLab; Ana
  Albalat Martínez and Francesc Busquets representing Linkat; and Aleix
  Pol Gonzalez, president of KDE, shared their insights.

- On 13 December, the local group of the FSFE Community Bonn [18] had
  its regular monthly meeting.

- On 10 December, Lina Ceballos, an FSFE Project Manager, participated
  at GnuHealthCon21. In her online talk, she showed the role that Free
  Software played in combatting the pandemic and how it could help
  overcoming other crises.

- On 7 December, the FSFE Women team [19] had its monthly online meeting
  and among other topics they discussed the upcoming Remote Chaos
  Experience [20] event.

- On 1 December, Matthias Kirschner gave an interview [21] [DE] about
  the 'Ada & Zangemann' children's book to GNU/Linux podcast.

 == Get active ==

Are you a student in a German university with a technical background?
Check out our new job posting [22]; it might be a great fit for you. We
are looking for a reliable, well-organised member of our technical teams
who is keen to learn about old and new technologies.

We are also looking for an office assistant [23] for 20-25 hours per
week in our Berlin office. Our ideal candidate has experience as an
office administrator, secretary, event organiser, or another relevant
administrative role.

Join our Upcycling Android movement and help us get the message out.
Discover our information material [24]. We are offering stickers and a
leaflet to you at no cost so that you can share them with friends, put
them in a community space, or spread them online. Happy holidays from
all of us!


 == Contribute to our newsletter ==

If you would like to share any thoughts, pictures, or news, please send
them to us. As always, the address is newsletter at fsfe.org. We're looking
forward to hearing from you! If you also want to support us and our
work, join our community and support us with a donation or a monthly
contribution [25]. Thanks to our community and all the volunteers,
supporters, and donors who make our work possible. And thanks to our
translators, who enable you to read this newsletter in your native
languages.

Your editor, Fani Partsafyllidou

Discuss this [26]

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  1: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/index.ro.html
  2: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/informationmaterial.ro.html
  3: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211122-01.ro.html
  4: https://emeeting.europarl.europa.eu/emeeting/committee/en/agenda/202111/IMCO
  5: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/sed/doc/news/flash/26441/SYN_POJ_December_STRb_EN.pdf
  6: https://mastodon.social/@fsfe/107332820789284114
  7: https://wiki.fsfe.org/Activities/Bundestagswahl_DE
  8: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20210920-01.ro.html
  9: https://digitalezivilgesellschaft.org/digitalvisionen/
 10: https://digitalezivilgesellschaft.org/wahlpruefsteine/oeffentliches-gut/
 11: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202112.html
 12: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211110-01.ro.html
 13: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=https://fsfe.org/news/nl/nl-202112.html
 14: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211123-01.ro.html
 15: https://wiki.fsfe.org/LocalGroups/BNL
 16: https://fsfe.org/about/legal/minutes/minutes-2021-11-27.en.pdf
 17: https://download.fsfe.org/campaigns/pmpc/ES/PMPC%20Evento%20Folleto.pdf
 18: https://wiki.fsfe.org/LocalGroups/Bonn
 19: https://wiki.fsfe.org/Teams/Women
 20: https://events.ccc.de/
 21: https://gnulinux.ch/gln017-podcast
 22: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211206-01.ro.html
 23: https://fsfe.org/news/2021/news-20211210-01.ro.html
 24: https://fsfe.org/activities/upcyclingandroid/informationmaterial.ro.html
 25: https://my.fsfe.org/donate?referrer=newsletter
 26: https://community.fsfe.org/t/777


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