Championing Software Freedom: A Spring Update from the free Software Foundation
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) remains dedicated to safeguarding your digital freedom. This spring, our work has spanned from international keynotes to local community building, all focused on empowering users and defending the principles of free software. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to, and how you can join us in this vital mission.
Global Outreach & Education
We’ve been actively sharing the importance of software freedom on a global stage.
FSF40 Meetups: Krzysztof Siewicz, our licensing and compliance manager, delivered impactful keynotes at FSF40 meetups in Lviv, Ukraine, and Chennai, India. He explored the meaning of software freedom, traced the history of the free software movement, and detailed how the FSF champions user control. Community Engagement: Participants at these meetups expressed a strong desire to contribute to the FSF’s work – a testament to the growing global awareness of these critical issues.
Building Community in Warsaw, Poland
The FSF40 celebrations continued with a vibrant meetup in Warsaw, Poland, organized by Krzysztof.
Interactive Learning: The event kicked off with a challenging quiz covering the origins of free software, core philosophies, copyleft principles, GNU licenses, and the FSF’s activities.
Expert Panel Discussion: We were honored to host a panel featuring leading voices in the free software community:
Gabriel Ku wei Bin (Free Software foundation Europe - FSFE)
Katarzyna Szymielewicz (Panoptykon Foundation)
Anna Fajfer (Fundacja Wolnego Oprogramowania Reszka)
Radosław Czajka (Wolne Lektury foundation)
Focus on Machine Learning: The panel delved into the intersection of freedom and machine learning applications, sparking insightful discussion.
Fun & Connection: The meetup concluded with an improv performance and continued conversations about the power of free software. The event was supported by the Open Science Platform of the ICM University of Warsaw, alongside contributions from other key organizations.
Spotlighting Free Software Projects
We believe in amplifying the voices of those building a free software future.
AGPL Interview Series: In March, we published an insightful interview with Abelujo, the creator of a free software package for bookstores. These interviews highlight the practical reasons projects choose the GNU General Public License (GPL) and provide valuable exposure.
Real-World Impact: Hearing directly from developers like Abelujo demonstrates the tangible benefits of free software licensing.Strengthening Licensing Expertise
Our commitment to accurate licensing is stronger than ever.
Free Software Directory (FSD) Review: We’re actively reviewing software listings in the FSD, providing valuable training for future software activists. This process equips individuals with the skills to assess a program’s licensing.
FSD Hackathon Momentum: This work is building momentum towards the FSD entry sprint as part of the FSF40 hackathon. HOPE 2025 Workshop: I (Craig) will be hosting a workshop on program licensing examination at HOPE 2025 in New York, offering hands-on experience to attendees.
Join the Movement: Defend Your Digital Freedom
The fight for software freedom is ongoing, and your support is crucial. We’re aiming to add 200 new members this spring to bolster our efforts.
Become an Associate Member: For $140 USD or more annually, you can become an associate member and directly support our work.
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