On names in open source

I’ve spent the last 6 years teaching Free Software and Open Source at École Polytechnique de Louvain, being forced to investigate the subject and the history more than I anticipated in order to answer students’ questions. I’ve read many historical books on the subject, including RMS’s biography and many older writings.

And something struck me.

RMS was right since the very beginning. Every warning, every prophecy realised. And, worst of all, he had the solution since the start. The problem is not RMS or FSF. The problem is us. The problem is that we didn’t listen.

Un média pour explorer des alternatives numériques qui vous respectent !

Datagubbe giving good advice in a bullet list. My favorite items are:

• Disable notfications. I'd recommend to at least turn their sound off.

• Use smaller software, use less applications.

• Avoid social media. I'm building one haha.

• Delete unused accounts.

• Thank FOSS maintainers. That includes me.

• Disable blinking cursor.

My least favorite is his recommendation to use laptops less. I myself should use it more, so I don't use the phone. And I don't have a desktop or a place for it.

История опен-сорса в России. Надо почитать.

To my projects only paid hosting seems applicable.

Айтишники и учёные соберутся в баре и будут обсуждать опен-сорс. А знаете, кто там будет?! Там будет Данила! А знаете, про что он будет там говорить??? Про Бетулу!!! Питерские, давайте быстренько записывайтесь.

Yeah, sure.

Browsing projects on #Sourcehut reminds me of what FLOSS development looked like 15-20 years ago. Ugly interfaces that were just thin layers above the code, barely any README (let alone wikis, or any form of easily accessible and structured documentation), and let's not mention accessibility on mobile.

How are we supposed to build the foundations of tomorrow's FLOSS if we use tools that look even more outdated than Craigslist? How are we supposed to have any credibility when we tell people "stop using Github, try Sourcehut instead"? How do we expect to create user engagement? How do we expect somebody who's not a developer to use software that doesn't even come with an easily accessible documentation?

And the discussion is good. The endless discussion about SourceHut's UI+UX! My opinion: UI is good, UX not so. But I use it nevertheless!

This article made numbers on the fedded verses. It encourages everybody to ditch GitHub. The message makes sense. I've been reducing my GitHub presence. This article wasn't the trigger for me, but it was for many people. Maybe it will be one for you!

A specific someone in disguise says that accepting help to your software projects often leads to destruction.

RMS was right with the four freedoms. Copyleft was the solution all along. Then Ploum lists the freedoms and a new obligation:

• The right to use the software at your own discretion

• The right to study the software

• The right to modify the software

• The right to redistribute the software, including with modifications

• The obligation to keep those four rights, effectively keeping the software in the commons.