Okay, so get this, today's deep dive.
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It's taking us to a company with a name that,
well, took me a few tries.
Gesellschafterentwicklung von Dingen.
Wow. Right, G-E-E-V-D for short.
But, you know, it really got me interested.
Okay.
Their website, they say they're developing things
for a better world.
I'm like, things?
Yeah. What kind of things?
Like, how are they actually building a better world?
I need to know more.
Yeah, it kind of grabs your attention right.
And it seems like that's their whole thing being clear,
avoiding all that technical jargon.
Yeah. But what really struck me,
it's their commitment to this open source software.
And I mean, it's not just a buzzword for them.
Right. It's like the foundation
of their entire approach.
So, okay, let's break down this open source thing.
Yeah. Why is it such a big deal,
especially for a company
that's trying to make a positive impact, like really?
Imagine, right, a world where everything digital,
the apps we use, government platforms, everything,
is built on transparency and collaboration.
That's the potential of open source.
The code, anyone can see it, change it, share it.
It builds trust and security
because you're not relying on some mysterious thing
made by just one company, right?
So it's not like, you know, proprietary software
where everything is hidden, copyright laws,
and like, you can't even talk about it.
Yeah. Yeah.
Open source is more like something
everyone can benefit from. Exactly.
And that connects with GZEVD's whole,
we are the good ones philosophy.
They want to democratize technology, you know,
make it for everyone, not just a few.
And in fact, they even have this branch, broken image.
It's all about accessibility.
Broken image.
That's a choice, right? Yeah.
Okay. I'm intrigued, but also a little, I don't know, worried.
Sure. What's the story?
Well, they're not afraid to talk about the tough stuff.
They're acknowledging that a lot of tech,
especially on the web,
it's not accessible for people with disabilities.
And broken image, they tackle that head on.
Screen readers, voice assistants, keyboard navigation.
They want to make sure everything they make works for everyone,
no matter what.
So it's not just about being, quote, good.
It's about, like, admitting where tech messes up
and actually trying to fix it.
Exactly. And they're not just, like, going with the flow,
GZ, EVD. They follow all those accessibility rules.
Yeah. Things like WCAG.
It stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
And those UMPN standards, too. YAN301549 and BITV2.0.
These, like, set the rules, right,
for making digital content accessible, easy to use,
understandable, and strong, you know,
for folks with all sorts of disabilities.
Wow. OK. I'm getting a crash course
in digital accessibility here.
Yeah. And it's pretty amazing,
all the stuff that goes on behind the scenes
to make technology truly inclusive.
And it sounds like GEVD is really stepping up
to make it a priority. Yeah, they really are.
And they love to share what they know, too.
One of their open source projects that caught my eye,
it's called OpenCulturist, and it's all about giving power
to these regional arts organizations.
Hold on. Open source for the arts.
Please tell me they're not just making spreadsheets
for galleries. How does that even work?
Well, it's way cooler than spreadsheets, I promise.
Yeah. Imagine, like, this central hub, right?
Arts organizations, they can manage everything.
There are events, selling tickets, even fundraising.
All in one spot. Right.
And because it's open source, it's free.
Wow. They can use it,
change it to fit what they need.
No crazy subscription fees eating up their budget.
That's incredible, especially for the smaller organizations.
They don't have a ton of money.
This levels the playing field, right?
Right. It lets them focus on the art,
making it, sharing it. Exactly.
And they don't just stop at the arts either.
They've got this other project, D-gov.
It's about something that affects us all, government websites.
OK, got to be honest.
Government websites doesn't exactly scream exciting new tech to me.
Right. What's the deal with D-gov?
Think about it. Government websites.
Usually that's how we get important info, right?
Public services, announcements, all that.
The problem is these websites, often they're clunky, outdated,
impossible to navigate, and that creates a real barrier for people.
So D-gov, it's like a makeover for those, let's be honest,
often dreaded government websites.
You could say that, yeah.
It's a content management system, but it's user-friendly, open-source.
Yeah.
Makes it easier for government agencies.
They can build, maintain websites that are actually accessible,
secure, and easy for everyone to use.
Nice.
And because it's open-source, it means more transparency, more accountability.
It's like GAZVD is looking at all these areas
where technology could be doing so much more, right?
Arts for government, accessibility, and they're actually making it happen.
But it doesn't stop there, does it?
What about this, our Better World Manifesto?
Sounds like they're pretty serious about actually living up to these
ethical and sustainable practices.
Oh, yeah.
They definitely want everyone to know what they stand for.
And this manifesto, it's not just for show, you know?
It's a core part of how they operate as a company.
They've got rules for everything, like how they reduce their carbon footprint,
how they make travel more sustainable,
even supporting employees who are out there fighting climate change.
That's really cool.
I mean, it's refreshing to see a company that's not just talking about being green,
but actually doing something about it, right?
Like making real changes to shrink their environmental impact.
Yeah.
They're even thinking about the small stuff, what they eat.
This is so much more than just checking boxes on some corporate to-do list.
For sure.
And this commitment, it goes into all their projects,
even the ones that might not seem directly related to sustainability at first.
Like SafeServer, they offer these really secure IT solutions,
but they focus on data privacy, and that's crucial these days.
Absolutely.
Data privacy is a huge deal right now.
All those headlines about data breaches, people's information being misused.
It's good to know that GCEVD is actually trying to protect data.
What else are they working on in their ethical tech lab of wonders?
Well, they've gotten into renewable energy, actually.
Oh, really?
Yeah.
With this project, it's called Indilux.
They're making plug-in solar devices so people can easily use solar power.
That's smart.
It's a great example of how GCEVD, they link technology to actual solutions.
They're not just building gadgets.
These are tools to help people make sustainable choices in their own lives.
Totally.
It's like they're saying, we're not going to wait for governments or these huge
companies to fix climate change.
We'll do it ourselves.
Yeah, and that's what's so interesting about them.
They're not just developing like things.
They're developing a better future, you know, open source project by open source
project, accessible website by accessible website, solar panel by solar panel.
It adds up.
It's really inspiring to see a company that actually lives by its values, right?
They're not claiming to be perfect, but they're trying to make a difference.
And that's like, that's something to be excited about.
Definitely.
And they're showing everyone that you can be successful and
still stick to your principles.
GZEVD is challenging the whole tech industry, right?
To rethink what's important, to move away from just profits, just
growth, no matter what, to something more ethical, more sustainable.
Yeah.
It's a powerful message.
And I think it really speaks to people, especially now people are feeling
disillusioned with how tech is going.
It's like they're holding up a mirror, you know, to the industry and they're
saying, Hey, it doesn't have to be this way.
We can build amazing things, but we can also think about the impact on the
planet on people.
Exactly.
So for our listeners out there, what's the takeaway from our deep dive into
GZEVD, they're obviously doing some cool, important stuff, but what's the
bigger picture?
I think GZEVD is showing us another way, you know, a different vision for
what tech could be ethics, sustainability, putting users first.
Those aren't just buzzwords for them.
They're the foundation of everything they do.
They're showing us that a different tech industry is possible.
One that's more open, more fair, more accountable.
A future where tech helps people.
It helps communities, not just corporations, not just governments, a
future where developing things, like they say, actually does mean building a
better world for everyone.
And you know what?
I'm into that.
Me too.
Absolutely.
And the best part, it's a future we can all help create by supporting
companies like GZEVD, by demanding more from the tech industry as a whole, and
by speaking up, taking action, fighting for a better digital world, a more ethical
one, a more sustainable one, G-E-E-V-D, that might be a small coming over in
Germany, but they're having a big impact.
The proof that tech, when it's driven by a purpose, when it's about making a
positive impact, it can change the world.
So next time you find yourself wondering, can I even make a difference?
Remember G-E-E-V-D, remember their whole develop things for a better world thing,
others and shape a brighter future for everyone.
others and shape a brighter future for everyone.