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Alright, let's dive into this free software foundation Europe thing, the FSFE.

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The more I look at them, the more I think, oh, they're doing some really cool stuff

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with

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advocating for software freedom.

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So we've got like a ton of articles and news right from them.

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And I think it kind of shows what they're all about and how they're making a

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difference.

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Yeah, it's really interesting how they take those kind of big, you know, software

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freedom

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ideas and make them actually do things in the world.

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So let's get right into it.

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What are they doing to make that happen?

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One of their, I guess, key activities that I saw was this public money, public code

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campaign.

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And they're really pushing that any software that was made with public funds should

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be

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free software available for everyone.

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I think that's really interesting because it really aligns well with like

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transparency

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and democratic values, right?

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It's about making sure that citizens have access and control over the technology

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that,

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you know, they're paying for.

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Yeah, for sure.

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For sure.

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It makes total sense to me.

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I mean, they're not just, uh, I guess laser focused on that policy stuff.

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They're also doing a lot to educate and engage people of all ages.

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They have this book, 80 and Zangamon, which uses the fun story about, you know,

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skateboards

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and raspberry ice cream to introduce young people to software freedom.

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Yeah.

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What do you think about that?

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I think it's, I think it's super important to bring those concepts to people when

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they're

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young.

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Right.

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And it's like the book highlights the software freedom isn't just this like

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technical issue,

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right?

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It's empowering people, especially young people to understand and shape technology.

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For sure.

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Yeah.

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And it's not even just through books.

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They're actively supporting like the next generation of programmers with things

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like

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this youth hacking for freedom competition where young coders like get to make

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their

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own free software projects and show off their creativity and get like hands on

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experience.

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It seems like a good way to make sure it keeps going.

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Right.

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Yeah, absolutely.

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I think they really get that like a lively community of developers is really

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essential

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for the long term, you know, survival and success of free software.

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So getting people involved early on is great.

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Yeah.

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And then there's also the RUC project, which aims to make software licensing more

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understandable.

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I don't know about you, but I've definitely gotten lost in the lethal documents

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before.

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Oh, for sure.

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I think what's great about RUC is that it shows that they're really committed to

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like

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empowering people.

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Right.

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So simplifying licensing gets rid of a barrier for folks to engage with free

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software and

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understand their rights.

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Yeah, that accessibility is key.

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And speaking of celebrating free software, they have I Love Free Software Day every

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February

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14th.

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It's a chance to give thanks to all the developers who make the software we use and

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love.

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Oh, that's really cool.

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What's a piece of software you use that you'd want to thank the developers for?

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I think for me, it would have to be Firefox, which is a great example of a free

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software

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alternative to like some of the bigger web browsers.

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And it respects privacy and gives me more control.

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Yeah.

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I think that's a great choice.

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Firefox has been really important in like supporting open standards on the web.

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For sure.

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So we've kind of seen how they're engaging with the community, bringing up the next

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generation,

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but they're also, you know, in the thick of it with legal and policy matters too.

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Right.

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Like their involvement with the Apple and the European Commission legal case to

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protect

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free software.

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That was a big deal.

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Yeah.

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Yeah, totally.

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They're pushing for things like device neutrality, which is basically the right to

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run whatever

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software you want on any device.

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Have you run into those restrictions before?

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Oh, absolutely.

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I think we've all had that like frustration of being locked into one thing or, you

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know,

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being blocked from installing what we want.

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Yeah, for sure.

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For sure.

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And they're fighting for router freedom too, which is challenging those internet

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service

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providers who try to control which routers people can use.

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Yeah.

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These are the important battles for freedom in the digital world.

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The FSFE is tackling them head on.

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They're really advocating for user rights and pushing back against, you know, that

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restriction

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stuff.

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Yeah, for sure.

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They're making sure our voices are heard.

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So let's look at some recent news from them.

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They got a pretty big win with the EU consultation on the digital Europe program.

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They got the community together and advocated for sustained funding for free

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software.

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This is huge, right?

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Because it shows the power of collective action and that people are recognizing the

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importance

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of free software in Europe.

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Totally.

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And almost 800 people responded to the consultation, which is a lot.

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So it shows that people are paying attention.

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What do you make of that?

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I think it's great to see that response.

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I think people are understanding how valuable free software is and how it can

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benefit society.

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For sure.

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Which kind of makes the European Commission's attempt to cut like 27 million in

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funding

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for free software projects even more weird, right?

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Yeah.

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It seems like they're missing the bigger picture, I guess.

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It does make you think, you know, about their priorities, but I think this shows

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that we

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need to keep, you know, keep advocating and educating so policymakers understand

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how important

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free software is.

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For sure.

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For sure.

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And a bit of a more bittersweet note.

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The FSFE recently gave the European Free Software Award to Bram Moulinar, the

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creator of the

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Vim text editor.

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Vim is a really powerful tool.

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A lot of programmers use it.

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It's known for being like really efficient, but a little hard to learn.

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But his work has had a huge impact on the free software community.

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Yeah.

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It's a shame that the award was given like posthumously.

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Yeah.

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It makes you think about the legacy people leave behind and how they contributed to

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the

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software we use all the time.

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Definitely.

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It's a good reminder that behind all of this, there are people with their own

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passions and

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stories.

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And it's important to recognize that.

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Yeah.

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Well said.

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We've heard a lot from community stuff to policy battles and even some software

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history.

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But I want to get back to that public money, public code campaign because it seems

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like

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it's really core to what they do.

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Yeah.

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It really is.

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It asks us to rethink how we fund and develop software, especially when it comes to

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the

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public sector.

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Yeah.

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So remind me, what's the main thing they're asking for with this campaign?

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Basically they're saying that any software that's developed for the public sector

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using

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public money should be made public under a free software license.

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Gotcha.

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What about the taxpayers getting access to the software they're paying for?

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What kind of impact has it had so far?

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Well, it's gained a lot of support.

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Over 200 organizations and 31,000 individuals have signed on.

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And they're trying to get regular people to contact their governments and stuff to

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push

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for change.

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Wow.

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Those are some big numbers.

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It seems like it's working, but why should people care about this?

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What are the real benefits of having that public software be available?

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Well, first, it means that public bodies can work together better.

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Like imagine different parts of the government sharing software and making it work

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for them

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without having to start from scratch every time or pay for expensive contracts.

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Wouldn't that be better?

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Yeah.

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It would make a lot of sense.

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It would probably save money too.

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Exactly.

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Less development and less relying on one company means big savings.

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Are there any other benefits?

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Yeah.

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Like having the code out in the open means more transparency and accountability

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when

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anyone can see it.

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You can find vulnerabilities easier and make sure it's being used ethically.

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So it's not just about saving money.

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It's about making better software we can trust.

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That's a strong argument.

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But are there any downsides to this approach?

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That's a good question.

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While there are a lot of good things, some people might say that making all this

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software

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open source could be bad for private companies that are trying to make new things

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or lead

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to problems with intellectual property.

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It's a complex issue.

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Yeah, there's definitely a lot to unpack there.

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Unfortunately, we're out of time for this part of the deep dives.

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We'll have to pick this up next time.

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It's true.

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There's always more than one way to look at it when you're talking about software

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freedom.

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But that's what makes it so interesting, right?

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Totally.

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Totally.

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It's all about thinking through those different sides and seeing what makes sense.

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Speaking of different perspectives, the FSFE is involved in some other pretty

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interesting

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projects, beyond public money, public code.

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One that I saw was their work on device neutrality.

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Ah, yeah.

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Device neutrality.

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It's that idea that you should be able to choose what software runs on your devices

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no matter who made them.

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So like if I get a new phone, I should be able to install whatever operating system

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I want, whether it's like Android, a free software version of Android, or even

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something

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totally different.

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Yeah, exactly.

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And it's not even just operating systems.

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It's about apps, file formats, anything you want to use.

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The goal is to break down those walls that some tech companies put up to, like trap

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you

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in their little world.

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Oh yeah, I think we've all felt that.

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Like when you can't install a certain app because your app store doesn't have it,

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or

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you're stuck using one program because it's the only one that can open a file.

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It's all about giving users control over their tech, and not letting them get stuck

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with

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things that don't work, or might even be bad for their privacy.

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So how's the FSFE promoting this device neutrality?

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Are they focused on policy changes, tech solutions, or both?

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It's a little bit of everything.

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On the policy side, they're pushing for open standards and laws that stop companies

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from

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locking down devices.

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They've been working on the EU's Digital Markets Act, for example, which has some

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parts about

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device neutrality.

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So they're working to influence the big decisions.

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That's huge.

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But what about on a smaller scale?

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What can our listeners do if they want to support this?

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Well, I think it starts with just being aware.

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Like, pay attention to the devices and software you're using.

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Support the companies that are doing things the right way.

272
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So kind of like voting with your wallet.

273
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Exactly.

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And talk to people about it.

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The more folks understand why this matters, the more we can pressure companies and

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governments

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to actually do something.

278
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Yeah, for sure.

279
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It's all about working together, just like with the public money, public code thing.

280
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Now, another area where they're defending user rights is router freedom.

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Can you tell us more about that?

282
00:09:52,620 --> 00:09:53,620
Oh, yeah.

283
00:09:53,620 --> 00:09:56,150
Router freedom is all about your right to choose and set up the router that

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connects

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you to the internet.

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It might seem like a small thing, but it can really change your whole experience

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online.

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I got to admit, I don't know much about routers other than plugging them in and

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hoping they

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work.

291
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Why is this freedom so important?

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Well, some internet providers try to make you use only the routers they give you.

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And that can be a problem because those writers are often locked down.

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You can't install your own software or change the settings.

295
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So you're stuck with whatever they decide is best for you, even if it's not what

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you need

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or it has privacy issues.

298
00:10:25,460 --> 00:10:26,460
Exactly.

299
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And it's not even just about how it works.

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Some of those routers have built in censorship or filters that block certain

301
00:10:31,530 --> 00:10:32,220
websites.

302
00:10:32,220 --> 00:10:33,780
Whoa, that's a little scary.

303
00:10:33,780 --> 00:10:35,380
I hadn't thought about that.

304
00:10:35,380 --> 00:10:38,260
So what's the FSFE doing about this?

305
00:10:38,260 --> 00:10:42,860
They're trying to teach people about router freedom and what their rights are.

306
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And they're pushing for laws that give you the right to choose and set up your own

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router

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without your internet provider messing with it.

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Have they gotten anywhere with that?

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They've actually been a big part of getting a law passed in Germany that guarantees

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router

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freedom.

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00:10:56,660 --> 00:10:58,540
And they're trying to do the same in other countries.

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It takes time, but they're making progress.

315
00:11:01,820 --> 00:11:04,780
It's really cool to see them fighting for these rights.

316
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What can our listeners do to support this?

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00:11:07,180 --> 00:11:10,740
I think the first step is to know what your rights are.

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00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:14,080
Look at your contract with your internet provider and see if they have any rules

319
00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:14,860
about routers.

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If they do, talk to them about it.

321
00:11:16,620 --> 00:11:19,980
So don't be afraid to speak up for your right to choose your own router.

322
00:11:19,980 --> 00:11:20,980
I like that.

323
00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:21,980
Exactly.

324
00:11:21,980 --> 00:11:26,480
And if you're good with tech stuff, you could even try using a free software router

325
00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:27,000
operating

326
00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:29,180
system like OpenRoute.

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That gives you total control.

328
00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:32,100
That's a good tip.

329
00:11:32,100 --> 00:11:35,470
You know, one thing that really stands out to me about the FSFE is how they're

330
00:11:35,470 --> 00:11:36,060
committed

331
00:11:36,060 --> 00:11:39,100
to educating people and empowering the next generation.

332
00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:40,380
Oh, absolutely.

333
00:11:40,380 --> 00:11:42,380
What they're doing with young people is great.

334
00:11:42,380 --> 00:11:46,640
It's all about introducing them to software freedom early on and helping them

335
00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:47,500
become really

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good with technology.

337
00:11:48,500 --> 00:11:49,500
Holy.

338
00:11:49,500 --> 00:11:53,420
We talked about their book Ada and Zainman before, but they also have this Youth Hacking

339
00:11:53,420 --> 00:11:55,100
for Freedom program.

340
00:11:55,100 --> 00:11:56,100
Yeah.

341
00:11:56,100 --> 00:11:58,900
They challenge young people to make their own free software projects.

342
00:11:58,900 --> 00:12:03,620
It gives them real experience with coding and teaches them about software freedom.

343
00:12:03,620 --> 00:12:07,430
It's awesome that they're not just focused on the problems we have now, but also

344
00:12:07,430 --> 00:12:07,960
thinking

345
00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:09,220
about the future.

346
00:12:09,220 --> 00:12:12,290
They get that the fight for digital freedom is a long one and that we need to give

347
00:12:12,290 --> 00:12:12,560
young

348
00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:15,820
people the tools and knowledge to keep it going.

349
00:12:15,820 --> 00:12:20,660
It feels like we've only just started to see what the FSFE is all about.

350
00:12:20,660 --> 00:12:23,700
What are some other things they're doing to promote software freedom that we haven't

351
00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:24,700
talked about yet?

352
00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:25,820
Oh, there's so much more.

353
00:12:25,820 --> 00:12:30,140
We haven't even mentioned their work on AI ethics, or their push for open standards

354
00:12:30,140 --> 00:12:34,560
and education, or how they're trying to make governments more transparent by using

355
00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:35,560
free software.

356
00:12:35,560 --> 00:12:37,700
Well, they're tackling some really big stuff.

357
00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:40,740
We'll have to dive into those topics in the next part of our deep dive.

358
00:12:40,740 --> 00:12:43,460
But for now, let's take a short break.

359
00:12:43,460 --> 00:12:47,180
We're back talking about the Free Software Foundation Europe.

360
00:12:47,180 --> 00:12:49,340
This has been really eye-opening.

361
00:12:49,340 --> 00:12:50,340
Yeah.

362
00:12:50,340 --> 00:12:53,260
It's amazing how much they do in so many different areas.

363
00:12:53,260 --> 00:12:57,540
And it's all connected to this idea of giving people more control over technology.

364
00:12:57,540 --> 00:12:58,540
Yeah.

365
00:12:58,540 --> 00:13:02,180
What I keep noticing is that they're not just talking about it.

366
00:13:02,180 --> 00:13:05,020
They're actually showing people how to get involved and make a difference.

367
00:13:05,020 --> 00:13:06,020
Oh, for sure.

368
00:13:06,020 --> 00:13:09,600
It's like that public money, public code campaign.

369
00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:14,020
It's inspiring to see them getting people to actually talk to their representatives

370
00:13:14,020 --> 00:13:15,020
and push for change.

371
00:13:15,020 --> 00:13:16,700
And they make it so easy, too.

372
00:13:16,700 --> 00:13:19,980
Their website has all these resources, like sample letters and stuff.

373
00:13:19,980 --> 00:13:23,140
You don't have to be a policy expert to speak up.

374
00:13:23,140 --> 00:13:24,140
Right.

375
00:13:24,140 --> 00:13:25,140
Exactly.

376
00:13:25,140 --> 00:13:28,600
By helping people become advocates, they're making their message even stronger.

377
00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:31,220
It's not just about that one campaign, though.

378
00:13:31,220 --> 00:13:35,780
There's so many ways to get involved with the FSFE, like volunteering or

379
00:13:35,780 --> 00:13:36,740
contributing

380
00:13:36,740 --> 00:13:38,060
to projects.

381
00:13:38,060 --> 00:13:39,060
There's something for everyone.

382
00:13:39,060 --> 00:13:42,940
No matter what your skills are, you can donate, spread the word, or just learn more

383
00:13:42,940 --> 00:13:43,260
about

384
00:13:43,260 --> 00:13:44,260
the issues.

385
00:13:44,260 --> 00:13:45,260
Yeah.

386
00:13:45,260 --> 00:13:48,100
Finding your own way to contribute, even if it's small, can make a difference.

387
00:13:48,100 --> 00:13:50,460
So why should we care about software freedom?

388
00:13:50,460 --> 00:13:52,060
What's the big deal?

389
00:13:52,060 --> 00:13:53,180
That's the question, isn't it?

390
00:13:53,180 --> 00:13:55,920
It's about so much more than just access to code.

391
00:13:55,920 --> 00:14:00,130
It's about having control over the technology that shapes our lives and making sure

392
00:14:00,130 --> 00:14:00,560
it works

393
00:14:00,560 --> 00:14:02,240
for us, not the other way around.

394
00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:05,020
So it's about being active, not just passive.

395
00:14:05,020 --> 00:14:06,020
Exactly.

396
00:14:06,020 --> 00:14:11,180
When you can use, study, share, and change software, it unlocks so much.

397
00:14:11,180 --> 00:14:16,180
You can make it work for you, fix problems, improve security, even create new

398
00:14:16,180 --> 00:14:16,920
things.

399
00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:18,320
And protect our freedoms.

400
00:14:18,320 --> 00:14:19,320
Absolutely.

401
00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:21,420
Freedom of speech, privacy, all that.

402
00:14:21,420 --> 00:14:25,140
It's all at stake when software controls so much of our lives.

403
00:14:25,140 --> 00:14:28,100
When it's open and transparent, we can hold it accountable.

404
00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:30,020
It's a powerful idea.

405
00:14:30,020 --> 00:14:33,760
We're actually working for people, not just corporations or governments.

406
00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:35,800
And that's what the FSFE is trying to build.

407
00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:37,960
They've given us a lot to think about.

408
00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:40,760
What do you think is the most important takeaway from all of this?

409
00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,000
I think it's that we have a choice.

410
00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:45,680
We don't have to just accept things as they are.

411
00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:50,570
We can choose to be active in shaping a better digital world, one that's more open

412
00:14:50,570 --> 00:14:51,360
and fair.

413
00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:53,320
And the FSFE can help us do that.

414
00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:56,640
They give us the tools, the knowledge, and the community to make it happen.

415
00:14:56,640 --> 00:15:00,370
Your work shows that positive change is possible, even with all the challenges we

416
00:15:00,370 --> 00:15:00,800
face with

417
00:15:00,800 --> 00:15:01,800
technology.

418
00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:02,800
Well said.

419
00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:06,390
To everyone listening, go check out the FSFE's website and see what they're all

420
00:15:06,390 --> 00:15:06,760
about.

421
00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:10,480
You might be surprised by how much they're doing and how you can get involved.

422
00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:11,480
Yeah.

423
00:15:11,480 --> 00:15:13,720
Even small actions can make a difference.

424
00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:17,720
This has been a fascinating look into the world of the FSFE and software freedom.

425
00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:18,720
Thanks for joining us.

426
00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:19,720
It's been a pleasure.

427
00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:22,640
Until next time, stay curious and stay free.