Non-free software hidden in your GNU/Linux distribution
Most people with an interest in software freedom will turn to GNU/Linux as their operating system of choice. Few realize however, that the vast majority of GNU/Linux distros are not entirely free....
View ArticleAcademia's obligation to software freedom
The Free Software philosophy is founded in the ideals of freedom, openness, and sharing. Educational institutions support the same ideals within academic freedom and the open dissemination of knowledge...
View ArticleWill ACTA end the purchase of foreign titles by libraries?
With the release of leaked versions of the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, opposition to the drafting process continues to grow.read more
View ArticleHow software patents broke the system
Patent Absurdity explores the case of software patents and the history of judicial activism that led to their rise, and the harm being done to software developers and the wider economy. The film is...
View ArticleOpen standards and interoperability -- two cheers for EU ICT ministers
The EU's member states have just thrown their weight behind the principles of Open Standards and interoperability. At a meeting of the ministers for telecommunication and information society in...
View ArticleProprietary technology is a waste of money
The first time that the European Commission's vice president talked about the Digital Agenda which was recently published. Neelie Kroes speech was the first time that she talked about the Digital...
View ArticleMicrosoft is a weak link in national security
Microsoft has vast resources, literally billions of dollars in cash, or liquid assets reserves. Microsoft is an incredibly successful empire built on the premise of market dominance with low-quality...
View Article"Gno" and "Gyes" campaigns - about positive Free Software campaigning
Joe Brockmeier argues in his article that positive campaigning is much more successful in reaching more people, than negative campaigning. He especially criticise the FSF for its "Defective by Design"...
View ArticleSoftware patents after Bilski
Bilski gave us a wonderful opportunity to increase awareness to the harm caused by software patents. More scholars, more developers, more journalists, more politicians, and more patent attorneys than...
View ArticleAbolish software patents
Software patent law must be simplified if not completely abolished. The concept that a routine or function is somehow "intellectual property" is ridiculous. How many times have you had an idea and...
View ArticleGOLEMs are better than "Intellectual Property" -- Passing criticism on "IP"
Have you ever heard someone saying "Intellectual Property is a dumb term, please do not use it" in the parliament? Well it happened in the German Bundestag: Prof. Dr. Thomas Hoeren said it during the...
View ArticleKilled by Code: software transparency in implantable medical devices
Software is an integral component of a range of devices that perform critical, lifesaving functions and basic daily tasks. As patients grow more reliant on computerized devices, the dependability of...
View ArticleAdvocacy doesn’t work if you tell someone they’re wrong
Generally it isn’t a good idea to offend someone you’re trying to convince. This is sounding almost too obvious, but offending someone we are trying to get to free software is a tactic we often use...
View ArticleHave Oracle just made it worse for everyone?
I guess everybody has heard that a majority of the key developers in the OpenOffice.org community decided to set up the Document Foundation: an independent foundation to continue and manage work on the...
View ArticleFree Software: Candle in the Dark
We live in turbulent times, that’s for sure and the financial crisis is the one to blame. There is a very difficult situation in my country these days and lately there is much anger and discord among...
View Article