diff --git a/site/news/MANIFEST b/site/news/MANIFEST index 641c48b..af2a66a 100644 --- a/site/news/MANIFEST +++ b/site/news/MANIFEST @@ -1,3 +1,4 @@ +usa-libre.md policy.md translations.md libreboot20211122.md diff --git a/site/news/usa-libre.md b/site/news/usa-libre.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a928460 --- /dev/null +++ b/site/news/usa-libre.md @@ -0,0 +1,288 @@ +% New Hampshire (USA) may soon make Software Freedom the law. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! +% Leah Rowe +% 8 January 2022 + +Introduction +============ + +This event of such global importance to Free Software projects, and the movement +as a whole, has made me decide to write this article. **The events in question, +covered by this article, will occur on 11 January 2022. This is just three days +away, so if you make a decision, you should make it now, today, and prepare. +Please continue reading.** + +If you live in New Hampshire or in one of the neighbouring states, especially +Massachusetts, please listen up! If you are further away and unable to reach +New Hampshire all that easily, please spread the following news anyway. It's +important. As alien as it may seem to many of my readers, I'm actually writing +parts of this article as though someone who has never heard of Free Software is +reading it, because I expect precisely that such people *will* read this +particular article. + +You will see the term *Free Software* used in this article, but some people +call it Open Source Software. [However, you should call it Free +Software.](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/open-source-misses-the-point.html) +The word "free" refers to freedom, not price, though the software is usually +also usually free as in gratis / zero price. + +The opposite of Free Software is called *proprietary software*, or *non-free +software*. Proponents of Open Source sometimes call it *Closed Source*, but +you should call it *non-free* or proprietary, to highlight the fact that it +isn't free. + +What's happening in New Hampshire? +================================== + +An important bill is being proposed in New Hampshire, which would enshrine +much of what we know as Free Software *into law*. Here is the proposed bill, +technically named "HB1273":\ + + +You can read it for yourself, but here is a paraphrasing of what it proposes: + +* *Specifically* bans state-run websites from serving non-free javascript to + clients +* Creates a commission to provide oversight, watching the use of Free Software by state agencies +* Bans state agencies from using proprietary software - maybe this could include schools, in the future! +* If a person is tried in a criminal case, they have the right to audit the source code of any proprietary software that collects evidence against them +* Encourages data portability (able to transfer data from one program to another) +* Bans certain non-compete clauses and NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) pertaining to Free Software projects +* Bans state/local law enforcement from assisting with the enforcement of copyright claims against Free Software projects +* Bans state agencies from purchasing non-free software if free software exists, for a given task + +However, this is only a short summary. You are advised to read the bill in +detail. It's not very long. + +At first glance, it may not seem that the bill affects individuals, but don't +be fooled; this is a hugely positive step forward for everyone! If the state is +using Free Software, that most likely means it'll be used in education aswell. + +Although perhaps not immediately and readily apparent, this is a stake in the +heart of proprietary software's current dominance, because it would remove one +key element of its attack against us; its abuse of education services. + +If education services are using Free Software, that means they'll probably have +children (the ones being educated) using it too. This is a *huge* step, and it +will result in more Free Software developers in the future. Free Software will +become more and more mainstream to the masses, which can surely only be a good +thing! + +Freedom is always superior. The more people that have it, the better off we all +are, because freedom is also collective; it relies on others around us also +having it, so that we can defend each other. If more people have it, especially +if it results in more Free Software developers in the future, that's one thing, +but imagine if *more* states like what they see and start to copy the new +legislation. + +Now imagine that countries besides the US start doing it, inspired by the US's +success (and I think it will be a resounding success). + +Imagine a world where [Free +Software](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html), free as in freedom, is +the default everywhere. Imagine a world where [Free Software +licensing](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html) is required reading +material in schools. *Imagine a world where any five year old can install a +free operating system such as GNU+Linux, and Computer Science is mandatory in +schools from a young age. Imagine filing your tax returns with Free Software, +exclusively. Imagine not even thinking about that, because it became the norm.* + +*Imagine a world where proprietary software doesn't exist, because it is +obsolete; entire generations of people are taught to value freedom, and to +staunchly defend it, helping each other learn and grow (and produce better +software in the process, with less bugs, because people are now free to do +that, without relying on some evil company).* + +Imagine a world where you're no longer being spied on because NSA, Apple and +Microsoft no longer have backdoor access to your computer. *Imagine having the +ability to say no, because that's what freedom is. Try to imagine it!* + +Free Software is a revolution that we in the Free Software movement have +rigorously upheld and fought for, over many years, but we still face an uphill +battle because children are not taught in schools about free computing, nor are +they encouraged to learn; they are taught to view computers as *products* to +throw away every 1-2 years, that they can run a few *apps* on but otherwise are +not allowed to do anything with. The *concept* of a *general purpose, fully +reprogrammable computer* is heavily suppressed in mainstream culture. *Most* +people in the world do not run a free operating system; the idea of a computer +being a mere *appliance* is normalized (as opposed to the idea of it being a +highly liberating tool for development and the expansion of human knowledge). + +*This* is what we in the Free Software movement have fought for over the years. +We believe that knowledge is a human right, that the ability to share, study, +learn, adapt and modify the software is an inalienable right that everyone must +have. [The four freedoms are absolute.](https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html) + +One of our biggest problem has been simply that schools and governments do not +teach people about free computing. The right to learn, the right to read and +the right to hack. Our governments are made up of human beings just like you or +me, and they can be bought/corrupted; Microsoft, Apple and many others (such as +IBM) have done this for years, having the national infrastructures governing us +run on their proprietary systems, instead of systems that respect freedom; it +is essential that these systems run free software, because a free and democratic +should expect nothing less. Those companies buy influence *and they own your +politicians*. + +All of this could change very soon. Something is happening in New Hampshire, +which could redefine our movement and give *free software* real power +instead. + +HOW TO HELP +=========== + +TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL +------------------------------ + +**The reading of the bill is happening on 11 January 2022. This is when you +should go to New Hampshire.** + +**Location of hearing: Legislative Office Building in Concord, New Hampshire:\ +** + +The organizer of the proposed bill, *Eric Gallager*, has left instructions on +Twitter. The following is a *nitter* link, which lets you view the relevant +Twitter thread without running non-free Javascript in your browser:\ + + +The original Twitter URL is:\ + + +Further instructions for what room to go to, when you get there:\ + +See Nitter link:\ + + +(original twitter link: ) + +**Please read both threads very carefully!** + +**YOU NEED TO GO TO NEW HAMPSHIRE IN PERSON!** + +If you're able to go to New Hampshire to attend the reading of the bill, please +do so! Voice your support of the bill, and say why you think it's important. + +Tell the lawmakers that you demand freedom! + +This thread on Twitter is where Eric announced that the reading of the bill is +to proceed (original Twitter URL):\ + + +More states/countries will follow +--------------------------------- + +If this bill is passed in New Hampshire, more states will likely follow. It +will lead to a massively renewed drive to liberate all computer users, and US +laws tend to be copied/pasted around the world too. + +This bill, if passed, will have a hugely positive impact on Free Software at a +global level. + +You *must* support this bill. If you want to see it pass, please go to New +Hampshire on 11 January 2022 to make sure your voice is heard. + +OUR ENEMIES WILL BE THERE +------------------------- + +The *proprietary* software companies like Microsoft and Apple will also be +there, trying to argue the case *against* the use of Free Software. + +There is already precedent; please watch this video, which shows how Microsoft +(for example) might behave in the reading of the bill. This video is from a +discussion within the European Union, several years ago:\ + (invidious link. works without +javascript enabled, if you wish) + +They will try to trick the law makers by claiming things such as: + +* **"Free software is insecure / you will get hacked"** - nothing could be + further from the truth! Free operating systems such as GNU+Linux, FreeBSD and + especially OpenBSD, are among the most secure operating systems available. +* "Free software is used by criminal hackers" - here, they use the + term *hacker* to describe someone who illegally gains access to someone + elses computer. Don't fall for it. Maintainers of free operating systems + like GNU+Linux distros or the BSDs are actively working to make the internet + and computers in general *more secure* +* **"Software authors deserve to be paid!"** - In fact, many free software devs + are *paid* to work on Free Software! Many companies, including big ones, + work on it. There are also hobbyists or otherwise unpaid people, who might + work on Free Software for a number of reasons (wanting to make the world a + better place, wanting the glory of recognition for solving a major problem, + and more often than not, simply because *it is fun to do so and you make a + lot of friends too!*) - No, these companies (e.g. Microsoft) are only arguing + in reality for the ability to pay their *shareholders*, and they control the + software exclusively. In fact, free software has repeatedly and consistently + over the years *defined* the computing industry, creating all kinds of new + employment opportunities; for example, docker is widely used today and it is + free software, used by millions of companies for commercial gain, and the + apache web server revolutionized the web back in the day, enabling lots of + ISPs to easily host websites - many of the common protocols that we depend + upon today, that businesses depend upon (and get paid to maintain or provide + services/support for) are in fact free as in freedom! +* **"Developers should get recognition for their work"** - in free software, you + can easily make a name for yourself with relatively few resources except your + own computer and an internet connection, plus some cheap hosting. When most + developers work on *proprietary* software such as Windows, they don't get + recognition; their copyright is assigned to their employer (e.g. Microsoft) + who will take all the credit! +* **"Free software is unreliable / costly to maintain"** - actually, it has been + well known for years that free software is generally more stable and reliable + than proprietary. In cases where it isn't, it is quickly improved, and in + complete freedom. Free software has a lower cost to maintain and service, and + you have a free market where you can choose who you hire to write/maintain it + for you (if you won't do that yourself); meanwhile, proprietary software + such as Windows is often full of bugs, crashes often and there is only one + provider of support most of the time, who will charge a heavy price, while + also charging a lot of money for the software itself - free software + is *free as in freedom*, but also usually *free as in zero price*. +* **"Free software comes from potentially untrustworthy sources"** - This is + pure nonsense, because the very freedoms provided by free software (access + to source code, ability to work on it yourself, and see what others did) + means that people generally do not add malware to public software sources, + because they'd be discovered instantly. *Distributions* of GNU+Linux and + other free operating systems are often maintained by many people, who verify + the safety of each software package that they provide; they are also usually + provided by each *distro*, in a central repository unlike with, say, Windows + where you really *are* randomly executing binaries from all kinds of + locations (often even without checking the cryptographic checksums of those + files, to verify their integrity). It's very hard to become infected with + malware on a free system, precisely because security is handled much better; + the design of unix-like operating systems in particular is also naturally + more secure, due to better separation of root/user privileges. +* **"Free software isn't controlled, and is unknown."** - this is completely + false. These non-free software companies are only talking about *their* + control, and it's quite telling that they completely disregard yours, in this + very sentence. In fact, Free Software *is* controlled, but it's not controlled + by some external entity; *your* installation of free software is controlled + by *you*. + +If you're familiar with the *Matrix* films, proprietary operating systems like +Windows/MacOS are basically like the Matrix; bland, no individuality, no +independent thought, everything tightly controlled. By contrast, free operating +systems (such as GNU+Linux distributions or the BSDs) are like zion/io; vibrant, +full of life, buzzing with activity, everything loose and free, and everyone +is different (a highly diverse culture of people from all walks of life, acting +in common cause but nonetheless individuals). + +Meanwhile, Windows is known to have backdoors. Microsoft actively informs the +NSA about how to exploit them, so that it can break into people's computers +and steal private data. + +Proprietary software companies are evil, and must be opposed. They know that +if this bill passes, their days are numbered. + +Defend freedom! Don't listen to any of the arguments against it by proprietary +software companies; they don't care about you, and instead only care about +profit. They fundamentally do not want you to have any sort of freedom over +your own computer, and they actively pursue tactics (such as DRM) to thwart you. + +Microsoft and Apple are not your friends. There is no such thing as the +Windows community. When you use proprietary systems, you are isolated from +everyone around you, and so are they. *You* are the product, for the non-free +software to exploit at the behest of their developers who only care +about *money*. + +However, there *is* such a thing as the Free Software community. It is a +vibrant community, consisting of millions of people collectively all over the +world, and they are all free to work with each other infinitely. It gave us +most of the technology that we take for granted today, including *the modern +internet, where ISPs run free software almost exclusively!* +