Software Freedom Podcast

SFP#29: How South Tyrol is taking a step in the direction of software freedomFor our 29th episode we have something very special for you. Marta Andreoli, the Italian deputy coordinator, talks to Paolo Dongilli about the FUSS project. Together they unravel how FUSS is helping the schools in South Tyrol take a step towards software freedom.Paolo Dongilli, the technical inspector for the Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano, South Tyrol, is the brains behind the FUSS project. FUSS stands for Free Upgrade for a Digitally Sustainable School, a complete operating system based on GNU+Linux. The system is currently used by 1900 teachers and 16.000 students. FUSS is installed on 4500 computers.How did South Tyrol's schools start relaying on Free Software and what are the social implications of this decision? These and more topics are discussed in this episode by Marta and Paolo.hListen to our 29th episode and find out what all the fuss is about!!Show notesFUSS projectBackground information on the FUSS project (IT only)Brochure on FUSS (IT and EN)Paolo DongilliSign the Open Letter for “Public Money? Public Code!”Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterSupport our work for Free SoftwareIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#28: Policy and EU: FOSDEM DevRooms with Alexander SanderFOSDEM, Europe's largest Free Software conference, is just around the corner! In this episode of the Software Freedom Podcast, Bonnie Mehring and Alexander Sander discuss the two DevRooms organised by the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE). Learn all about the Legal and Policy Issues DevRoom and the Funding the FOSS Ecosystem DevRoom.As FSFE's Senior Policy Consultant, Alex is involved in the set-up of those two DevRooms at FOSDEM. Both tracks are a must-visit for Free Software developers and advocates. The Legal and Policy Issues DevRoom focuses on current EU and US legislation, its implementation, and its future impact on the broader Free Software ecosystem as well as legal questions. Meanwhile the Funding the FOSS Ecosystem DevRoom explores the often-overlooked topic of funding Free Software, featuring talks on current challenges and discussions in the field. This DevRoom provides a solid introduction to funding while also addressing pressing and relevant topics.This is the perfect episode for everybody attending FOSDEM either in person or in the virtual world!Show notesLegal and Policy Issues DevRoomFunding the FOSS Ecosystem DevRoomJoin the FSFE's women breakfast during FOSDEMThe FSFE calls for broader interoperability by Apple under the DMAStay up-to-date and join our NewsletterSupport our work for Free SoftwareIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#27: Policy and EU: Free Software hearing in the German BundestagAlexander Sander, the FSFE's Senior Policy Consultant, and Bonnie Mehring meet for their monthly update on the current policy topics. In this episode they talk about the Free Software hearing in the German Bundestag.At the beginning of December, the FSFE participated in a German parliament hearing on Free Software, organised by the Digital Committee. The hearing focused on the use of Free Software for the public administration. In his speech for the position of the FSFE, Alexander Sander, highlighted the importance of the current trend of 'openwashing' and how this can affect the procurement process in the public administration.Listen to this episode and find out what the overall take on the hearing is!Show notesBundestag hearing on Free SoftwareSpeech from Alexander Sander in the hearing on Free Software in the German BundestagHearing on Free Software: Statement from the FSFE (only available in DE)Sign the Open Letter for “Public Money? Public Code!”Support our work for Free SoftwareIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#26: Policy and EU: the need of long-term funding and the NGI caseJoin this new episode of our Software Freedom podcast in which Bonnie Mehring and Alexander Sander discussing current topics affecting Free Software in the European Union. In this episode we focus on the 27 million euros cut of funding of the Next Generation Internet initiative (known as NGI). Alex and Bonnie shed some light on the history of this European project and share the newest developments in this case.As FSFE's Senior Policy Consultant, Alex focuses on the role of Free Software at the political arena. There, he advocates for the recognition of Free Software, raising awareness about the important role of Free Software for shaping of our digital tomorrow. When the news of the €27 million funding cut to the Next Generation Internet initiative was leaked, Alex and the FSFE immediately took action. In the wake of the loss in funding we called on our community to take action, demanding long-term funding for Free Software. With the help of our community we reached out to the European Commission - with success.This is the perfect episode for anyone looking to understand EU policies and the funding cuts for NGI!Show notesNext Generation InternetSpread your concern about Free Software funding in your local newspaperBring Back Free Software Funding: Give Your Feedback to the European Commission The FSFE demands EU Commission sustainable long-term Free Software fundingEU consultation confirms demand: long-term funding for Free Software is needed Stay up-to-date and join our NewsletterSign the Open Letter for “Public Money? Public Code!”Support our work for Free SoftwareIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Discuss this Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#25: MirageOS and OCaml with Hannes Mehnert and Matthias KirschnerFor our 25th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast we are happy to welcome Hannes Mehnert, one of the MirageOS core developer. Matthias Kirschner, president of the FSFE, and Hannes talk about MirageOS. This episode gives an overview of everything from the basics to the future of MirageOS.As one of the core developers of MirageOS, Hannes Mehrnert, has a deep understanding of the inner workings of the programming framework and its modules. He and Matthias talk about the usage of MirageOS, the funding and how you as a volunteer can support MirageOS. However, they not only stop there but also cover the functional programming language OCaml, the foundation on which it all builds. Listen to a deeply interesting conversation between Hannes and Matthias while learning more about MirageOS, modular systems, reproducible builds and functional programming.This is the perfect episode for everybody who wants to get familiar with MirageOS and modular systems!Show notesMirageOSOCaml, a functional programming languageFollow Hannes on MastodonXen ProjectNext Generation Internet ZeroIndian cuisine the curry book and functional programming (DE)robur CoopIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#24: The status of Free Software with Karen Sandler and Alexander SanderHave there been any changes for Free Software in Europe or the USA in the last year? How is Free Software viewed by legislators? What can we do to support software freedom? Karen Sandler and Alexander Sander are active in the Free Software movement and share their views on the current status of Free Software in our society. Karen Sandler is the executive director of the Software Freedom Conservancy and has a background in law and engineering. Our second guest for this episode is the FSFE's Senior Policy Consultant, Alexander Sander. In his work, Alex focuses on policy topics, always raising the status of Free Software within Europe. Over the past year, he has met with many decision-makers in Europe such as Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) or officials from the European Commission and Council, to talk about Free Software, for example in relation to the AI Act, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), or the Product Liability Directive (PLD).At the same time, across the ocean, the Software Freedom Conservancy has been working with a broad alliance to advocate for the right to repair.In short a lot has happened in the past year. Luckily, Alex and Karen are here to talk with our host Bonnie about the current situation and what we still need to do for software freedom. Learn more about the state of Free Software with Alex and Karen and find out how you can support software freedom.This is the perfect episode for everybody who needs a quick summary of the past year. Let's start software freedom!Show noteshttps://pics.fsfe.org/uploads/small/13/04/1eca3b91f7d5d338f8f2c6876d6c.png Software Freedom Conservancy "Amicus curiae brief": SFC joins amicus curiae in Green v. Department of Justice Use the source Software Freedom Conservancy Podcast with Karen Sandler Liability, Interoperability and Free Software in EU: what we are expecting EU Declaration of Digital Rights and Principles falls short of its ambitions "Public Money? Public Code!" "Public Money? Public Code!": contact your local public bodies FSFE's activities and how you can join our work for software freedom FOSDEM Legal and Policy Issues devroom Valetudo: liberate your vacuum robot Dédalo: Managing Cultural Heritage Archives Mujer y memoria If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#23: What is Free Software? A Christmas podcast to learn about Free Software These days are quite special, right? So is our Christmas Software Freedom Podcast episode! In this 23rd episode, the FSFE goes crazy and has fun playing a guessing game with terms related to Free Software. This is the perfect episode for you to learn more about your favourite type of software: Free Software! Our podcast host, Bonnie Mehring meets with Matthias Kirschner, the FSFE's President, Gabriel Ku Wei Bin, member of the FSFE's legal team, and Tobias Diekershof, the FSFE's System Administrator, to play a little guessing game about Free Software basic terms. This episode has something for everybody, no matter if you are already part of the Free Software universe or if you just arrived in this world. It is the perfect episode to learn more about Free Software. Share this episode with your family so they finally understand what you are talking about, when you talk about GNU 😉.And do not forget to stop the audio and have a guess yourself! ♥♥♥ Show notesBook by Lawrence Lessig: Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace"FSFE's initiative: Upcycling Android"How to Upcycle your smartphoneNext Generation InternetLearn more about: What is Free Software?Read more about Free Software in our newsletter.If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#22: All about "Public Money? Public Code!" with Johannes Näder In our 22nd Software Freedom Podcast episode, we talk with Johannes Näder, Senior Policy Project Manager at the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), about "Public Money? Public Code!". The "Public Money? Public Code!" initiative advocates for public bodies to switch to Free Software instead of spending tons of money on proprietary software. The reasons for "Public Money? Public Code!", how the initiative has evolved over the years, and how the FSFE defines its role as a watchdog within the initiative are discussed with Johannes in this episode. Johannes has been involved with Free Software since the 1990s. In November 2022, he turned his passion for Free Software into his daily bread and started working for the Free Software Foundation Europe. He is, among other responsibilities, the current coordinator of the FSFE’s "Public Money? Public Code!" initiative.If you have not heard of this initiative yet, or if you don’t know how best to get involved, check out our new Software Freedom Podcast episode and learn all about "Public Money? Public Code!".Show notesMailing list for German municipalities"Public Money? Public Code!"Open letter: Publicly funded software has to be Free and Open Source Software.TEDective: Find out where the money flow goes in the EUSovereign workspace openDesk: German Ministry of the Interior provides answersIf you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#21: Exploring Software Freedom in European Politics with Lina Ceballos Listen to our new Software Freedom Podcast episode with Lina Ceballos. Lina and Bonnie talk about everything related to Free Software in European Politics. Learn more about Lina's work at the Free Software Foundation Europe and how political decisions come to pass in the EU. Discover how best to advocate for Free Software, and especially, what the Interoperable Europe Act is all about and why the Free Software communities need to be on the lookout for the protection of software freedom. Lina is part of the team working for software freedom at the Free Software Foundation Europe. In her work, she advocates for software freedom at a European level, ensuring that Free Software is considered and protected in new laws. Listen to our 21st episode in which Bonnie Mehring and Lina Ceballos chat about Lina's work for the FSFE. Find out what the Interoperable Europe Act is trying to achieve, how and why Free Software should be considered the first option within it. Learn about the intended Interoperable Europe Board and how you can best help advocate for Free Software. Read more:Lina CeballosEU Parliament intends to widen participation in the Interoperable Europe BoardIEA: EU Parliament advances in strengthening the role of Free Software, yet needs more to improveCouncil to exclude relevant stakeholders from contributing to an Interoperable Europedrip.If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation.Join the FSFE community and support the podcast

SFP#20: All about Device Neutrality with Lucas Lasota Join us for the 20th episode of the Software Freedom Podcast, where Bonnie Mehring and Lucas Lasota discuss Device Neutrality and Router Freedom. They cover the concepts and fundamentals of these initiatives and explain why end-users should have control over their devices. Lucas Lasota, FSFE Senior Project Manager, has been with the organisation since 2019. In this episode, he discusses the Device Neutrality and Router Freedom initiatives, which aim to empower users to control their digital equipment with free software and end-user control over data. Router Freedom specifically means the right for end-users to deploy their own router/modem to access the internet, making it a key element for open internet.Lucas explains the historic background of these initiatives, the issues that arise without these standards, and how individuals can best support them. Join Bonnie and Lucas as they break down these concepts. This is the perfect episode for everybody interested in controlling their devices and access to the internet. Read more:Survey for Router Freedom in EuropeRouter FreedomDevice NeutralityGreece adopts Router Freedom If you liked this episode and want to support our continuous work for software freedom, please help us with a donation. Join the FSFE community and support the podcast