FSFE is hiring a part-time technical expert
We are looking for a person with a strong technical background to support projects with software engineering and expertise. The person will work part-time, either in our Berlin office or remotely.
Archivo de Noticias
CWA sin Google +++ Cooperación al desarrollo internacional +++ Entrevista KDE
En el Boletín de diciembre, lee sobre la App Alemana de Aviso de Coronavirus, publicada aparte para ampliar la libertad del software, aprende sobre código público en la cooperación al desarrollo internacional, disfruta de la entrevista con Cord-Landwehr de KDE sobre REUSE, la del grupo local de Zurich que recibió un premio DINACon y mucho mas.
Interview with A. Cord-Landwehr about REUSE adoption in the KDE community
In just three years, our REUSE initiative has successfully changed licensing practices of at least over five hundred projects. From its adoption by NGI0 projects to a Corona Warn App to KDE, 2020 marks another successful year of this campaign. We used the chance to speak with Andreas Cord-Landwehr about REUSE adoption in the KDE community.
FSFE Local Group Zurich receives DINAcon Award
In 2019, the FSFE's local group Zurich has launched the "Learn like the pros" campaign. Goal of the campaign is to present solutions for the use of Free Software in education. Recently, the campaign was awarded the DINACon Award. On this behalf we interviewed the coordinators Ralf Hersel and Gian-Maria Daffré.
Public code for publicly financed international development cooperation
International development cooperation is increasingly digitised. Free Software thus is becoming a fundamental technology to reach the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Together with experts in the field, the FSFE summarises these interrelations in an article and demands publicly funded software to be published as Free Software.
German Corona tracing app available without Google services
A handful of Free Software developers today achieved what official bodies have been missing for months: They have made available the German Corona Warn App for tracing Covid-19 risk contacts in a version that is completely free of dependencies on Google and available in F-Droid, the Free Software app store.
SFP#8: How to tell my mother that Free Software can cost money?
In this Software Freedom Podcast episode Bonnie Mehring and Matthias Kirschner talk about the monetary costs of Free Software. On the example of a conversation Bonnie had with her mother, both discover ways of explaining the world of Free Software and how to answer common questions and misunderstandings about software freedom.
Libertad del Software 2020 +++ Estrategia Open Source UE +++ Nuevo personal
En nuestro Boletín de noviembre, revisamos nuestro informe anual "Libertad del Software en Europa" y la nueva Estrategia del Software Libre de la Comisión Europea. Nuevo personal, nueva llamada para los proyectos comunitarios de la FSFE, REUSE está despegando, el grupo local en Zurich recibió un premio, y mucho mas por descubrir que ha sucedido.
Call to apply for FSFE support for your local project
It is no secret that the FSFE's activities are only possible with the priceless help of our contributors and supporters around Europe. In return we support local engagement with our expertise, information material, networks or even financially. To help formalize this process, we run our second call for FSFE community projects.
How (not) to set up a public warning system
What is the best way to alert people about catastrophes? Germany went with proprietary apps which caused the recent warning day ("Warntag") to become an official failure. We analysed the situation and found more robust solutions that respect user rights.
Software Freedom in Europe 2020
"Software Freedom in Europe" is the yearly report of the Free Software Foundation Europe e.V. (FSFE). In one document, it gives you a breakdown of important things the FSFE has done and achieved during the last 12 months.
EU Open Source Policy: good analysis, missing concrete next steps
On Wednesday the EU Commission published its new Open Source Strategy. We are pleased that the Commission recognises the benefits of Free Software and the four freedoms to use, study, share and improve, but the Commission lacks concrete targets and indicators to implement the strategy. Without these, we worry that the strategy will end up accomplishing too little!
35 años de FSF +++ Participación en la SFSCon +++ Oferta de empleo de técnico
Lee en nuestro boletín de octubre sobre el 35 cumpleaños de la FSF, nuestra próxima participación en la SFSCon, nuestra oferta de empleo de técnico, y sobre nuestras otras variadas actividades comunitarias.
FSFE at SFSCon 2020
The South Tyrol Free Software Conference, SFSCon, is one of Europe’s most established annual conferences on Free Software. In recent years we have been represented with talks, workshops and our information booth. Last year we also organised our Community Event in the context of SFSCon, so that we could meet not only our community but also many interested people and report about our work.
Congratulations to the FSF on its thirty-fifth anniversary
The FSFE's sister organisation, the FSF, celebrates its thirty-fifth anniversary this week. Thirty-five years of working for software freedom and inspiring many people and organisations to take a stand for user freedoms deserve big congratulations. Watch and read the congratulatory speech by FSFE President Matthias Kirschner.
FSFE is hiring a working student as an assistant system administrator
We are looking for a working student to support our work to empower people to control technology. The person will work 10 hours per week in the Berlin office (home office possible at a later stage) and will support the FSFE's technical infrastructure by working closely together with our system administrators.
SFP#7 Artificial intelligence as Free Software with Vincent Lequertier
For the seventh episode of our Software Freedom Podcast we talk with Vincent Lequertier about transparency, fairness, and accessibility as crucial criteria for artificial intelligence (AI) and why it is important for our society to release AI software under a Free Software license.
"Un lugar para el código público" +++ Promoción FSFE +++ Oferta de trabajo
En nuestro boletín de septiembre podrás leer sobre una nueva y resistente alianza formada por administraciones, políticos, empresas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil, demandando "un lugar para el código público". Además podrás leer sobre nuestra llamada para conseguir respaldo y financiación de la FSFE para tu proyecto local, sobre nuestra oferta de empleo, y sobre otras diversas actividades de nuestra comunidad.
Plataforma colaborativa de software libre para las administraciones - Ideación
El aumento del uso del Software Libre es un componente central para una mayor soberanía digital. Junto con una fuerte alianza de administraciones, políticos, negocios y la sociedad civil, hacemos un llamamiento por el desarrollo de un repositorio de código con Software Libre para el sector público.
Call to apply for FSFE support for your local project
It is no secret that the FSFE's activities are only possible with the priceless help of our contributors and supporters around Europe. In return we support local engagement with our expertise, information material, networks or even financially. To help formalize this process, we run our first call for FSFE community projects.
The FSFE is looking for an office assistant
We are looking for an office assistant to support our work to empower people to control technology. The person will work 15-35 hours per week with our team in the Berlin office and will support the FSFE's Berlin office operations.
Consulta europea +++ 100 días en Munich +++ Coordinador de Ciencia Abierta
En nuestro Boletín de agosto, estamos evaluando las razones por las que la Comisión Europea debiera evitar el uso del término "propiedad intelectual". También le preguntamos al nuevo gobierno de Munich sobre sus progresos en materia de Software Libre, y presentamos a nuestro nuevo Coordinador de Ciencias Abiertas Christian Busse. Como siempre, puedes leer sobre nuestras diversas actividades comunitarias.
FSFE: EU should reconsider the notion of "intellectual property"
In order to contribute to the European Commission public consultation regarding the update of the "Intellectual Property (IP)" regulatory system, the FSFE has published a first feedback. Based on its world-wide experience with Free Software, the FSFE calls for a more inclusive and decentralized regulatory system that allows sustainable knowledge sharing and intangible wealth.
100 days of 'Public Money? Public Code!' in Munich
100 days ago, the new Green-Red coalition in Munich adopted the principle of 'Public Money? Public Code!' to guide their procurement of software. Now, we take a look at the first activities undertaken for the use of Free Software.
Benigànim firma la Carta Abierta +++ Entrevista con la ciudad de Bühl +++ Nuevo Podcast
Desde los maratones jáquer a las apps y hasta las administraciones públicas: lée acerca de los éxitos recientes en Europa sobre el Software Libre en nuestro boletín de julio. Encuentra además vídeos de muchos eventos telemáticos donde la FSFE estuvo representada y lée acerca las actividades de nuestra diversa comunidad.
(Y)our recent successes towards software freedom in Europe
The spread of Covid-19 brought dramatic and drastic changes for us and our societies, and this shed light on the global need for global solutions like Free Software. Here is a short summary of the recent successes towards software freedom in Europe we achieved together with your help and despite the crisis.
SFP#6 Copyright enforcement with Miriam Ballhausen
We invited Miriam Ballhausen to talk with us about copyright enforcement. She is a German lawyer who focuses on software, data protection, copyright law and specifically Free Software copyright. This is the sixth regular episode of the Software Freedom Podcast for which we invite experts from our community.
The public sector of Bühl uses Free Software
The town of Bühl, Germany, has started the successful Free Software based video conference platform “Palim! Palim!”. To find out more about the relations between Bühl and Free Software we conducted an interview with Eduard Itrich, the digitisation officer from the town of Bühl.
Denmark keeps source code of Coronavirus tracing app secret
Like many other European countries, Denmark also tries to track Sars-CoV-2 infections with a mobile phone tracing app. However, against advice by health organisations and despite positive examples by other countries, the app is proprietary, so not being released under a Free Software (also called Open Source) license.
La Libertad del Enrutador en Europa +++ Hamburgo en pro del Software Libre +++ Parlamento Europeo
En nuestro Boletín de junio lee entre otros temas acerca de los logros de la FSFE en referencia a la Libertad del Enrutador en Europa, sobre el nuevo acuerdo de coalición en Hamburgo que pone el foco en el Software Libre y acerca del Parlamento Europeo demandando "¿Dinero Público? - ¡Código Público!". Como siempre, además podrás leer sobre las diversas actividades de nuestra comunidad.
Hamburg wants to focus more on Free Software
In Hamburg, the SPD and the Greens are stating in their coalition agreement to focus more on Free Software during their future term. The FSFE welcomes this step and will critically monitor its implementation.
Etalab shows how Free Software can be made available for the public sector
Etalab maintains two lists of Free Software. One is about the Free Software recommended for the public sector (called SILL) while the other one links to Free Software repositories created by the public sector. To find out more about the two lists we conducted an interview with Bastien Guerry from Etalab.
Router Freedom challenged by new European rules
From 21 June a new set of rules will guide the implementation of Router Freedom in Europe. The internalisation of the rules by the 27 EU member states will face challenges with negative consequences for Router Freedom. The FSFE contributed to several improvements of the guidelines and will monitor compliance with them.
La FSFE pide un derecho de competencia más inclusivo en Europa
Para contribuir a la evaluación de la Comisión de la UE sobre la Comunicación relativa a la Definición del Mercado, la FSFE ha participado en la consulta pública para pedir que se preste más atención a las partes interesadas menores y a la sociedad civil en el tema del derecho de la competencia en la UE
La FSFE da un toque de atención respetuoso a un proyecto de respiradores mecánicos de emergencia propiciando una licencia de Software Libre
Tras un toque de atención respetuoso de la FSFE, la iniciativa holandesa OpenAIR ha proporcionado licencias sobre su material para apoyar la reutilización.
Jakatones Públicos +++ Munich apoya el Código Público (Public Code) +++ Nuevos Podcast
Lee acerca de nuestra demanda para que se publiquen los resultados de los maratones jáquer, financiados con dinero público, como Software Libre; acerca de un nuevo acuerdo de coalición en Munich que se alinea con nuestros principios de "¿Dinero Público? - ¡Código Público!" y qué pasó dentro de la FSFE y en nuestra comunidad. Destacamos los resultados de nuestro sprint de la web y nuestras publicaciones, un podcast periódico y extraordinario.
Munich commits to "Public Money? Public Code!"
The new coalition agreement in Munich commits to the principle of "Public Money? Public Code!". The FSFE welcomes this decision by the new government and will closely monitor the progress of the implementation.
NGI Pointer Begins Funding Calls for Projects Designed to Improve the Internet
NGI Pointer is an initiative from the European Commission designed to provide funding and expertise to Free Software projects that can improve the internet as a platform. The FSFE has joined its Advisory Board to provide assistance to these participating projects. The first call for applications to join NGI Pointer is now open until 1 June 2020.
Netherlands commits to Free Software by default
In an open letter to the Parliament, the Dutch minister for internal affairs Raymond Knops commits to a "Free Software by default" policy and underlines its benefits for society. Current market regulations shall be reworded to allow publishing Free Software by the government.
SFP Special about GNU Health with Dr. Luis Falcón and Dr. Axel Braun
For our Software Freedom Podcast we talk with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom. In this special episode, we talk with Dr. Luis Falcón and Dr. Axel Braun about the Free health and hospital information system GNU Health.
El Taller sobre Software Libre Legal y de Licencias 2020 cancelado debido al brote de COVID-19
Se ha cancelado el Taller Legal y de Licencias de Software Libre de este año de la FSFE. La FSFE da las gracias a nuestros colaboradores y espera organizar dicho acto el próximo año
Consider donating your conference budget
The biggest financial impact the FSFE faces in these times of physical distancing is the cancellation of Free Software conferences, including our own events. To keep the software freedom movement solid and alive, please consider to donate a part of your conference budget to Free Software organisations, including the FSFE.
SFP#5 acerca de la regulación con el Profesor Lawrence Lessig
Para nuestro Podcast de la Libertad del Software hablamos con personas que tienen ideas inspiradoras acerca de la libertad del software. En este episodio, conversamos con el Profesor Lawrence Lessig, fundador de Creative Commons, acerca de la regulación de la sociedad, en la vida real y en internet, sobre diferentes medios de regulación, y nos aclara las normativas a través del código.
COVID-19 Hackathons: Only Free Software creates global solutions
Currently we see a lot of hackathons to find tools that help tackle the crisis of pandemic COVID-19. More and more governments and administrations are hosting or funding such hackathons. To make sure that the results of these hackathons can be used globally and adapted locally - that the software can be used, studied, shared and improved everywhere - the FSFE asks to publish the outcomes under a Free Software licence.
Simpatisantes de la FSFE publican sobre ¿porqué usar Software Libre para el trabajo en remoto y cuál?
Debido a la actual pandemia del virus Covid-19, muchos trabajadores - voluntariamente o por imposición - están trabajando remotamente ahora. Muchas organizaciones que no han estado acostumbradas al trabajo en remoto hasta ahora, se encuentran ahora con un gran número de dificultades para adaptarse a la situación. Para evitar potenciales bloqueos, algunos promotores de la FSFE escribieron colectivamente acerca de las buenas razones para usar Software Libre para el trabajo en remoto y recopilaron una lista detallada de soluciones prácticas en nuestra wiki.
Toda app para el coronavirus debía usarse de forma voluntaria y deberia ser Software Libre
La Fundación del Software Libre de Europa (FSFE) demanda que el uso de las tecnolgías de seguimiento que pretenden romper la cadena de transmisión de la enfermedad infecciosa debería promocionarse solamente bajo una base voluntaria, los derechos fundameantales deben ser respetados y el software debe publicarse bajo una licencia de Software Libre.
¡Freeware, Software Libre y la Crisis del Coronavirus - Elige tus herramientas con sabiduría!
Animando al cuerpo médico y de enfermería, cosiendo mascarillas, donando guantes y gel desinfectante, construyendo respiradores, realizando recados para los vecinos mas mayores.Todo el mundo quiere contribuir para aliviar las dramáticas situaciones provocadas por la pandemia del COVID-19.
FSFE in times of Corona: How a virus affects us
Among all the serious diseases and deaths it causes, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its accompanying COVID-19 disease also keep the FSFE and the whole Free Software community in suspense. For our community and other charitable organisations we would share our experiences and lessons learnt from the Corona crisis.
[Updated] The FSFE is looking for an executive assistant
We are looking for an executive assistant to support our work to empower people to control technology. The person will work 25-35 hours per week with our team in the Berlin office and will be in charge of the FSFE's Berlin office operations. Due to the current situation and the difficulty to onboard the the new person, the application period is enlarged as written below.
Expert Brochure to Modernise Public Digital Infrastructure with Public Code - Translated Versions Online
What is Free Software? How does it contribute to digital sovereignty, security and transparency of state digital infrastructure? Which steps can public administrations take? These and more questions are answered in our publication "Public Money Public Code – Modernising Public Infrastructure with Free Software". After the successful release of the English version of our brochure we translated it into three more languages: German, Czech and Brazilian Portuguese.
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt - the Barriers to Router Freedom in Germany
Consider this hypothetical scenario: you moved to a new apartment. Apart from all the stress of packing, transporting, and unpacking all your stuff at your new home, you also had to deal with getting utilities connected. The electric company turned out to be difficult to deal with: they said you had to change your TV set, toaster, refrigerator and most of your lamps.
Security scandal around WhatsApp shows the need for decentralised messengers and digital sovereignty
The recent security scandal around WhatsApp and access to the content of private groups shows that there is an urgent need for action with regard to secure communication.
(pre-)FOSDEM +++ IloveFS +++ Comunidad
Desde nuestro propio evento pre-FOSDEM, al apasionante fin de semana del FOSDEM y al Día de Amo el Software Libre (I Love Free Software Day), febrero ha estado lleno de interesantes noticias para la FSFE. Hemos aprovechado estos eventos para presentar nuestro trabajo, así como para ofrecer a las otras comunidades europeas la oportunidad de presentar el suyo. Lee sobre nuestros puestos informativos y nuestras presentaciones, sobre el amor y los próximos eventos, en nuestro boletín del mes de febrero.
I Love Free Software - and you?
While you are reading this, someone somewhere is improving the code of a Free Software you use for yourself. Free Software has long been part of the daily use of billion of users, still the people behind the respective projects often remain invisible. Together we want to change that. On 14 February is the "I love Free Software Day", a day to show your love and celebrate your favourite Free Software and its contributors. Join us!
FSFE is hiring: interns and trainees for legal, policy and technical areas
We are looking for interns and trainees experienced in legal, policy or technical fields. The persons will work 35 hours per week with our team in the FSFE's Berlin office. There will be coordination with remote staff and volunteers, and depending on the work area opportunity to participate in events and meetings throughout Europe.
Report from the 36c3, about:freedom - about:fsfe
At the end of December, FSFE was in Leipzig at the 36th Chaos Communication Congress. As in previous years, we were present at the congress with lots of information material, talks and workshops. FSFE was one of the main organisers of the cluster about:freedom, an association of 12 civil society organisations and groups. Together with the other organisations, we focused on digital rights and network policy issues.
Cory Doctorow +++ (pre-) FOSDEM +++ 36C3
2020 no es solo un nuevo año: es el amanecer de una nueva década. Con más y más sistemas automatizados funcionando por software, la representación política de la libertad es más necesaria que nunca. Lee, en nuestro boletín de enero, porqué Cory Doctorow apoya económicamente a la FSFE, y porqué tú también deberías hacerlo. Lee sobre nuestras próximas actividades en el FOSDEM, incluyendo nuestra reunión pre-FOSSDEM y las reflexiones sobre nuestra presencia en el "Chaos Communication Congress". También tenemos un nuevo episodio del "Podcast de la Libertad del Software" ("Software Freedom Podcast"), con Harald Welte e información de nuestra comunidad.
SFP#4 about REUSE with Carmen Bianca Bakker
In the monthly Software Freedom Podcast we talk with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom. In this episode, we talk with Carmen Bianca Bakker about the REUSE project. By this we are covering the very broad topic of software licensing and the problems there, which REUSE is able to solve with three simple steps.
SFP#3 about Free Software in the mobile phone communication with Harald Welte
Once a month, we talk with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom. In this third episode, our guest is Harald Welte, Free Software programmer and activist. Harald discusses with us his current projects regarding mobile phone communication and the general status of Free Software in this area.
SFP#2 about KDE with Lydia Pintscher
We are back with the second episode of our Software Freedom Podcast! Once a month, we talk with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom. In this episode, we talk with Lydia Pintscher from KDE about the development of the KDE community, the different KDE projects and the issues they will be tackling over the next two years.
SFP#1 on Day Against DRM with Cory Doctorow
We have a Podcast! Starting with this episode, we will talk once a month with people who have inspiring ideas about software freedom. In our first episode of our Software Freedom Podcast, we address the issue of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) together with Cory Doctorow, a British-Canadian writer, political activist, and co-editor of the blog boingboing.net. Cory Doctorow is a prominent supporter of software freedom and a less restrictive copyright law. His books are published under Creative Commons licenses.