Coming later this year -- Exploring Freedom: the book, by Matt Lee and Rob Myers.
I'm pretty excited about this. It'll be our first product, my first published book and it's a great addition to this blog. Head over to the announcement and sign up to receive more information when it's available.
On the English version of Wikipedia there is an article that discusses
the naming controversy over whether one should call the operating
system "GNU/Linux" or "Linux." In that article, some contend that
Linux is the more popular and common name for the system. But when
writing an encyclopedia, neither popularity nor commonality are the
paramount concerns. Calling the system "GNU/Linux" is more factually
accurate, as the GNU project largely forms the base of all
distributions of the operating system. For example, GNU packages
accounts for 14.79% of the 16.5GB of source packages used to build the
Main repository of the gNewSense GNU/Linux distribution (deltad). They
also constitute 6.69% of the 27GBs of source packages from which the
Universe repository is built. Linux weighs in at about 253MB and
accounts for approximately 1.5% of the source code needed to build the
Main repository. Furthermore, Linux itself is generally built using
GNU libraries and GNU tools, and on many systems depends on them being
there.
However, it's not just a matter of accuracy as it relates to lines of
code. It's about the motivation and goals that got those lines
written. By mentioning GNU, you are foregrounding the ethical
commitment its hackers have to free software. The foregrounding of
these principles is exactly the reason why some would prefer we elide
GNU. While the code for the kernel Linux is distributed as free
software under the GPL, the term "Linux" when applied to the whole
operating system is often used as a branding tactic by companies to
reduce the visibility of the ethical aspect of free software.
It should be understood we are not talking about a single operating
system but rather a very large class of operating systems, all of
which have at their core the Linux kernel and a suite of libraries,
programs, and utilities from the GNU system. All distributions of this
operating system contain software from outside the GNU project and the
Linux kernel. Furthermore, the name of this system is not written in
stone -- for any given distribution you can feel free to rename it and
redistribute it under any name you choose. For example, I can call it
the Josh kernel, the Josh Project, and distribute JoshOS. However, I
don't want to name the system after myself -- I'd want people know
that they are getting GNU.
When the name is GNU, you should hear, "This system exists because
of people who care about freedom. Join us, value your freedom, and
together we can preserve it." -- This quote was taken from the essay [Linux, GNU, and Freedom](http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/linux-gnu-freedom.html). We will often refer to Linux in conjunction with GNU, because without it, the GNU Operating System would be unable to run on thousands of different hardware platforms. However, the Linux kernel project itself has not made a
full commitment to freedom. They have included proprietary software in
their project, so distributions such as [blag](http://www.blagblagblag.org) and gNewSense make sure that there exist versions modified to remove the proprietary blobs.
However, even if Linux were to ship without blobs, GNU/Linux
distributions should still mention GNU. The fact is, there exist
distributions of GNU/Linux that even contain full proprietary
applications. The extent to which they can do this is severely
tempered by the significance of the GNU name. The name is inseparable
from the ethical motivations behind free software development, so
anyone trying to sell you proprietary software is going to do their
best to keep that quiet.
Sun Microsystems, a company that has made an increasing commitment to
free software over the years will regularly make statements such as,
"Sun's GNU/Linux Offerings," or "Sun brings a comprehensive systems
approach to GNU/Linux-based operating systems." However, many of Sun's
partners that distribute "leading, branded GNU/Linux operating
systems," suppress the GNU when "branding" their distributions.
Those companies that suppress the GNU name from their distributions
are some of the worst offenders in not only distributing proprietary
software, but also openly developing, promoting, and encouraging its
proliferation. In many ways, these companies are hijacking the free
software movement for their own gain, and their suppression of GNU is
just one way of distracting people from the fact that they are
unwilling to make an outright commitment to free software.
The marketing tactics of such companies often results in people
adopting the same language habits, unaware of all that is at play.
Even worse, some who know better will actually use the marketing
language as a justification for suppressing GNU because it is
"common." I hope that the editors of Wikipedia currently engaged in
this debate will stick to Wikipedia's principles and refrain from
engaging in such marketing tactics, and will refer to GNU when talking
about the class of operating systems that are built with the GNU
Operating System.
I'd like to encourage all of our supporters and readers out there to
work hard to combat such tactics by mentioning GNU when you see others
avoiding or suppressing it. Let them know that every GNU project is
guaranteed to carry freedom to the user -- freedom to run it for any
purpose, share it with neighbors, improve it for your own purposes,
and modify and redistribute your modifications for the benefit of the
whole community. As we reach the 25th anniversary of the GNU project,
I'd like to thank GNU and the thousands of free software developers
and supporters, past and present. And I'd like to encourage everyone
else to show their support too, by giving credit where credit is due
and saying GNU!
*Joshua Gay is a campaigns manager at the Free Software Foundation*
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article are permitted worldwide, without royalty, in any medium, provided this notice is preserved.
BOSTON, Massachusetts, USA—Monday, July 14, 2008— A new activist group called autonomo.us has launched an online presence to focus on issues of software freedom in network services.
Building on its work with the GNU Affero General Public license, the FSF convened a meeting to discuss the impact of network services on free software and user freedom on March 16.
Today, attendees at that meeting launched autonomo.us, a new blog that aims to publish essays and articles exploring the impact of network services on user freedom. Additionally, the group published what it is calling the "Franklin Street Statement on Freedom and Network Services" where it lays out a summary of its thinking so far. While the group is working independently and the statement does not yet represent FSF policy, the FSF will continue to work closely with and within the group, with FSF members, and with the free software community to help inform and refine its strategy and continue to provide leadership in regards to software freedom and network services.
Today, I stopped Twittering.
Yesterday, I became aware, as many did, of a service called identi.ca -- the first thing I thought was "Wow, that's the end of Twitter for me then"
The sad thing? I started hacking around on some ideas for my own Twitter clone last week, but I lack the commitment to really go through with it, which is great, because identi.ca is free software -- and not just any free software, but AGPL to boot.
I'm identi.ca/mattl of course, and some people have already found and followed me.
Earlier, I made this -- 'introducing identica' -- a guide to understanding what identi.ca is, for people who maybe haven't heard of it, or services like it.
It's really really fun.
I have to admit, I used to really struggle to install GNU/Linux...
Many years ago, before I had any experience of my own Unix-like machine, I had played a little with NeXTSTEP, and was hoping that one day I would buy my own computer. For some reason, I was always quietly confident that it would run some form of Unix. At that point, I was facing a potential career as a Windows developer, as it was what I knew. The idea of having a machine running something different always appealed to me, even to this day. I remember a review of something called 'Red Hat' in an old issue of Computer Shopper. Computer Shopper was always a wonderful read for me; part catalogue, part PC magazine, but with little sections for Unix, Atari ST and the Mac tucked away in the back there. In these days, I used an Amstrad CPC 464, and the idea of having a Mac or ST was somewhat repugnant to me. They were the reason people were leaving the CPC -- luring them away with their flashier graphics and their mice... Unix, however, looked awful. Ugly windows full of ugly widgets and blocky text, but to me there was something cool about all that. At some point, I got hold a copy of Red Hat 5 via a magazine though I suspect I bought a copy as well, as I went through a period of buying lots of distributions and books of GNU/Linux, because naively, I thought each version was different and I'd need all the manuals. I didn't even try to install most of them, I just kept them on a shelf and sat back and read the manuals. When I finally got around to installing something, I was amazed at the sheer volume of software available. I remember thinking if I tried a package per day, it would still take me years to ever run out of software to play with. Many, many attempts at producing a working machine later, I found the 'startx' command, and well, here we are.
Amazingly, I managed to find the old distribution online!
I've made a bunch of screenshots, linked below, but here are some of the more interesting elements of the installation.
OpenWetWare!
OpenWetWare is an effort to promote the sharing of information, know-how, and wisdom among researchers and groups who are working in biology & biological engineering.
Met up with Jason and the guys from OpenWetWare at the Stata Center at MIT. This building is best described as odd.
Image CC-BY - Behdad Esfahbod - Stata Center
Image CC-BY - Behdad Esfahbod - 51 Franklin St
The office is way cooler than I suspected (some photos by Bernardo) with a fair bit of space and new furniture. I had quite a long chat with Peter about some of the work the FSF is doing soon and the Google Summit, and then headed off for lunch with Deb and Brett. We had some really great burritos.
After work, and trying to contact Science Commons to schedule a meeting, we headed to Spike's in Davis Square and then over to Joe Sent Me for Trivia.
Trivia is basically a pub quiz.
Running tally of Mountain Dew consumed: 6300ml.
Google!
Okay, so today I got up pretty early, after Robin called to let me know someone was trying to steal the Defective by Design hazmat suits from our porch. Around 8am, Jason drove me down to the Googleplex. Driving in California is kinda fun, though I suppose especially in a sports car.
The Googleplex is a strange place. For a start, there are security people everywhere, which is a little disconcerting, but also, the sheer size of the place is overwhelming. Anyway, eventually got pointed at the right building and made my way to registration, which amounted to being give a bunch of freebies and pointed towards food, with instructions to make myself a name tag. Each table had blank tags and Sharpies and lots of geeks. I didn't recognise many people, but eventually ran into Steve McIntyre from Debian.
Breakfast was good. Lots of cakes and cookies with random Google beverages. Lots of the drinks at Google are not usual brands - this seems to be Google sticking it to the likes of Coke and Pepsi, but also trying to provide healthier alternatives at the same time, which is no bad thing.
After breakfast, we were ushered to a giant room where we met the Google Summer of Code team - Leslie, Tiffany and Todd. Chris DiBona was also there, though he had been largely not involved this year, or something.
All the Google staffers are really nice, very outgoing and far too energetic for early-o-clock. The first session was working out where all the other sessions were going to be. This was the outcome of a 'sticking dots on talks that sound cool' exerciser we'd had over breakfast. A few of the interesting ones for me overlapped, but there was a bioinformatics one which related to and gave me an opportunity to shill tnemirepxEym. Also during one of the sessions, Mr Jon Phillips from Creative Commons showed up, proving that he is indeed a real person and not just a figment of my Facebook page.
Lunch was a make your own sandwich affair. I made two. Kettle Chips were on offer.
In the afternoon, more sessions, plus I managed to find a fridge stocked with (Diet! erk) Mountain Dew and proceeded to various talks. The day ended with a summary from Leslie, a group photo and then a bus ride back to the hotel.
Running tally of Mountain Dew consumed: 1200ml.
So, I left Manchester for my first destination, Chicago about an hour and a half later than scheduled, which didn't make for much fun. That, coupled with a middle seat made for some uncomfortable travel. Apparently the airline had no idea I'm vegetarian, so I wound up getting a quarter of the lunch I could have had. So, delayed and hungry, we finally land in Chicago, with about an hour until my connecting flight for San Francisco leaves. Of course, getting through immigration is a big queue, and sure enough, I wound up being flagged and having to go and sit in Homeland Security while they figured it out. This happened before, and I told the guy this. Anyway, they did a really good job of it, and eventually found the glitch in their system that was causing me to be flagged - apparently my Canadian namesake is who they're actually looking for.
So, 6pm in San Francisco comes, and we land, and by the time I locate Jason and MJ, it's almost 7, or 3am in the UK. Dinner was at Q and the Ultimate Vegan Grill, which is well recommended, though caution - it's a BIG plate of food.
I was pretty much beat by this point, but Jason gave me a little tour of the bay, including a little visit to Sausalito, and over the Golden Gate bridge to the edge of Marin County. I like San Francisco - it's cute, homely and has lots of trees and places you can go which are unspoilt. It also has a ton of restaurants, some very cool companies and lots of great people.
It's now almost 7am, and I'm up to head down to Mountain View for the Google Summer of Code summit, which an 8.30am breakfast, and judging by the Official Google blog, I'm in for a treat:-
- Googlers prefer Canadian bacon (45 lbs.) to chicken-apple sausage (30 lbs.)
- Steel-cut oatmeal (10-12 gallons) wins out over organic grits (6-8 gallons)
- We polish off 5 cases of fresh fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple)
- Devour 160 breakfast burritos (eggs, veggies, cheese)
- We cook 80-100 lbs. of red bliss potatoes
- We use 2 gallons of egg whites (for the omelets)
- Googlers gulp down 9 gallons of fresh coffee every morning (just in our cafe)
Tomorrow, I travel up to Boston for a week. I hope to experience Grendels, meet some very cool people from the likes of OLPC, OpenWetWare, Science Commons and the like, and also I'm looking forward to finally meeting my colleagues at the Free Software Foundation.
24 hours in pictures: August 10 2007 | News | Guardian Unlimited
It's particularly great to have the GNU, FSF and Defective by Design stickers in shot, plus John and Louisa's rms sticker.
Note a lack of distribution stickers on my machine - until distributions other than Debian and gNewSense stop this 'Linux OS' rubbish, I will not have their stickers near my machine.
This book includes a set of stickers related to free software projects. Now you may remove the Microsoft sticker from your computer (computers are not designed only for Microsoft Windows) and choose a sticker from this book with which to replace it.
© 2010 FooCorp. CC-BY-SA 3.0 or later.
