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Free Software Foundation

Did you know FSF has been publishing a biannual magazine called the Free Software Foundation #Bulletin since nearly its start? Have a look at the archives to read years of free software articles by FSF staff and community members! fsf.org/bulletin

Free Software Foundation

Learn about "LeanWeb: A Ruby (out of rails) web framework for static and dynamic content" on Monday, May 08, 12:00–13:30 EDT (16:00–17:30 UTC) in an online workshop. Learn more about this and other upcoming events: u.fsf.org/3z3

Free Software Foundation

Need to know whether a piece of hardware is supported by free software? #hNode has you covered! Its search engine will help you verify #freesoftware compatibility. u.fsf.org/3ui

Screenshot of h-node hardware page.
Rokosun

@fsf
Just so you know, you don't need to use link shortners in Mastodon - mstdn.social/@feditips/1102098

Free Software Foundation

"While code-generating AI systems like CoPilot have emerged as a powerful tool for professional developers, there are growing legal and ethical concerns around the development of these models." Mark your calendar for this upcoming online talk. More info: u.fsf.org/3z5

Free Software Foundation

"If someone steals a CD containing a version of a GPL-covered program, does the GPL give the thief the right to redistribute that version?" The answer is somewhat complicated. Read the full answer at u.fsf.org/3kv #GNUGPLFAQ

A screenshot of the "FAQ about the GNU licenses" page
Free Software Foundation

Read about what's next for John Deere's ongoing GPL violations, Signal and other encryption apps threatening to pull out of the UK, the FSFE's response to three EU proposals, a big F-Droid update, and other free software news in #FreeSoftwareSupporter: u.fsf.org/3z0

Free Software Foundation

Does the #GPL require that source code of modified versions be posted to the public? "The GPL does not require you to release your modified version, or any part of it. You are free to [...]" Read the full answer at u.fsf.org/3kt #GNUGPLFAQ

A screenshot of the "FAQ about the GNU licenses" page
Free Software Foundation

We'd love to receive your feedback on LibrePlanet: Charting the course. Fill out the questionnaire at my.fsf.org/node/59/ #LibrePlanet

An image with logos from the following sponsors: Technoethical, hopbox, vikings, aeronaut brewing Co, Thinkpenguin, purism and no starch press, saying Thank you for attending LibrePlanet 2023: Charting the Course
Free Software Foundation

Software freedom is the prerequisite for many of the issues people struggle with when it comes to technology, privacy breaches, user lock-in, DRM, and hardware obsolescence. The role of freedom in privacy cannot be ignored. Support #FreeSoftware fsf.org

Free Software Foundation

Read about what's next for John Deere's ongoing GPL violations, Signal and other encryption apps threatening to pull out of the UK, the FSFE's response to three EU proposals, a big F-Droid update, and other free software news in #FreeSoftwareSupporter: u.fsf.org/3z0

Free Software Foundation

Assigning your copyright to the FSF helps defend the GPL and keep software free. Thanks to Bogdan Drozdowski, Jeremy Bryant, Nicolas Martyanoff for assigning their copyright to the FSF! #GNU #Emacs, #Automake, and more: u.fsf.org/3ht #CopyrightAssignments

Free Software Foundation

Read about what's next for John Deere's ongoing GPL violations, Signal and other encryption apps threatening to pull out of the UK, the FSFE's response to three EU proposals, a big F-Droid update, and other free software news in #FreeSoftwareSupporter: u.fsf.org/3z0

Free Software Foundation

How do I upgrade from (L)GPLv2 to (L)GPLv3? "First, include the new version of the license in your package. [..] Second, replace all your existing v2 license notices [...]" Read the full answer at u.fsf.org/3kw #GNUGPLFAQ

A screenshot of the "FAQ about the GNU licenses" page
Free Software Foundation

Interested in learning more about the #LibrePlanet workshop "Digital colonialism, surveillance capitalism, and a libre software future." It will be held online on Monday, May 15, 12:00–13:30 EDT (16:00–17:30 UTC). Read more: u.fsf.org/3z4

Free Software Foundation

Does the #GPL require that source code of modified versions be posted to the public? "The GPL does not require you to release your modified version, or any part of it. You are free to [...]" Read the full answer at u.fsf.org/3kt #GNUGPLFAQ

A screenshot of the "FAQ about the GNU licenses" page
Toby

@fsf This is a legally slimy demarcation. I can modify GPL code privately and never publish it, using it purely for personal use. The obligation to publish full source is clearly documented in GPLv2 section 3. (GPLv2 being what the Linux kernel uses, and is widely considered to be "the GPL" in practice.)

3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:

a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,

c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)

Do you *have* to publish your modified GPL code? Technically no. But in any practical sense, yes, or else you are violating the spirit and letter of the license.

@fsf This is a legally slimy demarcation. I can modify GPL code privately and never publish it, using it purely for personal use. The obligation to publish full source is clearly documented in GPLv2 section 3. (GPLv2 being what the Linux kernel uses, and is widely considered to be "the GPL" in practice.)

Free Software Foundation

March #GNUSpotlight with Amin Bandali: Twelve new GNU releases in the last month, including GNU a2ps, GNU Coreutils, and more. Full details: u.fsf.org/3yz Big thanks to @bandali0 @bandali, all the devs, and other contributors!

Free Software Foundation

In a world where technology can mean the difference between life and death, can we afford the restrictions proprietary software places on progress? Watch and share "Rewind" (Spoiler alert: the answer is "no".) u.fsf.org/rewind

Free Software Foundation

We'd love to receive your feedback on LibrePlanet: Charting the course. Fill out the questionnaire at my.fsf.org/node/59/ #LibrePlanet

An image with logos from the following sponsors: Technoethical, hopbox, vikings, aeronaut brewing Co, Thinkpenguin, purism and no starch press, saying Thank you for attending LibrePlanet 2023: Charting the Course
Free Software Foundation

The latest issue of the Free Software Supporter is live! fsf.org/free-software-supporte Get a whole month's free software news delivered hot and fresh to your inbox at the start of every month by signing up here: u.fsf.org/1ac #freesoftware for everyone!

Free Software Foundation

"From every point of view, the current digital model is catastrophic. Yet, even when we are aware that we need to change the model..." Read about "Metacartes: a free/libre toolbox to chart the course to an ethical digital technology," happening May 01 u.fsf.org/3z2

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