Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

FSF40 Photo Contest: Celebrating 40 Years of Free Software

2025-08-24

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is holding a photo contest, inviting global free software supporters to share how they use free software daily. Prizes include a grand prize FSF40 T-shirt, a second-place "Fight for your user rights" bag, and a third-place free software sticker pack. Entries close August 31, 2025, with winning photos displayed at the 40th-anniversary celebration in Boston, MA on October 4, 2025. This is more than a contest—it's a tribute to the free software community.

(www.fsf.org)

Development photo contest

FSF Under Siege: Continuous DDoS Attacks Threaten Free Software

2025-07-07

The Free Software Foundation (FSF)'s sysops team is facing relentless distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, originating from sources including large language model (LLM) web crawlers and unknown entities. These attacks have repeatedly disrupted critical services like gnu.org and Savannah. Despite a small team and limited resources, the FSF is fighting back. The article urges readers to become associate members to support the FSF's efforts in defending free software and user freedom against these persistent threats.

(www.fsf.org)

Tech

FSF's 40th Anniversary Merch Drop: Limited Time Only!

2025-06-30

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is having a limited-time sale of its 40th-anniversary merchandise in its GNU Press shop. This includes a summery yellow anniversary shirt, restocked favorites like the popular book 'Ada & Zangemann', a GNU baseball cap, and a webcam guard. Purchases support the FSF's mission to empower the world through free software. They're also running a summer membership drive, with new members getting a 20% discount in the GNU Press shop. Shipping is delayed due to volunteer-based fulfillment.

(www.fsf.org)

Misc Merchandise

FSF's 40th Anniversary Hackathon: A Global Online Event

2025-05-04

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is hosting a three-day global online hackathon, inviting free software projects and individual contributors to improve important libre software. All free software projects, regardless of affiliation or license, are welcome. The event runs November 21-23, 2025, with project submissions due May 27th. Prizes will be awarded to the projects and contributors making the most noteworthy contributions.

(www.fsf.org)

Development

The Fight for Free Tax Software in the US: Why Direct File Isn't Enough

2025-04-13

US taxpayers have long relied on proprietary tax software like TurboTax, compromising their freedom. While the IRS offers Direct File, a free e-filing service, it's not free software, lacking transparency, security, and repairability. The article urges the IRS to make Direct File free software to protect taxpayer rights, ensure data security, and enhance the system's sustainability and inclusivity. It encourages writing to the IRS Commissioner to advocate for change.

(www.fsf.org)

Tech taxes US government

FSF's 40th Anniversary Auction: Bid on Pieces of Free Software History!

2025-03-17

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is hosting an online auction featuring 25 pieces of historic free software memorabilia. The auction is split into a silent online auction (March 17-21 on the LibrePlanet wiki) and a live auction (March 23). Items include vintage computers, plushies, original artwork promoting free software, and awards received by the FSF and its founder. All proceeds support the FSF's continued work. The live auction features six particularly significant items, including the original GNU head logo, the Norbert Wiener Award, and artwork from the GCC manual. These artifacts represent milestones in the free software movement.

(www.fsf.org)

Tech

FSF Weighs In on Neo4j's AGPLv3 License Dispute

2025-03-09

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) filed an amicus brief in the legal dispute between Neo4j, Inc. and PureThink, LLC. The core issue revolves around Neo4j adding a commercially restrictive Commons Clause to its software, incompatible with the GNU AGPLv3 license. The FSF argues that GNU licenses permit users to remove restrictions contradicting the four freedoms of software. Following a cease and desist letter in November 2023 highlighting Neo4j's violation of the AGPLv3 spirit, Neo4j removed the offending files and ceased offering its software under the GNU AGPLv3, implicitly acknowledging the FSF's position. The FSF's brief clarifies its intent in drafting the GNU licenses and underscores its commitment to safeguarding software freedom.

(www.fsf.org)

Development

FSF's 40th Anniversary: A Virtual Auction of Rare Memorabilia

2025-02-08

To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) is hosting an unprecedented virtual memorabilia auction. Items include the original GNU head drawing by Etienne Suvasa, rare hardware like an Amiga 3000UX used in the FSF's early days at MIT, and prestigious awards such as Richard Stallman's Internet Hall of Fame medal. The auction will consist of a silent online auction followed by a live online auction, offering a unique opportunity for free software enthusiasts and collectors alike. This event highlights the FSF's unwavering commitment to software freedom over four decades.

(www.fsf.org)

Tech auction memorabilia

Meta's Llama 3.1 Community License: Not Free Software

2025-01-26

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has released an evaluation concluding that Meta's Llama 3.1 Community License is not a free software license. The license not only denies users their freedoms but also attempts to grant licensors powers that should only be exercised through democratically-elected governments. Furthermore, its application to a machine learning application fails to address inherent software freedom challenges. The FSF urges the free software community to avoid using this license and any software released under it.

(www.fsf.org)

Development

FSF: Guardians of Software Freedom

2025-01-11

Since its founding in 1985, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has been a steadfast advocate for software freedom, resisting the encroachment of commercial interests. Its unique non-member governance structure ensures its mission remains uncompromised, weathering challenges from the 'open source' movement and corporate influence to uphold software freedom as a fundamental human right.

(www.fsf.org)

Development software freedom Free Software Foundation

FSF Calls for Continued Pressure on Microsoft

2025-01-05

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) published a blog post urging continued pressure on Microsoft to combat its anti-free software practices. The post uses this year's International Day Against DRM (IDAD) as an example, highlighting Microsoft's forced Windows 11 upgrade requiring a TPM module, harming user freedom and digital rights. The FSF encourages switching to GNU/Linux, avoiding new Microsoft software releases, and moving projects off Microsoft GitHub to support the free software movement. Simultaneously, the FSF is conducting its annual fundraiser, seeking support to fight digital restrictions and promote software freedom.

(www.fsf.org)

Development Digital Restrictions