Free Software Australia

FSA Meetup Aug 17th: General Free Software Discussion

Ben Minerds — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 10:25:33 +0000

Update: New event and venue

We have been invited to participate in a GovHack lead up event and we thought it would be a great idea to join in. There will be a discussion around GovHack Open Data, Open Innovation and the impact of the recent rise of AI tools and services.

The event is on the same date as our regular meeting but starts a bit earlier and will be using a different url to our normal meetups.

It was also brought to my attention by our wonderful community that we had a couple of broken links in our initial announcement, these have been updated where possible and included below.

Date: Thursday, Aug 17, 2023
Time: 19:00 - 20:30
Location: https://electronworkshop.com.au/goto/venue

FSA Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct/
FSA Homepage: /

Hello all,

We hope this email finds you well. It's that time again – our August meetup is just around the corner! This month, we're hosting another session of our General Free Software Discussion Group.

This will be an open platform for us to come together and discuss a wide range of topics related to free and open-source software. Whether you have questions, insights, or experiences to share, this is the perfect opportunity to engage with fellow community members in a relaxed and informal setting.

Details of the meetup are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 17th of August 2023
Time: updated above
Location: updated above

Please remember to uphold our Code of Conduct, which ensures a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants. You can review it at /code-of-conduct/.

Stay connected with the FSA community by joining our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb. It's a great way to keep up with upcoming events and engage with like-minded individuals.

We're looking forward to your active participation and stimulating discussions at the August General Free Software Discussion Group!

Best regards,

~~ Ben
Free Software Australia Organizer.

FSA July Meetup - Free Software Discussion Group

Ben Minerds — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 15:05:10 +0000

Hello FSA community,

-- Note --

Hi folks, it looks like the server we use for the meetup is having issues at the moment and won't be available for this weeks meetup. Sorry for any inconvenience.

-- End --

We hope this email finds you well. It's time for our July meetup, and we're excited to bring you another edition of our Free Software Discussion Group! The group is a casual and interactive gathering where we come together to discuss various topics related to free and open-source software. It's an opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful conversations with fellow community members.

Whether you want to discuss recent developments in the world of free software, share your experiences with specific projects, or explore new trends and emerging technologies, this discussion group is the perfect platform for open discussions on all things Free Software.

Details:
* Date: Thursday, 20th of July 2023
* Time: 7:30 - 9:00 PM AEDT
* Location: Online at https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus

Please note that we follow our Code of Conduct, which can be found at /code-of-conduct, to ensure a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants.

Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb to stay connected with the FSA community and receive updates on future events.

Best regards,

~~ Ben
Free Software Australia Organizer.

Free Software Discussion Group

Ben Minerds — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:57:47 +0000

Hey there, FSA members!

We hope you're doing well and ready for another engaging meetup. This month, we're hosting a Free Software Discussion Group, and we invite you to join us for an informal and interactive session.

The Free Software Discussion Group is an open forum where we can come together to discuss various aspects of free and open-source software. It's an opportunity to share insights, ask questions, and explore topics of interest to our community. Whether you're passionate about specific free software projects, want to dive into licensing and legal aspects, or have thoughts on the future of open-source, this discussion group is for you!

Details of the meetup are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 15th of June 2023
Time: 7:30 PM AEDT
Location: Online at https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus

We look forward to your participation and we kindly request that you adhere to our Code of Conduct, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants. You can review our Code of Conduct at /code-of-conduct.

Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb to receive updates on future events and stay connected with the FSA community.

Informal Free Software Discussion

Ben Minerds — Mon, 08 May 2023 11:35:59 +0000

Hi all,

We hope this email finds you well. This month, we're having an informal Free Software discussion group event, and we invite you to join us for a lively conversation on a variety of topics related to free and open-source software.

This event will be an opportunity to connect with fellow members of the FSA community, share your knowledge and experience, and discuss anything related to free software that has caught your interest this month. Whether you're new to the world of free software or an experienced contributor, this is a great opportunity to engage with others who share your passion for open culture.

In addition I'm excited to also announce the general availability of the Software Freedom Day 2022 recordings hosted on our Media Goblin server for your viewing pleasure: https://media.freesoftware.org.au/u/benm/tag/sfd2022/

Details of the meetup are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 18th of May 2023</li>
Time: 7:30 PM AEDT</li>
Location: Online at https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</li> </ul>
Please note that we follow our Code of Conduct, which can be found at /code-of-conduct, to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb to stay updated with all things FSA.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Regards,
~~ Ben
Free Software Australia Organizer.

FSA April 20: Website Update, Software Freedom Day 2023 Brainstorming, and FLOSS in Education

Ben Minerds — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 22:13:44 +0000

Hello FSA community,

It's time for our April meetup, and we have a few things on the agenda for this month.

First up an exciting announcement about Software Freedom Day 2022. The videos have finally passed a review and are ready for publication. They will be uploaded to our media server this week and we will officially publish them during Thursdays meeting.

In this month's meetup, we'll be focusing on some key updates and discussions. We'll start by updating our group's website to enhance the users first impressions and provide up-to-date information.

As we look ahead, we'll also begin brainstorming ideas for Software Freedom Day 2023. We encourage all members to share their thoughts and suggestions for making SFD 2023 a successful celebration of free software and open culture. Feel free to send in suggestions ahead of time to committee@freesoftware.org.au.

In addition, we have a bonus video presentation about Free/Libre and Open Source Software in Education, which is a spectacular update to a topic in dire need of attention in Australia.

Meeting details:

Date: Thursday, 20th of April 2023</li>
Time: 7:30 PM AEDT</li>
Location: Online at https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li> </ul>
Please note that we follow our Code of Conduct, which can be found at </code-of-conduct>, to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a> to stay updated with all things FSA.
~~ Ben
Free Software Australia.

FOSDEM & Everything Open 2023 Conference Reviews

Ben Minerds — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 13:25:00 +0000

Hey FSA community,

We're excited to announce our March meetup, where we'll be discussing the latest developments and hot topics from two recent conferences: FOSDEM 2023 and Everything Open 2023.

FOSDEM 2023 is a free and open source developer-oriented event for enthusiasts. It was held in Brussels on the 4th and 5th of February. With hundreds of speakers, events and tracks covering various topics and technologies. It was the first physical conference after two years of hosting the event online.

Everything Open 2023 is a new conference organised by Linux Australia. It is focused on open technologies and communities and will be held in Melbourne on the 14th to the 16th of March. It will feature presentations on Linux, open source software, open hardware and open data.

Whether you attended the conferences in person, followed along online, or just want to hear about what happened, we welcome you to join us for an engaging discussion. This topic will be accessible for people with all levels of experience and technical experience.

Please note that we follow our Code of Conduct, which can be found at </code-of-conduct>, to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a> to stay up-to-date with all things FSA.

Details of the meetup are as follows:

Date: Thursday, 16th of March 2023</li>

Time: 7:30 - 9:00pm AEDT</li>

Location: Online at https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li> </ul>
We look forward to seeing you there!

FOSDEM 2023 Review and Discussion

Ben Minerds — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:56:29 +0000

Note:</h1>
Sorry folks, but due to a technical error we are unable to host this months event. We apologise for any inconvenience and will be back to business as usual next month.

Hey FSA members,
We hope this email finds you well and it's time for another monthly meetup! This month, we're going to take a look af the recent FOSDEM conference and all the interesting talks and topics that came out of it.
Whether you attended the conference, followed along online, or just wished you'd gone we would love to hear your thoughts and experiences.
Join us for a fun and engaging discussion on Thursday, 16th of February at 7:30pm when we'll be meeting online.
Don't forget to join our mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a> to stay in the loop about all things FSA. And as always, we follow our Code of Conduct, which can be found at </code-of-conduct>, to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
We can't wait to see you there!
~~ Ben
Free Software Australia Organizer.
Details:

Thursday, 16th of February 2023, 7:30pm-9:00pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</li>
Meeting Tips:</li>
Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul>

AGM and pitch night for "Everything Open" conference submissions

Unknown — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 21:00:00 +0000

AGM</h1>

The monthly meeting in January is dedicated to review the activities of the group in the last year, form a committee and discuss the future of the group and plan for the year ahead.
You may have a brief look at the activities of FSA in 2022 on the website:
</>
FSA also hosts an annual conference on the Software Freedom Day:
https://sfd.org.au/</a>
Everything Open Conference</h1>

We have also planned to allocate time for supporting the submissions for the Linux Australia brand-new conference "Everything Open":
https://2023.everythingopen.au/programme/proposals/</a>
The deadline for submissions have been extended until 11:59 Sunday, January 22nd on AoE Timezone (which will be Monday night in Australian timezones</a>)
You will have an opportunity to share your idea for a submission with the group and get some feedback.
Schedule</h1>

1900 Meet and greet
1930 AGM
2000 Everything Open
2100 Closing
Link to join</h1>

Electron Workshop eVenue
https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a>
Supporters</h1>

We would like to thank Electron Workshop</a> for providing the virtual meeting service and Serversaurus</a> for providing the infrastructure.

Drupal 10 Release Party with Salsa Digital (Online / In Person in Melbourne)

Unknown — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:04:40 +0000

We are joining forces with Salsa Digital and the Drupal community to celebrate the release of Drupal 10 on Thursday 15th.
Drupal is an free and open-source content management system that is heavily used and promoted by the Australian Government.
This will be a hybrid event (in-person in Melbourne and online as usual).
Location(s):
The venue in Melbourne is Hub Church Street
Level 4/459 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
Online venue is hosted on Electron Workshop eVenue:
https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a>
Date and time:
Thursday, December 15th, 2022 4:30pm - 7pm
Details:
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Aaron Swartz Day and Internet Governance

Ben Minerds — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 22:43:13 +0000

Hi all,
This month is Aaron Swartz Day and we will be having another joint event with the Lunix Users Victoria group. The event will be on Thursday the 17th of November.
We are dedicating the November discussion to Internet Governance following the Australian Internet Governance Annual Conference a.k.a NetThing on October 27th and 28th.
You may explore the conference program on the #NetThing website: https://netthing.org.au/program
Schedule

7:30 Group discussion around Internet Governance and NetThing</li>
9:00 Closure and networking</li> </ul>
Details:

Thursday, 17th of November 2022, 7:30pm-9:00pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Aaron Swartz Day and Internet Governance

Ben Minerds — Sat, 05 Nov 2022 23:44:10 +0000

Hi all,
This month is Aaron Swartz Day and we will be having a joint event with the Lunix Users Victoria group. The event will be on Tuesday the 8th of November.
We are dedicating the November discussion to Internet Governance following the Australian Internet Governance Annual Conference a.k.a NetThing on October 27th and 28th.
You may explore the conference program on the #NetThing website: https://netthing.org.au/program</a>
Schedule

7:00 Meet and greet</li>
7:30 News and announcements</li>
8:00 Group discussion</li>
9:00 Closure and networking</li> </ul>
Details:

Thursday, 8th of November 2022, 7:00pm-9:00pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/</a>linux-victoria</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:</li>
Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul>

Games Night - Veloren

Ben Minerds — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 02:37:43 +0000

Hi everyone,
After the excitement of last months Software Freedom Day let's kick back, relax and play a FLOSS game. Veloren is a multiplayer voxel RPG written in Rust and looks like a lot of fun.
Veloren is still in pre-alpha but has started coming together as a complete game with many features. It's licensed under GPL 3 and includes beautiful community created assets.
On the night we'll meetup online as usual and have a short presentation about the game, then we will go through setting up the game (and an account for online play). We'll log into the main Veloren server and meetup in-game and form a party. We can then start exploring this exciting word and see what it has to offer.
We'd love to have you join up in game on the night but If you just want to join to watch I'll share my screen during the event so we can all follow along. All are welcome to come along and learn about this exciting upcoming game.
Details:
Thursday, 20th of October 2022, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a>
Meeting Tips:
Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct>

Software Freedom Day - Saturday 17th of September 2022

Ben Minerds — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 21:09:02 +0000

It's almost time for Software Freedom Day, and this year Free Software Australia and Linux Users Victoria are celebrating the 19th Software Freedom Day with an online event. We'll be hosting a range of talks and presentations around the theme of promoting the use of Free and Open Source Software in online communities, schools and workplaces. We'll be having talks about how Free and Open Source Software can help us build communities, improve teaching experiences, and how we can use more Free and Open Source Software in the workplace
This year we will be hearing talks about Free and Open Source software used in the educational space, liberating hardware for wearable devices and Open Source software that can be used for connecting users in a business environment. We'll also be having lightning talks and introductions to local user groups from the Australian Open Source community.
Participation is no cost and we are of course holding the event online. The event link will open directly in your browser (we recommend Firefox or Chromium) so no additional software is required and it will work on any operating system.
Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event welcoming to anyone, and open to people of all technical abilities. Pass on the invitation to anyone you think may enjoy it and help make it a great day. We have a code of conduct available on our website, but in short: Be respectful, Be inclusive and Be aware.
Hope to see you all online for the best Software Freedom Day ever!
Details:

Date: Saturday the 17th of September 2022</li>
Time: Talks starting at 10:30am and wrapping up about 5:30pm</li>
Location: Online Meeting Room</a></li>
Meeting Tips:
Mute microphone when not speaking.</li>
Headsets recommended to reduce feedback if you will be speaking.</li>
If you are having difficulty hearing or being heard there is a chat stream available.</li>
If you want to ask a question during the presentation either ask it in the chat or use the “raise hand” button.</li> </ul> </li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct/></li>
Mailing List: Stay in touch by joining our mailing list here: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li> </ul>
Timetable:
Event starting 10:30am and ending around 5:30pm
10:30am – Online session opens
10:45am – Welcome and introductions
11:00am – Big Blue Button – Andrew Pam
12:00pm – Take digital handrwritten notes with Xournal++ – Roland Lötscher
12:30pm – Break
1:30pm – Open Source Industry
2:30pm – Lightning Talks
3:30pm – Bangle JS – Gordon Williams
4:30pm – Chatons – Martin Cronel
5:30pm – Official Event Close


More Planning for Software Freedom Day

Ben Minerds — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 02:52:12 +0000

Hi everyone,
This month at Free Software Australia we are continuing the planning for Software Freedom Day in September.
This month we will be reviewing the responses we've gotten from our outreach so far. We will also send out some speaker requests from the committee email account.
This event will be a working group primarily aimed at the organisers of Free Software Australia and community members interested in getting involved but all are welcome to come along and learn about how we prepare for the event.

Details:</li>
Thursday, 18th of August 2022, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Planning for Software Freedom Day

Ben Minerds — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 17:07:00 +0000

This month at Free Software Australia we are getting geared up for Software Freedom Day and organizing this year's event in September. We will start off the meeting with a retrospective of SFD events held in Australia in the past.
We will then have a group discussion about the event and theme for this year, we will create a draft timeline for the day and organise committee meetings in the lead up to the event. We will also draft up some templates for reaching out to speakers and send out a call for speakers.
This event will be primarily aimed at the organisers of Free Software Australia and community members interested in getting involved but all are welcome to come along and learn about how we run the event.
Details:

Thursday, 21st of July 2022, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Mobilizon - Event Managment software that respects your freedom

Ben Minerds — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 01:33:16 +0000

Hi Free Software Fans,
This month at Free Software Australia we are continuing our adventures into the Fediverse by exploring Mobilizon. Mobilizon is an event organization and group management platform built on free and open source software and it also another great project backed by the Framasoft cooperative.
We will have a presentation abut the history of Mobilizon and explore it's community and capabilities. It will be quite interesting to discuss how we can use it for the FSA group and we also the possibility of expanding the use of Mobilizon in Australia.
While Mobilizon is probably of most interest to event organisers, this will be a non-technical event and all are welcome to come along and learn about another great platform from the Fediverse. Note the new starting time is a bit earlier our previous times.
Details

Thursday, 16th of June 2022, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Brainstorming how Free Software Australia will broaden FLOSS adoption

Ben Minerds — Thu, 05 May 2022 03:45:47 +0000

Hi everyone,
This month is very special as we’ll be looking more into details how Free Software Australia can reach its goals : broadening the adoption of FLOSS in Australia. It’s a brainstorming session for people interested in the future and development of FSA.
We’ll discuss the mid and long term goals we want to reach as a group, the place of FSA in the Australian FLOSS society, its relationship to organisations, administrations and the general public, as well as what could be the different milestones of this journey.
We’ll open the session with an inspirational presentation about Framasoft, who are the largest not-for-profit FLOSS organization worldwide. We will discuss its main actions and activities over the past decade and how it led to the creation of CHATONS — kittens in French — the Collective of Hosters Alternative, Transparent, Open, Neutral and Solidarity. We will also have a presentation about CHATONS to see what activities and initiatives they have started. The story of these two successful entities and their actions should provide us with plenty of grist for our mill.
This will be a non-technical event and all are welcome to share their insights. Note the new starting time is a bit earlier than previous meetups.
Details:

Thursday, 19th of May 2022, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

PeerTube - Peer-to-peer video sharing for the people

Ben Minerds — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 04:22:49 +0000

Following on from last month's discussion and demonstration of Fed.Wiki we thought that we would explore another corner of the Fediverse, and so this month at Free Software Australia we'll be talking about Peertube. Along with discussing PeerTube itself we'll also explore how it benefits the Fediverse, the decentralised federation of social networks. Big words to speak about an alternative to Youtube that is growing in popularity in the Free/Libre and Open Source Software community, but PeerTube offers us the opportunity to take back control of our media sharing and consumption needs.
We'll start the evening with a presentation about Peertube and the features of version 4.1 that was released almost a month ago. We'll have an overview of the new possibilities for instance administrators as well as for end users. After discussing how Peertube has a role to play in and beyond the Fediverse we'll open up the conversation for people to share video publishers, favourite channels and/or any videos they've come across and really liked in Peertube.
This will be a non-technical event and all are welcome to share their favourite videos or just listen in. So join us for another discussion about the Fediverse at Free Software Australia.
Details

Thursday, 21st April 2022, 7:30pm-9:00pm AEDT</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Federation and the Fediverse

Unknown — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 01:48:13 +0000

This month at Free Software Australia we're going to be talking about Federation and the Fediverse. What is Federation, how it's used and what licences are used in federated projects. We'll also look at how software licensing influences federations and what projects have adopted. The Fediverse is a great example of a global network of independent servers communicating through common protocols to provide social networking and other services.
We'll start the evening with an introduction to the concept of federation and a discussion about how software licences impact federated projects. We will then take a look at some example federations in the Free Software world. We'll end the night with a demonstration of the Fediverse in action.
This will be a non-technical event and all are welcome. So join us for a discussion about Federation at Free Software Australia this month.
Details
Thursday, 17th March 2022, 7:30pm-9:00pm AEDT
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a>
Meeting Tips:
Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct>

30 years of Linux under GPL (Linux30 project launch)

Fteacher — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 08:30:27 +0000

This month marks a pretty significant milestone in the history of the Gnu Public Licence (GPL): 30 years ago Linus Torvalds chose the GPL for the distribution of the recently created Linux kernel — a decision which has had huge consequences for the further development of Free Software.
We will start the night out discussing the linux30.org project and outlining the goals and resources we will be using. We will then discuss the timeline around the licensing of the Linux kernel with the Gnu Public Licence. We will then be having a panel-style discussion with some of Australia's linux veterans and members of the Australian FLOSS community.
This will be a non-technical event and all are welcome. So join us for a discussion about Linux and the GPL at Free Software Australia this month.
Details

Thursday, 17th February 2022, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/b/fsm-7fm-etn-vj8</a></li>
Join the FSA mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

FSM Jan 20th - AGM and Committee Elections + planning FSA

Les Kitchen — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 01:04:08 +0000

Welcome to a brand new year Free Software friends,
Along with a new year we also thought it's a good time for us to refresh the committee and get back into the habit of having an Annual General Meeting.
Currently we have three people standing for committee positions but traditionally we have had four committee members. So we would love to hear from anyone in the community interested in stepping forward and joining the committee. Committee members are expected to attend an additional committee meeting once a month, but beyond that you can contribute at your own pace and we will be renewing the committee annually during our January meeting so it's only a one year commitment.
During the meeting we'll go over the job description for a committee member in a bit more detail. Then we will nominate the running committee members and hear a few words from each of the running members. We will then officially dissolve the existing committee and vote in the new committee.
We will then have our first AGM in a while and discuss some of the current issues we face as Free Software Melbourne. Of particular note we are considering amalgamating all of the (mostly dormant) groups around Australia under the Free Software Australia banner.
This will be a non technical event and all are welcome. Come along and have your say on Free Software Melbourne in 2022
Details : Thursday, 20th January 2022, 7:30pm–9:00pm
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/b/fsm-7fm-etn-vj8</a>
Join the FSM mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a>
Meeting Tips : Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct>

Favorite Free Software for 2021

Ben Minerds — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 09:09:25 +0000

Hi all,
Last month videos night was fun and great to see some highlights from Software Freedom Day.
As this month is our last regular meeting for the year it would be great to look back at the year and what Free and Open Source Software we found useful and helpful over the last year.
We will go around the group and everyone will have a chance to talk about their favourite Free and Open Source Software. It can be anything from a short shout out or personal recommendation, a quick demonstration of how you use the software or a full run down of the features and benefits of your tool of choice.
At the moment our committee numbers are currently lower than we like so we are looking for anyone interested to join the committee. In addition to our regular meetings the committee also meets up for an hour or two every month and beyond that you can contribute as much or as little time as you have to share. We could use people with all sorts of skill sets.
Come along and celebrate 2021 and all the great Free and Open Source Software it has brought us.
Details

Thursday, 18th November 2021, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/b/fsm-7fm-etn-vj8</li>
Join the FSM mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</li> </ul>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul>

SFD Video Previews and Free Software Video Night

Ben Minerds — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 03:09:50 +0000

Hey everyone,
Thanks to everyone who logged in to another awesome Software Freedom Day last month. If you weren't able to make it to the event live then hold tight because we are working on creating videos for each of the presentations.
One exception to that is Noémi's final talk about Searx. Unfortunately the audio was not recorded, so unless someone from the audience recorded the audio and is happy to share it with us we unfortunately won't be able to put together a video for that one.
This month we're having a Free Software Video Night. We thought it would be fun to have a sneak peak at the "Best of SFD 2021" where we preview and discuss a few minutes of each of the speaker's talks.
Keeping with the Video Night theme we'll finish off the evening with a Blender movie or two from the many available. We'll have a vote on the night and the top movies will win.
Just to refresh your memory: the Blender movies we'll be picking from are Coffee Run, Spring, Hero, Daily Dweebs, Agent 327: Operation Barbershop, Caminandes 3: Llamigos, Glass Half, Cosmos Laundromat, Caminandes 2: Gran Dillama, Caminandes 1: Llama Drama, Tears of Steel, Sintel, Big Buck Bunny, Elephants Dream.
Details

Thursday, 21st October 2021, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/b/fsm-7fm-etn-vj8</a></li>
Join the FSM mailing list to be notified of events: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Software Freedom Day

Les Kitchen — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 10:02:00 +0000

Software Freedom Day — 18th of September 2021</h1>
This should be the final timetable for the day</a> and information about talks and speakers</a>. We recommend checking back here before joining the meeting in case of any necessary last-minute changes.

It's almost time for Software Freedom Day, and this year Free Software Melbourne and Linux Users of Victoria are celebrating the 18th Software Freedom Day online. We'll be hosting a range of talks and presentations about the importance and benefits of Free Software to users and how this improves society and nurtures healthy communities.
This year we will be hearing talks about hardware that respects your privacy, tools to empower you to take back control over your own data, privacy respecting searching on the web. As well as demonstrations of tools to help you collaborate and communicate online, and Free Software in the enterprise environment. All that and of course lots of Linux! Because this is the 30th anniversary for the first public release of the Linux kernel and the Linux kernel is arguably the most popular GPL licensed software on the planet. There will be plenty of Linux talks along with the official launch of the Longer Life with Linux campaign.
Participation is no cost and we are of course holding the event online. The event link will open directly in your browser (we recommend Firefox or Chromium) so no additional software is required and it will work on any operating system.
Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event welcoming to anyone, and open to people of all technical abilities. Pass on the invitation to anyone you think may enjoy it and help make it a great day. We have a code of conduct available on our website, but in short: Be respectful, Be inclusive and Be aware.
Hope to see you all online for the best Software Freedom Day ever!
Details</h2>
Date: Saturday the 18th of September 2021
Time: Talks start at 10:30am, wrapping up about 5:30pm. For attendees from afar: Times are in AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time), UTC+10. The meeting could start as early as Friday afternoon local time for some parts of the world. So check your timezone difference.
Location: Online Meeting: https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/sfd-2021</a>
Meeting Tips: Mute microphone when not speaking. Headsets recommended to reduce feedback if you will be speaking. If you are having difficulty hearing or being heard there is a chat stream available. If you want to ask a question during the presentation either ask it in the chat or use the “raise hand” button.
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct/>
Mailing List: Stay in touch by joining our mailing list here: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a>
Timetable</h2>
10:30am — Event opens
10:45am — Welcome and Introductions
11:00am — Todd Weaver — “Purism: Freedom, Privacy, and Diapers”</a>
12:00 noon — Vanessa Teague & Andrew Conway — “The Right To Ask Project”</a>
1:00pm — Tatiana Lenz — “Next Cloud: Why you need it”</a>
2:00pm — Break — Online Discussion
2:30pm — Alexar Pendashteh & Tom Danby — “Linux against E-waste”</a>
3:30pm — Linux and other Lightning Talks
4:30pm — Noémi Ványi — “Searx: Developing a privacy-respecting search engine”</a> 5:30pm — Event Close
About the Talks and our Speakers</h2>
Todd Weaver — “Purism: Freedom, Privacy, and Diapers”</h3>
Abstract: In a series of stories, Todd Weaver will take the listener on a real journey on how the team at Purism</a> solves the near-impossible time and time again.
Bio: Todd Weaver is CEO and Founder of Purism. After a lifetime of work as a software engineer, developer, architect, and technology advocate, Todd Weaver founded Purism to make high quality, safe, and secure hardware that respects civil liberties, freedoms, and privacy. He did not want to be monitored nor recorded; he wanted an environment he could trust. He wanted that for everyone else, too. In 2014, Weaver started Purism with crowdfunding a 15-inch laptop for a quarter million-dollar funding goal. Purism has grown substantially and now has a sophisticated portfolio of digitally responsible, high-quality, and safe products, software, and services that allow people the default position of complete freedom with the choice to ‘opt’ into features they desire. Weaver also founded, IVI Inc in 2005, the first online cable company, delivering over-the-air broadcast television channels over the Internet to a downloadable cross-platform media player. He enjoys building products and companies that don't require a lot of upfront capital but garner tremendous growth.
Vanessa Teague & Andrew Conway — “The Right To Ask Project”</h3>
Abstract: The Right To Ask project will use cryptographic techniques from end-to-end verifiable e-voting for a much simpler problem: voting on which questions are the most popular. These questions are meant to be asked in formal scenarios such as Parliamentary committee hearings and question time, or answered in written form in-app. We aim to open a channel of communication between parliamentarians and citizens so that Parliament can be more directly and immediately responsive to input from citizens.
Questions have a name attached, but upvotes and downvotes can be aggregated anonymously and proven to be properly tallied using well-known techniques from the e-voting literature.
Vanessa will describe the aims of the project, some of the underlying maths, and how to become involved if you'd like to help. Andrew will discuss his Rust implementation of the public bulletin board. It's a verifiable data structure based on Merkle trees, which allows every participant to verify that they have the same transcript, and prevents even a corrupt authority from undetectably rewriting history.
With thanks to these contributors: Ishan Goyal, Chuanyuan Liu, Lillian McCann, Tim McCann, Eleanor McMurtry, Hanna Navissi, Pedro Rosas, Miguel Wood.
Initial code at: https://github.com/RightToAskOrg</a>
Join the discussion on HackMD: https://hackmd.io/@RightToAsk-Docs</a>
Bios: Vanessa Teague is a cryptographer living and working on Wurundjeri land in Southeastern Australia (near Melbourne). She is interested in cryptographic protocols that support a free and democratic society. She works on openly-available research and open source software for supporting democratic decision making and empowering ordinary people to make choices about their own data.
Vanessa is CEO of Thinking Cybersecurity Pty. Ltd., and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Research School of Computer Science of The Australian National University, Canberra.
In 1994 Andrew Conway made arguably the first device that would be recognisable now as an autonomous flying drone. In 1998 he founded and ran a software company, Silicon Genetics, making specialized data analysis software for gene expression experiments. Now he writes software that will hopefully turn out to be useful including covid genetic diversity visualization and STV vote counting.
Tatiana Lenz — “Next Cloud: Why you need it”</h3>
Abstract: We'll be looking at what Nextcloud is, how and why it's useful and touching on why privacy and data sovereignty matter. As part of the presentation we will do a quick install of a Nextcloud instance and look at some ways of customising and leveraging core functionality.
Bio: Tatiana Lenz is a software engineer living in Melbourne. She has worked in companies big and small and has been involved in government projects at state and federal levels. She is currently working on tools and software that guide people through the legal system in an empathetic way. “Divorce Helper”, the current project she is working on, is out in beta release at https://dh.legaltechhelper.com/</a>. Tatiana has always been passionate about software freedom both in her work life and on a more personal level. She credits FLOSS with changing her life in being able to escape a corporate monolith of proprietary software and out into the open fields of more meaningful work. She is speaking here today because she wants to show people that Nextcloud (and other free software) is very practical and useful in our everyday lives and our work and corporate ecosystems.
Alexar Pendashteh & Tom Danby — “Linux against E-waste”</h3>
Abstract: “The World has an E-Waste Problem” as Time put it; and there are ways we can potentially turn this threat into opportunities. In this talk we explore one of those ways, which is using Linux and the Free and Open Source Software. We will also be introducing “Longer Life with Linux”, an Electron Workshop project in partnership with Linux Users of Victoria and sponsored by the City of Melbourne that aims at establishing support services for Linux Desktop in the process of reviving old computers.
Bios: Alexar Pendashteh is a technologist and a social entrepreneur. Trained as an Electrical Engineer, he changed course to IT and is now focusing on distributed technologies. Alexar actively participates in the tech and startup ecosystem in Australia and is passionate about enabling a tech industry around open source technologies that supports public innovation.
Tom Danby comes from a publishing background and is presently working on community development projects. He is active in a number of sustainability groups and is on the committee of Transition Towns Australia Inc. — the national hub for Transition Town groups. He is the current editor of the Transition Streets community education and engagement program.
Noémi Ványi — “Searx: Developing a privacy-respecting search engine”</h3> Abstract: Searx</a> is a popular privacy-respecting replacement for many big search engines, however, it is capable of more things. In this talk, you will learn about what makes searx different from other search services. You will also see what is it like to develop a project with AGPL licence focused on privacy.
Bio: I am an open-source enthusiast since high school and one of the maintainers of searx since 2016. I have been lucky to work on open-source software at my day job as well for most of my career. I love open source because I get to collaborate with smart people all around the world who are passionate about coding and freedom.
Software Freedom Day 2021 in Melbourne</a> is a joint activity of Free Software Melbourne</a> and Linux Users of Victoria</a> (a subcommittee of Linux Australia</a>). Our event is part of the global celebration of Software Freedom Day</a>.
Thanks to Electron Workshop</a> for providing Big Blue Button</a> hosting for the online meeting.
The URL of this post is </blog/software-freedom-day/>.

Licence controversies: Elastic Search and Audacity

Unknown — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 01:37:13 +0000

Licence controversies: Elastic Search and Audacity</h3>
Please note updated venue: https://j.luv.asn.au/fsm</a>
While we might have spent a lot of 2021 not doing much it's certainly been an exciting time for software licensing. Recently some big Free and Open Source projects have made licensing and related changes that could affect their communities for a long time to come and we're going to be talking about them this month at Free Software Melbourne.
After being acquired by Muse Group the GPL2-licensed Audacity has added a controversial Contributor License Agreement, introduced controversial features and made controversial changes to their privacy agreement. There is also some uncertainty about whether GPLv3 will be the next licence for Audacity.
Another well known (formerly Open Source) project Elastic Search has recently adopted the SSPL which, while based on the GPLv3, is not recognised by the OSI or the FSF as a Free and Open licence. Would the AGPL have been a better solution, or is this an indicator of SSPLs success?
We'll present the news and reports about these issues, explore what impact this might have on us and look at alternatives and forks that are currently available. We will also have a discussion about what this means for these projects and their communities.
This will be a non technical event and all are welcome to join in the conversation or just listen in. We look forward to seeing you all online!
Details

Thursday, 19th August 2021, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://j.luv.asn.au/fsm</a></li> </ul>
Meeting Tips

Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul>

User Freedom on the Web

Ben Minerds — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:18:06 +0000

*NOTE CHANGE OF MEETING URL* Free software is defined by the four user freedoms and for a long time these freedoms have been ensured by Free Software licenses like the GPL. While not perfect these licenses help preserve the four freedoms for the kinds of applications we use on our desktop computers that do not involve other computers. Things start to get a bit more complicated when we start making software available over a network and using such software. Mix in the popularity of the World Wide Web and it makes it tricky to preserve these freedoms.
In this talk I will give an introduction to the topic of user freedom on the Web. I will talk about the issues on server-side (that is the ASP loophole and SaaSS) and also from the client-side (i.e. the javascript trap). I will also cover some of today's popular solutions and mitigations to these problems like the AGPL, self-hosted services and the LibreJS browser extension.
We look forward to seeing you at the online meeting!
P.S. meetup.com is not required for following FSM updates. If you are reading this announcement through meetup.com, the speaker advises that you reduce your dependency on proprietary software required for using meetup.com, by signing up to the FSM mailing list at https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a> for all FSM announcements.
Details

Thursday, 15th July 2021, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://j.luv.asn.au/fsm</a></li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul>

Everyday Hardware for Free Software: Mobile Phones, Laptops, and more

Ben Minerds — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 08:47:25 +0000

Free Software is owned by its community of users and creators, for the benefit of that community, and of human society in general. Free Software respects the autonomy and privacy of its users — especially important in this age when so many companies base their business on control and surveillance of their customers.
But all software runs on hardware, and similar considerations apply. In order to maintain controll over our software we also need hardware devices that respect the autonomy and privacy of their users.
This is a vast topic. My goal for this talk is more modest: A tour of some hardware that's friendly to Free Software, in the hope that you might learn about something you can use. My main focus will be on devices for everyday use: mobile phones, laptops, and single-board computers usable as desktop computers or as home servers, some of which I own and can therefore demonstrate live in the talk, and can speak of from my own experience.
Devices I plan to talk about: Pinephone, Pinebook Pro, SOPINE A64 (from Pine64); Librem5 phone and Librem laptops (from Purism); Odroid-XU4, Odroid-H2+, Odroid Home Cloud devices (from HardKernel); Raspberry Pi 4; and possibly the MNT Reform laptop and GNUBee PC-1.
Also, if you have some favorite privacy respecting or open hardware you would like to demonstrate or show off, you're welcome to join in at the meeting and do a brief lightning talk about it, especially if you have it at hand for show'n'tell.
We look forward to seeing you at the online meeting!
Details

Thursday, 17th June 2021, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.y</a>ewtu.be</a>/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>
Stay in touch by joining the Free Software Melbourne mailing list: https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb</a>

FSM Wiki Working Bee

Ben Minerds — Tue, 11 May 2021 16:52:49 +0000

Hi Folks,
Sorry if we've seemed a bit quiet, it appears that recently the committee email address was accidentally removed from the mailing list causing our messages to go un-posted. I think we've managed to fix the issue, so hopefully all is well and you'll be reading this announcement.
Thanks to everyone who managed to find us last month and participate in the discussion around Privacy and Free Software. I have attached the updated slides incorporating every ones feedback to this months email and we're really grateful for the feedback and input.
This month we're going to be trying something different with our first (maybe annual) FSM Wiki Working Bee.
First up we'll be having a review of the wiki and some discussion around what we want to keep, what we want to improve and what we can archive or remove. After that discussion we'll work on some of the items we think we can tackle in small groups or collaborative sessions. We'll try to finish off the night with a show and tell of what we've been able to complete (or what we hope to have finished soon).
So come along and have a your say about what happens to our wiki. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm. This will be a non technical event so feel free to join the initial discussion and find out how easy it can be to contribute to a wiki.
Details

Thursday 20th May, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Free Software and Privacy Discussion Night

Ben Minerds — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 13:59:17 +0000

Hi Folks,
This month we'll be getting together for an informal chat about Free Software and Privacy (sorry about the last minute cancellation last month). We'll discuss how Free Software helps preserve our freedoms, Free Software tools for privacy and the privacy consequences of using proprietary software. We'll also have a think about what we are going to do for Privacy Awareness week in May and just catch-up and talk Free Software in general.
So come along and have a chat with us about Privacy. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm. This will be a non technical event so feel free to join the discussion, make suggestions or just listen in.

Details</li>
Thursday 15th April, 7:30pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Free Software and Privacy Discussion Night

Ben Minerds — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 06:36:53 +0000

Hi Folks,
This month we'll be getting together for an informal chat about Free Software and Privacy. We'll discuss how Free Software helps preserve our freedoms, Free Software tools for privacy and the privacy consequences of using proprietary software. We'll also have a think about what we are going to do for Privacy Awareness week in May and just catch-up and talk Free Software in general.
So come along and have a chat with us about Privacy. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 8:00pm. This will be a non technical event so feel free to join the discussion, make suggestions or just listen in.
Note the later than usual start time at 8:00pm.
Details

Thursday 18th March, 8:00pm-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Campaign and activities planning for 2021

Ben Minerds — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 12:20:48 +0000

Hi Freedom Lovers,
Thanks to every one who came along to our meetup about a Right to Repair submission to the enquiry. We got a sold draft knocked out and had shaped it into a great submission by the weekend. I've posted a copy of the submission on our wiki: /wiki/RightToRepairProductivityCommission and I was able to track down our pdf submission on the Productivity Commission website: https://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/272318/sub043-repair.pdf
This month we're going to put our heads together and plan out the campaigns for the year ahead. Do you want more hardware reviews, more campaigns like Right to Repair or just more games. Which campaigns should we continue our involvement in and what other campaigns are emerging that we could lend our weight to? Now's your chance to have your say about how the this year at Free Software Melbourne will be.
We'll all take a look at the campaigns we are currently running and what we can do next. We'll also look at what we need to do to plan for and participate in events like Melbourne Knowledge Week and Privacy Week. If you're aware of any other events we could participate in come along and tell us about it or make suggestions on the mailing list before the meetup.
So come along and help set course for this year at Free Software Melbourne. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm. This will be a non technical event so feel free to join the discussion, make suggestions or just listen in.
Details</h3>

Thursday 18th February, 7:30-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Discussion on Right to Repair and preparation of submission material

Ben Minerds — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:16:46 +0000

Welcome to 2021 everyone, hope you've had a great holiday season and are getting back into the swing of things.
While we were enjoying the season the Australian Government has been busy publishing an issue paper and soliciting public submissions relating to our Right to Repair. The papers focus is on "consumers’ ability to repair faulty goods and to access repair services at a competitive price" and "barriers and enablers of competition in repair markets and the costs and benefits of a regulated ‘right to repair’, including facilitating access to embedded software"
This looks like it's right up our alley and it would be great to kick off the year with another submission. During the meetup we'll review the issue paper and jointly prepare our own submission. We could also create micro-blog templates to help people get the word out. Submissions are due by Monday 1 February 2021.
For anoyone wanting to check it out before the meeting or write your own submission you can find further information here: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/repair/issues</a>
We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm on Thursday the 21st. No prior technical knowledge is required so feel free to join the discussion, make suggestions or just listen in.
Details:

Thursday 21st January, 7:30-9:00pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Favourite Free Software 2020

Ben Minerds — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 06:12:25 +0000

Things are looking up in Melbourne now and next year we'll probably be back to our regular meetups at Electron Workshop. Lets catch up online one last time in true 2020 style... online.
We'll take a look back at the events we ran this year including an epic Software Freedom Day, share a festive drink and have an chat about everyones favourite Free and Open Source Software for 2020.
There will be time for questions and discussions so please feel welcome to make suggestions. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm on Thursday the 19th. No prior technical knowledge is required so feel free to join the discussion or just listen in.
Details:

Thursday 17th November, 7:30-8:30pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</a></li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</a></li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct></li> </ul> </li> </ul>

Apple's Sunset on Freedom

Unknown — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:25:41 +0000

Apple's Sunset on Freedom
On the 9th November 2020, Tim Cook the current CEO of Apple, posted a picture on Twitter of a sunset from the Apple Park Campus in Cupertino. The text said "One more sleep". This was in relation to the online event the next day. While the direct message was essentially two dimensional corporate marketing, the deeper meaning that one could gather from this is much more significant.
On 10th November, Apple announced their new in-house designed M1 processors for their laptops and eventually desktop computers. For all the hype surrounding the technical features and the specifications, with this move they will also very quietly disallow you to load in an operating system of your choice. Apple computers in future will run only Apple operating systems and Apple approved software. You have no choice any more. The slow creep of hostility towards real choice has finally given Apple total control over the machines the users purchase.
To highlight just how bad this can be, in what could be considered bad timing for Apple, on the 12th November 2020 there was a server outage on their Apple Certificate Validation server. Normally if a server goes out it can be a little inconvenient in terms of grabbing data but this was an exceptional circumstance. The server was responsible for app authorisation on MacOS. As a part of the 'Gatekeeper' security technology in MacOS, every time you run an application, it needs to be verified by Apples online serves to ensure that it is secure. That is, every time you open an application that is installed on the local machine, Apple knows what you are launching, where and when you are doing it. If there is an internet connection, it will check it every single time you launch the application and if it cannot get through to the Apple server - it will not allow you to open the program.
If a server goes down on the opposite side of the world, you cannot use the programs you have installed on your computer right in front of you.
Gate Keeper as a technology is not a bad idea. It essentially does a check of your software to make sure that it is still the same piece of software you originally installed. It protects against malware changing it without your knowledge. But by adding in the near mandatory online check to this function, Apple has essentially weaponized a decent technology and turned it into a massive spying system at the same time.
Credit to the Apple OS team - at least there was a work around. If the users disabled their Wifi or access to the authorisation server, MacOS would fall back into an offline state for running these programs. While that works for know, how long until even that option becomes obsolete? And if you buy one of Apples new Laptops with the M1 processor, you will have absolutely no options against using this.
Apple have been actively hostile against folks using their computers as they wish for a long time. The GPL code that we fight for in ensuring the users have the freedom to use, share, modify and share modified - is forbidden on their app stores. The bulk of GPL code that was in MacOS has either been replaced with proprietary code, removed all together or left untouched since 2006.
NOTE: Apple uses some GPL 2 code in the form of GNU GCC and GNU Bash which were last updated in 2006. Apple will not use the newer GPL 3 code because it offers the users too much freedom over the rest of their machines.
If these issues with Apple were just limited to Apple machines, it wouldn't be such a large issue. It would be awful but not the end of computing in freedom as we know it. The issue is Apple has a tendency to leading the pack in regards to other manufacturers and software vendors decisions. As more custom hardware is being implemented in the name of performance and security, there is more incentive for manufacturers to lock down these machines for "competitive advantages". Custom hardware that limits users choices are becoming much more prevalent. Microsoft has started making laptops that use Microsoft specific processors which cannot have custom operating systems installed and Windows 10 has a near identical feature to the Apple authorisation certificates. This is a trend I do not see going away any time soon, so long as people keep buying these devices.
You as the users still have control however. You do not have to buy these restrictive machines or use their oppressive software. By buying hardware that respects your freedoms, that allows you to install the software you wish, you vote with your money on which way you want to see computing go in the future. Buy using a Free/Libre operating system like GNU/Linux, you are voting against the surveillance systems and the control that the big players are forcing on to individuals. By telling others about these options and how they can benefit the users, you are actively helping in fighting against the unwanted slide towards dystopia. We the users ultimately still hold the power, we just need to use it for good.
The sunset Tim Cook was posting wasn't just a sunset for an event the next day, it was a sunset on digital freedoms. The day when the last light of freedom was finally cast into the shadows of history... at least from Apples perspective. From your perspective you can choose otherwise, you can choose a path to freedom.
NOTE : I did not link to the post from Tim Cook because to use Twitter is to use a non-free service that tracks the users and it executes non-free java script.

Installation and Walkthrough of Pop!_OS

Ben Minerds — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 01:38:10 +0000

Pop!_OS is an interesting distribution that we thought might be worth exploring and demonstrating with the group. While Pop!_OS is primarily built to be bundled with the computers built by System76, we can download it and install it on a variety of computers. While Pop!_OS is not "Free Software" as fully bundled operating system, Sytem76 are big supporters of the GPL and many of the components of it are.
This month at Free Software Melbourne we will be demonstrating a live install of Pop!_OS, and then we'll take it for a test drive and look at what features and changes it offers over a stock Ubuntu install. Some of the features we're interested in exploring are the new window management, GPU support, encryption, keyboard remapping and power management. There is a lot to take in and we'll also try to explore the community around Pop!_OS and System76 who maintains the distribution.
There will be time at the end for questions, discussions or experiments to run so please feel welcome to make suggestions. We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm on Thursday the 19th. No prior technical knowledge is required so feel free to join the discussion or just watch the install.
Details:

Thursday 19th November, 7:30-8:30pm</li>
Join us at: https://meet.glasswings.com.au/b/fsm-iv6-tce-vpu</li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</li>
Meeting Tips:

Be sure to test your audio on the way in.</li>
Your mic will be muted when you join the room.</li>
Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Please grok our Code of Conduct at /code-of-conduct</li> </ul> </li> </ul>

A show and tell about NextCloud

Unknown — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 03:10:11 +0000

A show and tell about NextCloud</h1>
Data sovereignty with a look at an actual instance</h2>
The extensive use of Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloud infrastructure in modern times raises serious questions around data sovereignty and ownership: where does the data reside? who owns it? who has access and control of it? and what does that mean for me?
This month at Free Software Melbourne we will be discussing alternatives to the big SaaS providers and in particular how we can use NextCloud to become our own self service SaaS providers. We'll discuss how NextCloud is built to deal with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and why that is important, even here in Australia. Like all Free Software, NextCloud has a community and we will also take a look at why it's so large and fast-growing.
Advantages of NextCloud:

Can be self-hosted</li>
Can have full disk encryption</li>
General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP) compliant</li>
Fast-growing and friendly community</li> </ul>
We will be leaving ample time at the end for questions and discussions so please feel welcome to engage fully.
We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button at 7:30pm on Thursday the 15th. This is a non-technical event and all are welcome to listen in or join the discussion.
Details:</h2>

Thursday 15th October, 7:30-8:30pm</li>
Join us at: https://freesoftwareau.bigbluemeeting.com/pau-9ti-iea</li>
Short video intro to Big Blue Button (BBB): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</li>
Meeting Tips: Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room. Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct/></li> </ul>

Software Freedom Day - 19th of September 2020

Ben Minerds — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 14:39:21 +0000

Celebrating Software Freedom Day 2020</h1>

Free Software Melbourne and Linux Users Victoria are celebrating the 17th annual Software Freedom Day celebrations in Melbourne. We will present a range of leaders in the Free-Software community that will talk about the importance of Free-Software to a free society.
The SFD celebration will kickoff with what is "Free and Open Source Software" and why is it so important for a modern, digital society. We'll be hearing from leading contributors and organizers of companies building businesses around Free and Open Source projects. We're also going to talk about the ethics of software development and the advantages of building a prosthetic using open hardware. There is also the opportunity for networking opportunities in our general FLOSS chat room during the day.
Time Table:

10:00am - Welcome and Introductions</li>
10:15am - What is Free Software?</li>
11:00am - Dr Morgan Leigh - Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death</a></li>
12:00pm - FLOSS Chat Room</li>
1:30pm - Lightning Talks</li>
2:30pm - Kathy Reid - Good, better, breast: Building a sensing mastectomy prosthetic with open hardware</a></li>
3:30pm - Frank Karlitschek - How Nextcloud stayed productive during COVID-19 and how others did the same</a></li>
4:30pm - Mike Saunders & Italo Vignoli - LibreOffice: great history, great future</a></li> </ul>
Participation is both free and liberating. Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event welcoming to anyone, pass on the word to help make it a great day. We have a code of conduct available on our website, but in short: Be respectful, Be inclusive and Be aware.
Hope to see you all online for our most exciting Software Freedom Day yet!
Details:</h2>

Date: Saturday the 19th of September 2020</li>
Time: Talks starting at 10:00am and wrapping up about 6:00pm</li>
Location: Online with Big Blue Button</li>
Main Talk Room: https://bbb.freesoftware.org.au/b/fsm-hbo-gf9-43s</a></li>
Community Chat Room: https://bbb.freesoftware.org.au/b/fsm-dxk-cs1-2ct</a></li>
Meeting Tips: Mute microphone when not speaking. Headsets recommended to reduce feedback if you will be speaking. If you are having difficulty hearing or being heard there is a chat stream available. If you want to ask a question during the presentation either ask it in the chat or use the “raise hand” button.</li>
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct/></li> </ul>
Links:</h2>

Blog: /blog/software-freedom-day-19th-of-september-2020/</a></li>
SFD Global: http://wiki.softwarefreedomday.org/2020/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/FSM-and-LUV</a></li>
SFD Australia: http://www.sfd.org.au</a></li>
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Free-Software-Melbourne/events/273068374/</a></li>
Digital Innovation Futures Victoria https://dif.vic.gov.au/event/11988836-a/software-freedom-day-2020</a></li> </ul>
SFD is sponsored by: Linux Australia
About the Talks and our Speakers</h2>
Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death</h3>
About the Speaker</h4>
Dr Morgan Leigh lives on a farm in sunny Tasmania where she ponders the ontological status of cyberspace and raises tasty animals. She is a pagan theologian, farmer, virtual world developer, and has a tragic science fiction addiction. Morgan's work centers on the ontological status of the remixes we call reality.
Having pondered about cyberspace a lot, she did a PhD about it. It’s called Virtually Real: Being in Cyberspace, and you can see it at https://eprints.utas.edu.au/22422/</a>. It's all about how things that happen online aren't "just games" or "not real" or "only code", but are real, actual things that people really care about and that affect the meatspace world.
Morgan is deeply concerned about copyright and its destructive effect on our society, especially in the academy. She even has a theological argument against it! Ask her, she'll tell you all about it. She thinks current copyright law is a destructive illusion that we can't afford to entertain.
Good, better, breast: Building a sensing mastectomy prosthetic with open hardware</h3>
Abstract</h4>
In Australia every year, around 18,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. Many will go on to have breast removal surgery, called a mastectomy. Only 12% of women who have a mastectomy will have reconstruction, and will instead opt to wear a silicon-based prosthetic.
These prosthetics are "dumb" - they're just silicone. They have 0 USB ports. What a great opportunity for open hardware!
As part of her term project in the Masters of Applied Cybernetics at the 3A Institute at The Australian National University, Kathy Reid, herself a breast cancer survivor, developed a prototype called "SenseBreast" - a sensing, smart, mastectomy prosthetic based on an RPi 3B+ and a Sense HAT. This was a "mucking around" project to learn Python, and she didn't expect it to work, but it did!
In this poignant, funny, challenging, technical, entertaining and irreverent presentation, she explores;

motivations for the project, including a desire to keep sensor data private and personal - after all, who's watching?</li>
hardware design and sensor challenges in open hardware and Python</li>
prosthetic design and how to build a fake breast to contain hardware</li>
lived experience wearing a smart prosthetic</li>
implications for this technology, such as in post-mastectomy recovery</li>
and reflections on the broader landscape of wearable technology</li> </ul>
About the Speaker</h4>
Kathy Reid</a> works at the intersection of open source, emerging technologies and technical communities. She is a former Director of Developer Relations at Mycroft.AI, former President of Linux Australia and former Digital Platforms and Operations Manager at Deakin University. In 2019, she was of 16 people from across the world chosen to undertake a Masters of Applied Cybernetics at the Australian National University's 3A Institute.
First hand experience: How Nextcloud stayed productive during COVID-19 and how others did the same.</h3>
Abstract</h4>
We're all now experiencing how remote working and virtual conferencing are important tools to staying connected. Not just in the current circumstances but also looking at the future.
Unfortunately millions of people have adopted the proprietary online tools like GoogleDocs, Office365 and Zoom. All of which have well know privacy and security problems. As well as the loss of data sovereignty by users. That's why it's important to offer an easy-to-use, efficient, and quick free-software based replacement to these proprietary online tools. Nextcloud</a> is just such a replacement.
Nextcloud is a platform for online collaboration and communication and can help people, businesses and communities to quickly adapt and stay connected. Because Nextcloud is free-software, users freedoms are respected and protected, avoiding vendor lock-in.
Nextcloud is built by Nextcloud GmbH that has employees in home-offices across 11 countries and the Nextcloud Community which is spread all over the world. This talk gives an inside look at how Nextcloud GmbH works together with the Nextcloud community to develop and maintain the Nextcloud software platform.
The talk covers different communication channels that work for synchronous and asynchronous communication. How distributed teams are coordinated and how effective and efficient collaboration using shared documents is possible. Additionally, a very important topic to share is the challenges and solutions on how to successfully work across different countries, timezones, languages, and cultures.
About the Speaker</h4>
Frank Karlitschek is a long time open source developer and former board member of the KDE e.V. In 2016 he founded Nextcloud to create a fully open source and decentralized alternative to big centralized US cloud companies. In 2012 he initiated the User Data Manifesto to define basic human rights regarding personal data. Frank was an invited expert at the W3C to help to create the ActivityPub internet standard. Frank has spoken at MIT, CERN, Harvard and ETH and keynoted several conferences. Frank is the founder and CEO of Nextcloud GmbH. He is also a fellow of Open Forum Europe and an advisor to the United Nations regarding Intellectual Property and Open Source.
LibreOffice: great history, great future</h3>
Abstract</h4>
In 2020, LibreOffice</a> celebrates its 10th anniversary in late September. So, the presentation is a good opportunity to recap 10 years of history, look at the recent LibreOffice 7.0 announcement</a>, and provide some insights into the future of the project.
About the Speakers</h4>
Mike Saunders has been a Linux and FOSS user, advocate and journalist since the late '90s, and today works in marketing and community outreach at The Document Foundation. He lives in Munich, Germany.
Italo Vignoli is one of LibreOffice founders, and has managed marketing and helped with community outreach since day one. He is a FOSS and open standards advocate, is a consultant at The Document Foundation, and a board member at Open Source Initiative. He lives in Milan, Italy.

FLOSS and The Commons

Ben Minerds — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 14:09:48 +0000

Hey all,
The concept of the Commons has been coming up at a few meetups recently and we thought it might be interesting to explore the topic during this months meetup. The Commons is a broad and diverse topic so we'll just be looking at a small slice of it and discuss how it might relate to Free and Open Source Software.
We'll have a few short prepared talks about the history and philosophy of the commons, how this concept has been interpreted in the context of software licensing and then we'll probably have some time for more general discussion around the topic.
Please note the later than usual starting time, we're experimenting around the new online experience so please give feedback on what you think in the meetup chat. As usual we'll be meeting up on Big Blue Meeting, so all you need is your browser, and all are welcome.
Details:

Thursday 20th August, 7:30-8:30pm</li>
BBB Room: https://freesoftwareau.bigbluemeeting.com/pau-9ti-iea</li>
Short video intro to BBB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</li>
Meeting Tips: Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room. Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li> </ul>

Software Freedom Day 2020 - Call for Speakers

Ben Minerds — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 05:17:26 +0000

Software Freedom Day is an annual worldwide celebration of Free Software and here at Free Software Melbourne we are currently organising Software Freedom Day 2020 on Saturday 19th September.
Is there a burning issue in Free Software you'd like to present? Is there a cool demo you'd like to show off? Or have you got a tutorial guiding users on the use of a great Free Software package?
If so we'd love to get in touch to try and include you in this years line up! Just reply, dm or get in touch on the web: /contact-us/

Free and Open Source Software Show and Tell

Ben Minerds — Sat, 11 Jul 2020 07:56:52 +0000

Hi everyone,
With the dramatic changes to how we go about our day-to-day business over the past months there have also been dramatic changes to the software we use and rely upon every day. So this month we are going to catch up for a 'Free Software Show and Tell' event where we all take a turn talking about our favourite Free or Open Source project at the moment and discuss your favourite features or why it’s so useful.
From your favourite audio player right up to your favourite new distros or even mobile software from F-Droid and friends, we want to know what Free Software is doing for you. There is always something new and exciting in Free and Open Source Software that can help us all to keep excited and optimistic for the future.
We will talk about some of the great free software helping us through this pandemic and hope that you will join in and talk about what software has been helping you. This event is open to all and no technical expertise is required.
Details:

Thursday 16th July, 6:30-8:00pm</li>
BBB Room: https://freesoftwareau.bigbluemeeting.com/pau-9ti-iea</li>
Short video intro to BBB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw</li>
Meeting Tips: Be sure to test your audio on the way in. Your mic will be muted when you join the room. Headsets are recommended to reduce any feedback.</li> </ul>

FSM Jun 18 - Running a small businesson Free Software — The Sandstorm Platform

Ben Minerds — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 11:56:54 +0000

As Australia starts to ease restrictions and some businesses are opening up again while many continue to operate online we thought it might be a good time to look at what Free and Open Source Software is available for running a small business or personal productivity. Luckily for us there is the all-in-one solution that is Sandstorm.
Sandstorm describes itself as a self-hostable web productivity suite.It is an easy to install and maintain server-side platform that provides seamless access to dozens of productivity and office applications. Sandstorm provides a secure platform and takes care of authentication, authorization, installation and space management so you can start being productive from the moment you get it set up. It does require you to have existing hosting or to run it locally using something like Docker, but it allows for simple authentication and installation of many applications once it's setup.
There is also a rich ecosystem of applications supported which we'll talk about including EtherPad for collaborative editing, Draw.io for graphics, HackerSlides for presentations, Wekan for project tracking, FileDrop for secure file sharing and Collections for tying it all together... and that's just scratching the surface of applications and alternatives available!
We’ll be meeting virtually via Big Blue Button (an open source video conferencing system we'll probably cover in the near future) at 6:30pm on Thursday the 18th of June.
Details:
Thursday 18th June, 6:30-8:00pm
BBB Room: https://freesoftwareau.bigbluemeeting.com/pau-9ti-iea
Short video intro to BBB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYYnryIM0Uw
Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when joining or not talking and headsets are recommended to reduce feedback.

FSM Meeting, Thursday 21st May 2020, Staying connected with Free Software - Jami and Signal

Unknown — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:42:30 +0000

FSM Staying connected with Free Software — Jami and Signal

The COVID-19 pandemic as upended the lives of billions of people around the world. To prevent transmission of the virus, we have been asked to stay at home, practice social distancing and avoid crowds. As such, 100’s of millions of people have started using chat and conferencing software to see friends, family and conduct business. Unfortunately, many of the popular options in this space are proprietary and most users are unaware of the privacy and security issues that proprietary software brings into our lives. However Free and Open Source software has us covered with many options for communications software.
As a part of this year's theme of de-FAANG (removal of predatory big tech companies from your life), we are exploring the world of online communications and presenting Free/Libre and Open Source solutions to keeping in touch and connecting with people. Instead of using proprietary messaging apps on our mobile and PC’s such as WhatsApp, Line and Viber. We will take a look at two great freedom respecting messaging apps, Jami (https://jami.net</a>) and Signal (https://signal.org/</a>) and how we can use these to keep connected through the crisis.
Never has the need for robust, auditable and trusted communication software been more important. Not only for our privacy, but also for the privacy and security of your friends and loved ones. The recent media coverage of privacy and security concerns in conferencing and communications software demonstrates why we need to be able to trust our software with our personal and confidential communications.
We’ll be meeting virtually via Jitsi (a freedom respecting video conferencing app we've discussed before) at 6:30pm on Thursday the 21st of May.
Details:
Thursday 21st May, 6:30-8:00pm
Jitsi Meet Room: https://jitsi.puzzleduck.org/FSM</a>
Meeting Tips: Please mute your mic when joining and headsets are recommended to reduce feedback.

Free Software Melbourne Meeting, Thursday 16th April 2020: Staying connected with Free Software

Unknown — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 12:35:09 +0000

FSM Apr 16th — Staying connected with Free Software — Signal and Jitsi</h1>
As COVID-19 has most of us held up in our homes, social distancing and avoiding crowds — never has the need for Free and Open communications with each other been more important.
As much as folks may want to rush out and grab a proprietary solution to talk to friends and family. Stop! Don't do it! Not only for the privacy of yourself but for your friends and loved ones. The recent media coverage of privacy and security concerns is demonstrating why we need trusted and secure software for our personal and confidential communications.
As a part of this year's theme of de-FAANG (removal of predatory big tech companies from your life), we are exploring the world of online communications and presenting some Free/Libre and Open Source solutions to keeping in touch.
Again we'll be meeting via an online video web chat called Jitsi. We will demonstrate some neat alternatives to allow you to communicate with others and respect everyone's freedoms. From text messaging on your phone that is encrypted end-to-end, through to voice and video chat that can allow that ear-to-ear and face-to-face connection that we sometimes need, Free Software has you covered.
Event starts at 6:30pm on Thursday 16th April 2020.
Details:</h3>
Thursday 16th April, 6:30-8:00pm
Jitsi Meet Room: https://jitsi.puzzleduck.org/FSM
Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when joining or not talking

Free Software Melbourne meeting, 19 March 2020: How to unfriend Facebook

Les Kitchen — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:42:53 +0000

COVID-19 Update:
Due to the current Corona virus pandemic we are joining all the other Melbourne meetups in suspending in person meetups until further notice. Due to this we will be delaying the start of the deFANNG campaign. We'd still love to catch up and talk all things Free Software so we're converting this meetup into a virtual meetup on Jitsi Meet: https://meet.jit.si/FSM where we'll try out some FLOSS video conferencing.
Jitsi Meet Room: https://meet.jit.si/FSM
Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when not talking and have a tasty beverage at hand

Dear Free-Software Friends and Family,
The “Big Tech” companies, such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google (FAANG) are familiar brands with worldwide reach in all corners of people’s affairs, from communicating with family, purchasing household goods and reading the news.
In recent years, the major negative effects on society have become apparent from the underlying business model of these multinationals, namely targeted advertising — where the more FAANG knows about you, your social connections and preferences, the more valuable you are to them. For example, period tracking apps for the Android OS and iOS share intimate information with Facebook that helps advertisers target women:

https://www.privacyinternational.org/long-read/3196/no-bodys-business-mine-how-menstruation-apps-are-sharing-your-data</a> </blockquote>
As part of a year-long series on how to De-FAANG your life, we are proud to present the first in the series:

How to Unfriend Facebook (True friends don't spy on you!) </blockquote>
This talk will cover the negative impacts on people and society by Facebook's walled garden “social”-platform and related proprietary technologies. We will then present a practical and easy-to-follow guide on how to use Free Software to help you leave a bad friend and unfriend Facebook for good!
We look forward to seeing you there!
The FSM team.
Details
Thursday 19th March, 6:30–8:00pm
Electron Workshop: 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>

Inclusion Policy update proposal and FSM for 2020

Ben Minerds — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 06:21:57 +0000

Hey Folks,
Although many people might consider the topic of Inclusion Policies to be a bit dry, I found this months meetup interesting and learned something from most of the examples we looked at. In particular I would recommend checking out the Atlassian playbook and the concepts of team health as a foundation on which values like inclusivity and diversity can be built (https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook/health-monitor). As always the presentation slides are available online if you want to check out any of the resources: https://free-software-melbourne.github.io/Inclusivity-2020-January/
For our own short to mid term needs I have proposed updating our Code of Conduct to better line up with the Linux Conf Au and Linux Users of Victoria policies. I see this as having the immediate benefit of updating and modernising our language and guidelines. I also think it will better harmonise our policies with the groups we are likely to run events with like Software Freedom Day. I also think it would be a good idea to provide specialist contact details in the form of BeyondBlue and/or HeadSpace for people with serious concerns or ongoing issues. Please provide any feedback to the mailing list (or myself at puzzleduck@gmail.com) over the next week and after any feedback or revisions we'll update the Free Software website with the new policies.
The other major topic of discussion was getting involved with other groups and promoting the group to a broader audience. In particular we should start using libre platforms like LibrePlanet, Mastodon and Diaspora to get our message out there. Also this year we will make an effort to get involved in community events like Melbourne Knowledge Week and we will also propose a session for Linux Conf Au discussing FLOSS licencing.
~~ Ben

FSM Jan 16th - Discussion on inclusion policies & FSM campaigns for 2020

Ben Minerds — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 13:35:37 +0000

Welcome to 2020 everyone,
We're kicking off the decade by giving you the chance to choose your own 2020 at Free Software Melbourne. Do you want more games nights, hardware reviews, campaigns or just more pizza! Which campaigns should we continue our involvement in and what other campaigns are emerging in the new decade we could lend our weight to? Now's your chance to come along and have your say about how the next year at Free Software Melbourne will look. This will be a non technical event and all are welcome to attend and contribute.
We'll all take a look at the campaigns we are currently running like the AABill and what we can do next. We'll also look at what we need to do to plan for and participate in events like Melbourne Knowledge Week and Privacy Week. If you're aware of any other events we could participate in come along and tell us about it or make suggestions on the mailing list before the meetup.
As discussed in last years October meeting we will be looking at our options for an Inclusion policy and deciding on candidates for adoption. While were adding another policy this seems like an optimal time to review our current policies and how we present them on the website. Are there better ways to convey our policies, should they all be grouped together, are they up to date and serving the functions they are intended to? We'd be interested to hear ayones experience with inclusion policies or opinions of good (or bad) inclusion policies you've come across.
So come along to discuss inclusion policies, and help set course for 2020 at Free Software Melbourne. After the meeting we will continue our discussions over dinner in North Melbourne a short walk away and all are welcome to join us. Thanks again to Electron Workshop for hosting Free Software Melbourne and Software Freedom Day for another year.
Details
Thursday 16th January, 6:30-8:00pm
Electron Workshop: 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

Update on browser standards

Unknown — Tue, 17 Dec 2019 02:57:24 +0000

About a year ago we warned about the issues of the Chromium/Blink web rendering engine and how Google is essentially dictating the direction of web technology to their advantage.
</blog/on-microsoft-edge-and-the-chromium-engine/>
It now appears via multiple sources that this is becoming that case at least for their direct web services.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/google-now-bans-some-linux-web-browsers-from-their-services/</a>
The short take on the story is that a lot of free software browsers, some of which happen to have provided the technology base of Chrome, are now being denied access under the guise of 'security'. While these browsers combined usage makes up less than 0.1% of Internet traffic, that Google has gone out of the way to deny the users access is a dangerous precident. To make matters worse, if you make these browsers report to Google that they are 'Google Chrome' - Googles own proprietary browser, then these sites work as intended making the whole idea look more preposterous.
While this warning has not been seen universally by users and it appears to be in the trail stage, this is a very worrying for the free and open internet and the software that we use on it. Essentially the software maker, being Google, is able to dictate what people can use online using their software platform and online websites.
Google has now made a few actions that are determined to control how the internet is used for their own gain.
Chrome is designed to dictate the technology base that people have to use, by having technology that can only be rendered properly by their browser, this sets the standards by which most web developers will aim to hit. This is to the detriment of anyone using non-google technology.
It may be small user base browsers today, in future it might be things like Firefox and eventually all non-Chrome browsers - even ones that use the same 'open-source' code base. This is the situation we found the internet in at the end of the last decade with Microsoft's Internet Explorer dominating how internet technology would be shaped. It took the efforts of Mozilla and the Firefox project to finally break free from this situation.
Google is also directly dictating to web content providers to use their systems such as AMP technology so that run websites on their servers, making them load faster than they typically would and this is enhanced when using their browsers so that any competition looks bad by comparison.
Google uses many other techniques but these main ones are used to direct you into Googles profit machine at the expense of your choice of software and thus your privacy.
Over the last few years it has become apparent that more web browser technology is being dictated down from Google and less about letting technology find its own place via dis-census. That is, it is being designed rather than evolving. Technology is being used to squeeze out competition and free software based browsers are clearly being targeted. Google has misused API's to make performance run slowly on other browsers, dictated how DRM should be implemented online so that others cannot support the same standards and in general just made a technology target that favors it over other agreed standards.
The best solution to a problem is to prevent the problem in the first place. While we do not have much influence over standards committees, that doesn't mean you are powerless. This means having to avoid using these controlling technologies and to support those that have your back covered. By supporting free software and open standards that is what you are doing. Every time you use a Free-software browser and a website doesn't work properly, let the sites admin know about it. If they don't want to fix it - don't use it. You are better off not being forced into a compromised position.
In the coming decade this will only get worse. With the increasing profit needs of Google, increasing operations costs, decline in return on computer hardware improvements, ever increasing demand so of users and the apathy of those same users that makes them accept these changes with little questioning, we are slowly walking down a road that is very difficult to recover from. It took almost a decade to turn it around last time with Firefox and that was through the arrogance of Microsoft not keeping their eye on the ball and assuming that they could never fall. This time it may not be possible as it is a very deliberate and targeted attack on users choices. If we don't try to fight this then we have lost already. If we wait until it is unbearable, it will be near impossible to overcome in any meaningful way.

December Meetup - 6:30pm Friday 13th December 2019

Unknown — Sat, 16 Nov 2019 09:19:18 +0000

The Christmas puddings at Coles are now being heavily discounted because they have been on the shelf for over 3 months, you know what that means... Christmas is just around the corner and with that it is also the end of another great year for Free Software Australia! As is tradition, the last meetup of the year is casual affair with dinner at Char Sui House in North Melbourne. No talks or pre-planned agenda, just an excuse to get together talk and have a great meal. Talk about the great things that have happened, things that concerned you and then move on to the great things that lay ahead in the world of free software in the new decade.
Dinner will be at 6:30pm on Friday 13th December at Char Siu House - 37 Errol St, North Melbourne. If you are lost on the night I can be contacted via mobile on 0433 96 96 77.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/480586195

Michael</li> </ul>

Free Software Melbourne October Wrap-up

Ben Minerds — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 04:17:01 +0000

Just reposting a meeting summary from the mailing list I forgot to post at the time.
Thanks everyone for coming along to this months Free Software Melbourne discussion around the resignation of Stallman from the FSF and MIT, what a great turnout for what could so easily be an uncomfortable discussion. It's a difficult topic to come to terms with as someone who has been an inspiration and household name in our community has had to resign under such circumstances. As much as we might wish that our movements founder was could champion the cause forever, the reality is that no one could, and we must move on. The consensus seemed to be that we keep up our support for the cause of Free Software and the Free Software Foundation while we wait on tender hooks to see who the FSF will appoint as their new president. The major point of concern now seems to be with the GNU project stewardship and how this might reflect on the community and the inclusiveness of our cause.
One thing that came up during the discussion was inclusion policies, and unfortunately I think that we don't have one for FSM. I'd appreciate any suggestions or feedback on the idea from the group. Are there good (or bad) examples you've seen around? Then maybe at our next meetup we could take a look at the suggestions and evaluate what kind of inclusion policy we want for our group.
I also observed that there are still lots of inspirational people left in our community like Bradley Kuhn and Matthew Garrett who came up during our discussions. There are also great people (technically outside the FSF) like Deb Nicholson who often speaks about software freedom, Bryan Lunduke who has reached many people with his enthusiasm for freedom and Allison Randal at the Free Software Conservancy. So I'd also recommend taking a look at the FSF board as it now stands and taking some time to get to know a board member you didn't know about before :D
Then the other big topics of discussion were Open Hardware and Meetup.com. With meetup.com thankfully backing down, for the time being, from putting a price per head on meetup attendance. We were reflecting on our communication tools and processes, and how we might want to better document the process in the future. We also identified Libre Planet as an untapped resource for new membership and it is a platform we rarely keep up to date. So that's something the committee will be trying to make an improvement on before we start fresh next year.
On a few internal matters, we also picked a date for our December dinner, so save the date: December 13th... but we'll post an announcement for that soon. We also decided to go back to monthly meetups next year and to trial some remote and/or recorded talks using FOSS tools through the year. So stay tuned!
~~ Ben
Slides from the meetup:
https://free-software-melbourne.github.io/Future-2019-October/

FSM October 17th - The Future of Free Software Culture

Ben Minerds — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 11:02:33 +0000

Hi folks,
It's certainly turbulent times for the Free Software Foundation and for the community in general. With an unexpected change of leadership at the Foundation underway we thought it would be a good time to get together and discuss the possible outcomes and ramifications of the current crisis as well as the possible impacts it could have on us.
Along with every crisis we are also presented with opportunities, and in this case maybe our opportunity is to reflect on our own public image as an organisation and reassess where we stand and what we stand for. We will be talking about how are we currently using social media and how we might be able to better reach the wider public and communicate or message about the importance of Free Software.
See you all there
Event details:
Thursday 17th October, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

Software Freedom Day - 21st of September 2019

Ben Minerds — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 14:00:00 +0000

Free Software Melbourne and Linux Users Victoria are celebrating the 16th annual Software Freedom Day celebrations in Melbourne and we're going to be hosting a series of talks about using Free and Open Source Software in the real world.
We're going to be talking about what even is Free and Open Source software and why is Free Software so important we want to dedicate a whole day to it. We're also going to talk about using free software for audio production, and how open source is used in the development of open hardware and some demonstrations of projects you could even build yourself. We'll also be having plenty of networking opportunities and introductions to many of Melbourne's Free and Open Source technology groups and organizations.
Entry is free any time and Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event welcoming to anyone, pass on the word to help make it a great day for everyone. We do have a code of conduct on our website, but in short: Be respectful. Be mindful. Work together.
We'll have light snacks and sodas available gratis throughout the afternoon and at the conclusion of the day we usually continue discussions over dinner along the nearby Errol st, so feel free to join us if you're enjoying the conversations.
Hope to see you all at Electron Workshop on the 21st for another exciting Software Freedom Day!

Details</h3>
Date: Saturday the 21st of September
Time: Talks starting at 1:00pm and wrapping up about 5:30pm
Location: Electron Workshop co-working space
Address: 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434</a>
Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Parking: On street parking in the area
Code of Conduct: </code-of-conduct/>
Software Freedom Day website: http://wiki.softwarefreedomday.org/2019/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/Free%20Software%20Melbourne%20and%20Linux%20Users%20Victoria</a>
Time Table</h3>
1:00 - Welcomes and Introductions
1:15 - Paul - Why Free Software is Vital for Freedom
2:00 - Damien - Freedom for Musicians
3:15 - Open Source community get together
4:00 - David - Open Hardware
5:30 - Official event ending
6:00 - Dinner at Errol St

Submission to the Review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018

Unknown — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 00:37:00 +0000

Below is the text of our submission in regards to the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018.
Free Software Melbourne is an organization of free software users and advocates and we represent the Australian network of Free Software users and developers. Part of our work involves raising awareness of the benefits of strong encryption and teaching people how to use encryption, it is in that capacity that we make this submission and would like make our strong opposition known to the Australian Federal Government, the opposition, other political parties and everyone within the community.
The Access Assistance and Bill, or Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act as legislated in December 2018, is a badly-put together piece of legislation that will not only have negative consequences for Australian technologists and IT companies both financially and in terms of reputation but also puts Australia at the forefront of disrespecting and eroding privacy, free speech and citizens' rights.
There are many points to address, sadly the government has given its constituents a very brief time to respond and so we would like to make a few salient points, although this is by no means an exhaustive list:

The current government has chosen to introduce some of the most regressive and damaging legislation in the Western World. This will position Australia as a model of anti-democratic and repressive forces. It has done so despite wide condemnation and concern by industry and various bodies such as, for example, the Australian Human Rights Commission. </li>

The legislation aims to compel companies and individuals to act as spies at the behest of the government and its various agencies such as ASIO, Department of Home Affairs, Federal Police and the Australian Signals Directorate. This list is sure to increase just as it did when the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Act 2015 was passed. </li>

Australia, for example, has condemned Chinese companies like Huawei and will not allow them to work on national infrastructure projects but is itself using similar practices. </li>

Due to the uncertainties of the current and potentially future requirements on companies operating from Australia, this bill makes Australia substantially less attractive for tech companies, which may choose to not operate from, or in, Australia as a result. </li>

The legislation will weaken security and privacy for most users, for example, by introducing malware in the guise of operating system updates which makes all operating system updates suspicious and leaves users/the public vulnerable to security exploits. On the other hand, perhaps those who are being targeted can review and manage their own packages and not picking up these updates, thus rendering the whole operation void. These more sophisticated users are still free to move to other platforms that they have control over. </li>

Other organizations in Australia have also publicly expressed concern over the legislation, such as the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). AIIA CEO Ron Gauci recently stated “The Act is likely to negatively impact the competitiveness of Australian software and hardware manufacturers in international markets. We believe this could result in declining employment and export revenue, and consequently a significant reduction in local R&D and manufacturing" </li>

The Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) have also noted that "Future jobs aren't coming from manufacturing, they will come from tech - Australian tech can be world class, but not if people don't trust us." </li> </ul>
While there are many more legal, economic, moral and feasibility reasons to object to this legislation, unfortunately the time available for preparing our submission for this review is limited and we have been compelled to submit our objections as they stand.
We ask therefore that the Committee to consider our objections and those raised by other industry groups and experts, and not to do so lightly.
Yours sincerely,
Free Software Melbourne Membership

FSM August 15th 2019 - Favorite Free Software

Unknown — Mon, 05 Aug 2019 09:22:30 +0000

The world is always changing and so is the Free Software world, it can be difficult for folks to figure out what software is really worth looking into. With that we are having a 'Favorite Free Software' event. From distro's to audio/video software and heavy lifting work programs. For software for your top end PC down to your older phones, there is always something great in Free Software that can help you do more of what you want. We will show you some of the great free software available and hope that you will show us something great as well.
This is a no cost non-technical event and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend it you want, the more the merrier. Bring a computer or just bring yourself.
Event will be at Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street - North Melbourne. Doors open at 6pm with the event starts at 6:30pm. Afterwards will be the usual Dinner in North Melbourne were we can continue the discussion were ever it may go.

FSM June 20th - Open Source Games Night - MineTest

Ben Minerds — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 01:00:00 +0000

Hi Everyone,
After a few months of campaigning on the Assistance and Access Bill we thought this month we should lighten it up with a bit of fun and games.
I've recently stumbled upon MineTest which is an Open Source sandbox game made up of giant voxels. It's got all the usual bits and bobs you might expect from a game of this type like tools, minerals, plants and structures. It's also has a whole world of mods to explore and extend the default experience. There are some interesting public servers we could explore as a group or we could create our own local worlds too. So pick up your trusty pick-axe (or laptop) and come along to try out MineTest with us.
As usual doors open at 6, we'll kick it off at 6:30 and plan to finish up about 8:30pm when we'll head down to Errol st for some tasty cuisine and great discussions.
See you all there!
Thursday 20th June, 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

Free Software Melbourne meeting, Thursday, 18 April, Assistance and Access Act + Gnews

Ben Minerds — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 15:00:00 +0000

Next meeting of Free Software Melbourne
When: Thursday, 18 April 2019, 6.30-8.00pm (doors open at 6pm)
Where: Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne
(See below for how to get there.)
What: Work together on Assistance and Access Act
As you are probably aware, what is commonly called the
Assistance and Access Act was rushed through Federal Parliament
just before Christmas last year. The Opposition went along with
it, but on the condition that the act be reviewed. That review
is now happening, so we have a second chance to advocate for the
repeal of this act, or at least for amendments to ameliorate its
worst effects.
This act has given the Government unprecedented powers to break
encryption, with too little accountability. In addition to the
obvious threat to the legitimate privacy of ordinary citizens,
the act is inflicting collateral damage on the Australian tech
industry, as Australian companies and Australian employees are
perceived globally as untrustworthy, being too easily subject to
secret government orders to break encryption of customers and
employers.
So, please come along to our next FSM meeting, find out what you
can do about this act, and as you can help us with our campaign.
As well as making a submission to the review, it could involve
contacting politicians, and coordinating with like-minded
groups. Your ideas welcome. Have your say!
And there'll be lots of delicious Gnews, as gnusual.
This is a non-technical event and all are welcome. Afterwards
we will have our customary dinner in North Melbourne, and we can
continue any discussion that will have arisen. Thanks to the
good people of Electron Workshop for providing us our meeting
venue.
Electron Workshop have a map:
https://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
They suggest the #57 tram. Get off at the Errol Street /
Queensberry Street intersection, walk down the hill along Errol
Street, and turn right into Arden Street. The #402 bus and the
#58 and #59 trams also pass reasonably close.
See you there!
— Les Kitchen, on behalf of the FSM committee.
_______________________________________________
Free-software-melb mailing list
Free-software-melb@lists.softwarefreedom.com.au
https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb
Free Software Melbourne home page: http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/melb

DRM in Action

Unknown — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 03:34:36 +0000

DRM in action
It has recently come to our attention a good example of how proprietary software combined with DRM (Digital Rights Restrictions) can directly impact the programs that people use.
Here is a blog entry titled 'I tried creating a web browser, and Google blocked me'.
This is in relation the use of Widevine technology. It is a non-free technology that powers DRM for online streaming video (dis)services. It powers the likes of Netflix, Facebook, Amazon etc. It is used to take away your rights to view the works as you wish and forces you to use non-free programs on your machines.
The overall issue is that a developer is trying to make a web browser but they are limited in functionality because Google will not give them the rights to implement the Widevine technology via a non-free addon. Of note is the comment from Google Support, "I'm sorry but we're not supporting an open source solution like this". This brings up two distinct issues.
Firstly that they are actively not willing to work with a program that is non-free, thus forcing people to produce programs that restrict the users and their ability to run the programs. Essentially unless you produce a program that Google doesn't approve of then you will not be allowed to make it as you wish.
Secondly, that open source is not free software. If Google had allowed this program to use the Widevine technology, the program could still be technically considered open-source with a 3rd party proprietary add-on. If this was free software, putting this add-on in would make it non-free and would be in violation of the licenses put in place to protect you the user.
We have previously mentioned the issue of mono-culture in limiting Internet standards, the last case of this was with Microsoft adoption the Chromium standard for their Edge browser thus reducing the available pool of technology available to the users and giving more control to Google. This is another example of browser functionality being limited. While others are free to make web browsers, the likes of Google can control the technology so that no others can easily compete with their version of the standards. This is essentially a monopoly strong arming the competition out of the way be dictating the rules to other competitors. Developers and users should never be forced into this position and we must demand to be able to use our technology without giving up our freedoms.
Even if the developers of this program were not restricted by Google, we would never recommend a program that would use this kind of restrictive functionality. Not just because it is non-free software, but because it encourages more creative works providers to use DRM to lock down their services. If people do not push back and refuse to use these restrictive systems, it will only get worse for us.
We do not recommend anything other than entirely free software. When it comes to media we do not recommend the use of anything that uses DRM as it is not only needs non-free software to run but it also encourages you to give up your rights. If works are locked behind DRM, we say it is not worth it regardless of the subject matter.

Submission to AssistanceAndAccess2018

Ben Minerds — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

To: pjcis@aph.gov.au
Subject: Submission to the Review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018
Free Software Melbourne is an organization of free software users and advocates and we represent the Australian network of Free Software users and developers. Part of our work involves raising awareness of the benefits of strong encryption and teaching people how to use encryption, it is in that capacity that we make this submission and would like make our strong opposition known to the Australian Federal Government, the opposition, other political parties and everyone within the community.
The Access Assistance and Bill, or Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act as legislated in December 2018, is a badly-put together piece of legislation that will not only have negative consequences for Australian technologists and IT companies both financially and in terms of reputation but also puts Australia at the forefront of disrespecting and eroding privacy, free speech and citizens' rights.
There are many points to address, sadly the government has given its constituents a very brief time to respond and so we would like to make a few salient points, although this is by no means an exhaustive list:

The current government has chosen to introduce some of the most regressive and damaging legislation in the Western World. This will position Australia as a model of anti-democratic and repressive forces. It has done so despite wide condemnation and concern by industry and various bodies such as, for example, the Australian Human Rights Commission. </li>

The legislation aims to compel companies and individuals to act as spies at the behest of the government and its various agencies such as ASIO, Department of Home Affairs, Federal Police and the Australian Signals Directorate. This list is sure to increase just as it did when the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Act 2015 was passed. </li>

Australia, for example, has condemned Chinese companies like Huawei and will not allow them to work on national infrastructure projects but is itself using similar practices. </li>

Due to the uncertainties of the current and potentially future requirements on companies operating from Australia, this bill makes Australia substantially less attractive for tech companies, which may choose to not operate from, or in, Australia as a result. </li>

The legislation will weaken security and privacy for most users, for example, by introducing malware in the guise of operating system updates which makes all operating system updates suspicious and leaves users/the public vulnerable to security exploits. On the other hand, perhaps those who are being targeted can review and manage their own packages and not picking up these updates, thus rendering the whole operation void. These more sophisticated users are still free to move to other platforms that they have control over. </li>

Other organizations in Australia have also publicly expressed concern over the legislation, such as the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA). AIIA CEO Ron Gauci recently stated “The Act is likely to negatively impact the competitiveness of Australian software and hardware manufacturers in international markets. We believe this could result in declining employment and export revenue, and consequently a significant reduction in local R&D and manufacturing" </li>

The Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) have also noted that "Future jobs aren't coming from manufacturing, they will come from tech - Australian tech can be world class, but not if people don't trust us." </li> </ul>
While there are many more legal, economic, moral and feasibility reasons to object to this legislation, unfortunately the time available for preparing our submission for this review is limited and we have been compelled to submit our objections as they stand.
We ask therefore that the Committee to consider our objections and those raised by other industry groups and experts, and not to do so lightly.
Yours sincerely,
Free Software Melbourne Membership
This letter will be available online here: /blog/submission-to-assistanceandaccess2018

Melbourne meetup - 21st February 2019 - All about Mastodon

Unknown — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 07:52:26 +0000

All about Mastodon
A lot of people have not heard of Mastodon, it is a social media service similar to Twitter that you can self host. Its various separately operated user bases are federated across many different sites and its de-centralised nature can mean it will potentially be a lot more resilient compared with other online services. We will show you through it all and why you might be interested in using it.
We will also have the Gnews as usual and discussion about the 'Assistance and Access Bill' that will impact all of us.
This is a non-technical event and all are welcome.
The event is on 6:30PM - Thursday 21st February 2019 at Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street North Melbourne.
Doors open at 6pm and the event will go through to 8pm. Afterwards we will have dinner in North Melbourne as usual and we can continue any discussion that will have arisen.

Keeping up with the giants

Unknown — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 00:24:59 +0000

Keeping up with the giants
The title is a word play on the term 'Keep up with the jones' the idea that for people to be happy then they have to emulate their neighbors in terms of achievements and assets or fear being left behind socially.
A criticism of free software I hear frequently is "This (proprietary software) costs $(x) million dollars to make. How can people give away the same quality software at no cost?". It may seem like a valid argument initially but there are a few issues with statements like these.
The most obvious, you are free to charge for software. There are no restrictions on making money on free software. While there is a very good chance that the software will become no-cost after people have purchased it and used the freedom to redistribute; regardless, this is still a good contribution of society. Generally if the software is good and you have a means of payment, people will support it to keep the working going. In that sense, free software could be one of the most pure examples of basic capitalism at work. Supply and demand without restriction.
The bigger issue is that, to think purely along the lines of 'x money = x output' is to blind ourselves to the potential of communities over a non-free business structure. There are many non-free programs that have hundreds of millions of dollars of development time, Adobe Photoshop is a good example. Despite the huge amount of work put into projects like that, free software with similar functions such as GIMP or Krita have produced similar results with less that 1/100th the money backing them up. They did not sell out their morals to produce the same functional results but infinitely better ethical results.
The idea that a video game needs a Hollywood action movie like budget to be 'fun' - is to miss the point of what games can be. When a perfectly viable an entertaining game can be made on a fraction of the budget while respecting your freedom is possible.
It is possible to have excellent output without needing the budget backing of a small nation.
When we compare free software with non-free software, to make the argument about budget is to miss the point. If we were to let the big players dictate the rules on how to engage people in software, free software would have never happened. In terms of the money we would think it takes millions of dollars to achieve anything and in terms of software ethics, we would think we would have to perform a power play an restrict the users in order to release software.
The psychological factor to this is the idea that more money has been put into a project somehow means it is a better product and yet there is no basis for this. Money is not the issue, it is how the program treats the users. Money is a tool, not a quality measurement device.
If we restricted our thinking to these lines, we would have never even tried to make an alternative. The GNU operating system is a excellent example of what happens when one person (Richard Stallman) goes out and tries to make a difference in the world to then find many like minded people to help achieve something amazing.
There has potentially been billions of dollars in free-software development but it has been diffused over many decades and tens of thousands of projects, all the while turning out amazing results without restricting the user in the process. This should be considered one of the great achievements of the 20th century and beyond.
Even with that amount of money, it is only a small fraction of money that non-free software has controlled directly and untold amounts that are not accounted for by restricting the users. Without that money, software that respects you would still be made out of the pure passion for creation and sharing.

When the Cloud bites

Unknown — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:43:28 +0000

When the Cloud bites
It has come to light that Google has raised the price of their online 'G Suite' service. Google Raises G Suite Prices</a>
This is an excellent example of how if you use an online service that you do not control - you are at the mercy of the provider. Cloud companies have a track record of both raising prices and suddenly withdrawing services. For some people this can be an annoyance, for others they are running key infrastructure on system they do not control. Amazon Web Services (AWS) are a good example. As of 2017, AWS accounted for 34% of all Cloud services</a> - any change they make can disrupt large amount of the online digital world. It is only a matter of time until this happens.
There are other big issues with cloud computing that you can read here Cloud Computing</a>
. We recommend self hosting while using free software to avoid these issues. It can be a little more difficult to do initially but it keeps you the user in total control of the system you own and can allow you to protect the people you serve. It also means that you have the ability to personally fix issues if they arise rather than just waiting, powerless, on the owner of a hosting service to eventually fix these issues - if they fix them.

Pure OS Store

Unknown — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 04:06:51 +0000

It has been announced by Purism that they will be bringing an App store to their Pure OS (Operating System). While the details are light at the moment this does bring up some very important issues in regards to free software.
Pure OS App Store Announcement</a>
Before that a small disclaimer. While we support Purism's Pure OS as it is 100% Free Software, we do not approve of their Laptop hardware. While they are trying to be as privacy aware and Free software powered as possible, their machines still contain the Intel Management Engine - an embedded backdoor into the hardware. Purism have tried to neuter this hardware as much as possible but it is still unknown just how potent what is left in the machine.
The Pure OS app store however will be a interesting idea if is modeled off the popular proprietary app model that a lot of big companies produce. If they are to maintain their RYF - Respect Your Freedom certification from the Free Software Foundation in the US, then this store must provide on 100% Free Software.
This brings up the issue of having apps you have to pay for. While the initial assumption that Free software is talking about price, this is never an issue that needs to addressed. While most free software has no cost, it is not a requirement. You are completely free (as in freedom) to sell any of this software to others so long as you respect the four essential freedoms.

Freedom to Study the program </li>

Freedom to Redistribute the program </li>

Freedom to Modify the program </li>

Freedom to Redistribute the Modified Program </li> </ol>
If Pure OS app store conforms to this then there is a lot of potential for developers to gain from such an arrangement.
If Purism were to charge for this software and were to split the revenue between Purism for hosting and the developer for developing the software, this has the potential to be a very potent means for funding free software.
Hypothetically, say a program like Krita were to be sold for $10 with a 7:3 split on the revenue. The user gets the program and the source code as per the terms of free software. Purism would get $3 for hosting and the developer would get $7 to contribute to their project. It has the potential to be a big win for all involved.
This is just conjecture for the moment but we do hope that this is a model that Purism is considering. If Free Software even had 1/100th the funding of publicly used proprietary software then there would be a big push to develop this software to be even better than it is today.

On Microsoft Edge and the Chromium Engine

Unknown — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 01:27:36 +0000

It has been confirmed in the last week that Microsoft will be changing their Edge web browser to use a free-software/open source render engine in the form of Chromium/Blink.
The rendering engine is the base system that handles a large part of the functionality of the web browser. It typically draws the website for display on the screen and runs the Java script to animate and process the website content.
On the surface this looks like a win for the free software community - however, this is just another move to deeper entrench proprietary technology into free software.
While Microsoft is moving to a more open standard please beware that this new browser is no better than the one provided now. It still uses non-free components that you cannot study, share, modify and share the modified; and it still has a lot of spy ware in the form of website behavior tracking for which Microsoft collects.
There is also the issue that Google has been implementing a lot of functionality into the Chromium system that effectively binds it to non-free programs and functions built by Google. This is Google trying to force dependence on their services and their user tracking. This should not be tolerated.
With Microsoft now adopting this technology base it has further closed the gap on how browser standards are treated. With only two players left in the browser standards field, FireFox and the Chromium based browsers there is the real possibility of Microsoft/Google strong arming a monopoly on technology standards that depend on these non-free components - effectively locking the world wide web into a restrictive system.
While Firefox has a lot of privacy issues, it still uses a free software base renderer that is being heavily developed. The variants of Firefox that strip out the anti-features are still viable and must be supported for a free and open Internet. The are projects like GNU IceCat, A-Browser on Trisquel and Pure Browser on Pure OS - browsers that treat the users right.
Do not support this push towards mono-standards as it will only hurt us long term even if it is the easy path now.

Melbourne December Dinner - 21st December 2018

Unknown — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 07:29:01 +0000

Free Software Melbourne December Dinner
It is the end of yet another great year and as tradition we will be doing away with the formalities and be having an end of year dinner. No Gnews, no talks, no worries! Going against tradition, we will be doing it on a Friday rather than the typical Thursday meetings. That way if you have a Monday to Friday job then you will not have to worry about having to get up early the next day and can just enjoy a good meal and good chat for the end of the week.
Staying close to our normal meetup and dining location we will meet at 7pm at Char Su House on Errol St. This is an event for everyone and new comers are more than welcome to come along.
Friday 21st December 7PM
Address: 37 Errol St, North Melbourne Victoria 3051, Australia
http://www.charsiuhouse.com

Show and Tell / Committee Voting

Unknown — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 00:31:37 +0000

Alan Watts once said "You know you are wearing a comfortable pair of shoes when you are aware of the comfort" or something to that degree. In the same essence, when you know you have a good piece of free software you know how good it is and you just want to share it with the world!
In that essence, it is time for 'Free software Show and tell' when you can show off the great software you use or even some you have built yourself! Discuss what you see or provide recommendations to other.
We will also be conducting our annual committee elections to vote in or out those that help organize Free Software Melbourne/Australia every month. If you are interesting in running then please step forward. Have a nomination for someone, that is all good as well. Maybe I will be pushed out of my spot? Anyones guess nowadays.
This is a non-technical event and all are welcome.
The event is on 6:30PM - Thursday 15th November 2018 at Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street North Melbourne.
Doors open at 6pm and the event will go through to 8pm. Afterwards we will have dinner in North Melbourne as usual and we can continue any discussion that will have arisen.

October 18th 2018 - Spring Libre Games Night

Unknown — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:36:54 +0000

Greetings fellow freedom lovers, it is that time of the month again. We might not be Druids celebrating the change of the seasons but we do celebrate a similar quarterly event - our Libre Games Night!
Time once again to come together and have a good time as we complete and co-operate in all manner of games both free and libre. We can show you new titles to try out or just have fun with your current favorites. If you need help installing some on your own machine then we are more than happy to help out and get you playing.
If you don't have your own computer we will try and provide you with one for the evening. This is a non-technical event and all are welcome.
The event is on 6:30PM - Thursday 18th October 2018 at Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street North Melbourne. Doors open at 6pm and the event will go through to 8pm. Afterwards we will have dinner in North Melbourne as usual and we can continue any discussion that may (Almost definitely!) have arisen.

Sept 15th - Software Freedom Day 2018!

Ben Minerds — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 10:00:58 +0000

It's time again to get excited about all the benefits of Free and Open Source Software have given us over the past year and get together to talk about how Freedom and Openness can improve our human rights, our privacy, our security and our communities. It's Software Freedom Day!
Free Software Melbourne and Linux Users Victoria are celebrating the 15th annual Software Freedom Day with talks about Open Data, Free and Open Source Software, Open Hardware and of course Linux. We'll also be having plenty of networking opportunities and introductions to local open source technology groups.
Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event and we have a code of conduct we follow. In short: Be respectful. Be mindful. Work together. Please invite anyone that is interested along to help make it a great day.
Entry is free any time with light refreshments on site (snacks and sodas) and the delightful culinary options of nearby Errol st at the conclusion of proceedings.
Hope to see everyone on the 15th for a fantastic Software Freedom Day 2018.
Details
Date: Saturday the 15th September
Time: Talks starting at 1:00pm and wrapping up at 5:00pm
Location: Electron Workshop co-working space
Address: 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434
Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Parking: Plenty of on street parking in the area
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct/
Time Table:
2:00 - 2:15 Software Freedom Day Introduction
2:15 - 3:00 Brian May - Open Hardware (Robotica)
3:15 - 3:45 Open Source and Free Software Community Get Together
3:45 - 4:30 Maia Sauren - Open Community
4:30 - 5:15 Fiona Tweedie - Open Data/Gov
5:15 - 5:30 Closing

Melbourne Meetup - Free Software/Open Source licences and why do they matter

Unknown — Sat, 11 Aug 2018 10:13:33 +0000

Hey there freedom lovers,
It is that time of the month again where we get together to dig deep into all things digital freedom.
This month Ben Minders will be talking about Open Source licences and why do they matter. It is one thing to make the worlds best program, it is another issue to inform the users how they are allowed to use it. If you don't know what license is best for your work and how the users can use it; you can be left in the lurch. Can you share with others? Are modifications allowed? Can you even use it with other programs? This is a talk that can guide you to allocate a license for a project or if you are just using the programs, to help you choose programs that treat you fairly.
There will also be the usual Gnews of the month followed by dinner and discussion at KL Bunga Raya after the event.
Doors open at 6pm with the main event starting at 6:30pm and dinner to follow in North Melbourne after 8:00 pm.
This is a non-technical event and all guest are welcome.
Thursday 16th August, 2018 6:30-8:00pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496 or 0433 96 96 77

FSM May 19 - Contribute to Trove

Ben Minerds — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 09:02:58 +0000

The Trove search engine provides access to content from Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) and is a rich and deep source of Australian history and culture covering content such as newspapers, journals, maps, diaries, correspondence, photos, music, objects and artworks. It enables searching and sorting the items using various criteria such as the publication, date, geography, author, content and other metadata...but did you know we can make it even better?
This month we'll go through setting up an account on Trove and see how we can contribute to this valuable collection of Australian heritage. We'll review some old documents that have been run through optical character recognition and confirm or correct the text to improve future accessibility and search. We'll also see how easy it is to add tags to any item to help discoverability and we'll also talk about useful commenting and the new user lists
After the Trove session Michael will take us through all the Free and Open Source Gnews for the month. Then we'll head down to Errol street for dinner and more Open Source chatter.
This will be a hands on session working with Trove so try and bring a laptop or tablet to work from. See you all on Thursday the 19th at Electron Workshop for Free Software Melbourne July.
Event details
Thursday 19th July, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496

Free as in Freedom

Unknown — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 11:47:49 +0000

While we are not directly affiliated with the Free Software Foundation in the US, it is very obvious how much we are infulenced by their work.
In particular is the works of Richard Stallman and as a part of this is the three books that have been produced by the Free Software Foundation - "Free as in Freedom".
The first version of this was released in 2002 by Sam Williams. It profiles the founder of the Free software movement and the motivations for producing the movement. It is done mostly in a 'summer read' biography style about the founder and less about the works that where produced.
The second version is a revised version of the book by Richard Stallman. It is a unique piece of work in that it is a biography has been produced both by a biographer and said subject.
Third edition is a complete summary of Stallmans essays from GNU.org and is a great piece of work that shoudl be given to people that want to learn about the free software movement. While this is titled "Free Software Free Society" it is considered version 3.
Over the last decade or so it has become somewhat difficult to find copies of these books, even online. For those who it may concern, we have compiled these books so that they are all in one place.
Free as in Freedom Version 1</a>
Free as in Freedom Version 2</a>
Free as in Freedom Version 3 AKA Free Software Free Society.</a>

Games Night 🎮

Ben Minerds — Sat, 09 Jun 2018 17:56:20 +0000

Our last games night was so successful that we thought, “why not do it again!?” And that is what we are doing. All things Libre and games, this time we will be able to show off some new games while we are at it rather than just being sucked into a multiplayer matches of Free Doom or Hedgewars. That said it that happens again, it is fun regardless. ;)
So come along, join in and bring a friend to show what can be done when games are free for all to use and share. Bring a laptop or use one of the ones provided.
Afterwards will be the usual with dinner in North Melbourne were we can chat about anything and everything Free and Open Source.
Event is on 21st June at Electron Workshop - 31 Arden Street. Doors open at 6pm with the event starting at 6:30pm. This is a non technical event and all are welcome.
21st June 2018 6:30PM
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

Melbourne - May 2018 Meetup - Contribute to Wikipedia

Unknown — Mon, 14 May 2018 00:48:25 +0000

Melbourne Meetup - 17th May 2018 - Contribute to Wikipedia
Jimmy Wales is a mad man. Not in the same vein as those that launch cars with dodgy power trains into space on a Rocket for marketing glory; but mad in that he decided to put his chips into crowd sourcing information at no cost. To trust in the community to make the most diverse and accurate encyclopedia than had ever been created. Wikipedia has proved that what sounds ‘pie-in-the-sky’ unlikely can sometimes work and produce the best results. They forked the idea of GNUpedia and made it happen. Now you can learn how to contribute to this great library.
Ben Minerds will guide you on how to contribute to Wikipedia and improve it for all to use. With a brief introduction we might even have you contributing on the very night and grow this information community just a little bit more.
Afterwards we will have the monthly Gnews followed by dinner in North Melbourne.
This is a non-technical event and all are welcome to join in.
Do note that we have adjusted our starting time due to Winter and the ever increasing Melbourne traffic.
Event is held at Electron Workshop at 31 Arden Street on 17th May 2018 and will now be opening doors at 6:30pm with start of proceedings at 7pm.
Here is a link to the presentation in pdf format</a>.

The Flux Party and the Gnews

Ben Minerds — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 13:06:51 +0000

Hey Free/Libre and Open Source Supporters,
This month we will be joined by a representitive of the Flux party to discuss the state of issue-based direct democracy in Australia.
The Flux Party is a tool Australians can use to directly participate in parliament. Flux is a party during the election but once there are elected Flux Party MP’s and senators that’s where the difference begins. Your Flux representatives give up their autonomy and vote according to the people. They cast their votes in line with the outcomes produced by the Flux ecosystem comprised of ordinary Aussies like you.
You can checkout the flux website or join the party (it's free as in $0) here: https://voteflux.org
After the discussion we will have our regular Gnews segment and then head down to Errol street for dinner and Free/Libre and Open Source Small-talk.
Hope to see you at 6:30pm on Thursday the 19th of April at Electron Workshop for our regular Free Software Melbourne meet-up.
Event details
Thursday 19th Apr, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496

March Meetup - Libre Games Night!

Unknown — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 06:50:29 +0000

Computer games are great fun! What can make them even better is when they are free as in freedom! Games that have the potential to be changed in anyway you and your friends wish. Because it is fun, this month’s meet-up we will be going over and playing games that treat you right.
If you have no idea what is out there then come a long and there might be something you like. If you know of something that others would be interested in then come along and enlighten us.
Doors open at 6pm with the main event starting at 6:30pm and dinner to follow in North Melbourne after 8:30 pm.
All are welcome.
Thursday 15th March, 2018 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

Oculus does not serve you

Unknown — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 03:07:33 +0000

On 7th March 2018 all Oculus Virtual Reality headsets were rendered effectively useless.
The reason for this was because of “an issue with our software certification…”. Essentially to get programs certified on Windows you can to be given permission by Microsoft to allow you to run the program on their operating system. Because of issues like this, it is possible for permission to use programs to be removed at any time by Microsoft for whatever reason they see fit or for the certification to expire because the developer did not update it or Microsoft will not or cannot issue a new one.
In this case it is because the certificates that allows to program to run has expired. This is due to an oversight on the developers part on how the time stamps are formed. As much as it is considered an easy fix for the developers, it is a near impossible local fix for the users. It is an excellent example of how you the user are not in control of your software. As much as certification has the sole purpose of controlling the users. If you run a whole free software system this is not possible as you have the final control over your machines, the software they run and the hardware that relies on it. If a certificate program is created in free software, you are free to remove it.
When it comes to hardware like the Oculus, you should not buy it. Doing so supports this system of oppression and only encourages other companies to do the same. Unless you can study, share, modify and redistribute the software freely, it is not working for you but someone else.
You can read more over at Tech Crunch - https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/07/all-of-oculuss-rift-headsets-have-stopped-working-due-to-an-expired-certificate</a>

Rendering PDFs into Text/HTML with Free Software

Unknown — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 10:49:38 +0000

Hey there freedom lovers,
It is that time of the month again where we get together to discuss all things digital freedom. This month Tatiana Lenz is going to be talking about her experience as a Fellow with Code for Australia, working within the Victorian State Government's digital innovation program "Code for Victoria II - Women in Tech." Tatiana will touch on a couple of things:- the idea of civic tech, the inclusion program that was specifically aimed at recruiting women, building capability and empathy within the Public Service and the use of FOSS software.
Technically Tatiana will walk through the solution the team came up with, using free software, for rendering PDFs into text and HTML in order to make them accessible.
There will also be the usual Gnews of the month followed by dinner and discussion at KL Bunga Raya after the event Doors open at 6pm with the main event starting at 6:30pm and dinner to follow in North Melbourne after 8:30 pm.
All are welcome. Thursday 15th February, 2018 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/ Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

Amazon Echo’s to big brother

Unknown — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 05:15:39 +0000

Recent reports have shown that Amazon will not disclose exactly what information they gather from the voice activated ‘Amazon Echo’ device.
ZDNet - Amazon the least transparent tech company.</a>
The Echo is an always on listening device that allows people to speak queries and get a verbal answers. All this information is processed and stored off site on an Amazon server. This means Amazon is collecting and storing audio recordings of peoples houses for later use. Amazon claims this is to improve the accuracy of the voice commands. This is probably not a lie as it is part of the data processing but it is not the only use of this information. Having a giant storage of millions of homes recording is a power grab and a tool that can be used against the people.
Privacy does not exist when there is 'an always on' listening recording device is present.
The base functionality is not an issue. If this service was run locally on the users computer then there would not be a major problem. To store and process information in your own home is not an injustice to you as you control your information. You can change, delete and even share this information if you so wish – you would retain control.
Having the data is sent off site for processing and storage is a malicious act - it ishanding the information straight to Big Brother. It serves Amazon, Governments and 3rd parties that wish to purchase this information as the main beneficiaries. Only after those have been satisfied will they serve the customer. Large companies like Amazon will only change their tune when they fear being caught out. The risk of losing profits rather than the fear of mistreating people that they act.
They prioritise convenience so that people can be sucked into their data capture system. Mass surveillance devices and the data they collection can be used against people that oppose those in power. Either this can lead to a situation where democracy is undermined by force or people stop voicing their thoughts for fear of being recorded and persecuted. This is called social cooling (https://www.socialcooling.com/). In peaceful times these ideas seem far fetched and alarmist but the swings of power can change quickly and be exploited very rapidly.
The Echo is a prime demonstration of these problems. It is not alone in these issues. Google Home, Microsoft Cortana and Apple HomePod all function in the same fashion and all mistreat the users equally.
They are all proprietary products. The software is non-free thus hiding this function from the users; unable to see exactly what is being sent or to make changes so that it can work for the users wishes – such as work offline or with a local computer system or only run at certain times. Any device of this nature that does not allow you to install, modify and share the software is attacking your freedom to use it as you please.
If someone respects their privacy, they will not use these devices or even talk near them. If a machine like this is to exist then it must work for the user and no one else. Without transparency to those that use it, then you cannot trust it.


An Intro to F-Droid - Show and Tell

Unknown — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 08:58:12 +0000

Hey there freedom folks, happy GNU year to you all! The education and support of software freedom continues. Typically we think of computer software only on Desktop and Laptop computers, in our community this typically means GNU/Linux. But we also use mobile devices where security and privacy are just as important.
While Android is built on a base of free software, most phone comes preloaded with lots of non-free applications. Typically these are from Google and its app store. To that end, the community has developed a free software alternative called F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/) which distrobutes only free software applications. Media playback, business applications, graphics and games – there is something for everyone on F-Droid that respects your freedoms.
This month we will show you why you should choose this software over the non-free programs, how to install and use F-Droid and include some application recommendations to get you on your way. All questions are welcome as we can help out with any issues.
There will also be the usual Gnews segment and afterwards will be dinner at a local restaurant where the conversation can continue.
This is a non technical event and everyone is invited to join us. Event starts at 6:30PM Thursday 18th January at Electron Workshop – 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne.
Hope to see you there!

On Meltdown and Spectre exploits

Unknown — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 22:23:13 +0000

It has been revealed that there are‭ two major exploits that exist in the vast majority of computers the world over. Unlike most typical exploits that are a result of security issues in software, these newly discovered issues result from purely hardware based problems.
See here for full details of the exploit - https://meltdownattack.com/</a>
‭Meltdown impacts only those with Intel based processors. It is an issue that allows software to potentially run outside of its defined memory bounds. This means a malicious program has the potential to read private information on your computer such as personal passwords used for website logins, file encryption, banking etc. An equivalent would be if your neighbours could walk into your house unannounced and look around at everything you had. While they wouldn’t directly steal any physical objects they could see all your private details of your life and use them against you if they so wish.
‭For those running a free software based GNU/Linux system, the community has produced software solution that will mitigate the issues of Meltdown. A good example of how free software can allow us, the users, to control their computing rather than waiting for a controlling company to issue a patch when they see fit. That is if they even produce one for the users system.
‭Spectre is a similar issue that impacts almost every modern computer build since the mid 90‘s due to a similar functioning hardware flaw. It is much more difficult to be exploited however. This is an exploit that cannot be directly patched since it is related to how computers process instructions. The only way to avoid having this flaw is to either use a computer built before 1995 or wait for the next generation of computer to come along. That said those computers nowadays will mistreat you as they are typically running the Intel (Mis)Management Engine or the AMD Platform Sercurity Processor - both which take control away from you.
‭There are solutions being developed in the free software community to help prevent these attack vectors from being accessible to malicious players. In the last week - ‬Free software projects such as program compilers like GCC and browsers like those based on Firefox have put into place fixes that should prevent the majority of potential threats. While it is not a perfect fix, it is the most viable.
‭There are a few long term issues in regards to Meltdown and Spectre that relate to free technology.
‭The need for Free Hardware Designs is more important than ever (‬https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-hardware-designs.html</a>). Having all designs for computer processors available to everyone to read, modify and share. The functional and ethical benefits of free software can be used to improve hardware design so that it doesn’t mistreat the users and so that potential issues can be studied and fixed before they become an issue.
In the case of Intel (and majority of processor/technology companies), they do not allow anyone outside of their corporate organisation know how these chips work and thus they can intentionally hide these issues from the public, as was the case with these current issues. This is a power play that has put potentially billions of peoples personal information at risk of being leaked and used against them. There also definitely are other issues that are being hidden from the public and in light of these attacks this information is slowly coming out.
These companies have tried to cover up these issues before.
https://www.itwire.com/security/81328-when-f00f-bug-hit-20-years-ago,-intel-reacted-the-same-way.html</a>
‭With Free Software it is possible to use software that has been audited by others to ensure that it doesn’t not have any malicious features that use these exploits. If any issues are discovered then the users are in control and can actively fix the issue as a community. With Proprietary Non-free software the users are completely hat the mercy of the software developers.
‭As computer hardware gets ever more complex, it becomes easier for hardware designers to hide malicious functionality. Intentional or not. More we need to demand the need for Free hardware design, it is no longer something that can be ignored. In combination with Free Software, this can ensure that the users have control of the products they own.

Amazon Fire TV has Youtube blocked by Google

Unknown — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 02:12:58 +0000

As we enter 2018 a stark reminder of the power of online service providers and the restrictive software on their own devices has come to our attention.
The Amazon Fire TV is a device that a user plugs into the TV to get all sorts of streaming video content. The device is proprietary and as such you are entirely at the will of the parent company, Amazon, in regards to what content you can watch and what programs you can run. Amazon does a lot of nasty things to people on the service from login everyone purchases, tracking what people are reading through to large scale tax dodging and poor worker treatment and this latest issue is just another damning issue for the company. Amazon and Google are currently engaging in a corporate battle for living room video streaming services. The battle is between allowing Amazon content on the Google devices and the Google content allowed on the Amazon devices. This initially started with Amazon not allowing people to buy Google products via their online store as a means to push their online video platform. Google has responded by removing support for their own platform - YouTube - to run on Amazon based devices. This is a case of abuse of power by both companies involved with the users losing out. Both companies are to blame.
Google by disallowing their service on a competitor device, and Amazon for disallowing the users from using their own programs to continue access to these service. With Free software, the users would still be in control of the programs that dictate what can be accessed. With the users in control, those that provide the service have to support the many that wish to use the service.
If the people control the access point, the companies will support the access of the data from their services. The power in the hands of the many not the few. Without this setup these services almost always mistreat the user in a power grab. To begin with by not allowing the user to make copies and share the content they receive on the devices they own through to a combination of proprietary software, even on websites via non-free Java Script/Plugins, in combination with proprietary video formats locked up with DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) means that you are entirely under control by an external entity.
Netflix, Youtube, Amazon Video – all these services and many similar all mistreat the users and you should say “No way!” if offered to view or host video on these sites. The convenience they provide is merely a trap to get you sucked into their structure of mistreatment.
For more information on this issue please go to this link.
http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/google-blocks-youtube-fire-tv-echo-show-1202631248/</a>

Non-free Android applications always listening

Unknown — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 23:46:28 +0000

It has been brought to our attention that there are now a few hundered applications on the Android platform that are using the microphone on the users phones to listen to what they are watching on TV all without the users knowledge.
There are two main issues with this.
Firstly, this is one of the faults of using non-free software. Without the ability for people other than the developers to see how these applications are built, there is no easy way for others to figure out if the developers are hidding these ‘non-features’. It the program is initially free, they are also less likely to try and put these function into programs.
Secondly is the privacy issues on the users that their personal information is being collected with their explicit knoledge. This is a power play that only stands to negatively impact all those that are using this applications. This is an example of how when users are forced into an uncontrolable power sturcture such as a non-free application store, it is only a matter of time until those make this applications will use it against the users whether they know it or not.
The only way you can potentially avoid these kinds of issues is to use only free software. For Android this means getting it from a source like F-Droid (https://f-droid.org/</a>), the 100% free software application store. While Android in its typical form will still send out your private information via the invasive Google applications that are typically on by default, using free software for all other functions will help you to retain control over your own machines and the information on them.
You can read more on this over at the XDA Developers website.
https://www.xda-developers.com/android-apps-tracking-mic-always-listening/</a>

FSM at Meetup Mixup Melbourne

Ben Minerds — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 11:46:53 +0000

Ho ho ho Freedom Lovers
It's almost time for Christmas, but before then we'll meetup one last time to talk about all things freedom and open source. This year our meetup is by chance on the same night as the Meetup Mixup Melbourne, and we thought it might be fun to join the community for a celebration and a bit of Christmas cheer. So join us Thursday the 21st of December from 6:00 pm at the Loop Bar.
Tickets booked in advance are only $8.80 (or $10.00 at the door). We'll try to set up a table with FSM signage so we'll be super easy to find. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Event details
Thursday 21st December, 6:00-late
LOOP Project Space & Bar, 23 Meyers Place
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2689166177</a>
Event link: https://melbourne.meetupmixup.com/</a>

Free Software Show and Tell

Ben Minerds — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 12:58:04 +0000

Hi Software Freedom Lovers
It's November! and that's the time of the year when we look back and think about the Free Software that has improved our lives and given us all so much joy thorough the year. So join us this Thursday at Electron Workshop for our "Free Software Show and Tell" where we'll go round the group and each talk for a few minutes about the Free and Open Source Software that has made a difference for us this year.
It can be something you've just heard about and it sparked your interest or something you've come to rely upon day in and day out.
At 6:30 we'll will kick it off with our regular Gnews segment to get our tongues flapping and then we'll get stuck into the show and tells. We'll end the evening with pizza at Electron Workshop for dinner (vegetarians catered for, celiacs/others ping me and we'll arrange something)
I learned a few new tricks last year at the Show and Tell and it's always a fun night. Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Event details
Thursday 16th Nov, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

FSM Oct 19th - An intro to D# and the Gnews

Damien Zammit — Sat, 14 Oct 2017 05:32:42 +0000

Hey Free Software lovers, this month we will be joined by Elmer Bool to
discuss d#. Elmer has been in roles such as software developer, QA
analyst, business analyst and project manager over the past 15 years.
d# is a free and open source project which aims to create and support a
more simplified and streamlined Universal Language for communications
between humans, as well as humans and AI. It aims to become a platform
for new apps that will refactor, redesign, recentralize and/or enhance
existing apps and data to help users solve challenges including those
related to their freedoms, security, and privacy.
With any luck, we will also be helping one of our founding members
install coreboot onto his pc during the meeting which we hope will bring us
one step closer to software freedom.
After this, we will have our regular Gnews segment and then head down to
Errol street for dinner and continued fun.
Hope to see you at 6:30pm on Thursday 19th October at Electron Workshop
for our monthly Free Software Melbourne meet-up.
Event details
Thursday 19th Oct, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496

FSM Sept 16th - Software Freedom Day 2017!

Ben Minerds — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 14:25:06 +0000

It's that time of the year where we celebrate our freedoms in technology and raise a ruckus about all the freedoms that have been eroded away. The time of the year we look at how we might keep our increasingly digital lives under our our own control and prevent prying eyes from seeing things they shouldn't. You guessed it: It's Software Freedom Day!
Free Software Melbourne, in conjunction with Linux Users Victoria, is celebrating the 14th annual Software Freedom Day with talks from Linux Users Victoria, Electronic Frontiers Australia and the F-Droid app store. We'll also be having plenty of networking opportunities, introductions to local technology groups and a Linux installfest. So bring down that old pc you were about to throw away and give it a new coat of Debian and bring it back to life!
We have a Code of conduct online which we follow. In short: Be respectful. Be mindful. Work together. Link provided below. This is the a family friendly event, please invite anyone that is interested along to help make it a great day
Entry is free anytime, so help spread the word on everyone’s liberties. Tea, Coffee and light refreshments will be provided gratis
Hope to see all your happy faces at the event (you don't have to be happy, but be there!)
Time Table

12:00pm - Doors open</li>
12:15pm - Introduction to FOSS with FSM</li>
1:00pm - Michael Verrenkamp - Welcome and Gnews for the year</li>
1:15pm - Jon Lawrence - Electronic Frontiers Australia</li>
2:15pm - OS Community get together - Community group introductions</li>
2:45pm - Break and Installfest (Debian focused)</li>
3:15pm - Andrew Pam - Linux</li>
4:15pm - Peter Serwylo - F-Droid</li>
6:00pm - End Day... Dinner at KL Bangra</li> </ul>
Details

Date: Saturday the 16th September</li>
Location: Electron Workshop co-working space</li>
Address: 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne</li>
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434</li>
Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</li>
Parking: Plenty of 2 hour parking in the area</li>
Code of Conduct: /code-of-conduct/</li> </ul>

FSM Aug 17th - Games Night 🎮

Ben Minerds — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 12:36:01 +0000

Hi freedom lovers,
This month at Free Software Melbourne we're going to get together and gave some fun playing, demoing and talking Free Software Games.
At some point in the games we'll take a break for the usual Gnews and catch up on recent happenings in digital freedoms.
Doors open at 6pm with the main event starting at 6:30pm and dinner to follow at KL Bunga Raya (www.klbungaraya.com.au) when we wrap up.
So bring yourself or bring a friend, but be sure to bring a laptop and a few of your favorite games! All are welcome as this is most definitely a non-technical event.
Thursday 17th August, 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

FSM Jul 20th - What is Free Software and Why is it Important

Ben Minerds — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 05:46:55 +0000

Greetings freedom lovers, it is that time of the month again where we get together to discuss all things digital freedom. What you love and what you worry about, all views are welcome.
This month it to be started with a small talk following by discussion of the topic; “What is Free Software and Why is it important. (or what’s wrong with proprietary software anyway? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )”
Societies across the globe rely on computers, phones and data networks for communication, trade, collaboration, and entertainment. The software (applications) that runs on computers, servers and phones allow users to email, write letters, record movies, play songs, conduct business, order items from around the world and keep in
touch with friends (to name just a few).
The software that we use everyday was created by companies, collaborative efforts or individuals from across the world. Many of the applications we use are proprietary software that the user cannot easily or legally change, copy or study. Even though we usually pay for the proprietary software we use, we don’t have full control of it, it has control over what we can do.
Hence, there has been a movement to use Free Software that explicitly allows the user to copy, study, modify and run the software we use. So that the user has control over what their computer, phone or other devices can or cannot do.
This talk will explain in non-technical language what is "Free Software" and why is it important for society? It will be a general discussion suitable for anyone in the community (i.e. non-geeks, non-gurus and non-nerds are all very welcome).
Further, we will discuss how the Free Software Melbourne can help promote the awareness and use of Free Software by anyone who users a computer or smart device.
After the discussion there will be the usual Gnews for the month... it's not pleasant this month but we will keep you up to date with everything Free Software. However chins up, we will keep fighting for freedom.
Doors open at 6pm with the main event starting at 6:30pm and dinner to follow in North Melbourne at 8pm.
So bring yourself or bring a friend. All are welcome as this is a non-technical event.
Thursday 20th July, 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

FSM Working Group July 6th - Preparing a "Licencing GovHack Projects" Talk

Ben Minerds — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 09:13:58 +0000

Hey Free Software Hackers,
The big item on the agenda at the working group this month is converting the current hackathon pamphlet material into a talk and some accompanying notes for the speaker to fall back on
GovHack is just around the corner so we'd better get cracking. We're also keen to hear from any volunteers who want to present the material at GovHack or form our own FSM GovHack team
Join us at The Leveson at 6:30 on Thursday the 6th of July, where we'll prepare the content that goes to GovHack and enjoy some tasty food and beverage. Feel free to drop any suggestions in the FSM Riot channel too #freesoftwaremelb:matrix.zammit.org
See you there.
Thursday 6th July, 6:30-8:00pm
Location: The Leveson (46 Leveson St, North Melbourne)
Having trouble finding us? Call 0419 390 496

Open Letter to AMD

Ben Minerds — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:47:54 +0000

An open letter to AMD on the importance of "putting people first" from Free Software Melbourne</h3>
corporate.pressinquiry@amd.com</a> To Dr. Lisa Su (President and Chief Executive Officer AMD)
Free Software Melbourne is an organization of free software users and advocates. We share the values of the Free Software Foundation, the GNU project and LibrePlanet</a> and we represent the Australian network of free software users and developers. Part of our work involves raising awareness of the benefits of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and Open Hardware issues and it is in that capacity that we make this submission.
It has come to our attention via the active GNU/Linux community on Reddit that there is a public proposal (https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/5ydv7i/petition_to_sticky_a_petition_to_amd_for_psp/</a>) to liberate the firmware for the AMD processor and the Platform Security Processor (PSP) on the APU. We at Free Software Melbourne ask AMD to consider this proposal.
Liberating the program code would allow the users to regain full control of their systems. The restrictions that are currently present are very well known to our community, see, for example, AMD hardware mentioned on the LibreBoot</a> site (https://libreboot.org/faq/#amd</a>).
If AMD were to take action to support code transparency for users, users would gain the ability to not only study the firmware but to modify and redistribute the code which can only be beneficial for AMD. Among other benefits, there would be:-

Confidence in the Platform.</li> </ol>
Even when users don't modify their own firmware, having a consistent and transparent firmware provides an environment of trust. This covers both the use of home computers, on which much data of a sensitive and personal nature is stored, and the server machines. Companies and the administrators of the online world could rest easy knowing exactly what is being loaded onto their system. By allowing the community to access and audit the code, a universal back-door is a much less likely event. The EFF have noted this issue (https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/05/intels-management-engine-security-hazard-and-users-need-way-disable-it</a>) and point out that "vulnerabilities will inevitably exist, and having them lurking in a highly privileged, low level component with no OS visibility or reliable logging is a nightmare for defensive cybersecurity". By releasing source code AMD could have the most audited and trusted security module in the industry.

Privacy</li> </ol>
In the last few years there has been more concern in regards to computers being used to spy on their users. Privacy is an ever-growing issue for all users regardless of technical ability or understanding and the need for users to control their own hardware is greater than it has ever been. While not all users will need to inspect the code base personally, having the ability for anyone to do so will go a long way to building customer satisfaction and trust in the hardware. Users need the freedom to choose what they want running on their system and to have the ability to remove code that might contain privacy risks or vulnerabilities.

Competitive Edge</li> </ol>
The main competition, Intel, has a similar system and despite many calls to have firmware code of this system liberated so that it can be inspected and verified, Intel have yet to make any move in this direction or even publicly acknowledge these requests. With the system locked down in obscurity, users cannot defend themselves against any potentially malicious attacks, which have surfaced in the media quite recently. As such, if someone manages to crack this embedded system they are sitting on a near universal exploit that will affect potentially billions of computers around the world.
By liberating the code running on PSP and allowing modifications to execute, it is possible to mitigate these same potential issues by allowing vulnerable code to be studied and patched by the community before significant issues arise.
The main competition, Intel, has a similar non-free system. Despite many calls to have firmware code of this system liberated so that it can be inspected and verified, Intel has yet to move in this direction or to even publicly acknowledge such requests. With the system locked down in obscurity, users cannot defend themselves against any potentially malicious attacks and these facts have surfaced in the media recently. If someone manages to crack this embedded system they would sitting on a near universal exploit that will affect potentially billions of computers around the world. By liberating the code running on PSP and allowing modifications to execute, it is possible to mitigate these potential issues by allowing vulnerable code to be studied and patched by the community before significant issues arise. It would be difficult for anyone to trust Intel based machines if the AMD ones are openly marketed to the public as being freedom-respecting computers. This could be a useful marketing lever in which AMD turns out on top of Intel in the vital areas of security and privacy. The added benefits of the community and other businesses' ability to add functionality to your products is also a big win for all involved and yet another cometitive edge gained by embracing Open Source.

Support from a Growing Community</li> </ol>
The Free and Open Source Software community is a vibrant and growing one. With the ever more intimate use of technology in people's lives, more are discovering the big issues in regards to their privacy, security and trust. A lot of people are interested in solutions that will respect their privacy and choices while also providing powerful computers. If AMD were to open up its firmware so that the hardware can be booted and used with a 100% Free Software stack using a project like Libreboot, then we would support and recommend your hardware over all others as the single Libre/Free platform that is powerful, affordable and respects its users. According to AMD's own corporate principle of "Community Engagement: AMD was founded on the principle of putting people first - our employees, our customers, our shareholders and our neighbors in the communities around the world where we live and work" To give people the ability to control the hardware they purchases is not only in alignment with AMD's values but is also an amazing proposition that should be considered for its many benifits.
Yours sincerely,
Free Software Melbourne
This letter will be available online here: </blog/open-letter-to-amd/>

FSM Jun 15th - AMD, Installfests and the Gnews on privacy

Ben Minerds — Sun, 11 Jun 2017 20:12:53 +0000

Hey Freedom Fans,
This month at Free Software Melbourne we're going to be talking AMD, Installfests and the rising importance of privacy and security in modern life.
We'll kick things off at 6:30pm by having a read through the final draft of the AMD submission (and quickly fixing any typos we find) before preparing to send it to AMD and publish it on our website.
We're also going to discuss what we might need to do to run an installfest as part of a FSM event later in the year. We'll take a look at the documentation available and consider a few case studies of installfests. We'll discuss what kind of approach we might take and what the important factors to consider are. If time allows we might also run through the process in some virtual manner. We're also super lucky to have Linux Users Victoria run a Debian 9 launch party on Saturday the 17th (just two days later) that will probably involve an installfest so if you've ever wanted to run or participate in an installfest then this is your month.
We'll then have our regular Gnews segment hosted by Tatiana this month. I've been warned that we'll be focusing heavily on the current security and privacy issues that have been becoming ever more prevalent in these troubled times. What role can Free and Open Software play in this emerging landscape and how is this being reported in the wild? What can we do to make progress and better communicate the message of FOSS? So if you were hoping for more of Ben rattling off release dates then I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed.
As usual we plan to finish up about 8:30pm and head down to Errol st for continued conversation and tasty cuisine.
See you all there!
Thursday 15th June, 6:30-8:30pm
Electron Workshop - 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

FSM Working Group - The AMD Submission

Ben Minerds — Thu, 25 May 2017 16:24:37 +0000

Hi again Freedom Fighters,
Time to turn up the heat on AMD and put our names along side the EFA, LibreBoot and others in saying we want control over our devices and not the other way around. We'll look over the current draft and make improvements along the lines suggested in a meeting earlier this year. The current draft can be found here: /wiki/AMDLetter
When we're happy with it we'll circulate it around the group for any further feedback before publishing and sending it to AMD
Join us at The Leveson (46 Leveson St, North Melbourne) where we'll try out a working group over dinner (or drinks if you prefer). Don't forget to bring devices to work from and we'll bring a hotspot to use
See you there

FSM May 18th - FSM Committee Functions and Behind the Gnews

Ben Minerds — Mon, 15 May 2017 13:31:12 +0000

Hey Freedom Supporters,
This month at Free Software Melbourne I'll be taking us through a guided tour of the FSM committee and what it takes to organise and run our events every month. First up we'll take a look at the resources and tools available to us including the wiki materials, website, media etc; we'll also go through the process of announcing an event on the website, the mailing list and other platforms; then we'll take a look at some new initiatives we've adopted recently and discuss how we might be able to use our tools more effectively.
We'll then have a special edition of our regular news segment "Behind the Gnews" where we'll look at the process of putting together the Gnews segment and of course we'll have a chin wag about current events as always followed by dinner down Errol St.
Hope to see you there.
Thursday 18th May, 6:30-8:30pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

FSM April 20th - FSM Elections, AMD Open Hardware submission and the Gnews

Ben Minerds — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:14:09 +0000

Hey there FLOSS fighters,
It's time for our annual elections for the Free Software Melbourne Committee, so now is your chance to have your say in the running of the group. If you're interested in running then bring your enthusiasm and a short pitch about why you like Free Software and why you want to help the group. We'll also have a quick summary of the groups activities over the past year.
After the election formalities Michael Verrenkamp will be sharing a draft submission he's prepared for AMD encouraging the adoption of open standards and open hardware. We'll have a read over the submission and have a discussion about other possible actions and similar initiatives we could address.
We'll have a "short" pizza break and finish off with all the Gnews fit for public consumption* from the month gone by.
Hope to see you there.
* FSM is not responsible for Gnews induced indigestion
Thursday 20th April, 6:30-8:30pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call 0419 390 496

FSM March 16th - Snitch Hunt Reloaded and The Projects of Code for Victoria 1

Ben Minerds — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 07:32:06 +0000

Rosie Williams (@Info_Aus) has been hard at work on the updated Snitch Hunt game and boy does it look new and improved (and a little more functional). Snitch Hunt is a game that teaches the public about metadata. We'll have another go as a group to complete the tasks and prepare some feedback for future development
https://whistleblower.network/snitch/index.php
I'll also be running over the Code for Victoria projects created by the 2016/17 fellowships including Legal Aids reminder system, DELWPs biodiversity application and Treasuries contract reporting system
Damien will be taking us through the gnews for the month and we'll be discussing the possibilities of Open Hardware
See you all there
Event details
Thursday 17th March, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496

FSM Working Group ... lets try to do it Riot this time

Ben Minerds — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 13:38:58 +0000

Hey there Libre-tarians
This month the Free Software Working Group kicks back into action for 2017 and unfortunatly we find ourselves without a home base for the Working Group meetings... but never fear it's FREE SOFTWARE to the rescue!
Damien Zammit has kindly set us up a Matrix/Riot room on a federated server at #freesoftwaremelb:matrix.zammit.org (you can access the room through https://riot.im/app) and I've seen a demo of the desktop web client being used for video conferencing ... so why not give it a road test this Thursday the 2nd at 7:00pm
If everything goes smoothly I'd like to get around to reviewing the Free Software Melbourne website addressing some recent issues with the wiki and ensuring that important information is updated and accessible.
That being said we may just spend the evening trouble shooting issues with video conferencing issues so let's keep our fingers crossed. Hope to see, hear or read you there everyone
Time: 7:00pm Thurday 2nd March
Venue: https://riot.im/app
Directions: Search for "#freesoftwaremelb:matrix.zammit.org"
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=0%2C%200#map=2/0.0/0.0

16th Feb Meeting - Rosie Williams and FSM playtest SnitchHunt

Ben Minerds — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:59:28 +0000

Hey there Free Software Melbourne, we're kicking off a new year with a bit of serious fun, we'll be joined by Rosie Williams from the Little Bird Network</a>. Rosie is an Open Data Consultant, programmer and one of the new generation of journalists covering issues like #CensusFail and #NotMyDebt
SnitchHunt is a game that teaches the public about metadata: what it is and how it can be used to identify and track individuals. Come and test the open source beta version of SnitchHunt with Free Software Melbourne so the developer can see how different people handle the game. Numbers will be limited. Please bring your own laptop & internet connection to play although some may be accommodated by teaming up with others. https://whistleblower.network/snitch/index.php</a>
After our playtest of SnitchHunt we'll be having our regular Gnews review of the last couple of months. Hope to see you at 6:30PM on Thursday 16th at Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street, North Melbourne) for the monthly Free software Melbourne meetup followed by our usual stroll down Errol st to find somewhere for dinner and continued chatter
Event details
Thursday 16th Feb, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips</a> by Electron Workshop
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496

FSM casual dinner with Deb Nicholson

Ben Minerds — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 09:21:44 +0000

Happy new year Free Software Melbourne,
After a stellar talk titled "Handle Conflict, Like a Boss!" Deb Nicholson from the Open Invention Network and OpenHatch will be stopping by Melbourne for a few days on her way back to the US.
https://linux.conf.au/schedule/presentation/37/</a>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x-HYunGtR0</a>
We're organizing a casual dinner with Deb this Monday at 7pm at the Supper Inn Chinese Restauraunt, 15 Celestial Avenue, just off Little Bourke Street
We'd love to see you all there but numbers are limited and so RSVPs are a must to either myself of Ben Sturmfields at the emails provided below:
Ben S ben@stumbles.id.au</a>
Ben M puzzleduck@gmail.com</a>

Free Software December Dinner

Ben Minerds — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 04:03:50 +0000

Hello Freedom Lovers,
The year is winding up and so is Free Software Melbourne for 2016. So come along for our last meetup of the year and enjoy an evening celebrating the Free Software Successes of 2016 and ring in a new year of Open Source and Federated Systems
Join us at the imperial hotel on December 15th at 7:00pm for dinner, drinks or just a snack... most tastes should be catered for (including vegetarian & GF options) and we're looking forward to seeing you all there!
Menu: http://bourkestreetimperial.com/menu/downstairs/
Address: 2-8 Bourke Street Melbourne
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/598056735</a>

2016 - FOSS Show and Tell wrapup

Ben Minerds — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 10:46:17 +0000

Hello Freedom Lovers,
Earlier this month we had our "Free Software Show and Tell" session at FSM. As usual there was a bunch of really great software on show and just I wanted to put together a post wrapping up some of the highlights for "Best FOSS Software of 2016"
First off the blocks we had L.D.A.P.</a> or the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol which had helped a business integrate new (or was it old) hardware into an existing infrastructure with a mixture of Windows and Linux software
I mentioned that HtTrack</a> was my best hope for empowering government with a tool for web scraping on account of it having an Android client and the departmental restrictions on software is less strict for the time being
Ben S. talked about Riot</a> which is a team based communications platform built on Matrix</a>. Apart from all the usual benefits of a team communications platform, Riot has the added benefit of allowing connections to an old school IRC chat but with all the added benefits of persistence we have come to expect with IRC bouncers</a> and modern web apps
Ben S. also mentioned an often missed benefit of OwnCloud/NextCloud</a> which is the ability to use it as a data store for large email attachments. Just install the ThunderBird add-on</a> and the next time you try to email a large file Thunderbird/NextCloud will offer you the opportunity to upload the file to NextDrive and include a link in the message
Michael showed us a website he's been passionately working on over the past weeks: Boycot Amazon</a>, take a look if you want to support local businesses and tell this conglomorate "Not here!". You could even support local growers</a> by buying local too
Damien</a> demoed a new tool he's been working on to create a very specific kind of binary image. He's been developing and utilising this tool to create binary images based on templates specifying which bits should be set. The software is still in development but Damien is planning on releasing it once it's up to snuff and will be of use to others
Paul also noted that SQLAlchemy</a> had been of great use to himself and someone mentioned a friendly tutorial</a> that was available. I'll have to take the readme at it's word when it says that it's "suite of well known persistence patterns, designed for efficient and high-performing database access, adapted into a simple and Pythonic domain language". Which I think is the long way of saying "It makes databases behave like Python" and in Pauls case this translates to shareable and reproducible results in scientific research
You can also check out the Gnews presentation</a> to look closer at any of the issues we discussed at the meetup or SIGN the PETITIONS!
Hope I haven't missed anyone out almost as much as I hope to see you all in a couple of weeks for our December Holiday Dinner

FSM 17th Nov - Free Software Show and Tell night

Ben Minerds — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 11:41:27 +0000

Hi Software Freedom Lovers
It's that time of the year when we look back and think about the Free Software that has improved our lives and given us all so much joy. So join us this Thursday November the 17th at Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street)</a> for our last meetup in the usual place this year for a "Free Software Show and Tell". We'll each go round and talk for a few minutes about the one or two pieces of Free and Open Source Software that has made a big impact on us this year
It can be something you've just heared about and it sparked your interest or something you've come to rely upon day in and day out
If you're stuck for ideas you can always review some of the release sections of our gnews (conveniently linked below) or resort to just ranting about Stallman and Torvalds for a bit for that matter. Or maybe it was a video discussing the concepts of FLOSS that caught your attention this year
At 6:30 Michael Verrenkamp will kick us off with call to action on a campaign he's supporting and then we'll get into the show and tells. When we finish those we'll celebrate the last meetup of the year with pizza for dinner and finish the night off with our usual Gnews and Discussion and aim to wrap up around 8:00
I know I picked up a few new tools last year at the show and tell and it's always a fun night, so I'm cracking to see you all there on the 17th!
Event details</h2>
Thursday 17th Nov, 6:30-8:00pm
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496.
Notable FOSS releases of the year:
</media/gnews-jan-2016.html#(6)>
</media/gnews-mar-2016.html#(6)>
</media/gnews-apr-2016.html#(6)>
</media/gnews-may-2016.html#(10)>
</media/gnews-2016-07-21.html#(8)>
</media/gnews-2016-10-20.html#(6)>

20th Oct Meeting - Michael Verrenkamp on the Paradoxes of Free Software

Ben Minerds — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 06:41:46 +0000

It is that time of the month again! 6:30PM on Thursday 20th at The Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street, North Melbourne) it is time for the monthly Free software Melbourne meet up
The talker this month is Michael Verrenkamp with 'Paradoxes of Free software – Why logic breaks down in light of the human condition'. Considering I am writing this announcement and also the speaker I can play up my ego much more than usual... I'm an ok guy. Free software provides solutions to almost all issues that we have with personal computers and yet outside of being used as a technical back end for servers and phones, most people do not use it in day-to-day. I try to explain some of these issues from a philosophical point of view. From distro-hopping to software quality, sometimes logic doesn't work in the real world
Gnews will be held as usual to catch up on the last two months and to give a run down of all pros and cons for Software freedom day. There is a lot of great stuff to catch up on
Doors open from 6PM with drinks provided at EW members prices and dinner will a slight change, pizza!
Look forward to seeing you all there

Software Freedom Day 2016

Ben Minerds — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 11:45:27 +0000

It doesn't matter how much you directly participate in software
freedom or what operating system you run, all that matters is that you
would like to live in a world of software freedom where every
individual can control the code that runs on their computer and the
conditions under which it executes. It's that time of the year for all
of us who compute to celebrate our freedoms in technology and indulge
in the finer details of keeping our increasingly digital lives under
our direct control.
Free Software Melbourne, in conjunction with Linux Users Victoria, is
celebrating the 13th annual Software Freedom Day. With a variety of
talks and workshops helping everyone to get the most out of the
Free/Libre and Open Source communities and the free software they make
available

Venue</h2>
Our gracious hosts this year are:
Electron Workshop co-working space
31 Arden Street, North Melbourne
Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434</a>

Time Table</h2>
A (data) array of wonderful talkers have been so kind as to help
spread the word or just give you a tour of some great programs that
respect you.

10:00am - Doors Open
So there is no opening ceremony. What is this the Olympics? I hope
not! We don't need that level of needless grandeur! Also we are not
sponsored by Mega-Globa-Pharma Corp. Come early and meet some like
minded people before the talks start off.

11:00am - Information and communication technology & Free software in Schools.
The stereo type of most technology in schools is one of an endless sea
of proprietary software with no room for anything else, the truth
however is much more refined. This is a look at what software is being
using in schools and what can be done in the future to improve the use
of free software in education.
Duration: 1 hour

12:00pm - Matt Cengia (@mattcen) and Open Street Map Applications.
Almost all people talk about Google Maps and Apple Maps - not us! It
is great to see progress in the open alternative Open Street Maps.
Find out how to use one of the most comprehensive and complete mapping
data assets ever compiled for your own use. A great place to start is
the Electron workshop!
https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434#map=16/-37.8008/144.9538</a>
Duration: 1 hour

1:00pm - Free and Open Source Community Gathering

1:30pm - Lunch in North Melbourne.
Lets just make this clear. North Melbourne doesn't have the same class
as one of Heston's restaurants but there are loads of great local
restaurants for a good meal and "endless conversation"*.
*Endless conversion is limited to the duration period.
Duration: 1 Hour

2:30pm - Russell Coker and Bionc
Have you ever wanted to help search for extra terrestrial activity? How
about helping develop the next generation of antimalarial drug? What
about helping mankind discover the secrets of the cosmos? Russell
will show us all how to do this and more from the comfort of our living
rooms using the Boinc research platform.
Duration: 1 Hour

Games and workshops
Must we go on? Yes! This is the point of the day you will have
hopefully been through a few talks, have your head buzzing with
questions and ideas and a have been eyeing off the games running off
to the side for the last few few hours. Well now is your time to play!
Or talk. Network with others at the event or have fun on fully free
software games (No Steam or GOG here).
Duration: 45 Mintues

Round up of the day
At last we must say goodbye. A 'State of the union' like speech from
Linux User Victoria and Free Software Melbourne representatives. A
reminder of why freedom in technology is important to everyone. Also
expect us to persuade you to come to our regular monthly meetups -
don't worry we are not a cult. Well not yet. ;)
Duration: 15 Minutes

Next year we do it all again! uber, but this is the only part of the
event that is neither Libre nor Gratis. You must evacuate the premises
and we're not paying your way home (although we can help you sort out
a cab or public transport directions)</h2>
Entry is free anytime, so help spread the word on everyone’s
liberties. Tea, Coffee and light snacks will be provided gratis and
soft drinks avaliable at Electron Workshop prices.
This is the a family friendly event, please invite anyone that is
interested as the more people that are involved the more the positive
effects can be spread.
You can see our Code of conduct online at the link below. Be
respectful. Be mindful. Work together. Advocate freedom.
</code-of-conduct/>
Hope to see lots of happy faces (you don't have to be happy I guess)
at the event.

For more information in regards to Software Freedom Day, please see
the links below.
http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/</a>
https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/user-liberation-watch-and-share-our-new-video</a>
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_Freedom_Day</a>

FSM 18/08/16: Democracy the open source way and more Gnews than you can statisticaly sample

Ben Minerds — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:31:19 +0000

What does the Australian democratic system have in common with Eurovision?
No. It's not the wigs and over the top singing... No not the ongoing controversies and backstabbing...
It's the backroom dealings over the voting, that and Paul Foxworthy. While it's too soon to fully understand the ramifications of the updated senate voting it's never too soon to start talking about Eurovision. This month Paul will discuss his ongoing auprefs.info project and how similar techniques might be applicable to other (more entertaining) voting systems
We'll also be having our regular Gnews segment where we hope to discuss something other than the census, but we'll have to see about that, and as usual we'll end the night with a stroll down Errol st to KL Bunga Raya. Doors at Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street)</a> open at 6pm with the event kicking off at about 6:30pm and drinks are available at EW member prices!
Hope to see you all there :D
Paul Foxworthy (@ConcreteGannet) is an open source developer and trainer living in Melbourne. He works with Open Source Industry Australia and is a director of Coherent Software

Free Software Melbourne - Meetup 21th July 2016 - Scientific Hooliganism

Adam Bolte — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 00:59:19 +0000

Free Software Melbourne - Meetup Thursday 21th July 2016
“Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?”
—Glinda the Good Witch; The Wizard of Oz
In the drive to bring software quickly to our devices, and to lock it down so its users have no legitimate access to it, who is motivated to verify the security of the software we rely on for our communication and identity?
In 1903, Guglielmo Marconi prepared to unveil his world-first, long-distance wireless communication technology to the Royal Institution in London. He was looking forward to roaring success — but he didn't count upon falling victim to the first crack in history.
Over a century later, the tech industry is still repeating Marconi's mistakes.
Lilly Ryan, a software developer and digital rights activist, joins us at this month's Free Software Melbourne meeting, with the topic of Scientific Hooliganism: What we can learn from the first hack in history.
Come to talk with Lilly about claims of security, software freedom, and what security cracking means for the technology we all use.
We will also discuss the latest Gnews, and our involvement in the recent City of Casey budget for software. Then we'll head out for dinner and continued chatting in North Melbourne.
Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne (map</a>) on Thursday 2016-07-21, 18:00 (6p.m.) until dinner at 20:00.
Bring a friend, bring a question or three. See you all there!

Free Software Melbourne - Meetup 16th June 2016 - DRM and you

Ben Minerds — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 12:21:35 +0000

Free Software Melbourne - Meetup 16th June 2016
What’s that sound? That’s the next free software meeting coming down the tracks. If you are watching Netflix, grabbing the latest audio book from Audible or just streaming the next big smash flop on Pandora… DON'T DO THAT! If you do then you are deep into the realm of DRM (Digital Restrictions Management), something that our main guest this month knows a few things about.
Meet Adam Turner, Free lance journalist, our main speaker and all round good guy (I can safely presume); as he chats to us about how DRM affects our lives. Having been a writer for close to two decade for the likes of The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald plus almost every local technology publication online you could care to mention AND having a weekly podcast discussing all facets of modern technology. One gets the feeling he might know a thing or two about these issues and it will be a fascination talk and discussion. For more information check out his website www.adamturner.com.au</a>
For more additional information about how DRM is affecting our lives check out https://www.defectivebydesign.org/</a>
As is the standard there will be the monthly Gnews sure to get people chatting so please, do get involved. We want to hear your voice. Bring a friend if you want as everyone is welcome.
Come join our community on Thursday 16th June at the Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne.</a>
Doors open at 6pm with the talks going from 6:30pm til 8pm then dinner around the corner. Tea and Coffee will be provided gratis with other drinks available for purchase.
See you all there!

Show and Tell summary

Ben Minerds — Wed, 18 May 2016 10:00:58 +0000

Hi digital freedom advocates,
Last month we had our annual elections for Free Software Melbourne ... and lookout Stallman, I've got my eye on your job now that I've conquered the top job at FSM, hahaha. Big thanks go out to our outgoing members Ben S. and Scott. It was a fantastic year and we'll be missing Scotts overflowing enthusiasm and Bens inspirational dedication.
I also wanted to make a list of software discussed at our show-and-tell session last month, so without further ado, in order of appearance:
Starting us off was our newly elected secretary Damien demonstrating an Ardour plugin he's written for boosting quieter sounds in an audio recording without making louder noises clip... "peak limiter" I think it was called, I couldn't find that exact plugin, but here's a link to Damians Zam-plugins</a> instead
Our other new committee member, my new second in command if you will, Michael showed us how to (questionably) improve the quality of our sleep using RedShift</a> (formerly Flux) and gave us all a live demo of it in action... sweet!
I presented PanDoc</a> which was a bit of a cop out as I've been implicitly advertising it all year in the Gnews... never the less, I'll be using it again later tonight :)
Adam Bolte our very own System Saviour showed us how to savour the special moments we have with our systems and do screen capture like a boss with Shutter</a>... I never knew you could be so specific, you can just capture a specific menu!
Alex discussed his woes with text editors, and the elixir that is the Atom text editor</a> (which was covered in Aprils Gnews, yay)
He also espoused the virtues of Docker Proxy</a> and advised us that he's contributed to a fork that effectively performes a man-in-the-middle attack on your docker containers so that it can transparently proxy ssl connections... nice
Les gave us a small social hack the US government uses to get around copyright issues (but you'll have to listen yourself to find out that one). He also discussed using git to host configuration files for EMACS and other programs, then cloning his environment onto a new system... handy! I'm still looking for a link to Les's personal configuration, but I'll update everyone when I find it :p
I forget when in the proceedings exactly, but speaking of git, Tatiana also suggested using the GitHub Git Client</a> if you ever have the dreaded experience of being stuck on a locked down Windows machine... It can install into userspace and brings all (well, not exactly "all") the command line goodies you've come to love on Linux.
Gabriel intrigued us all by mentioning (and thankfully spelling) FWKnop, which makes a computer look like all its ports are closed until a cryptographically encrypted packet is sent at which point the ports on the computer are opened only to that address... Super armor for your servers! ... Looks like it's not open source (yet), so I'll just post to a post a link to the man page</a> :\
Our outgoing treasurer Scott discussed his theoretical dream application for his journey around Australia. An interactive map which will answer the question "so, where 'ev ya been?"... I'm assuming for those times when he's had a bit much to drink to answer the question himself :)
Finally our outgoing president Ben S. showed us a handy tool which always draws compliments, ScreenRuler</a>. I'm sure we've all drawn tick marks along our monitors at some stage :p and now we can be spared doing so in the future. This handy ruler has metric/imperial like you'd expect, but also boasts percentage, px and picas... every web developers dream!
With that we headed down the street for what could be Melbournes best Laksa at a little place down Erol st. Can't wait to do it all again this month.
~~ Ben M.

RHoK, Privacy and Free Software, 19th May

Ben Minerds — Sat, 14 May 2016 09:48:44 +0000

It is that time of the month again to meet up with all our fellow software freedom lovers.
Unfortunately Angus Hervey won't be able to join us this month, so instead we will be having a general discussion on RHoK and other localhackathons.
Andrew Jones the Organizer of Cryptohack Melbourne and major contributor to RabbleRouser will also give a talk on Free software and privacy. Cryptohack is an event designed to improve the tools that other activists and campaigners use to make the world a better place. This will cover many aspects that many in the free software community hold dearly.
Doors open at 6pm with the talks going from 6:30pm til 8pm then dinner around the corner. Tea and Coffee will be provided gratis with other drinks available for purchase.
Please, don't be shy as everyone is welcomed and we all play a part.
See you all there!
Event details</h2>
Thursday 19th May, 6:30-8:30pm (doors open 6pm)
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496.

Show-and-tell plus committee elections, Thu 21 April

Ben Sturmfels — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 05:40:17 +0000

Hi Free Software Lovers,
Tell us, what free software makes you smile? :D <-- You
What favourite would you never be without? You won't guess mine! It's a electronic version of an object owned since you were five...
More on that next Thursday, because this month we're looking to hear From you in our show-and-tell of the free software that you love. Feel free to show or just tell, no preparation required. Can't wait to hear what you come up with.
In addition to our regular Gnews, we'll also be holding a brief committee election for the upcoming 12 months. Being an informal group, elections are quick and easy. Would you like to get involved and be a key part of making Free Software Melbourne awesome? We're looking for a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
After the meet-up we'll be following on to dinner on Errol Street.
See you there!
Ben, Ben, Ben & Scott
(The 2015-2016 Committee)
Event details</h2>
Thursday 21 April, 6:30-8:30pm (doors open 6pm)
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0458 925 588.

Learn Covert Communications and Email Self Defence

Scott Junner — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 02:27:27 +0000

Everyone deserves privacy, whether or not their doing anything secret.
Sending secret messages SOUNDS like it's going to be hard. But you don't have to be Edward Snowden or Julian Assange to secret away encrypted messages to Friends, Family and Colleagues. The truth is, all the hard work has been done for you.
Along side that, you need to know how to make sure you're talking to the right person. What if you just told an impersonator all your dark secrets. Whoops!
So this monthly Free Software Melbourne Meetup is going to be a workshop about two things. How you can very easily send secret messages NO ONE else can read except you and your intended recipient.
And how to protect yourself from rogue agents trying to intercept your digital privacy.
It's surprisingly easy to gain quick competency in email Ninjitsu. You just need to learn a few simple commands and hey presto, even the worlds elite security and intelligence agencies are going to have a seriously hard time figuring out what you and your confidant are saying to each other, and you'll be able to see bad guys coming a mile off.
In this workshop we're not going to rush, we're going to take our time, and even order in pizza so we have nowhere else to be.
Our very own Ben Finney is going to introduce us to a piece of software called GnuPG (free implementation of OpenPGP) which can be easily installed (and probably already is) on any Linux Distro, Mac or Microsoft machine. And then walk us through the steps of how to create secret and not so secret keys and then use them to lock up a message and unlock it at the other end.
Actually, we'll be working through the Email Self Defence course</a> created by Free Software Foundation. So if you can't make it, there's still a way for you to follow along at home in your own time. But doing it with a room full of people gives you a couple of huge benefits.

There's people to help immediately if you stumble into problems</li>
You can start to swap public keys in person to help build the web of trust (and learn what that means).</li> </ul>
You'll come out understanding enough about the topic of message and file encryption to be able to teach your cousin how to send encrypted email orders to their drug dealer...
...or something.
Whatever your need for private communications, you'll be able to handle it.
Once again we'll be at Electron Workshop</a>. We'll see you there.
Date: 17th March, 2016
Time: 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: 31 Arden St. North Melbourne.
Link for GnuPG downloads: https://www.gnupg.org/download/index.html</a>
Link to past FSM media: https://media.freesoftware.org.au/</a>

Surprise dinner with Molly de Blanc, this Thu 11 Feb

Ben Sturmfels — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 05:49:01 +0000

Hi Freedom Lovers,
We have a surprise for you! Molly de Blanc is visiting Melbourne following her talk at LCA 2016 last week in Geelong. We're organising a casual dinner with Molly this Thursday. Please come along and join us!
Aside from just hanging out being awesome, Molly is the Community Coordinator at edX (makers of the free courseware platform) and has also worked with the FSF. She spoke last week about education and the AGPL:

http://linux.conf.au/schedule/30216/view_talk?day=wednesday</a></li>
http://mirror.linux.org.au/linux.conf.au/2016/03_Wednesday/Costa_Hall/Education_and_the_AGPL_A_Case_Study.webm</a></li> </ul>
Look forward to seeing you.
Ben
Dinner with Molly de Blanc</h2>
Thursday 11 February, 6:30pm
The Standard Hotel, 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy (between Bell St & Moor St)
Map: http://www.openstreetmap.org/way/228466557</a>
Nearest tram lines are Tram 96 to East Brunswick (stop 14 on Nicholson
St) or Tram 112 West Preston (stop 15 on Brunswick St).
RSVP to ben at stumbles.id.au so we don't surprise the restaurant.

Ben Sturmfels on Preventing Cat-astrophes with GNU MediaGoblin

Ben Sturmfels — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 05:17:09 +0000

Happy GNU year!
We thought we'd break with tradition this year and hold a meet-up in January. Despite being holiday time for many, there's a lot going on in the world of free software, so we have plenty of interesting things to talk about.
This month I'll be presenting "Preventing Cat-astrophes with GNU MediaGoblin"; a talk about how MediaGoblin can give us some of the features of centralised media silos like YouTube, while avoiding the risk of the worlds' culture living or dying with one company. Ben Minerds will be presenting the Gnews.
The other big news is that following the closure of the VPAC office in Victoria Street, we're moving our meet-ups to a new home at Electron Workshop in North Melbourne (map below). We're very grateful to VPAC for their support of the last few years.
As usual, we'll follow on with dinner nearby (venue to be decided). Look forward to seeing you!
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 21 January, 6:30-8:30pm (doors open 6pm)
31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434</a>
Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/</a>
Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0458 925 588.

December dinner, Thu 17 Dec, 7pm

Ben Sturmfels — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:19:47 +0000

Hi Folks,
Come along for dinner this Thursday and celebrate the Free Software successes of the year and ring in the GNU year of Open Source opportunity and Distributed Joy.
Join us at the imperial hotel for dinner, drinks or just a snack... all tastes should be catered for and we're looking forward to seeing you there!
Regards,
Ben, Ben, Ben & Scott
Event details</h2>
Thursday 17 December, 7-10pm
Imperial Hotel
2-8 Bourke st Melbourne, Melbourne
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HazuT_?m=</a>

Tatiana Lenz on exploring free software influences

Ben Sturmfels — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 10:23:28 +0000

Hello Free Software Lovers!
This month at Free Software Melbourne, Tatiana Len will be exploring her influences and motivations in free software. If you've had the opportunity to chat to her at past events and meet-ups, you'll know that she always has something really interesting to contribute. Tatiana has also asked that the we don't publish a recording, so you'll need to be there or miss out!
Also this month, Michael Verrenkamp will be presenting the Gnews. After the organised part of the evening we'll follow on for dinner at the ever popular Big Mama's Korean.
Look forward to seeing you there! Have I used enough exclamation marks?
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 15 October, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m</a>
Running late or locked out? Call Ben on 0458 925 588.

Announcement - Dr Katherine Phelps on activism and free software in creative media

Adam Bolte — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 02:42:34 +0000

Hi Free Software Lovers,
If the inspiring phone conversation I had last week with Katherine is anything to go by, this Thursday's meet-up should be one not to miss.
Following a hugely successful Contributing to Free Software workshop in August and Software Freedom Day in September, this month we're back to our regular evening meet-up.
Katherine will be telling us a little about how she uses free software programs in her comedy and theatre shows as well as her other writing and events. We'll hopefully also hear about her experience as social activist and gain some insights to be more effective activists ourselves.
As always, we invite attendees to also join us for dinner at Classic Curry on Victoria Street after the organised part of the evening.
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 15 October, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room
Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m</a>
Running late or locked out? Call Scott on 0438 125 225.
Dr Katherine Phelps is the author of Surf's Up: Internet Australian Style published by Reed Books and distributed by Random House. She taught storytelling for computer game design for seven years at both RMIT and Victoria University. She is a lifetime member of Electronic Frontiers Australia and has been using Linux since 1994.
For the last five years Phelps has been producing comedy shows for both Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fringe relying heavily on free software and share community resources. For the last three years she has been running events for UN International Day of Peace. Currently, she is founding a scholar owned cooperative university, where students, lecturers, and researchers share ownership of their institution.

2015-09-10: Let's free Sydney!

Unknown — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Inaugural Sydney Meeting</h1>
Free Software Sydney will host an inaugural meeting on the 10th of September.
The objective of this first event is to get together, gauge interest, and see where we go from there.
What?</h2>
Beyond introducting each others, we also want to understand what people expect from such a group, get an idea of what the next steps are.
We will also have a couple of talks by Andri Effendi and Olivier Mehani (shtrom) to warm up the floor. Hopefully, this will lead to a lively discussion.
When?</h2>
We will meet on 2015-09-10, at 8:00PM - 9:30PM (AEST). The agenda will be roughly as follows.

10min Introduction</li>
20min Andri; Experiences switching to Free Software</li>
20min Olivier: Security considerations and Building Trust</a> (Hashing, GPG, SSL CAs, Trusting trust, Reproducible builds)</li>
20min Andri: Tor</li>
20min discussion</li> </ul>
Notes will be available on the wiki</a>.
Where?</h2>
One of the things we need to clarify is how to get venues, so until we have a venue we will be meeting online.
https://meet.jit.si/FreeSoftwareAustralia</a>
Please note: your webcam and microphone will automaticaly start, so please disable it if you wish to remain anonymous.
Jitsi Meet</h3> We will use Jitsi Meet (Video Conference FreeSoftwareAustralia)</a>, which is a pretty neat video-conferencing system based on WebRTC.
This is pretty recent technology, and you will need a very recent browser such as Firefox Nightly</a> or Chromium</a> for it to work. Your favourite distribution package manager is probably the easiest way to get going.
This will require at least headphones and a microphone. A webcan can be a nice addition. Of course, you'll also need a decent Internet connection. We'll also try to record the meeting for later.
Backup</h3>
Mumble</h4>
In case of issues with Jitsi, we'll have a backup using Mumble</a>. You can simply get one of the clients available of the official site</a>, and connect to paris.sturm.com.au. This will require a password, which we'll give out if needed.
Mumble takes a few minutes to run through the setup wizard, so it might be a good idea to make sure it works for you ahead of time.
IRC</h4>
A fresh IRC channel for all Australian enthusiasts as just been registered: #FreeSoftwareAustralia</a> on FreeNode</a>. While Jitsi and Mumble both have a Multi-User Chat feature built in, some of us will also be there as an extra backup.
We can also keep the discussion going after the event, as IRC is pretty low volume and always on.
Other info about this event:</h2>
This conference will be recorded and will be licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.
Other links</h2>

Meetup event</a></li> </ul>

Inaugural Sydney meetup on 2015-09-10

Olivier Mehani — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 13:06:18 +0000

A group of us non-Victorian are trying to start some Free Software activities in Sydney. The objective of this first event</a> is to get together, gauge interest, and see where we go from there.
The first meetup will be a web conference</a> using Jitsi Meet; it will be on Thursday 10th September at 20:00 AEST.

Stoking the Free Software Fire

Ben Minerds — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 13:41:33 +0000

Were now just three weekends away from our first Contributing to Free Software & Open Source Workshop comming up on the 22nd of August. We already have a few signups and I've also been busying myself brushing up on android development in case we get some people keen to do some mobie development.
I'm also piecing together a presentation on Wikipedia for the event and have been heavily utilizing Wikimedia to source images for the slides... I've been staggered by the vast range of various Lego imagery in the Commons which I stumbled across while looking for something else. The photo at the end of this blog is one of these from Wikimedia Commons and was donated by Johan Hansson.
It was also serindipitious that the first talk at Linux Users Victoria this month reminded me of my first non-typo contribuition to Wikipedia when about two years ago Chris Samuel gave another presentation to LUV about the (then) state of the art Avoca Blue Gene-Q (which has just recently dropped out of the top 500 super computers in the world). That talk inspired me to update the Blue Gene page</a> to include the Avoca.
Now I just cant wait for the 22nd to come around so we can all make or further our contribuitions to Free/Libre & Open Source as a real community and I hope you'll all be able to join us too.
Registration and Information Page</a>
Meetup Page</a>


Ben Minerds on Javascript frameworks, Ben Sturmfels on free software accounting

Ben Sturmfels — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 06:31:35 +0000

Great to see many new faces last month!
This month, Ben Minerds will be looking into various Javascript frameworks, tools that make it feasible to build larger programs that run inside a web browser. This has some interesting free software aspects, to do with how you're running the programs simply by visiting the website.
Now I don't admit this very often, but I have a fondness for bookkeeping. So, given it's tax time again, I'll be briefly talking about "Accounting in the Free World"; my experiences running my own small business accounting on free software. Bernie Schelberg will be presenting the Gnews. If you can join us, we'll follow on for dinner at Classic Curry</a> on Elizabeth Street.
If you're unable to be there in person, tune in to our live audio stream</a>.
See you there!
Regards,
Ben Sturmfels
Event details</h2>
Free Software Melbourne
Thursday 16 July, 6pm-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Systems Office
110 Victoria Street
Carlton South VIC
Australia Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m</a>
Running late or locked out? Call Ben on 0458 925 588</a>.

Scott Junner on social networks, a herd of Gnews and Brian May, Melbourne 18 June

Ben Sturmfels — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 05:16:44 +0000

It was great to see so many of you last month! Following on from that discussion, you may be interested to know that GovHack registrations for Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong are now open.
This month I'm really looking forward to hearing Scott Junner talk about free software social networks. Should be really interesting. Ben M will be presenting the Gnews, our monthly wrap-up of free software current affairs and Brian May will tell us why free software is an important part of his life.
We'll follow on afterwards to dinner around the corner at Big Mamas Korean restaurant.
If you're unable to be there in person, tune in to our live audio stream</a>.
See you there!
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 18 June, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room
Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m</a>
Running late or locked out? Call Ben on 0458 925 588.

21st of May meeting recap

Ben Minerds — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:13:02 +0000

The 21st of May was the Free Software Melbourne meetup with guests from GovHack and Russell Coker this month. We trailed our first live stream of the meetings which was a particular success with a few regular members unable to attend in person but listening in from around Melbourne. Jordan Wilson-Otto and Alisha Ryans-Taylor from GovHack gave us a run down on the upcoming competition and outlined it's goals in regard to Open Government and some of it's history in Australia.
After another frantic Gnews Russell gave us an account of his journey with Free Software and in particular Debian and SELinux. I especially enjoyed the Debian SElinux demo box stories... If I'd been given an offer like that I do more than just try "rm -Rf /". I also found the amusing story about email client bugs another good reasons to stick with server side email storage, where I can't mess it up :p. They were definitely some interesting topics this month sparking discussions that continued over to dinner at Classic Curry.
You can also listen in to the recording of the night here:
</media/audio/fsm-2015-05-21.ogg>
or join us on meetup here:
http://www.meetup.com/Free-Software-Melbourne/</a>

Alisha Ryans-Taylor on GovHack plus Russell Coker's free software story, Melbourne 21 May

Ben Sturmfels — Thu, 14 May 2015 03:02:55 +0000

Please join us this month to hear about GovHack; an annual event to build things that use of publically available government data. Melbourne representative Alisha Ryans-Taylor will be telling us all about it. Scott will be giving us the Gnews, a current affairs wrap-up in the world of free software. For those who can make it, we'll also follow on for tasty dinner at Classic Curry on Elizabeth Street.
If you haven't been to Free Software Melbourne before, please come along. The event is free of charge, non-technical and casual. If you're new to free software, we'd especially love to meet you. We've been running regular monthly events for about 5 years now. We usually have 10 to 15 people at our regular meet-ups where we hear a short presentation or two followed by some questions and chatter. Then optional dinner at a nearby restaurant and more chatter. If you know someone who might enjoy our group, please bring them along.
[Update 21 May 2015] We also have Russell Coker joining us to talk about how he got into free software and why it's important to him.
Look forward to seeing you!
Regards,
Ben, Ben, Ben and Scott
Event details</h2>
Thursday 21 May, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room
Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m
Running late or locked out? Call Ben on 0458 925 588.

Adam and Andrew make Free Software Melbourne awesome

Ben Sturmfels — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 05:48:06 +0000

Free Software Melbourne is awesome because people like Adam Bolte and Andrew Spiers make it so. We thank you both for your time and effort organising the monthly meetups, finding interesting speakers, running Software Freedom Day, organising campaigns, hosting games nights and much more.
Adam has been our President for the last year and Secretary the year before. He's made sure that we're always up-to-date with the Gnews and the latest in free software gaming. He also hosts our website out of his home (see why</a>).
Andrew has been Vice-President for the last year. He hasn't been able to attend our monthly meetups for a little while, but we're all missing him and hope to see him soon.
Following the March meetup, Scott Junner and Ben Minerds now have joined Ben Finney and myself on the mostly Bens committee</a> for the coming year. Our first audio conference was amusingly chaotic. We're looking forward to lots of fun free software activities this year.

Peter Serwylo core developer of F-Droid + much Gnews, Melbourne 16 April

Ben Sturmfels — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 04:33:24 +0000

I was talking to Peter Serwylo about an app he's recently published in the F-Droid free software app store. I asked whether he'd be interested in coming to tell Free Software Melbourne about it. "I'll go one better", he said. "I'm actually one of the core developers of F-Droid. Would you like me to talk about that?"
This month Peter will be talking about F-Droid. We'll also have Gnews including a report from LibrePlanet, followed by dinner nearby. Look forward to seeing you!
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 16 April, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room
Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m

William Grant on working in free software + plenty of Gnews, Melbourne 19 March

Ben Sturmfels — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 01:00:18 +0000

There's always a lot of interest in getting a job working on free software. William Grant will be telling us about how he got started contributing to free software and ended up working with Canonical.
The current committee's one year is up this month, so we'll be holding brief elections for President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. As you may know, we're not actually an incorporated organisation, so this is more about sharing the work and keeping things vibrant than a formal requirement. Would you like to step up and help make Free Software Melbourne awesome?
As always, lots of Gnews followed by dinner at Classic Curry. I'd say "look forward to seeing you", but I'll be heading off to present at LibrePlanet</a> in Boston which is exciting.
Regards,
Ben
Event details</h2>
Thursday 19 March, 6-8pm (followed by dinner at nearby restaurant)
VPAC Head Office Training Room
Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street
Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HZ6JiV?m</a>

GNews for Thursday 2015-02-19

Ben Finney — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 03:40:09 +0000

As usual at our regular Free Software Melbourne meetings, we had a bunch of GNews items to discuss. Here are the notes from this month's GNews.
Thanks again to everyone who joined in for the meeting!
GNews for Free Software Melbourne</h1>
Thursday, 2015-02-19</h2>
FSF Executive Director, John Sullivan: interview</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://opensource.com/business/15/2/interview-john-sullivan-free-software-foundation</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“I stay involved because I think it's one of the most important social movements in existence, and it needs help — a lot of help. As more and more of the world's social, cultural, economic, and political interactions are mediated by technology, control over the technology becomes incredibly important for the exercise of any basic individual freedoms.”
Matrix federated chat</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Project:</td> https://matrix.org/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Matrix is an open standard for decentralised communication, providing simple HTTP APIs and open source reference implementations for securely distributing and persisting JSON over an open federation of servers.
GnuPG developer Werner Koch receives donations, LF grant</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://www.propublica.org/article/the-worlds-email-encryption-software-relies-on-one-guy-who-is-going-broke</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“After this article appeared, Werner Koch informed us that last week he was awarded a one-time grant of $60,000 from Linux Foundation's Core Infrastructure Initiative. Werner told us he only received permission to disclose it after our article published. Meanwhile, since our story was posted, donations flooded Werner's website donation page and he reached his funding goal of $137,000. In addition, Facebook and the online payment processor Stripe each pledged to donate $50,000 a year to Koch’s project.”
Cory Doctorow Rejoins EFF to Eradicate DRM Everywhere</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://www.eff.org/press/releases/cory-doctorow-rejoins-eff-eradicate-drm-everywhere</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Doctorow will be a special consultant to the Apollo 1201 Project, a mission to eradicate DRM in our lifetime. Apollo 1201 will challenge the use of DRM as well as the legal structures that support it.”
Outreachy: broader outreach of underrepresented groups</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Project:</td> https://www.gnome.org/outreachy/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Outreachy helps people from groups underrepresented in free and open source software get involved. We provide a supportive community for beginning to contribute any time throughout the year and offer focused internship opportunities twice a year with a number of free software organizations.”
EU to fund free software code review</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://fsfe.org/news/2014/news-20141219-01.en.html</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“The European Parliament has approved funding for several projects related to Free Software and privacy. In the EU budget for 2015, which the European Parliament adopted on December 17, the Parliamentarians have allocated up to one million Euro for a project to audit Free Software programs in use at the Commission and the Parliament in order to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.”
You can now petition the European Union to 'fix my document'</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://opensource.com/government/15/2/european-union-fix-my-document</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Inspired by the pothole identification and alert site and app ‘fixmystreet.com’, OFE, through its ‘fixmydocument.eu’, is giving a crowd-sourced voice to public frustration with software interoperability limitations that stand in the way of citizens who are seeking to communicate and interact with government.”
Dark Mail Technical Alliance publishes technical specification for DIME</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Project:</td> https://darkmail.info/</a></td></tr>
Document:</td> https://darkmail.info/downloads/dark-internet-mail-environment-december-2014.pdf</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Our Mission: To bring the world our unique end-to-end encrypted protocol and architecture that is the 'next-generation' of private and secure email.”
Sandstorm raises US$1.3M</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://blog.sandstorm.io/news/2015-01-15-sandstorm-1.3M-seed-round-pay-it-forward.html</a></td></tr>
Project:</td> https://sandstorm.io/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Sandstorm lets you run your own server and install apps like EtherCalc, GitLab, LibreBoard, Wave, and more as easily as you'd install apps on your phone.”
New releases</h1>
ownCloud Server version 8</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> https://owncloud.org/blog/faster-easier-file-sync-and-share-with-federated-self-hosted-owncloud-8-0/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
LibreOffice version 4.4</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Article:</td> http://blog.documentfoundation.org/2015/01/29/libreoffice-4-4-the-most-beautiful-libreoffice-ever/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Distro Astro version 3.0.1</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Project:</td> http://www.distroastro.org/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
OpenMediaVault version 1.12</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Project:</td> http://www.openmediavault.org/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Linux.conf.au 2015, Auckland</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Programme:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/programme/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Keynote</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Eben Moglen</td></tr>
LWN article:</td> https://lwn.net/Articles/629501/</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/aOcpDsDSWY0</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
MediaGoblin: The Decentralized Hosting Service for Artists</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Deb Nicholson</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://www.annodex.org/events/lca2015_mmm/index.php/Main/Schedule#dn</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/UiPQQgcmeNs</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Mixing In The Free World</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Mike Tarantino</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30183/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/baXHIfPrMz0</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Ask Away: Staking Out the Stakeholders</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Meg Howie</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30190/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/WbbZ8Vn21GA</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Using FOI to get source code: the EasyCount experience</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Michael Cordover</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30204/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Project:</td> http://easycount.mjec.net/</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/BhUM1mUMurg</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Government as an API: open</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Pia Waugh</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30066/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/R5qTzk1WGso</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Evaluating Government Policies Using Open Source Models</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Audrey Lobo-Pulo</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30123/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/ezJSH3sZk18</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
IPMI - because ACPI and UEFI weren't terrifying enough</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Matthew Garrett</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30130/view_talk</a></td></tr>
LWN article:</td> https://lwn.net/Articles/630778/</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/GZeUntdObCA</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Considering the Future of Copyleft: How Will The Next Generation Perceive GPL?</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Bradley Kuhn</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30148/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/-ItFjEG3LaA</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Crypto Won't Save You Either</h2>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Speaker:</td> Peter Gutmann</td></tr>
Description:</td> http://lca2015.linux.org.au/schedule/30134/view_talk</a></td></tr>
Video:</td> http://youtu.be/_ahcUuNO4so</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
Citizenfour</h1>
</th> </th></tr></thead>

Director:</td> Laura Poitras</td></tr>
Starring:</td> Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald</td></tr>
Description:</td> Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenfour</a></td></tr>
Reviews:</td> Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/citizenfour/</a></td></tr> </tbody></table>
“Citizenfour is a front row seat for camera-shy Snowden's bombshell. Nerve-racking. Educational.”

iPads in schools plus loads of Gnews, Melbourne 19 Feb

Ben Sturmfels — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 05:08:09 +0000

This Thursday we'll be talking about the widespread use of iPads in primary schools and how kids are introduced to technology. This topic really took off on the mailing list recently, so it's clearly important to many of you.
During dinner discussion with Deb Nicholson last month, we touched on the idea of running an OpenHatch</a> event to help people get started in contributing to free software. This sounded great, so we'll talk more about logistics of this.
As always, there will be lots of Gnews, followed by dinner at nearby Big Mamas Korean restaurant. We're now back to our regular monthly meetup schedule, so be sure to mark 3rd Thursdays in your diary. Look forward to seeing you!

Melbourne casual dinner with Deb Nicholson 22 Jan

Ben Sturmfels — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 11:15:46 +0000

Deb Nicholson is visiting Melbourne during her trip to linux.conf.au. She'll be joining us for a casual dinner next Thursday 22 January at 6pm.
Deb is well known for her efforts with the Free Software Foundation, Open Invention Network and MediaGoblin. She's also a colleague of Andrea Casillas, whom we met last year.
The Standard Hotel, 293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy (between Bell St & Moor St) - map</a>
Nearest tram lines are Tram 96 to East Brunswick (stop 14 on Nicholson St) or Tram 112 West Preston (stop 15 on Brunswick St).
RSVP to ben@stumbles.id.au by 20 January.

Melbourne casual dinner 18 December 6pm

Ben Sturmfels — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 05:18:55 +0000

As I've said before, my favourite part of Free Software Melbourne is meeting other interesting people over dinner. This month we skip the regular meet up and just have dinner instead. I hope you can join us this Thursday at Classic Curry.
Free Software Melbourne Casual Dinner
Thursday 18 December, 6pm
Classic Curry Restaurant
597 Elizabeth Street (Corner of Queensberry St) North Melbourne
http://www.classiccurry.com/</a>
http://www.openstreetmap.org/?node=2274622026</a>

Free Software Australia

FSA Meetup Aug 17th: General Free Software Discussion

FSA July Meetup - Free Software Discussion Group

Free Software Discussion Group

Informal Free Software Discussion

FSA April 20: Website Update, Software Freedom Day 2023 Brainstorming, and FLOSS in Education

FOSDEM & Everything Open 2023 Conference Reviews

FOSDEM 2023 Review and Discussion

AGM and pitch night for "Everything Open" conference submissions

AGM</h1> The monthly meeting in January is dedicated to review the activities of the group in the last year, form a committee and discuss the future of the group and plan for the year ahead.</p> You may have a brief look at the activities of FSA in 2022 on the website: </></p>

Schedule</h1> 1900 Meet and greet 1930 AGM 2000 Everything Open 2100 Closing</p> Link to join</h1> Supporters</h1> We would like to thank Electron Workshop</a> for providing the virtual meeting service and Serversaurus</a> for providing the infrastructure.</p>

Link to join</h1>

Drupal 10 Release Party with Salsa Digital (Online / In Person in Melbourne)

Aaron Swartz Day and Internet Governance

Aaron Swartz Day and Internet Governance

Games Night - Veloren

Software Freedom Day - Saturday 17th of September 2022

More Planning for Software Freedom Day

Planning for Software Freedom Day

Mobilizon - Event Managment software that respects your freedom

Brainstorming how Free Software Australia will broaden FLOSS adoption

PeerTube - Peer-to-peer video sharing for the people

Federation and the Fediverse

30 years of Linux under GPL (Linux30 project launch)

FSM Jan 20th - AGM and Committee Elections + planning FSA

Favorite Free Software for 2021

SFD Video Previews and Free Software Video Night

Software Freedom Day

Licence controversies: Elastic Search and Audacity

User Freedom on the Web

Everyday Hardware for Free Software: Mobile Phones, Laptops, and more

FSM Wiki Working Bee

Free Software and Privacy Discussion Night

Free Software and Privacy Discussion Night

Campaign and activities planning for 2021

Details</h3> Thursday 18th February, 7:30-9:00pm</li>

Discussion on Right to Repair and preparation of submission material

Favourite Free Software 2020

Apple's Sunset on Freedom

Installation and Walkthrough of Pop!_OS

A show and tell about NextCloud

A show and tell about NextCloud</h1>

Software Freedom Day - 19th of September 2020

Details:</h2> Date: Saturday the 19th of September 2020</li> Time: Talks starting at 10:00am and wrapping up about 6:00pm</li> Location: Online with Big Blue Button</li>

About the Talks and our Speakers</h2>

Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death</h3>

Abstract</h4> We're all now experiencing how remote working and virtual conferencing are important tools to staying connected. Not just in the current circumstances but also looking at the future.</p>

LibreOffice: great history, great future</h3>

FLOSS and The Commons

Software Freedom Day 2020 - Call for Speakers

Free and Open Source Software Show and Tell

FSM Jun 18 - Running a small businesson Free Software — The Sandstorm Platform

FSM Meeting, Thursday 21st May 2020, Staying connected with Free Software - Jami and Signal

Free Software Melbourne Meeting, Thursday 16th April 2020: Staying connected with Free Software

Details:</h3> Thursday 16th April, 6:30-8:00pm Jitsi Meet Room: https://jitsi.puzzleduck.org/FSM Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when joining or not talking</p>

Free Software Melbourne meeting, 19 March 2020: How to unfriend Facebook

Inclusion Policy update proposal and FSM for 2020

FSM Jan 16th - Discussion on inclusion policies & FSM campaigns for 2020

Update on browser standards

December Meetup - 6:30pm Friday 13th December 2019

Free Software Melbourne October Wrap-up

FSM October 17th - The Future of Free Software Culture

Software Freedom Day - 21st of September 2019

Details</h3> Date: Saturday the 21st of September</p> Time: Talks starting at 1:00pm and wrapping up about 5:30pm</p> Location: Electron Workshop co-working space</p> Address: 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne</p>

Submission to the Review of the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018

FSM August 15th 2019 - Favorite Free Software

FSM June 20th - Open Source Games Night - MineTest

Free Software Melbourne meeting, Thursday, 18 April, Assistance and Access Act + Gnews

DRM in Action

Submission to AssistanceAndAccess2018

Melbourne meetup - 21st February 2019 - All about Mastodon

Keeping up with the giants

When the Cloud bites

Pure OS Store

On Microsoft Edge and the Chromium Engine

Melbourne December Dinner - 21st December 2018

Show and Tell / Committee Voting

October 18th 2018 - Spring Libre Games Night

Sept 15th - Software Freedom Day 2018!

Melbourne Meetup - Free Software/Open Source licences and why do they matter

Link to join</h1>

Electron Workshop eVenue
https://venue.electronworkshop.com.au/r/freesoftwareaus</a></p>

Mobilizon - Event Managment software that respects your freedom

Details:</h3>
Thursday 16th April, 6:30-8:00pm
Jitsi Meet Room: https://jitsi.puzzleduck.org/FSM
Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when joining or not talking</p>