- Free-software-melb - lists.softwarefreedom.com.au

“Librem 15”, crowd-funded libre notebook computer
by Ben Finney 23 Jan '15

23 Jan '15

Howdy all, The “Librem 15” is a notebook computer built with respect for user freedom as the primary consideration. The organisation, Purism, says they aim to improve the hardware manufacturers's awareness that this is important to end-users: There are many laptops that run Linux. The Librem 15 laptop is better in two main ways: 1. The hardware used in the Librem 15 laptop was specifically selected so that no binary blobs are needed in the Linux kernel that ships with the laptop. All other Linux pre-installed devices include binary blobs in the Linux kernel. 2. The Librem 15 is the first concrete step toward changing computer manufacturing in a fundamental way. We believe in users’ rights, and will continue to push upstream to free the BIOS and component firmware. The crowd-funding campaign has already reached its goal of US$250 000 <URL:https://www.crowdsupply.com/purism/librem-laptop>. An initial run of 500 units will be ready by 2015-04. -- \ “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking | `\ they don't have any.” —Alice Walker | _o__) | Ben Finney

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Mandatory ipads in schools
by Martin Ebourne 23 Dec '14

23 Dec '14

Hi all, I've been lurking on this list for quite a while now, because it is a topic that interests me. I would come to some of the meetings, but I am in Adelaide so that somewhat precludes it. :-( Anyhow I have an issue that concerns me and I'd be interested in other people's experiences in this area. It seems an increasing number of schools, even primary schools, are requiring parents to purchase and support an iPad or similar closed proprietary technology as part of their day to day education. Even state/public schools are in on the act here, and it rapidly seems to be becoming normal that the cost of a public education in Australia is $600 per child to Apple Inc on a semi-annual basis. This situation feels totally wrong to me. eg. See these threads a few days ago on the linux-sa list: http://www.linuxsa.org.au/pipermail/linuxsa/2014-November/096770.html http://www.linuxsa.org.au/pipermail/linuxsa/2014-November/096782.html My sons' school is next on the bandwagon it seems, more information here: http://www.craigburn.sa.edu.au/files/BYOD%20iPads/innovative_learning_prgra… Regardless of the merits of using a mobile computing device for daily learning - and I see both pros and cons here - the requirement to provide a specific device from a single company and tied into that corporation's highly proprietary and restrictive platform and license terms is in my opinion potentially disastrous. It also puts me in a very difficult position as my beliefs and principles preclude me from purchasing such a device, but then I already have 2 children and soon a 3rd at the school, and clearly I also do not want to disadvantage them in any way. Although the program is stated to be entirely optional it is abundantly clear that this is not necessarily going to be true, nor is it likely to remain true once an accepted norm is established. eg. http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/bring-your-own-device/ IMO this latest threat to users' computing freedom and thus all of our futures is potentially one of the most damaging I have seen for a very long time, much more so than government legislation. If the entire education system is geared to binding children and their families into a single vendor's platform, and teaching them all to be perfect consumers, then the war would be lost. I'd be interested in any experiences and opinions others have on this as I intend to put a submission to the school explaining why I think they are making a bad decision. Cheers, Martin

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Coreboot improvements
by Adam Bolte 06 Dec '14

06 Dec '14

I had not read Phoronix in a while, so was skimming through recent articles and came across this: Coreboot Now Works On A ~$70 Intel Motherboard http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTg1MTM "Coreboot has been ported to work on another Intel motherboard... The new port is for the Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H, a micro-ATX motherboard that's fairly decent if you're still using SNB/IVB era hardware." "The Gigabyte motherboard port was done by Damien Zammit and is based on Coreboot's Lenovo X230 port. Damien says Coreboot on this board can boot to Linux via SATA or USB and all USB ports are reported to work." It's great to see more hardware supported by CoreBoot that is still available in retail. Great stuff Damien! -Adam

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Visiting Melbourne in January
by Deb Nicholson 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

Hi all, My name's Deb Nicholson. I work on a bunch of free software stuff, like the Open Invention Network, GNU MediaGoblin and OpenHatch. I also used to be the Membership Coordinator at the FSF. Anyway, I'm going to be at LCA in January and would love to visit Melbourne after the conference, approximately January 18th or 19th through the 23rd or 24th. Ben tells me that I'll be missing your regular meet-up. So I was wondering if any of you would be up for an ad hoc meeting or dinner while I'm in Melbourne? I'd also be interested in visiting other meet-ups with flossy folks, visiting your workplace if they want to chat about ameliorating their risk of software patent lawsuits and seeing whatever stuff a nerdy tourist *really* ought to see in Melbourne. Apologies in advance for laggy responses since I'll probably be getting your emails while I sleep. Cheers, Deb

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Re: [free-software-melb] Visiting Melbourne in January
by Michael Verrenkamp 25 Nov '14

25 Nov '14

An ad hoc meeting would be very cool indeed. Sometime you don't need an excuse to do something - just go ahead and do it. - Michael

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ThinkPenguin Wireless Router: Excellent CCS
by Ben Finney 20 Nov '14

20 Nov '14

Howdy all, Tonight I shared the news that ThinkPenguin have put together <URL:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/free-software-wireless-n-broadba…> a wireless router with all free software (the operating system is LibreCMC <URL:http://librecmc.org/>). I also referred to the news that ThinkPenguin's work has earned them a chapter in the GPL Tutorial and Guide at copyleft.org: Too often, case studies examine failure and mistakes. Indeed, most of the chapters that follow herein will consider the myriad difficulties discovered in community-oriented GPL enforcement for the last two decades. However, to begin, this is a case study in how copyleft compliance can indeed be done correctly. This example is, in fact, more than ten years in the making. Since almost the inception of for-profit corporate adoption of Free Software, companies have requested a clear example of a model citizen to emulate. Sadly, while community-oriented enforcers have vetted uncounted thousands of “Complete, Corresponding Source” (CCS) candidates from hundreds of companies, this particular CCS release described herein is the first ever declared a “pristine example”. <URL:https://copyleft.org/guide/comprehensive-gpl-guidech22.html> This is a good example to trumpet for increasing software freedom in a field (currently-available consumer electronics) where such examples are few and far between. -- \ “Skepticism is the highest duty and blind faith the one | `\ unpardonable sin.” —Thomas Henry Huxley, _Essays on | _o__) Controversial Questions_, 1889 | Ben Finney

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To: Melbourne Free Software Interest Group
by Michael Verrenkamp 21 Oct '14

21 Oct '14

I will consider going as well as this is a very important issue. Looks like November 1st is going to be a busy day for me, if I am there then you will see me (Hawaiian shirt :D ). Michael.

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TransportCamp, Melbourne 2014
by Dan Peade 19 Oct '14

19 Oct '14

Hi there, Just wanted to let Melb Free Software list members know about the inaugural TransportCamp conference, coming up on November 1st in Melbourne. It aims to bring together technologists (ie, software developers) and transport planning professionals to discuss how technology can improve mobility in our city of Melbourne and beyond: http://www.transportcamp.org.au/events/transportcamp-melbourne-2014 It's an unconference format so anyone can present. I think there's going to be some really interesting presentations and discussions on the day. It's also very reasonably priced and includes a delicious lunch! I think there will be some discussions around open data which will be very much relevant to the free software community. Maybe see you there! Cheers, Dan Peade ph: 0422 987 423

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Group order from Think Penguin, 2014-10
by Ben Finney 18 Oct '14

18 Oct '14

Howdy all, Think Penguin <URL:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/> is a computer vendor that stands out for their activism for software freedom. They put pressure on suppliers to ensure all their devices work with entirely-free operating systems. (To be clear, I have no affiliation with ThinkPenguin other than that they are a free-software friendly vendor which I'm already happy with.) They *can* ship to Australia, but their automated cart doesn't allow calculating the shipping costs. So they require an email conversation with their sales contact. I will be making a new order with them very soon; if anyone wants me to make a request for an item to be included, I can bring it to the following Free Software Melbourne meeting. We can divide the shipping cost from the USA. Items of interest to Free Software Melbourne members include: * A decent notebook computer known to be wholly free-software compatible <URL:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/catalog/notebook-computers-gnu-linux-2>. * If your computer already has a wifi driver with no free firmware or drivers, they can sell a replacement one, easy to install <URL:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/catalog/wireless-networking-gnulinux>. * A USB dongle for BlueTooth, or some other free-software friendly part <URL:https://www.thinkpenguin.com/catalog/accessories-other-products-gnulinux>. Please let me know what you'd like from their catalogue within a few days, as I'm currently engaging with the sales team for my order. I'll let you know how to get the funds to me so I can buy items for us. -- \ “If we ruin the Earth, there is no place else to go. This is | `\ not a disposable world, and we are not yet able to re-engineer | _o__) other planets.” —Carl Sagan, _Cosmos_, 1980 | Ben Finney

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Software Freedom Day is almost here
by Adam Bolte 22 Sep '14

22 Sep '14

Hi everyone, There will not be a Thursday FSM meet-up for the month of September. Instead, you're going to be in for a much bigger treat! This month, OpenTechSchool Melbourne[1], along with Free Software Melbourne[2], Linux Users of Victoria[3] and Electron Workshop[4] are joining forces to bring you the local Software Freedom Day event for Melbourne. The event will take place on Saturday 20th September between 10am and 4pm, and this year we have a new venue: Electron Workshop 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne. Map: http://www.sfd.org.au/melbourne/ We will be demonstrating GNU/Linux distributions, the Raspberry Pi, Arduino and more. You will also get to see free software games on the big screen - bring your laptops (and perhaps a mouse) if you want to help put some of them to a mutiplayer test! Newcomers will also be able to get help trying out and installing GNU/Linux on their machines, and can learn more about free software. We will have several guest speakers throughout the day with talks on OpenStreetMap, open source gardening, electronics, Bitcoin and more! Lunch will also be provided. The Valhalla Social Cinema will be screening a film in the space just after our celebration ends. Please consider joining them in the evening! Ticket and film info is available here: http://valhallacinema.com.au/ This event has been generously sponsored by Serversaurus[5] and Freetronics[6]. Image design work provided by Saltface Design. More information about the event is available on the Software Freedom Day Melbourne website: http://www.sfd.org.au/melbourne/ The day should be both educational and a lot of fun. Please spread the word, and I'll see you there! Cheers, Adam Links: [1]: http://www.opentechschool.org/melbourne/ [2]: http://www.freesoftware.org.au/melb/ [3]: http://luv.asn.au/ [4]: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/ [5]: https://serversaurus.com.au/ [6]: http://www.freetronics.com/

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