If You Want to Know the Future, Listen to the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and Andy Farnell
"Somebody is saying this is inevitable – and whenever you hear somebody saying that, it's very likely to be a set of businesses campaigning to make it true." - GNU founder Richard Stallman (RMS) on clown computing more than 16 years ago
In 16 days from now the Free Software Foundation (FSF) turns 40. The FSF "is a nonprofit with a worldwide mission to promote computer user freedom." In its own words. These folks have some decent speakers lined up and some decent schedule that focuses on history, not just the present and the future. The FSF has a lot of "heritage". Some core people like RMS and Prof. Moglen - who have helped shape digital society for over 4 decades - are still around, but they have health struggles (the same is true for both men who started the OSI and have struggled - or are still struggling - with cancer).
When the FSF speaks about Software Freedom we'll try to add our own little contribution in the form of articles about software patents.
We're sure the FSF will have plenty of its own output.
We particularly enjoy the articles of Andy as well. He wrote some articles or translated some of the FSF in the past.
Andy has an excellent sense of what's going on around us (in "tech"), so his take is always refreshing. Here are his latest articles:
| Name | Author(s) | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Coffee Morning | Andy Farnell | September 13, 2025 00:00 |
| Sorrybots | Andy Farnell | September 06, 2025 00:00 |
| Bistrotech | Andy Farnell | September 02, 2025 00:00 |
| Technical Maturity | Andy Farnell | August 20, 2025 00:00 |
| The Oracle and the Librarian | Andy Farnell | August 04, 2025 00:00 |
| Age and technology | Andy Farnell | July 26, 2025 00:00 |
| Cybersecurity is resistance | Andy Farnell | April 17, 2025 00:00 |
Andy Farnell is a very smart person. He has a good perception and interpretation of what goes around him in society. He puts that into words very well. I wish I was as articulate as him.
Today I spent 1-2 hours on the Web surveying the state of online ticketing for venues like concert halls. They keep pushing "apps" (of course only supported if you're a customer of American Apple or American Google, i.e. very distant and hostile companies working for a rogue regime) and want people to do everything "online" using very "modern" browsers (Firefox won't work). Thankfully, in the interest of accessibility (or young people without bank accounts), they also let people purchase physical tickets in an actual ticket office (box office of sorts; one was opened very recently), so living without apps and "webapps" is possible, it's just not widely advertised (it's like a "secret" option). I might write a detailed article about this when my holiday is over and I go there in person to investigate the matter (firsthand). One particular item to find out is, can one purchase tickets 1) anonymously 2) with cash?
Andy found out - maybe the hard way though - "the cubes" at the old, traditional bar/pub (those "cubes" are some silly gimmick for skinnerboxes, which millions of Brits do not have) aren't obligatory; it's still possible to get real service and they even accept 50-pound banknotes.
We are glad to say that, as of today, more people will be involved in Techrights. We've earned enough recognition over the past ~19 years to attract more involvement and we look forward to saying more about that.█