We'll Continue Covering the Moribund OSI and Other Dysfunctional if Not Hostile Institutions
Reminder: Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC) is losing millions
This weekend is an unusually quiet one (so far), and we moreover suppose that some people took the next off work, so we shall continue covering some important Free software topics throughout the week and get back to old series that illuminate scandals in organisations which falsely claim to represent us or represent us all - without our consent - very poorly. The OSI is one of several.
We are delighted to see the choice of the FSF's new president, the party seems to have gone very well (I personally watched the livestream, including Ian cutting the cake for RMS), and several of our people/team look forward to the next 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 years - the promising future of the FSF. They did a great job un-cancelling the best people. To be clear, Knauth is still there and gave a talk. Nobody is leaving. Some people joined. The Board grew by 50% and Zoë Kooyman, based on what I saw her presenting at the event, is very knowledgeable and articulate. She's a good voice for the movement. If she and Ian are there until the age of RMS, that's another ~3 decades to come. The whole "continuity" and "succession" FUD is no longer applicable; it won't work.
Comparing this status quo to how things were back in late 2019 and then again in March 2021, it may seem like a 'miracle', but no... it's community effort and gradual regrouping. There's a strong and ever-growing desire in society for Software Freedom, even if not many people express that desire in those terms (Andy habitually frames it in the context of societal struggles).
The Software Freedom people are winning the important arguments; perseverance matters here. Stefano Maffulli's departure is due to his defection and due to him failing the mission in pursuit of money (his salary). Compared to FSF salaries, his salary was obscene. █