Author Archives: Matthew Stevens

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a powerful shift is occurring. Organizations are realizing that their most valuable asset isn’t their software licenses, but their people. This revelation isn’t new—it’s deeply rooted in the philosophy of the open source movement, which has a rich history dating back to the early days of computing. Specifically it dates back to that great American document: the GNU Manifesto.

The Genesis of Open Source

The open source movement as we know it today has its roots in the work of Richard Stallman, a programmer and free software activist. In 1983, Stallman launched the GNU Project, aiming to create a completely free operating system. This led to the birth of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in 1985 and the creation of the GNU General Public License (GPL) in 1989.

Stallman’s vision was revolutionary. He believed that software should be free—not in terms of price, but in terms of freedom. Users should have the freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. This philosophy laid the groundwork for what we now call open source software.

The Rise of Open Source Licenses

While Stallman’s GPL was groundbreaking, it was just the beginning. Over the years, numerous open source licenses have emerged, each with its own nuances:

  1. MIT License (1988): Known for its permissiveness and simplicity.
  2. Apache License (1995): Grants copyright and patent licenses while providing protection from patent litigation.
  3. Mozilla Public License (1998): A compromise between the permissive MIT license and the copyleft GPL.

These licenses, among others, have enabled the flourishing of open source software, creating a rich ecosystem that powers much of our digital world today.

Why Open Source Empowers People

  1. Fostering Innovation and Creativity: Open source allows developers to stand on the shoulders of giants. By accessing and modifying existing code, your team can focus on innovation rather than reinventing the wheel.
  2. Continuous Learning and Skill Development: With access to source code, developers can dive deep into how things work, enhancing their understanding and skills continuously.
  3. Community Engagement: Open source projects often have vibrant communities. Engaging with these communities exposes your team to diverse perspectives and cutting-edge practices.
  4. Problem-Solving Empowerment: When issues arise, your team isn’t dependent on vendor support. They can investigate and solve problems directly, fostering self-reliance and deep expertise.
  5. Attracting and Retaining Talent: Many top developers are drawn to organizations that use and contribute to open source, seeing it as an opportunity for growth and community recognition.
  6. Aligning with Ethical Values The principles of open source—transparency, collaboration, and community contribution—often resonate with personal and organizational values.
  7. Cost-Effective Skill Investment Resources saved on proprietary licenses can be reinvested in training, conferences, and other professional development opportunities.
  8. Encouraging Knowledge Sharing The open source ethos promotes a culture of sharing knowledge, both within your organization and with the broader tech community.
  9. Developing Leadership Skills Contributing to open source projects provides opportunities for developers to lead, mentor, and gain visibility in the tech community.
  10. Building a Learning Organization The continuous exposure to new ideas and approaches inherent in open source participation helps create a culture of ongoing learning and adaptation.

As we reflect on the journey from Stallman’s revolutionary ideas to today’s thriving open source ecosystem, it’s clear that the true power of open source lies not just in the software itself, but in how it empowers people. By embracing open source, organizations aren’t just adopting a different licensing model—they’re investing in their most valuable asset: their workforce.

Technological change is constant, the companies that will thrive are those that nurture a skilled, adaptable, and innovative workforce. Open source provides the perfect environment for turning your organization’s people into its greatest competitive advantage.

Let’s remember the eccentrics, the visionaries, and rebels like Stallman who paved the way, and let’s take on the responsibility to continue to build on their legacy by putting people at the heart of our technological journey.

In our increasingly digital world, the protection of online rights and freedoms has never been more crucial. This is why I am, and will always be, a staunch supporter of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The EFF stands as a beacon of hope in the ever-evolving landscape of digital rights, tirelessly working to defend our civil liberties in the digital realm.

Founded in 1990, the EFF has been at the forefront of protecting free speech, privacy, innovation, and consumer rights on the internet. Their work touches every aspect of our digital lives, often in ways we might not even realize. Here’s why their service to the public is so critical:

  1. Defending Free Speech Online

The EFF consistently fights against internet censorship and protects our right to express ourselves freely online. They’ve been involved in landmark cases that have shaped the legal framework for online speech, ensuring that the internet remains a open platform for diverse voices and ideas.

  1. Protecting Privacy and Security

In an age of mass surveillance and data breaches, the EFF works tirelessly to protect our digital privacy. They advocate for strong encryption, fight against warrantless surveillance, and educate the public about privacy-enhancing technologies. Their initiatives, like the HTTPS Everywhere browser extension, have made the internet more secure for millions of users.

  1. Promoting Innovation and Fair Use

The EFF champions balanced intellectual property laws that foster innovation rather than stifle it. They’ve been instrumental in protecting the principle of fair use, which allows for the use of copyrighted material for purposes like commentary, criticism, and parody. This work helps ensure that creators and innovators can build upon existing ideas without fear of legal repercussions.

  1. Fighting for Net Neutrality

The EFF has been a key player in the battle for net neutrality, working to ensure that internet service providers treat all data on the internet equally. This fight is crucial for maintaining a free and open internet where small startups have the same opportunity to reach users as established tech giants.

  1. Educating the Public

One of the EFF’s most valuable services is their role in educating the public about digital rights issues. Through their comprehensive website, blog posts, and educational initiatives, they help demystify complex technological and legal concepts, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their digital lives.

  1. Providing Legal Support

The EFF’s team of skilled attorneys provides legal support in cases that have far-reaching implications for digital rights. They’ve represented bloggers, programmers, and ordinary internet users in court, setting important legal precedents that protect all of us.

  1. Developing Privacy-Enhancing Technologies

Beyond advocacy and legal work, the EFF also develops tools to help protect privacy and security. Projects like Privacy Badger and Certbot are freely available to the public, providing practical solutions to everyday digital privacy concerns.

The work of the EFF is more important now than ever before. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, we need organizations like the EFF to stand guard over our digital rights. They fight battles on our behalf that most of us aren’t even aware are happening, let alone have the resources or expertise to fight ourselves.

This is why I’m a lifelong supporter of the EFF. Their unwavering commitment to protecting our digital freedoms, their technical expertise, and their legal acumen make them an invaluable asset in the ongoing struggle for digital rights. By supporting the EFF, I feel I’m doing my part to ensure that the internet remains a place of freedom, innovation, and equal opportunity for all.

In a world where our digital rights are constantly under threat, the EFF’s work is nothing short of essential. They are the watchdogs, the educators, and the defenders we need in the digital age. And that’s why they’ll always have my support.

Digital Detox in progress

I have recently read Jaron Lanier‘s newest book:
Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now (2018). It makes some great arguments for those who are in a position to do so to remove themselves from social media platforms. As a result I am exporting my data off of Facebook and Google, Instagram, and moving everything to my own blog.

I highly recommend the book and would love to encourage and help others to move to a platform that gives them full control of the content they publish and the content that they consume.

My Europeans friends often wonder how so many Americans can be so effing stupid. Trump is a result of decades of media distortion. Radio is the leading media consumption source and talk radio (in a commuter country) is skewed far far further to the right than even #FauxNews. #Propaganda works, folks!

My Europeans friends often wonder how so many Americans can be so effing stupid. Trump is a result of decades of media distortion. Radio is the leading media consumption source and talk radio (in a commuter country) is skewed far far further to the right than even #FauxNews. #Propaganda works, folks!