John Sullivan @johns@librem.one

"Smart" TVs are smart enough to use facial recognition and spy on your habits, but they aren't smart enough to respect your freedom. When even the FBI is cautioning you to "consider whether you are willing to take the risk," you know you've got a problem. https://u.fsf.org/2z0

The FSF tech team is the heart of our organization, and plays a crucial role in the creation and proliferation of free software. If you use their services, today is the day to show your appreciation: https://u.fsf.org/2yz https://status.fsf.org/attachment/1607884

Did you miss EmacsConf 2019? Have no fear: videos are here! Enjoy 31 out of the 32 talks given at this groundbreaking online conference: https://u.fsf.org/2yp https://status.fsf.org/attachment/1271392

Why did @uspto issue a patent on organizing photos? We don’t know, but now it’s being used to sue a non-profit that develops free and open source software. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/12/how-patent-sorting-photos-got-used-sue-free-software-group

The Persistence of Memory (2019)

@liw “The Ferengi are hailing us.”
“Onscreen.”
“Uh… we can't, they're using a proprietary codec and the licence isn't compatible with Federation law.”
“Can we install it anyway? Under one of the diplomacy directives.”
“Nnnooo, looks like we'd need to upgrade the ship's processing core. Or maybe downgrade. Possibly both.”
“Ah screw it, just open fire.”

My friends on IRC are discussing how realistic Star Trek is. The thing that's least realistic is video conferencing, which always works. That's just not possible.

Teleporting? Fine. Warp drive? No problem. Holodeck? Easy. Video conferencing: no way.

New blog post: https://www.harihareswara.net/sumana/2019/06/12/1 "Hey, You Left Something Out"

On the reply/comment pattern that goes (playfully or dismissively): "you did not mention the thing that I think should be mentioned. Therefore, something is wrong." What it's aiming at & what it misses.

Piracy is Ethically Acceptable To Many Harvard Lawyers https://torrentfreak.com/piracy-is-ethically-acceptable-for-many-harvard-lawyers-research-finds-190607/

if any Boston-area #floss #freesoftware #opensource folks are thinking of going to Grendel's for the weekly get-together tonight https://libreplanet.org/2019/fun/ , look for https://jasonaowen.net/ and say hi? He's visiting

More than 50 police departments have partnered with Ring to create a resident-powered surveillance dragnet. That's 50 cities too many. https://www.cnet.com/features/amazons-helping-police-build-a-surveillance-network-with-ring-doorbells/