# Free Software Supporter -- Issue 204, April 2025

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*Read and share online:
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Welcome to the *Free Software Supporter*, the Free Software
Foundation's (FSF) monthly news digest and action update -- being read
by you and 231,852 other activists.

## TABLE OF CONTENTS

* April FSF40 challenge: RSVP to a LibreLocal meetup
* GNU Project changes mascot to baby gnu
* FSF defends user freedom in amicus brief submitted in Neo4j v. Suhy
* "Free" filing should be free as in freedom
* Meet Abelujo, a free software solution for managing bookstores
* GNU Head and other free software memorabilia auctioned off to free software community members
* Amazon tightens the digital handcuffs
* Policy and EU: Router freedom in the EU
* GIMP 3.0 released
* Starting last week, everything you say to your Echo will be sent to Amazon
* Zoë Kooyman on post-Stallman changes at the Free Software Foundation
* March GNU Emacs news
* Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory
* LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism_Guide
* March GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Eighteen new GNU releases!
* FSF and other free software events
* Thank GNUs!
* GNU copyright contributions
* Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
* Take action with the FSF!

View this issue online here:
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***

### April FSF40 challenge: RSVP to a LibreLocal meetup

Almost every month during our fortieth anniversary year, we're
inviting free software supporters everywhere to join us in celebrating
FSF40. For this month's challenge, we're asking you to RSVP to a
[LibreLocal][1] meetup near you. If there isn't one happening near
you, grab a friend and [host][2] one! It can be as simple as meeting
other free software supporters at a coffee shop for an hour or two. If
you can't take part in this #FSF40Challenge, fear not -- we've got
eight more coming.

[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]

If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag
\#FSF40 on [social media][3] and let us know!

[3]: [link removed]

Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at
<[email protected]>!

Instead of hosting a single LibrePlanet conference, we're making 2025
a libre year! Check back often for more details about what we're doing
to honor [forty years of fighting for user freedom][4].

[4]: [link removed]


### GNU Project changes mascot to baby gnu
*From April 1*

After decades of using the Bold GNU Head as its emblem, the GNU
Project has announced plans to change their mascot to the baby gnu.
Read about what the GNU Project hopes will follow with this shift in
appearances.

* <[link removed]>


### FSF defends user freedom in amicus brief submitted in Neo4j v. Suhy
*From March 3*

In early March, the FSF announced that it submitted an amicus brief in
the case entitled Neo4j, Inc., et al. v. Suhy, et al., Case No.
24-5538 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
The amicus brief addresses various misstatements and baseless
assertions regarding the FSF and the GNU Affero General Public License
Version 3 (AGPLv3) -- the license at issue in the case -- found in a
pleading filed by Neo4j. You can read about the amicus brief
highlights in the corresponding news article.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### "Free" filing should be free as in freedom
*From March 27*

Unfortunately for US taxpayers, there has never been a way to
electronically file taxes in freedom. In 2023, we called on the IRS
during Direct File's development phase to build a freedom-respecting
website for filing tax returns. When the pilot website Direct File was
released in 2024, it became apparent that it continued the precedent
of requiring taxpayers to hand over their freedoms if they wanted to
file electronically. While it is a step in the right direction for
many in that Direct File only gives taxpayer information to the IRS
instead of the IRS and a nonfree third-party company, there are many
reasons that taxpayers should be able to electronically file their
taxes in freedom. You can use some of the reasons listed in the
article below (maybe even all of them!) to craft your letter to the
IRS to demand that the version of Direct File available in all fifty
states respects user freedom.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### Meet Abelujo, a free software solution for managing bookstores
*From March 25*

FSF copyright & licensing associate Craig Topham interviewed the
founder of Abelujo, the only free software program for bookstores as
of March 2025. It is a web-based application that helps booksellers
register new stock and sell books that has been used since 2020 by
professional bookstores and associations in Europe, South America, and
maybe elsewhere! Whether you have experience in bookselling or are
simply a fan of books, we think you'll enjoy learning more about this
useful program and its backstory.

* <[link removed]>


### GNU Head, among other free software memorabilia, auctioned off to free software community members
*From March 24*

In a two-part auction held in honor of its fortieth anniversary, the
FSF auctioned off a variety of free software historical memorabilia,
including three especially recognizable artifacts: the Internet Hall
of Fame medal awarded to the FSF's founder, Richard M. Stallman, in
2013; Stallman's legendary katana; and the original GNU Head drawing
by Etienne Suvasa (1992). You can get caught up on the proceedings of
the live and silent auctions from mid-March below.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### Amazon tightens the digital handcuffs

*From March 5*

At the end of February, Amazon announced that it would strip older
Kindles of the ability to transfer e-books to their devices via USB.
As the oldest models of the devices don't have wireless cards, this
was the only officially supported method of transferring new books
over to these devices. This change has effectively rendered these
older devices nearly useless. If you or someone you know uses a
Kindle (older or newer) and aren't familiar with all the ways that
Amazon controls Kindle users and their devices, you can learn more in
our recent blog post.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### Policy and EU: Router freedom in the EU
*From March 27 by Free Software Foundation Europe*

Earlier this year, Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) achieved a
major win in Germany for router freedom, the right to use any device
to connect to the internet. In their most recent Software Freedom
Podcast episode, Bonnie Mehring, Alexander Sander, and Lucas Lasota
talk about router freedom and the FSFE's work to protect freedom of
choice regarding internet devices.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### GIMP 3.0 released
*From March 20 by Aleksandr Prokudin*

After seven years of development, GIMP 3.0 (the well-known
cross-platform image editor) was released at the beginning of March
under a GPLv3 or later license. This very exciting release for graphic
designers, illustrators, scientists, and others has a lot of great new
features, including: layer filters, color management updates, and
more! These changes and others are explained in detail in this review,
as well as a small update about GIMP's possible future name change.
New and experienced GIMP users are encouraged to check out the newest
version of GIMP and share their experiences.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### Everything you say to your Echo will be sent to Amazon starting on March 28
*From March 14 by Scharon Harding*

The Amazon Echo comes with many hidden costs and increasingly fewer
choices for users. At the end of March, users no longer have the
choice not to send voice recordings of commands spoken to their Echo
speakers directly to Amazon's cloud. In other words, the private words
of Echo users are playable again and again by Amazon employees. The
only way for users to avoid Amazon storing private voice requests --
stop using their otherwise-functional Echo. If you or someone you know
has an Echo in your home, you will want to consider exactly what you
say in listening distance of your Echo, and switch to a more
freedom-respecting device.

* <[link removed]>


### Zoë Kooyman on post-Stallman changes at the Free Software Foundation
*From March 11 by Bruce Byfield*

In the first part of an interview between FOSS Force and FSF executive
director Zoë Kooyman, Kooyman covered changes at the FSF since Richard
Stallman stepped down as president in 2019, the difference between the
terms "free software" and "open source," and what issues machine
learning can bring up for freedom-loving tech users. In the second
part of the interview, Kooyman discussed innovations that the FSF has
made to remain resilient and grounded in its mission to promote
computer user freedom.

* <[link removed]>
* <[link removed]>


### March GNU Emacs news

*From March 31 by Sacha Chua*

In these issues: Inhibit-mouse.el, the golden ratio package, and more!

* [2025-03-31]([link removed])
* [2025-03-24]([link removed])
* [2025-03-17]([link removed])
* [2025-03-10]([link removed])
* [2025-03-03]([link removed])


### Join the FSF and friends in updating the Free Software Directory

Tens of thousands of people visit directory.fsf.org each month to
discover free software. Each entry in the Directory contains a wealth
of useful information, from basic category and descriptions to version
control, IRC channels, documentation, and licensing. The Free Software
Directory has been a great resource to software users over the past
decade, but it needs your help staying up-to-date with new and
exciting free software projects.

To help, join our weekly IRC meetings on Fridays. Meetings take place
in the #fsf channel on Libera.Chat, and usually include a handful of
regulars as well as newcomers. Libera.Chat is accessible from any IRC
client -- Everyone's welcome!

The next meeting is Friday, April 4 from 12:00 to 15:00 EDT (16:00 to
19:00 UTC). Details here:
<[link removed]>

* <[link removed]>


### LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism_Guide

Every month on [the LibrePlanet
wiki]([link removed]), we highlight one
resource that is interesting and useful -- often one that could use
your help.

For this month, we are highlighting Activism_Guide, which provides
information about how to advocate for free software and free
standards. It doesn't focus on the what but rather on the how. You are
invited to adopt, spread and improve this important resource.

* <[link removed]>

Do you have a suggestion for next month's featured resource? Let us
know at <[email protected]>.


### March GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Eighteen new GNU releases!

Eighteen new GNU releases in the last month (as of March 31, 2025):

* [ddrescue-1.29.1]([link removed])
* [ed-1.21.1]([link removed])
* [g-golf-0.8.1]([link removed])
* [gdbm-1.25]([link removed])
* [gnuboot-0.1-rc6]([link removed])
* [gnunet-0.24.0]([link removed])
* [gsasl-2.2.2]([link removed])
* [libidn-1.43]([link removed])
* [libidn2-2.3.8]([link removed])
* [linux-libre-6.14-gnu]([link removed])
* [mailutils-3.19]([link removed])
* [mpfr-4.2.2]([link removed])
* [octave-10.1.0]([link removed])
* [parallel-20250322]([link removed])
* [patch-2.8]([link removed])
* [poke-4.3]([link removed])
* [shepherd-1.0.3]([link removed])
* [zile-2.6.4]([link removed])

*For a full list with descriptions, please see:
<[link removed]>*

For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu
mailing list: <[link removed]>.

To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from
<[link removed]>. Optionally, you may find faster download
speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing
from the list of mirrors published at
<[link removed]>, or you may use
<[link removed]> to be automatically redirected to a
(hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.

A number of GNU packages, as well as the GNU operating system as a
whole, are looking for maintainers and other assistance. Please see
<[link removed]> if you'd like to
help. The general page on how to help GNU is at
<[link removed]>.

If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like
to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see
<[link removed]>.

As always, please feel free to write to me, <[email protected]>,
with any GNUish questions or suggestions for future installments.


### FSF and other free software events

* April 25-27, 2025, Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, Washington [LinuxFest Northwest]([link removed])
* May, 2025 in-person worldwide and online, [LibreLocal month]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, META SPACE Coffee & Bar, Beijing, China [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, Chennai, India [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 1, 2025, J a Cafe, Shanghai, China [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 4, 2025, Lviv, Ukraine [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 5, 2025, Online, Turkey [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 8-9, 2025, Shiraz, Iran [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 10, 2025, Livermore Public Library, Livermore, California [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 10, 2025, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 17, 2025, Le Blanc, France [Community meetup]([link removed])
* May 17, 2025, Bitwäscherei, Zurich, Switzerland [Community meetup]([link removed])
* June 5-8, 2025, Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Prague, Prague, Czech Republic [Flock to Fedora]([link removed])
* June 11-13, 2025, Deusto University: Bilbao Campus, Bilbao, Spain [SECRYPT]([link removed])
* June 20-22, 2025, Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, Oregon [Teardown]([link removed])
* June 13-15, 2025, Sheraton Charlotte Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina [SouthEast LinuxFest]([link removed])
* June 23-25, 2025, Denver, Colorado [OSSNA]([link removed])
* August 4-September 7, 2025, online FSF Free Software Every Day photo contest (*details to be announced*)
* August 15-17, 2025, Queens, New York [HOPE]([link removed])
* November, 2025, FSF hackathon (*details to be announced*)
* October 3-4, 2025, University of Texas, Austin, Texas [Texus Linux Festival]([link removed])
* October 4, 2025, FSF40 celebration (*details to be announced*)
* October 4, 2025, FSF40 trivia night (*details to be announced*)
* October 4, 2025, Harbin, China [Community meetup]([link removed])


### Thank GNUs!

We appreciate everyone who donates to the Free Software Foundation,
and we'd like to give special recognition to the folks who have
donated $500 or more in the last month.

* <[link removed]>

This month, a big Thank GNU to:

* Adam Oberbeck
* Andy Kopra
* Ayan Jaysan
* Christos Kalkanis
* Dwayne Dever
* František Kučera
* Joseph Cox
* Katherine Runyon
* Kevin Runner
* Kristin Kohlberg
* R Scott Belford
* René Genz

You can add your name to this list by donating at
<[link removed]>.


### GNU copyright contributions

Assigning your copyright to the Free Software Foundation helps us
defend the GNU GPL and keep software free. The following individuals
have assigned their copyright to the FSF (and allowed public
appreciation) in the past month:

* Collin Funk (GNU Cppi)
* Yue Yi (GNU Emacs)
* Wojciech Siewierski (GNU Emacs)
* Rongzhao Yan (GNU Emacs)
* Paolo De Santis (GNU Wget)
* Maximilian Küffner (GNU Emacs)
* David Pernía (GNU Emacs)
* Spyridon Roumeliotis (GNU Emacs)

Want to see your name on this list? Contribute to GNU and assign your
copyright to the FSF.

* <[link removed]>


### Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*

El *Free Software Supporter* está disponible en español. Para ver la
versión en español haz click aquí:
<[link removed]>

**Para cambiar las preferencias de usuario y recibir los próximos
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Le *Free Software Supporter* est disponible en français. Pour voir la
version française cliquez ici:
<[link removed]>

**Pour modifier vos préférences et recevoir les prochaines
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<[link removed]>

If you no longer wish to receive the *Free Software Supporter* in
English (but still receive other communications in English), you can
opt out [here][5].

[5]: [link removed]


### Take action with the FSF!

Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable
the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at
<[link removed]>. If you're already a member, you can help
refer new members by adding a line with your member number to your
email signature like:

> I'm an FSF member -- Help us support software freedom!
> <[link removed]>

The FSF is always looking for
[volunteers]([link removed]). From rabble-rousing to
hacking, from issue coordination to envelope stuffing -- there's
something here for everybody to do. Also, head over to our [campaigns
section]([link removed]) and [take action on software
patents]([link removed]), [Digital Restrictions
Management]([link removed]), [free
software adoption]([link removed]),
[OpenDocument]([link removed]),
and more.

**Do you read and write Portuguese and English?** The FSF is looking
for translators for the *Free Software Supporter*. Please send an
email to <[email protected]> with your interest and a list of your
experience and qualifications.
--
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