A libre program is a program that fulfills these 4 basic freedoms.

  • The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose (freedom 0).
  • The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
  • The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help others (freedom 2).
  • The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
  • Bonus points if it is cross-platform (can run on Windows or MacOS) or replaces a proprietary program

Jitsi Meet

Jitsi Meet is a free software program that allows users to create video calls with each other. Licensed under Apache 2.0, anyone is able to launch their own Jitsi Meet instance and be able to talk to their friends and family without having their freedoms revoked.

This application can be used to replace proprietary video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meets which in addition to being nonfree, un-auditable programs have also shown time and time again to disrespect its users even further such as forcefully integrating AI anti features and forcing users to be trapped in their cultivated video conferencing garden of stings.

  • Read more about the security of Jitsi if you’re interested.

Jitsi Meet can be run on any operating system that has access to a web browser. There is also offline binaries for Linux distributions from Flathub. It’s also available on mobile operating systems in both F-Droid and proprietary app stores.

How can I use it?

Jitsi Meet can be used gratis on the behalf of Jitsi here, however it requires the user to sign in with either Google, Facebook, or Github; all proprietary platforms.

Luckily, Framasoft still has a fully gratis Jitsi Meet service at Framatalk which does not require a third-party login.

Stop Zoomin’ and use Jitsi Meet, self host one if you can to further ensure your freedom and your community.

Share your favorite Free software program here and help others!

Day 4 of libreposting :-)

  • ArsenLupin [comrade/them, he/him]English
    14•9 months ago

    FreeCAD is an extensive CAD program that can do a ton. It’s a little daunting but totally worth investing the time to learn!

    KiCAD is a fantastic electronics schematic and PCB design software that totally eclipsed EagleCAD in the hobbyist and prosumer market over the last decade or so.

    • PorkrollPosadist [he/him]English
      8•9 months ago

      FreeCAD is dope as hell. There are a lot of things about it I prefer over Creo Parametric. The Fillet tool can drive me insane though.

      I smuggled a copy of RealThunder’s branch into work which I use it to create 2D geometry in the sketcher workbench which I then feed into D.P. Systems Esprit (hella proprietary) to generate toolpaths for wire EDMs. Most of these are one-off jobs, but we have one production job which originated as a FreeCAD sketch. I also model a bunch of random shit in Part Design for my 3D printer at home.

      Here’s the last project I worked on:

      • @Sparrow_1029English
        8•9 months ago

        This is so rad. Been going back and forth whether I should buy a printer since I’m not super well-versed in 3D modeling (some experience with SketchUp and Blender is all)

      • ArsenLupin [comrade/them, he/him]English
        6•9 months ago

        Super cool!

        Yeah you look at r/CAD, where people talk about the real big CAD software (forget F360 and OnShape crap) and essentially people all have similar issues (steep learning curve, occasional crashes, etc). But FreeCAD seems to have gotten some decent reaction recently, which I’m hoping will improve things significantly.

        I’m surprised the F360 license debacle didn’t generate more traction though. That’s what did it for KiCAD. When AutoDesk bought Eagle, they fucked with the licensing, went to a subscription service, etc… Instantly making KiCAD development rocket upwards. I was hoping the same would happen, but alas FreeCAD is still niche. But I am certainly seeing an increase of tutorial content on YouTube which is a good sign!

        • PorkrollPosadist [he/him]English
          6•9 months ago

          I think in the commercial space, firms are just forced to buy everything. You use whatever your clients use. If your client designs an assembly in SolidWorks, you are basically forced to use SolidWorks. If another client uses Creo, you have to use that as well. Many, many engineering hours get invested into modeling, as well as all the related byproducts (like creating blueprints, FEM / CFD analysis, CNC toolpaths, promotional rendering, etc) so once a firm is invested in a particular system, change is unlikely. The CAD systems used are linked to a product lifecycle just as rigidly as the machinery and tooling used to manufacture the components.

          and essentially people all have similar issues (steep learning curve, occasional crashes, etc)

          100%. The grass isn’t much greener in the commercial space. Some of the edges are a bit smoother, but 95% of it is slick marketing and the abundance of training resources. You still need to take deliberate precautions in your model design to prevent the whole thing from exploding from a minor change in design requirements.

            • LeZero [he/him]English
              4•9 months ago

              Even office jobs can have this to some degree, the software your client use to run some service is old as fuck and you’re forced to use specific version of internet explorer or some program that hasn’t been updated since 2011 or something

      • ArsenLupin [comrade/them, he/him]English
        2•9 months ago

        My pleasure, FreeCAD deserves a lot more love. It gets so much hate on reddit-logo that I’m convinced AutoDesk (Fusion360) ran a smear campaign when they changed the licensing and were getting a lot of backlash.