Michael Downey 🇺🇳

Software freedom and digital rights activist. FLOSS.social admin. Boards: @librehealth, @fdroidorg, @osuosl. @fsfe, @conservancy, & @matrix Supporter.

Formerly: #OpenSource programs at #UnitedNations Foundation, #Community at OpenMRS.

Quality toots since 2017.

#FreeSoftware #HumanRights #DigitalAutonomy #SurveillanceCapitalism #privacy #UN #fedi22

Public Key

npub1hzllxv53q3q0jvyd7esmlktwdff0gszh3y3mg9uwh5c4m0g7uxkq4e5x2u

NIP-05 Address

downey_at_floss.social@mostr.pub

Profile Code

nprofile1qqst30lnx2gsgs8exzxlvcdlm9hx55h5gptcjga5z78t6v2ah50wrtqpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0wd68ytnsw43q9972ht

Publishing to

relay.mostr.pub

Author Public Key

npub1hzllxv53q3q0jvyd7esmlktwdff0gszh3y3mg9uwh5c4m0g7uxkq4e5x2u

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Last Notes

2024-09-14 02:05:54

🕵️ #Disinformation threatens communities, democracies and peace.
With 3.7 billion people getting to vote in 2024, UNDP is partnering with election bodies, media and youth to address harmful content, ensure the flow of trustworthy information and boost digital literacy.
#EveryVoiceCounts
https://invidious.nerdvpn.de/watch?v=4W7Yhm64sXQ

2024-05-30 21:11:11

#Trump #guilty on all 34 counts

2024-04-29 17:44:45

Yes, you can still buy 4K TV's that are not "Smart" (surveillance). They're called "commercial displays" and as a bonus, they're more durable, too.
Prices start at $550 US for a 55-inch Samsung model.
#SurveillanceCapitalism #SmartTV #TV
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Flat-Panel-Displays/ci/16073/N/4205668456?sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_display-size_4953%3A55in%7C65in

2024-04-22 18:05:28

:microsoft: ➡️ :matrix: It's a Big Freaking Deal when we can move any #UnitedNations organization away from #Microsoft.
The system-wide IT shop UNICC has announced its move to #Matrix:
https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-united-nations-ditches-big-tech-in-a-bid-for-security

2024-04-17 13:00:25

Just for the record,
I don't think Linux is a waste of time.
#SoftwareFreedom #Linux #GNOME

2024-04-09 16:20:18

:matrix: TIL that #Beeper the #Matrix based unified chat utility, has been acquired by #Automattic.
https://blog.beeper.com/2024/04/09/beeper-is-joining-automattic/

2024-04-02 20:49:52

TFW someone buys investment property in your neighborhood is suddenly welcomed as a "neighbor" by everyone on your block
#Threads #Fediverse

2024-03-29 14:25:32

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@npub19st…u9g9 Remember when?
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/details/

2024-03-22 14:48:09

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@npub1vtx…cnd8 Nonprofits on the Fediverse to which I currently donate:
:gnome: @npub1vzv…s5n9 - Making free software accessible for everyone's daily computing
🌳 @npub1c2x…hkg2 - Protecting software freedom and promoting its sustainability and diversity
:matrix: @npub1zxn…7s3u - Revolutionizing distributed, private, secure communication
:fsfe: @npub10ad…tvms - The global leader in software freedom advoacy for the public sector

2024-03-10 23:11:38

Compassion must prevail. https://artists4ceasefire.org/takeaction
#Oscars2024 #CeaseFireNow
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/112/073/891/195/379/519/original/e875ddaff022cf8f.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/112/073/891/602/548/928/original/bde5990cc14ba986.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/112/073/892/042/396/073/original/445914a50b9a2aaa.jpg
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/112/073/892/508/889/032/original/651d3fee55ab28f6.jpg

2024-02-22 14:58:12

It's now been a week of this shit and #Mastodon still doesn't let us disable image caching.
#MastoAdmin #FediAdmin #spam

2024-02-18 21:15:54

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@npub18kf…npv5 @npub1xhz…kaka Yes, oops! 💚

2024-02-18 20:49:30

:boost_love: Boost if you think groups like @npub18kf…npv5 @npub1xhz…kaka and others should band together and fund a hard fork of #Mastodon that prioritizes trust and safety, and the needs of #Fediverse admins to protect their users from abuse.
⭐ Favorite if you would support with a little money, too.
#MastoAdmin #FediAdmin #spam #ForkTogether

2024-02-17 01:49:20

Dear #Lazyfed —
Can someone explain to me how #Bridgy isn't simple copyright infringement?
🤔
For example, see this case that determined the implied license of an RSS feed for personal use, doesn't necessarily include permission for another site to republish the material: https://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/copyright/1047416/implied-copyright-licenses-in-the-digital-world-blogs-rss-feeds-and-aggregators

2023-12-23 22:32:14

🤔 Social Media, 2016: Sure, Trump has done some bad stuff, but we should give him a chance. What harm could it do?
🤕 Social Media, 2023: Sure, Facebook have done some bad stuff, but we should give them a chance. What harm could it do?
#Meta #Threads #Facebook

2023-12-22 23:56:04

🤔 Throughout our lives we will all be faced with difficult decisions to make about complex problems.
The best advice?
Read.
Read all we can, study everything there is to know about the situation. Learn all we can. Listen to other opinions.
When we've done all that, we've done all the hard work.
The last part is easy.
Do the right thing.
#morality #ethics #honor #FediPact #Threads #Facebook #Meta

2023-12-22 17:31:48

:boost_love: #boostsWelcome
#FridayFeeling #quotes #Threads #Meta #Facebook #FediPact
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/111/625/247/081/036/919/original/28cd1d6729c51fd4.jpg

2023-12-19 09:00:02

"Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we have given away our power to that entity."
— M. Scott Peck, "The Road Less Traveled"
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/111/604/925/636/190/513/original/4d5db45c27c872fd.jpg

2023-12-18 23:42:13

:facebook: 🕵️ I wonder how the new roving surveillance cameras from #Meta will fare here in #Portland, #Oregon where facial recognition in public spaces (even done by private parties) is illegal?
Read "Ray-Ban Meta review: How Meta’s new face camera heralds a new age of surveillance" --
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/ray-ban-meta-review-how-metas-new-face-camera-heralds-a-new-age-of-surveillance/
#PDX #privacy #Facebook #Threads

2023-12-07 18:19:07

🚨 🕵🏽 :apple_inc: :google: Once again proud of my US Senator, who is blowing the whistle on government #surveillance of people through mobile push notifications typically sent through #Apple or #Google servers.
Yet another reason to use @npub1z2j…r69f to avoid corporate #spyware. And to use something like @npub1dl6…j2uu for your push notifications instead.
https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/06/us-senator-warns-governments-spying-apple-google-smartphone-users-via-push-notifications/
#SurveillanceCapitalism #privacy #FDroid

2023-11-24 20:00:06

"If advertisers spent the same amount of money on improving their products as they do on advertising, then they wouldn't have to advertise them."
— Will Rogers
#quotes #FridayThoughts #BlackFriday
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/111/466/897/426/524/182/original/289524377f238aed.jpg

2023-11-09 22:23:29

I'm not sure if this will help anyone but a reminder that there is a nice little tool offered by @npub1v7j…mcl4 that will help your joined rooms between two different #Matrix accounts. IIRC it's not perfect but it works pretty well.
https://ems.element.io/tools/account-migration

2023-11-08 13:40:06

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@npub1pxt…pdwx Yes but which Matrix server are you using? Performance issues may more likely be related to server problems especially if it's more than just a single room with problems.

2023-11-08 13:34:48

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@npub1pxt…pdwx Which Matrix server?

2023-11-06 16:25:24

:matrix: So the dev teams of two major #Matrix homeservers, #Synapse and #Dendrite, have announced that they will fork their work to change from the non-reciprocal #Apache license to the reciprocal #AGPLv3. That is a good step in the right direction. #Copyleft is the only effective way to ensure software public goods remain open.
However the effect is not much change yet, because they will require a #CLA for contributions to be merged. Revert to a #DCO would ensure future protection.
(1/2)

2023-09-25 13:00:35

🇺🇸 :covid19: US residents: In light of this current #COVID wave, your government has today again opened up your allotment of 2 free home test packs. Request yours now, then boost this post for others:
:boost_love: https://www.covid.gov/tests
#COVID19 #CovidIsNotOver

2023-09-08 20:15:19

:matrix: Great interview with the new head of the #Matrix Foundation @npub1up6…5rqj and the rest of the team discussing an exciting future for the #OpenSource community and distributed secure communication. Definitely worth a watch:
https://invidious.lunar.icu/watch?v=M0oc7sVksm0

2023-09-08 19:32:10

:fediverse: I'm a few days late to the party, but really digg-ing the look of #Postmarks, the newly-announced #Fediverse enabled bookmarking system. Have you seen it yet?
https://motd.co/2023/09/postmarks-launch/

2023-09-08 14:27:15

"If you wait to be unafraid, you will die waiting. The terrors of this world do not sleep. Liberation is for those who tremble."
— Cole Arthur Riley
#quotes #FridayFeeling
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/111/029/981/021/417/359/original/51c6f5517efc1142.jpeg

2023-08-13 22:44:41

🗨️ "For every company that is unwilling to provide any #remoteWork flexibility to their employees, there’s another company, just around the corner, ready to poach their talent. Demanding that employees work on-site turns hiring into a Sisyphean task for HR teams—especially those hiring for tech jobs. A 2022 report from Terminal found that three-quarters of engineers surveyed wanted to #work remotely at least three days a week." - Sid @ GitLab
https://fortune.com/2022/06/21/gitlab-ceo-remote-work-just-work-careers-success-leadership-pandemic-sid-sijbrandij/

2023-08-12 16:43:36

TFW when something looks great and then you realize they're demanding a CLA.
😩
#OpenSource #ProtectYourRights

2023-08-10 22:09:19

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@npub1j43…jvze
Quite a few people don't realize that this proprietary license prohibits any kind of nonprofit organization or activist organizations from using the software.

2023-08-08 19:36:56

:microsoft: Not to be outdone by #Zoom, #Microsoft rolled out more Terms of Service updates, effective 2023-09-30.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/upcoming-updates
😆 What surprise #privacy and other abuses are waiting to be discovered?

2023-08-08 16:44:25

:fediverse: Re-centralization is never the answer.

2023-08-06 01:41:45

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@npub1trd…ussx @npub1eu5…3nau
seems like a lifetime ago

2023-08-04 14:22:57

"Shouting 'self-care' at people who actually need 'community care' is how we fail people."
— Nakita Valerio
https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/self-care-new-zealand-muslim-attack/
#quotes #FridayFeeling
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/831/781/201/472/559/original/27e70ac54cfd1a56.jpg

2023-07-30 20:16:11

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@npub1typ…c8hh
Thank you for this work and helping raise the alarm.
Related ICYMI:
https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2022/12/googles-water-use-is-soaring-in-the-dalles-records-show-with-two-more-data-centers-to-come.html

2023-07-24 21:04:02

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@npub12ty…vnqc IIRC a bunch of folks are going to have an actual online unconference (no cost, registration-free) on the same day so maybe that's a tz and environmentally friendlier option for you

2023-07-17 18:37:20

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@npub1j43…jvze reminds me of those corporate hackathons that make you sign away your rights to them, for the "privilege" to participate and a chance at winning the prize!

2023-07-17 18:27:25

Once again the "Fediforum" is back and once again missing the target with its supposed audience by ignoring feedback from last time, and insisting on using proprietary centralized tech for registration and charging fees for an online unconference.
If you want to build a successful, trusting, participatory community that doesn't center the privileged, don't take this approach.
If your event has unavoidable costs, make them clear. People will understand and do what they can.

2023-07-16 13:58:56

Important perennial and universal reminder from @npub1a3r…9clu:
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/724/107/608/892/463/original/41c4f9218f42b8b2.png

2023-07-15 17:02:07

😡 #RightToRepair is so important. I have a #Vizio TV, asked for the source code, and they never provided it. (Some companies just have a website to download it.) The TV recently broke and maybe I could have fixed it myself. Repair shop said they don't repair them because it's not worth the cost. So my only option was to buy another one. #FOSSY

2023-07-07 23:07:50

🤔 Apparently my account has been suspended instance-wide by moderators at @npub1zun…4zjg so all of my followers there from the past 6 years have been disconnected, and no one on that instance can follow me any more.
No reason or advance notice was provided, and no reports were sent.

2023-07-07 16:37:37

:fedora: 🕵 #Surveillance is one helluva drug: #IBM pushing hard to put opt-out spyware in #Fedora #Linux.
"Opt-in telemetry is garbage"
#informedConsent #privacy #humanRights #SurveillanceCapitalism #RedHat
https://discussion.fedoraproject.org/t/f40-change-request-privacy-preserving-telemetry-for-fedora-workstation-system-wide/85320

2023-07-05 23:58:13

#Threads #Facebook #Meta #Instagram #P92 #Project92
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/664/183/071/817/495/original/2c04a91d9a9d61e7.png

2023-07-05 13:43:44

🤔 There may be innocent people (who deserve our compassion) living under fascist rule, but that's hardly a reason to welcome said fascists into one's own territory with open arms, or even to "wait and watch what they do" before fighting back.
Fight back.
Don't let them in.
🗨️ "The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." — Albert Einstein
#Facebook #Threads #Meta #Fedipact
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/661/759/353/482/898/original/f26073df8aa78bb4.jpg

2023-07-04 06:31:26

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⚠️ To be clear, a critical update for #MastoAdmin is dropping the same day #Facebook is launching #threads.
🔎 As always, you shouldn't install software updates until you've verified what is changing. Even when (especially when?) you're told it's an emergency.

2023-07-02 01:44:06

⚠️ Hey #MastoAdmin FYI there is a Mastodon security update apparently coming 6 July.
The reason you probably didn't know about it, is because it was only announced* behind a proprietary centralized paywalled garden. (Not Twitter, but the same effect.)
Be ready.
* This is not a recommended way to run an #OpenSource community.
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/641/945/123/045/279/original/ff1e0f9bc9513c66.jpg

2023-06-30 21:56:28

Just a reminder that it's been 2,314 days since #Mozilla promised to #OpenSource #Pocket.
This week: "All Pocket accounts will be converted to Firefox accounts, an authentication service powered by Mozilla."
#OpenWashing
https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/pocket/signing-in-to-pocket-just-got-even-more-secure/

2023-06-26 21:00:45

:twitter: Elon Musk Wealth
2012: $2,000,000,000.00
2023: $234,000,000,000.00
:facebook: Mark Zuckerberg Wealth
2009: $2,000,000,000.00
2023: $105,000,000,000.00
👷🏽 US Federal Minimum Wage Workers:
2009: $7.25
2023: $7.25
➡️ "The cage match we should pay attention to is the one the billionaire class is waging against the working class." - Warren Gunnels
Related: A new Stockholm Syndrome-like tendency to call regular folks "elitist" for fighting back against Zuckerberg:
https://floss.social/@downey/110611425913261012

2023-06-15 18:02:58

In the US, officials are meeting to determine the formulation of the coming year's #COVID vaccine. #CovidIsNotOver even if fewer people are infected and it's not in the news every day.
Peoples' health and lives are still disrupted every day.
If you're running or organizing an event, make sure your event does what it can to help people protect their health. Consider signing the @npub1nzj…sstv at https://publichealthpledge.com/ today.

2023-05-19 11:03:17

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@npub1trd…ussx 3 dots in upper right -> Layout Preferences -> Filters

2023-05-17 23:20:28

:fediverse: 🎂 Happy #Fediversary, everyone ... 15 years on 18 May!
:boost_love: #Fediverse #birthday #anniversary
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/386/575/649/730/699/original/5747e4927d14fc07.mp4

2023-05-17 16:33:27

😫 Tired: Google deleting old YouTube accounts
😃 Wired: Uploading to @npub1xrj…9q43

2023-05-10 13:34:30

🚨 Here's the *important* news about #encryption that statists REALLY want to distract you from seeing or talking about this week:
🇮🇳 Government in #India (population 1,418,570,502) just blocked 1️⃣4️⃣ different encrypted decentralized #messenger apps, such as #Threema #Element and #Briar.
🔒 #Privacy is a human right. Protect it with all your might.
:boost_love: Spread the word about #WhatTheBlock. More from @npub1egt…3ljh:
https://internetfreedom.in/14-mobile-apps-banned/
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/344/752/513/250/214/original/8a910c7fd787648d.png

2023-05-09 12:41:34

☣️ :github: This would be a perfect week to fight back against the ongoing abuse and monetization of the hard work and intellectual property of #OpenSource maintainers by Microsoft and #GiveUpGitHub.
#OpenSource deserves better than the most enticing proprietary walled garden ever made for its developers. #GitHub
https://GiveUpGitHub.org

2023-05-07 00:32:09

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@npub1k08…6xvn Anyone who wants. It's free software, it's literally for everyone even those you don't like. That's its power.
Setting aside whether or not such FOSS consumers should exist in the world, in reality the choices are:
1) Our taxes go to MS for Teams, Salesforce for Slack, or similar
2) Our taxes go to some freeloader selling FOSS that's not contributing in the community
3) Our taxes go to someone selling FOSS that IS contributing in the community
Really not any other option AFAICT.

2023-05-06 22:00:26

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@npub1k08…6xvn
Ask me after I find my replacement for Linux, Nextcloud, XMPP, Android, Postgres....

2023-05-06 16:42:12

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@npub1gv0…f3ru 30% of these "mastodon servers" aren't running mastodon.

2023-05-05 16:10:50

🚨 🇮🇳 #India banning #OpenSource #Matrix clients like #Element is equivalent to banning your favorite web browser or email client.
🤯 Can you imagine if Firefox, Chrome, or Thunderbird were banned nationally?
🔑 Privacy is a human right.
➡️ And governments will never stop human rights abuses by denying its citizens' human rights.
:boost_love: Pass it on.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/centre-blocks-14-apps-in-jammu-and-kashmir-for-spreading-terror/articleshow/99900661.cms

2023-05-04 23:08:54

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@npub178r…qekt @npub1a5z…hcww
Or, the UI which says "Visible to mentioned users only"?

2023-04-28 16:58:28

🇬🇧 🔒 British citizens & #UK residents, sign to help stop passing the Online Safety Bill:
"We believe the provisions of this bill raise serious #humanRights concerns, especially in relation to privacy of freedom of expression and #privacy. There are concerns that the legislation could be used to require providers of services that use end-to-end #encryption such as WhatsApp and Signal, to monitor their users' content."
:boost_love: Please boost to spread the word!
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/634725

2023-04-24 20:16:05

:boost_love: Hey folks - please boost for visibility!
:mastodon: The brilliant & hard-working 16-year old Lucas #[0] is doing a great job building a fun and innovative fork of the #[1] #[2] client.
💡 Take a moment to download and try it out, and if you can, toss him a little money to support & encourage his work!
https://github.com/LucasGGamerM/moshidon

2023-04-24 00:10:52

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#[0]
Even better to archive on your own system that no one else can jeopardize:
https://github.com/kensanata/mastodon-archive
#[1]

2023-04-07 19:19:09

📰 "#[0] is completely out of options and they are positioning themselves for the inevitable ... This is yet another case of American corporatism failing the #[1] world."
https://scribe.bus-hit.me/@imashadowphantom/mariadb-com-is-dead-long-live-mariadb-org-b8a0ca50a637

2023-03-30 15:34:00

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#[0]
Absolutely ridiculous and destroys any credibility of the event.
#[1]

2023-03-20 13:28:14

Dear devs,
It's NEVER ok to create accounts for a webapp that require an email address, unless you validate that address first.😡
Every week, I get someone signing up for some kind of site with my email address without my consent.
And most of those sites make it difficult if not nearly impossible to stop their transactional #[0].
:boost_love: Please boost for basic education.
#[1]

2023-03-13 15:00:32

Dear devs,
It's NEVER ok to lock people out of a webapp because their User-Agent doesn't match your predefined list. 😡
Especially webapps they need to manage their healthcare.
(I am in fact using one of the browsers on this list, your code just isn't able to tell.)
:boost_love: Please boost for basic education.
#[0]
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/110/016/559/112/094/700/original/e7519c58916252b2.png

2023-03-08 23:00:41

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#[0] #[1] Please provide the IP addresses of the application server(s) used so admins can block their servers if they wish.

2022-11-24 08:16:46

:opensource: 👂🏽Do any #OpenSource #audio geeks know of tools for #Android (especially) and/or #Linux that can set separate equalization for each ear?
:covid19: Because of #COVID, I have #hearingLoss in my left ear and I would like to boost higher frequencies to get it somewhat equal.
:boost_love: Thanks for any ideas. Please boost if you have audio-smart followers that might have ideas for me, and please wear a mask so this doesn't happen to you.
https://cdn.masto.host/floss/media_attachments/files/109/397/782/543/486/915/original/213f9f0b371e4a2c.jpg

2022-03-22 05:46:37

:google: :android: ⚠️ If you use a version of #Android distributed by #Google, they've been spying on your calls and SMS without your permission.
This is great time to de-Google with an AOSP-based OS focused on #privacy like #GrapheneOS. :grapheneos:
https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/21/google_messages_gdpr/