# Free Software Supporter -- Issue 204, April 2025
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*Read and share online: *
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:
Encourage your friends to subscribe and help us build an audience by adding our subscriber widget to your website.
* Subscribe: * Widget:
Miss an issue? You can catch up on back issues at .
Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll to the end to read the *Supporter* in French or Spanish.
***
### 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.
If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag \#FSF40 on [social media][3] and let us know!
[3]: https://www.fsf.org/share
Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at !
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]: https://www.fsf.org/fsf40
### 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.
*
### 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.
* *
### "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.
* *
### 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.
*
### 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.
* * * * * *
### 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.
* *
### 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.
* *
### 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.
* * *
### 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.
*
### 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.
* *
### March GNU Emacs news
*From March 31 by Sacha Chua*
In these issues: Inhibit-mouse.el, the golden ratio package, and more!
### 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:
*
### LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism_Guide
Every month on [the LibrePlanet wiki](https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Main_Page), 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.
*
Do you have a suggestion for next month's featured resource? Let us know at .
### March GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Eighteen new GNU releases!
Eighteen new GNU releases in the last month (as of March 31, 2025):
For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu mailing list: .
To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from . Optionally, you may find faster download speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing from the list of mirrors published at , or you may use 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 if you'd like to help. The general page on how to help GNU is at .
If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see .
As always, please feel free to write to me, , 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](https://lfnw.org/) * May, 2025 in-person worldwide and online, [LibreLocal month](https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/organize-a-community-meetup-in-your-area) * May 1, 2025, META SPACE Coffee & Bar, Beijing, China [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-beijing-china) * May 1, 2025, Chennai, India [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-chennai-india) * May 1, 2025, J a Cafe, Shanghai, China [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-shanghai-china) * May 4, 2025, Lviv, Ukraine [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-lviv-ukraine) * May 5, 2025, Online, Turkey [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-turkey) * May 8-9, 2025, Shiraz, Iran [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-shiraz-iran) * May 10, 2025, Livermore Public Library, Livermore, California [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-livermore-california) * May 10, 2025, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-islas-canarias-espana) * May 17, 2025, Le Blanc, France [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-leblanc-france) * May 17, 2025, Bitwäscherei, Zurich, Switzerland [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-zurich-switzerland) * June 5-8, 2025, Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Prague, Prague, Czech Republic [Flock to Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/flock/2025/) * June 11-13, 2025, Deusto University: Bilbao Campus, Bilbao, Spain [SECRYPT](https://secrypt.scitevents.org/) * June 20-22, 2025, Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, Oregon [Teardown](https://www.crowdsupply.com/teardown/portland-2025/) * June 13-15, 2025, Sheraton Charlotte Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina [SouthEast LinuxFest](https://southeastlinuxfest.org/) * June 23-25, 2025, Denver, Colorado [OSSNA](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-summit-north-america/) * 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](https://hope.net/) * November, 2025, FSF hackathon (*details to be announced*) * October 3-4, 2025, University of Texas, Austin, Texas [Texus Linux Festival](https://2025.texaslinuxfest.org/) * 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](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-harbin-china)
### 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.
*
This month, a big Thank GNU to:
* Adam Oberbeck * Andy Kopra * Ayan Jaysan * Christos Kalkanis * Dwayne Dever * František Ku?era * Joseph Cox * Katherine Runyon * Kevin Runner * Kristin Kohlberg * R Scott Belford * René Genz
You can add your name to this list by donating at .
### 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.
*
### Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
El *Free Software Supporter* está disponible en español. Para ver la versión en español haz click aquí:
**Para cambiar las preferencias de usuario y recibir los próximos números del *Supporter* en español, haz click aquí:**
Le *Free Software Supporter* est disponible en français. Pour voir la version française cliquez ici:
**Pour modifier vos préférences et recevoir les prochaines publications du *Supporter* en français, cliquez ici:**
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]: https://my.fsf.org/node/75
### Take action with the FSF!
Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at . 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! >
The FSF is always looking for [volunteers](https://www.fsf.org/volunteer). 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](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns) and [take action on software patents](https://endsoftwarepatents.org/), [Digital Restrictions Management](https://www.defectivebydesign.org/), [free software adoption](https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:Freedom_Ladder), [OpenDocument](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/opendocument/download), 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 with your interest and a list of your experience and qualifications. -- Interested in helping us expand our reach?
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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!
Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll to the end to read the Supporter in French or Spanish.
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 meetup near you. If there isn't one happening near you, grab a friend and host 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.
If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag #FSF40 on social media and let us know!
Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at campaigns@fsf.org!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Every month on the LibrePlanet wiki, 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.
To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/. Optionally, you may find faster download speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing from the list of mirrors published at https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html, or you may use https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/ to be automatically redirected to a (hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.
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.
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.
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.
Take action with the FSF!
Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at https://my.fsf.org/join. 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:
Do you read and write Portuguese and English? The FSF is looking for translators for the Free Software Supporter. Please send an email to campaigns@fsf.org with your interest and a list of your experience and qualifications.
# Free Software Supporter -- Issue 204, April 2025
*Please consider adding to your address book, which will ensure that our messages reach you and not your spam box.*
*Read and share online: *
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:
Encourage your friends to subscribe and help us build an audience by adding our subscriber widget to your website.
* Subscribe: * Widget:
Miss an issue? You can catch up on back issues at .
Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll to the end to read the *Supporter* in French or Spanish.
***
### 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.
If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag \#FSF40 on [social media][3] and let us know!
[3]: https://www.fsf.org/share
Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at !
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]: https://www.fsf.org/fsf40
### 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.
*
### 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.
* *
### "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.
* *
### 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.
*
### 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.
* * * * * *
### 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.
* *
### 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.
* *
### 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.
* * *
### 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.
*
### 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.
* *
### March GNU Emacs news
*From March 31 by Sacha Chua*
In these issues: Inhibit-mouse.el, the golden ratio package, and more!
### 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:
*
### LibrePlanet featured resource: Activism_Guide
Every month on [the LibrePlanet wiki](https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Main_Page), 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.
*
Do you have a suggestion for next month's featured resource? Let us know at .
### March GNU Spotlight with Amin Bandali: Eighteen new GNU releases!
Eighteen new GNU releases in the last month (as of March 31, 2025):
For announcements of most new GNU releases, subscribe to the info-gnu mailing list: .
To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from . Optionally, you may find faster download speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing from the list of mirrors published at , or you may use 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 if you'd like to help. The general page on how to help GNU is at .
If you have a working or partly working program that you'd like to offer to the GNU project as a GNU package, see .
As always, please feel free to write to me, , 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](https://lfnw.org/) * May, 2025 in-person worldwide and online, [LibreLocal month](https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/organize-a-community-meetup-in-your-area) * May 1, 2025, META SPACE Coffee & Bar, Beijing, China [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-beijing-china) * May 1, 2025, Chennai, India [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-chennai-india) * May 1, 2025, J a Cafe, Shanghai, China [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-shanghai-china) * May 4, 2025, Lviv, Ukraine [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-lviv-ukraine) * May 5, 2025, Online, Turkey [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-turkey) * May 8-9, 2025, Shiraz, Iran [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-shiraz-iran) * May 10, 2025, Livermore Public Library, Livermore, California [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-livermore-california) * May 10, 2025, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-islas-canarias-espana) * May 17, 2025, Le Blanc, France [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-leblanc-france) * May 17, 2025, Bitwäscherei, Zurich, Switzerland [Community meetup](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-zurich-switzerland) * June 5-8, 2025, Vienna House by Wyndham Andel's Prague, Prague, Czech Republic [Flock to Fedora](https://fedoraproject.org/flock/2025/) * June 11-13, 2025, Deusto University: Bilbao Campus, Bilbao, Spain [SECRYPT](https://secrypt.scitevents.org/) * June 20-22, 2025, Lloyd Center Mall, Portland, Oregon [Teardown](https://www.crowdsupply.com/teardown/portland-2025/) * June 13-15, 2025, Sheraton Charlotte Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina [SouthEast LinuxFest](https://southeastlinuxfest.org/) * June 23-25, 2025, Denver, Colorado [OSSNA](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-summit-north-america/) * 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](https://hope.net/) * November, 2025, FSF hackathon (*details to be announced*) * October 3-4, 2025, University of Texas, Austin, Texas [Texus Linux Festival](https://2025.texaslinuxfest.org/) * 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](https://www.fsf.org/events/community-meetup-harbin-china)
### 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.
*
This month, a big Thank GNU to:
* Adam Oberbeck * Andy Kopra * Ayan Jaysan * Christos Kalkanis * Dwayne Dever * František Ku?era * Joseph Cox * Katherine Runyon * Kevin Runner * Kristin Kohlberg * R Scott Belford * René Genz
You can add your name to this list by donating at .
### 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.
*
### Translations of the *Free Software Supporter*
El *Free Software Supporter* está disponible en español. Para ver la versión en español haz click aquí:
**Para cambiar las preferencias de usuario y recibir los próximos números del *Supporter* en español, haz click aquí:**
Le *Free Software Supporter* est disponible en français. Pour voir la version française cliquez ici:
**Pour modifier vos préférences et recevoir les prochaines publications du *Supporter* en français, cliquez ici:**
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]: https://my.fsf.org/node/75
### Take action with the FSF!
Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at . 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! >
The FSF is always looking for [volunteers](https://www.fsf.org/volunteer). 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](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns) and [take action on software patents](https://endsoftwarepatents.org/), [Digital Restrictions Management](https://www.defectivebydesign.org/), [free software adoption](https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:Freedom_Ladder), [OpenDocument](https://www.fsf.org/campaigns/opendocument/download), 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 with your interest and a list of your experience and qualifications. -- Interested in helping us expand our reach?
* Follow us on Mastodon at and PeerTube at , showing your support for federated social networks. * Get active on the LibrePlanet wiki: * Share on your blog or [social network](https://www.fsf.org/share) that you support us, and why you do so. * Subscribe to our RSS feeds: * Join us as an associate member: ; and display your membership button () on your website.
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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!
Want to read this newsletter translated into another language? Scroll to the end to read the Supporter in French or Spanish.
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 meetup near you. If there isn't one happening near you, grab a friend and host 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.
If you feel comfortable disclosing which meetup you're attending, tag #FSF40 on social media and let us know!
Have an idea for a challenge? Send us a message at campaigns@fsf.org!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Every month on the LibrePlanet wiki, 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.
To download: nearly all GNU software is available most reliably from https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/. Optionally, you may find faster download speeds at a mirror located geographically closer to you by choosing from the list of mirrors published at https://www.gnu.org/prep/ftp.html, or you may use https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/ to be automatically redirected to a (hopefully) nearby and up-to-date mirror.
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.
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.
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.
Take action with the FSF!
Contributions from thousands of individual associate members enable the FSF's work. You can contribute by joining at https://my.fsf.org/join. 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:
Do you read and write Portuguese and English? The FSF is looking for translators for the Free Software Supporter. Please send an email to campaigns@fsf.org with your interest and a list of your experience and qualifications.
