Re: Publishing the hackfest reports

[Alexandre Franke <afranke gnome org>]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for sharing that insight with us.

On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 8:47 PM, Richard Stallman <rms gnu org> wrote:
> The hackfest appears to have been very useful, but I noticed a problem
> in how this report about it
> (https://nuritzis.com/2017/10/21/2017-gnome-foundation-hackfest/) was
> published:
>
> It says, "This slideshow requires JavaScript."

I agree, this is an issue.

> That JavaScript code seems to be nontrivial and nonfree: when I view
> the page, using a browser with LibreJS so as not to execute any
> nontrivial nonfree software, the slideshow is not visible.

It’s worth noting that the text content and some images are still
accessible without that non-free JavaScript. So while it is an issue,
that doesn’t limit the usefulness of that blog post.

> Leading people to use nonfree software teaches people that it isn't
> crucial whether a program is free.  Doing so for just a little
> convenience teaches people that it hardly matters whether a program is
> free.  That's the opposite of what the GNOME Foundation should teach;
> indeed, people who think that way won't pay attention when we suggest
> that they choose GNOME because it's free.

You are right, it is important.

> I know only a little about web pages.  I am sure there are
> nicer-looking ways that don't require nonfree Javascript code, which a
> suitable expert could tell us about.  I will look for one at the FSF
> if that is helpful.

I think it would indeed be useful. Do note however that for it to work
in this case it would need to be in the form of a WordPress plugin
that Nuritzi can use with her wordpress.com blog.

Regards,

-- 
Alexandre Franke
GNOME Hacker & Foundation Director