Post ArPvrdfcP58exVGkPg by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
(DIR) More posts by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
(DIR) Post #ArPvrbLL3VjDk1lWWe by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
2025-02-23T16:28:08Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
I went to download KiCad 9 stable and saw the big "far field exploits" badge on their donation drive since they're matching donations.Ok, so it's some infosec thing, wireless stuff maybe?I click on the badge and get this shit. You can't really stop your open source project from being used by these types, but you don't have to accept them as a sponsor and advertise them.
(DIR) Post #ArPvrcc2KugBg6aNBw by leo@raru.re
2025-02-23T16:33:47Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@aleksorsist you're free to sponsor development of KiCad, the devs need to eat and pay rent.Why is it okay when defence companies pay for the software you use for free, but not fine when the devs thank them with a single link?
(DIR) Post #ArPvrdfcP58exVGkPg by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
2025-02-23T16:40:54Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@leo I think you misunderstand my position - It's *not* ok for defense to pay for open source software - at the very least it's the last place in a long list of funding sources we should be looking to.
(DIR) Post #ArPvreQ3cQHlHWzpnU by leo@raru.re
2025-02-23T16:53:29Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@aleksorsist why would an open-source project reject free money from anyone? If you dislike defense, it's even better because now they have less money and you have more software.
(DIR) Post #ArPvrezVUcdr3Ta93I by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
2025-02-23T16:57:43Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@leo No such thing as free money. You are giving some of your credibility and goodwill over to them as soon as you accept. So if you as a project stand for things, you would reject money from a group that opposes those things. Would you take money from the Westboro Baptist Church, KKK, or other hate group? If no, then it's the same principle. If yes, then it's a waste of my time even having this conversation with you.
(DIR) Post #ArPvrfTdgakEYvgD1E by leo@raru.re
2025-02-23T17:03:40Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@aleksorsist "You are giving some of your credibility and goodwill as soon as you accept their donation" is a very extreme position that a minority of projects would have. Just like bits are bits in the concept of "information wants to be free", money is money when it comes to open-source project donations.You don't need to advertise hate groups that donate to you, but you're still being silly if you refuse their free money with 0 strings attached. If you're not looking for donations that's a different thing of course, but evidently a lot of projects are looking for donations.And since you're not sponsoring, and the vast vast majority of users aren't sponsoring, it ends up being defense companies. And that's great, less money for bullets and more money for open-source.
(DIR) Post #ArPvrg8lDhdccSv37A by ignaloidas@not.acu.lt
2025-02-23T17:40:09.956Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@leo@raru.re @aleksorsist@fosstodon.org it's not "no strings attached", nor freeThey put up a huge advertising board for them in their main page. They must have an agreement, and that sure as hell means that it isn't "free"
(DIR) Post #ArPvrisv13kT8CWwL2 by aleksorsist@fosstodon.org
2025-02-23T16:59:09Z
0 likes, 0 repeats
@leo Also, you alienate everyone who support you that do have issues with the folks you're taking money from. It's not a simple more $ = more betterer