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title = "Why am I publishing under a non-FLOSS license?"
date = 2024-04-30
authors = []
template = "blog-page.html"
[extra]
lang = "en"
+++

> “FLOSS: Abbreviation of free/libre/open source software.”  
> “Coordinate terms: FOSS, OSS”  
[Wiktionary page for FLOSS.](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/FLOSS)  

Well... an interesting and highly controversial question, right? Absolutely!  

You probably think that a non-free licence is necessarily a bad thing and any good license must respect the 4 golden FLOSS freedoms?  
Ehhh, on that subject I think not, let me explain my opinion on this.  

I hope it will make a lot more sense to you after that!  

## Some necessary introduction

This text will mainly talk about my GoToSocial package for YunoHost, released under the "i'm so tired" software license 1.0 since 2024-01-18.  

[A text from the creator of this license, explaining why this license exists and some of the design choices made. I strongly recommend reading it to understand the situation.](https://olmewe.com/notes/istsl/)  

Some people are criticizing me for that choice and I wanted to address this with the text you're currently reading.  

I advise librists and liberals to breathe in and out deeply, because some arguments can make them lose their composure.  

## Because I can

So let's begin with the easy part! ^w^  

### Other main YunoHost volunteers are okay with that

I can't speak for every single person who were involved with the YunoHost development from the beginning, but most of the current main volunteers have approved the release of the GTS package I created and maintained under the "i'm so tired" license.  

YunoHost already made the choice to permit apps “under an overall free license, but with clauses that restrict its use”, so the same for packages is in this continuity.  

### We can publish a YunoHost package under another license that the packaged app

YunoHost allows publishing of packages with any non proprietary license. That's all.

And even with software released under GPL (and it's derivatives, well know for “contaminating” all derived software with the identical license), the YunoHost package can use another license, because the package is not a “derivative work” but a totally distinct software program that installs another one.  

### I don't care about the 4 technocratic freedoms

I'm not that committed to the “holy rules” of the Free/Libre and open-source software.  

In fact, I see many things to criticize in them.  

More on that subject further in the text!  

### You're not limited: there is a large choice of fedi software

[I mean, currently there are 13 fedi software available on YunoHost (without counting GTS).](https://apps.yunohost.org/catalog?category=social_media)  

Yes, GTS is the lightweight and is currently gaining popularity but you technically have choice, eh.  

Which ties in with the next point...  

### Many things are inaccessible to many people and that's usually seen as fine

Like, really, who cares that things are inaccessible? “Very few people” is the answer.  

Otherwise the world wouldn't be a complete hell for disabled people. I say that as a disabled person.  

So yeah some things are inaccessible to some people, and as a disabled person, I really don't care if my software is not available to someone because of the “you must not endorse cops” clause.  

## Because I want

### I want my work to be political

Because I'm looking towards a better world. The “i'm so tired” license I'm using is a way to defend and assert it.  

> “this is anti-capitalist, anti-bigotry software, made by people who are tired of ill-intended organisations and individuals, and would rather not have those around their creations.”  
> the "i'm so tired" software license 1.0  

I do NOT want my work used against me or people like me (so used to spread transphobia, ableism, eugenics, anti-poor speeches, etc.). I also do NOT want to help such people in their life. I do NOT want these people near me at all.  

I don't want to help malicious, antisocial people or more specifically people who take advantage of the oppression that concern me (or anyone if fact) or who would like to see me in misery or dead. And yes, I assure you that such people exist.  

If by my work I can make them feel a little bit insecure or not welcomed, I see it as a fair return.  
They have basically access to everything. Not me. In my daily life I'm excluded from many things for various reasons I don't want to mention now. So yeah: fair return.  

[Did you know the paradox of tolerance?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance)  
Basically, it states that intolerant people must be punched in their nazi face, as it should be.  

This license is simply doing that, accordingly to my ideals.  

It also tells people like me that they have a place, that they will be protected, that their lives are worthwhile.  
And that they can have a little trust in me and in the people who stay around, because it self-selects for trustworthy people.  

### FLOSS licenses are lying

FLOSS licenses are technocratic and libertarian, but it's hidden, thank to a big omission lie.  
And that stinks (in a bad way).  

#### The “freedom to use” is already limited

Does the person own the hardware to run it? (Money, space, life stability, etc.)  

Does the person use the right OS to run it?  

Does the person talk the language of the app? (You know, not everyone talk English…)  

Does the person have the know-how to run it? (And yes, the lack of good documentation for your software is increasing the required know-how.)  

Does the person have the time to run it? (And yes, the lack of good documentation for your software is also increasing the required time.)  

#### The “freedom to study” is already limited

Did the person learn how to program? How computers works? How a forge works?  

The “freedom to use” prerequisites are intensified here. Same thing but even harder: money, social status, available time, cognitive abilities, etc.  

#### The “4 freedoms” are politics and are defending a certain worldview that I don't share

That's not a secret that most programmers are white cisgender able-bodied dudes with a nice income and few constraints in their lives.  

Maybe the self-selection I talked earlier in the “I want my work to be political” section is done here too, but in an insidious and disgusting way? (That's a rhetorical question, the answer is obviously “yes”.)  

Ask any woman, any trans person, any BIPOC person, any disabled person how they are living their work in the marvelous (sarcasm) computer industry, you'll be surprised (no, lol).  

Maybe you don't meet any women, trans, BIPOC or disabled people at work or in  techy online spaces, or very few? That's proving my entire point.  

There is some things we can collectively do to reduce those inequalities:  

- active activism against capitalism;  
- active activism for socialism (abolish money, free home, free food, free education for everyone);  
- active activism for anarchism (abolish social status, community-based organization);  
- active activism against any oppression (based on gender, race, disabilities, age, etc);  
- actively punish socially hurtful people (that's what the "i'm so tired" software license is doing);  
- and the hardest for some people: be a nice and respectful person that embraces human diversity and aspires to a truly just and fulfilling world for everyone.  

When a so-called freedom cannot be experienced by everyone, it's NOT a freedom, but a privilege.  

Until all the structures that perpetuate oppression have been dismantled, until all individuals have been collectively emancipated, these "4 freedoms" will remain nothing more than elitist rhetoric.  

## Conclusions

### Why couldn't I add limitations since there are several (but hidden) ones?

People are mad because I'm limiting their choices but they don't care that the actual limitations of the FLOSS licenses are already doing that to marginalized people. Or worse: they endorse it.  

I acknowledge that FLOSS licenses are not perfect and I understand their design when I consciously add limitations. I don't alter their spirit when I add limitations, I use a tool already well designed for that purpose.  

Maybe the FLOSS' hidden limitations suit you: that's fine. As long as you understand what's at stake.  
The point is: I don't like their consequences, that's all.  

The limitations of the “non-FLOSS” licences I'm using suit me, that's fine and I understand what's at stake.  
The point is: if you disagree with me, you don't like their consequences, that's all.  

### It will piss off privileged people…

... because they can't have a thing when they usually have everything. That makes me really happy! ^w^  

If you're one of those people who usually has everything effortlessly:  
The feeling you're experiencing is the one I feel every time I can't buy myself a nice thing for pleasure because I'm poor.  
The feeling I have when I can't go to a friend's house because their apartment has stairs and I'm a wheelchair user.  
The feeling I have when I can't join my friends at the bar because it's too noisy and I can't stand it for neurodivergent reasons.  

That's called frustration, and I promise: the more you're experiencing it, the sooner you get used to it and resign yourself.  
And that's why I'm fighting you to defend me and people like me: we have a place to be and our lives are worth living in peace.  
I'm fighting for a better world so that no one has to suffer like this. And if that means frustrating non-frustrated people (so, privileged people), that's fine with me. You'll get used to it, it'll be fine, I promise. 😌  

### Yes, the licenses I am using are not perfect, but…

1. I don't have to fix the world alone.  
2. I still prefer my “non-FLOSS” licenses over your FLOSS ones.  

### You have a different opinion?

Great. I don't care. Keep it to yourself if you do not apply the points listed in the “The ‘4 freedoms’ are politics and are defending a certain worldview that I don't share” section. Thanks.

Émy,

published the 30/04/2024

Thanks to all the people who took the time to proofread this text and suggest improvements before final publication!

## Some ressources to dig

- [The Original Sin of Free Software](https://lipu.dgold.eu/original-sin): "Not a manifesto, not a declaration. An essay about the inherent problems at the core of Free and Open Source Software."
- [Free Doesn't Mean Free](https://lipu.dgold.eu/free-doesnt-mean-free): "Answering the question: Why don't lefties use free software?"
