I had been invited to present FSFE’s “Free Your Android” campaign at FISL, the biggest Free Software conference in Latin America. The talk was full and well received. Most people didn’t know about the campaign and the options they have to make their phone more free. For the occasion I updated my presentation with the… Continue reading Liberte seu Android at FISL15
Author: Torsten
A New Theme for KMail: Modern Headers
I’m using KMail to handle my emails every day. It is a very powerful program and heavily customizable. Thanks to Baloo, I finally see the pictures of my contacts in their emails. I just didn’t like the way the pictures were shown in the email header. In case you did not know, KMail supports many… Continue reading A New Theme for KMail: Modern Headers
Transitioning to a new more secure GnuPG key
I am transitioning GnuPG keys from an old 1024-bit key to a new 4096-bit key, because 1024 bit are uncomfortably close to what can be cracked. The old key will continue to be valid for some time, but I prefer all new correspondence to be encrypted in the new key, and will be making all… Continue reading Transitioning to a new more secure GnuPG key
Dark Mail as Next-Generation Email to Stop Spying
The people from Lavabit and SilentCircle announced their Dark Mail Alliance which is going to develop a new end-to-end encrypted protocol to better secure email. Since, the media reports about this were scarce on details, I watched the recording of their presentation and will summarize what is interesting to me below, in case it might… Continue reading Dark Mail as Next-Generation Email to Stop Spying
First F-Droid Workshop to Happen Soon in Berlin
If you always wanted to learn how to include new apps into the F-Droid Free Software app repository for Android, then the first F-Droid Workshop is for you. There the F-Droid developers themselves will show you how to do it. When? Saturday the 3rd of August, 2PM – 5PM Where? IN-Berlin (OSM) Who? Daniel Martí… Continue reading First F-Droid Workshop to Happen Soon in Berlin
Meine Einschätzung der NSA Mitarbeit an Android für ZEIT ONLINE
Gestern Abend erhielt ich eine E-Mail von einem ZEIT ONLINE Redakteur, der mich um eine Einschätzung zu der Mitarbeit der NSA an Android bat und fragte, ob es möglich sei, dass die NSA Hintertürchen eingebaut habe. Der Artikel dazu wurde mittlerweile veröffentlicht und zitiert mich teilweise. Aus Transparenzgründen und zur Steigerung der allgemeinen Medienkompetenz, gebe… Continue reading Meine Einschätzung der NSA Mitarbeit an Android für ZEIT ONLINE
CyanogenMod removes tracking opt-out, reverses decision, but still uses Google Analytics
The most successful and best managed version of Android CyanogenMod is gathering data from users for statistical purposes. The statistics are public and users have the chance to opt-out of being counted. On March 31st this changed. The founder of the CyanogenMod initiative Steve Kondik removed the opt-out feature from the source code (commit). He… Continue reading CyanogenMod removes tracking opt-out, reverses decision, but still uses Google Analytics
Android SDK is now proprietary, Replicant to the rescue
I just noticed that the Android SDK is now non-free software. If you go to https://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html#download and click on one of the files, you are presented with lengthy “Terms and Conditions” which for example say: In order to use the SDK, you must first agree to this License Agreement. You may not use the SDK… Continue reading Android SDK is now proprietary, Replicant to the rescue
Compiling KDE Kontact from Source
I’m running Debian Sid, because I like to have a rolling distribution with the latest and greatest software as soon as it is released. Unfortunately, the KDE packagers in Debian lack (wo)men power and still ship 4 year old KDE PIM packages. Using their experimental KDE repository does not help. Since I have multiple annoying… Continue reading Compiling KDE Kontact from Source
Paying for Free Software
I would like to be able to pay for more Free Software. Usually people think the great thing about Free Software is that it is free as in free beer. They often neglect the fact that it is free as in free speech. This is probably because they rarely or never make use of this… Continue reading Paying for Free Software