For those who missed my closing talk at #FOSDEM on the #SocialWebFOSDEM track (which was part of the "After Hours" event), I've recorded a standalone version. Feel free to boost for reach - and also share with civic institutions and community leaders. #FediverseForFreedom

The venerable @johnonolan@mastodon.xyz at FOSDEM!!!

"If you don't like AI generated pictures of ActivtyPugs, the java dev room moved to UA 118" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

<img alt="" src="https://community.nodebb.org/post/103043">

As I only superficially read about #spritely over the last year based on what I saw go by here in my timeline, I took a #fosdem gamble.. I went to the documentation talk by Amy, and the talks today by David, Juliana, Jessica and Christine.
What a grand vision it is!
Time to help hack the planet, social worlds await!
\m/

Just in case someone that I may meet in person is at #FOSDEM now, could you bring me some stickers? 😇

Celebrity spotting at #FOSDEM!
Can't believe I got to meet the #Plushtodon 😍
(And some other bearded guy who photo-bombed us.)

#OFFDEM food is sublime. Top-notch Afghan cuisine!

@Gargron@mastodon.social is patting the website creature allowed

If you come to the Mastodon stand at #FOSDEM (building H, corridor downstairs), you will be able to meet the #Plushtodon.

I only just realized @fluconf is in reference to the sheer amount of the flu that's present at

Made it to Brussels for #fosdem this weekend!

I'll be at this year's #FOSDEM if anyone wants to come say hi. #Mastodon will have its own stand like last year and you'll be able to buy some merch as well.

#FOSDEM does do a lot of good too, bringing people together and promoting Free Software. And there are amazing people putting together the event every year — especially the tons of volunteers spending their time and effort to make this all happen.

But promoting the ideals of Free and Open Source Software is all the more reason they should really respect their audience, be inclusive, and try to be better.

(People critical of FOSDEM aren't attacking it; we all want it to be better.)

#FOSDEM:

is inaccessible for those with:

- mobility issues

- scent sensitivities (no policy against perfume, uses smelly soap in bathrooms); this affects around 30% of the population

- who need/want CC for videos

And refused:

- to have a code of conduct for years; have no real means of enforcing the one they have now

- to implement any kind of sickness mitigation (COVID, "FOSDEM Flu", or other), including encouraging masks and ventilation

And promotes:

- cryptocurrency
- billionaires

Year after year, #FOSDEM continues to disappoint.

The most relevant part of their keynote's description at https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-4507-infusing-open-source-culture-into-company-dna-a-conversation-with-jack-dorsey-and-manik-surtani-block-s-head-of-open-source/ (purposefully taken out of context):

"Block Founder and CEO Jack Dorsey"

Yes, please do. (Block as a verb, not a "proper" noun.)

More details:

To all #FOSS supporting people traveling these days: Please consider collecting wireless geolocation information for the #publicdomain #geolocation database #beaconDB.

https://beacondb.net/

Check the map via the link above to see how it is filling up with more and more points. Amazing and very interesting to see.

Also note the differences per continent.