I posted about this once before, but...

The long and short is:

• Vizio put a bunch of GPL'd software on their TVs in compiled/binary form only in violation of the terms of the GPL.
• the Software Freedom Conservancy is suing Vizio to force them to follow the terms of the GPL and release the source code of said GPL'd software.
• The courts seem quite sympathetic to the SFC's arguments.
• And if the SFC wins, we can expect 1) a FOSS Linux distribution for smart TV's (think OpenWRT but for smart TVs) and 2) moving forward, demands for GPL compliance to consumer electronics manufacturers from regular folks like you and me will have more "teeth" than they did previously, potentially resulting in a proliferation of new FOSS distributions for various consumer electronic devices.

I really think this is something to get excited about, and I can't wait to follow along as more news comes out about the proceedings.

Full disclosure, the trial has been delayed at the last minute more than once already, so I suppose there's a possibility it won't start tomorrow, but I think this is more "last minute" than any of the last delays have been. So I'm crossing my fingers extra hard.

Edit: Damn! Looks like it got delayed again. Now the trial date is listed as "late 2026". :(

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/67142082

The first release of The Brotherhood is officially out. This is the Architech. It's still not production tested. But it's open-access for the first time. Make some graphs, share with your friends, and track your journey across it. Let the wikipedia of pedagogy begin!!

It's an open-source software that you can use to build obsidian-like knowledge graphs. But unlike obsidian, this is community-built like wikipedia. And it also has git-like forking abilities built in for every graph. All graphs are released under CC BY-SA. Go to our website for more details.

Upcoming features would include -

1. More workspace features
2. Complex assessment methods
3. Work allocation algorithms
4. Federated hosting
5. Social hub

Here are some screenshots from this version

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/63833936

We are working on a new system for self-learning and teaching. Think of it as Wikipedia but arranged pedagogically. This is a curation and free learning of all kinds of knowledge.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/63831008

This is the new progress tracking ability added for users to check their progress of a skill graph. The backend handles this via Assessments and Capabilities - 2 general objects in the Brotherhood that will, in the future, serve as the blueprint for more exotic assessment systems like work-based, peer-verified assessments and capability certificates that will serve as the de-facto portable proof-of-skills.

This is currently in beta-stage and behind an invite-only access. However, very soon, signups will be open-for-all and you can test it for yourself. If you wish to try it out before that, please reach out through to us.

For more information, please visit the official website

Friends,

We're happy to announce that we have funding available to package BusKill in QubesOS as a contrib package.

Thanks to a generous donation from NovaCustom, we're offering a bounty to anyone (including you!) who packages BusKill as an official contrib package for QubesOS.

About BusKill

BusKill is a laptop kill-cord. It's a USB cable with a magnetic breakaway that you attach to your body and connect to your computer.

Watch the BusKill Explainer Video for more info youtube.com/v/qPwyoD_cQR4

If the connection between you to your computer is severed, then your device will lock, shutdown, or shred its encryption keys

thus keeping your encrypted data safe from thieves that steal your device.

About NovaCustom

In Mar 2015, Wessel klein Snakenborg (founder of NovaCustom) started selling highly-customizable Linux laptops from Europe.

In Aug 2021, NovaCustom released their first laptop (NV40) with coreboot pre-installed with Dasharo.

NovaCustom offers anti-tamper options, including glitter nail polish applied to the chassis screws (photos sent to you via Proton Mail before shipment — specify PGP key at checkout for e2ee)

Since 2023, NovaCustom has been a leader in hardware security:

• In Apr 2023, NovaCustom started offering Intel ME disabling
• In May 2023, NovaCustom demonstrated their commitment to free software and the security community by obtaining Qubes certification on their NV41 Series laptop.
• In Sep 2023, NovaCustom started offering anti-interdiction services, which includes applying a unique glitter pattern to your new laptop's chassis screws before shipment. This was inspired by Michael Altfield's article about Trusted Boot,
• In Feb 2024, NovaCustom started selling their NV41 laptop with Heads pre-installed
• In Sep 2024, NovaCustom's V56 laptop became Qubes Certified
• In Nov 2024, NovaCustom partnered with BusKill to bundle their security laptops with BusKill Kits, including the option to purchase BusKill Kits in-person (with cash) at their brick-and-mortar office in The Netherlands
• In Feb 2025, NovaCustom's V54 laptop became Qubes Certified
• In Mar 2026, NovaCustom donated $200 to BusKill, for packaging and documenting BusKill in apt, making it easier (and safer) to install BusKill on Debian-based Linux distros

And now, in Apr 2026, NovaCustom is further working to increase the accessibility of BusKill to QubesOS users, by sponsoring the submission of an official QubesOS contrib package.

Funding Available

If you'd like to claim this bounty for yourself, please

1. Read the details of the bounty, and then
2. Submit a proposal by commenting on this GitHub issue

Claim Bounty

opencollective.com/buskill/projects/qubes-package

Moreover, if you're a QubesOS user and you'd like to donate additional funds in support of this bounty, you can do so here.

• opencollective.com/buskill

Stay safe,

The BusKill Team
https://www.buskill.in/
http://www.buskillvampfih2iucxhit3qp36i2zzql3u6pmkeafvlxs3tlmot5yad.onion/