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diff --git a/docs/source/about_mediagoblin.rst b/docs/source/about_mediagoblin.rst index af6658f3..71d8b89c 100644 --- a/docs/source/about_mediagoblin.rst +++ b/docs/source/about_mediagoblin.rst @@ -9,43 +9,52 @@ What is GNU MediaGoblin ======================= -Three years ago (2008), a number of free software luminaries got -together at the FSF office to answer the question, "What should -software freedom look like on the participatory web?" Those thinkers -included Richard Stallman---founder of the free software movement and -instigator of the GNU project, Evan Prodromou---the driving force -behind Status.net, a highly sucessful federated micro-blogging -service, and FIXME. - -Since that time Identi.ca and Libre.fm have answered the -freedom-loving web-user's need for micro-blogging and music sharing. -Now, GNU MediaGoblin is building a format for users to share photos. -Later versions of MediaGoblin will include support for video and other -media as well as tools to encourage collaboration on media projects. - - -Why are we doing this? -====================== - -Centralization and proprietization of media on the internet is a -serious problem and makes the web go from a system of extreme -resilience to a system of frightening fragility. We believe people -should be able to free their data from proprietary control and that -means someone has to build the tools to make it possible. We decided -that in this case, that someone would be us! - - -Who are you? -============ - -Free software activists and folks who have worked on a variety of -other projects like Libre.fm, GNU Social, Status.net, Miro, Miro -Community, OpenHatch and other projects as well. We're admirers and -contributors. We're writers and painters. We're friendly and -dedicated to computer user freedom. - - -How can I participate? +In 2008 a number of free software developers and activists gathered at +the FSF to attempt to answer the question "What should software +freedom look like on the participatory web?" Their answer, the +`Franklin Street Statement <http://autonomo.us/2008/07/franklin-street-statement/>`_, +has lead to the development of `autonomo.us <http://autonomo.us/>`_ +community, and free software projects including `Identi.ca <http://identi.ca/>`_ +and `Libre.fm <http://libre.fm/>`_. + +Identi.ca and Libre.fm address the need for micro-blogging and music +sharing services and software that respect users' freedom and +autonomy. GNU MediaGoblin emerges from this milieu to create a +platform for us to share photos in an environment that respects our +freedom and independence. In the future MediaGoblin will include +support other media, like video, and provide tools to facilitate +collaboration on media projects. + +Why Build GNU MediaGoblin +========================= + +The Internet is designed--and works best--as a complex and endlessly +resilient network. When key services and media outlets are +concentrated in centralized platforms, the network becomes less useful +and increasingly fragile. As always, the proprietary nature of these +systems, hinders users ability to develop, extend, and understand +their software; however, in the case of network services it also means +that users must forfeit control of their data to the service +providers. + +Therefore, we believe that network services must be federated to avoid +centralization and that everyone ought to have control over their +data. In support of this, we've decided to help build the tools to +make these kinds of services possible. We hope you'll join us, both as +users and as contributors. + +Who Contributes to the Project +============================== + +You do! + +We are free software activists and folks who have worked on a variety +of other projects including: Libre.fm, GNU Social, Status.net, Miro, +Miro Community, and OpenHatch among others. We're programmers, +musicians, writers, and painters. We're friendly and dedicated to +software and network freedom. + +How Can I Participate? ====================== See `Get Involved <http://mediagoblin.org/join/>`_ on the website.. @@ -56,15 +65,15 @@ How is GNU MediaGoblin licensed? GNU MediaGoblin software is released under an AGPLv3 license. -See the ``COPYING`` file in the source for details. +See the ``COPYING`` file in the source repository for details. -Is this an official GNU Project? What does that mean? -====================================================== +Is MedaGobilin an official GNU project? What does that mean? +============================================================= -We are! It means that we meet the GNU Project's rigourous standards -for free software. To find out more about what that means, check out -`the GNU site <http://gnu.org/>`_. +MediaGoblin is an official GNU project! This status means that we the +meet the GNU Project's rigorous standards for free software. To find +out more about what that means, check out `the GNU site <http://gnu.org/>`_. Please feel free to contact us with further questions! |