FSF Moves to Greater Openness with Free Software Directory Relaunch

Off the Beat: Bruce Byfield's Blog
Over the last few years, the Free Software Foundation (FSF) has tried to become more open in its operations. The largest of the efforts in this direction is probably the LibrePlanet network and annual conference. But today, the FSF announced another effort: the relaunching of its Free Software Directory, with a redesign that makes it easier for people to contribute. Although what is implemented falls short of complete openness, it at least shows the FSF is at least trying to involve supporters more.
As the news release explains, the Directory has existed for over a decade. With some 6500 applications, the Directory is a thorough but far from complete list. In the past, part of the reason for its incompleteness has been the slowness of the submission process: to add an entry to the Directory, you had to submit an email that would checked and perhaps supplemented by the FSF's staff members when they had the time.
For almost a year, the FSF staff have been working to modernize the Directory. Now, the new Directory is based on MediaWiki, with Semantic MediaWiki and Semantic Forms extensions, and anyone with an FSF web account can submit additions -- although the instructions and the form, with its forty information fields (only some of which, mercifully, are required) might be a bar for some potential contributors, at least at first.
These submissions will not be indexed in search engines or in the local site search, according to John Sullivan, executive director of the FSF "because doing that would mean presenting users with potentially nonfree software." However, potentially, submissions will be more ordered because of the structure in the submission form, and therefore -- with any luck, quicker to approve.
Sullivan explains that the FSF considered allowing anybody to edit via MediaWiki's Flagged Revisions extension. Unfortunately, "this extension turned out to not be compatible with other extensions more important to our purposes." However, he adds, that more public accessibility remains "a possibility for the future."
Sullivan also hopes for more interactivity with the Directory in the future. "For example, what if users made their own lists of favorite free software, on the wiki? What if some people did the work to tag entries with properties indicating that certain free programs are suitable replacements for popular nonfree programs? What if properties were created for various features to enable useful dynamically-generated comparison tables between different free software programs in the same area? What if blogging software had plugins to automatically link to pages in the Directory when they blog about their favorite free software? What if we had a system for linking paid support providers to these programs? What if it were easy from the Directory pages to make donations to your favorite programs?"
The new Directory also has the advantage of providing accurate summaries of the state of each piece of software listed, as well as revision histories for each entry. However, as someone who has always wanted to see the FSF interacting with supporters more, what interests me most is the frankness with which the re-launch is being made, and the fact that more interactivity is even being considered. Both the implementation and the plans for the directory seem small but hopeful steps in the FSF's evolution, and I hope to see a similar spirit in the FSF in other areas as well.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.