Simon Phipps

OSI Standards director · Meshed Insights CEO · Geek-Nerd · Cat servant. Personal account, see pinned post. Beware clones, see hub and check for validation ticks.

Fediverse citizen since the 1980s: UUCP, BBSs; IRC; identi.ca,; mastodon.cc · Old posts are auto-deleted.

Hub: https://webm.ink
Photos: https://pix.webm.ink/webmink
Writing: https://meshedinsights.com
Blog Drafts: https://the.webm.ink

Public Key

npub175njugc8993kkp4rl5cv6vqk3fwckuy73qmuja2t0fxqryfxrxqsj7wamw

NIP-05 Address

webmink_at_meshed.cloud@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs02fewyvrjjcmtq63l6vxdxqtg5hvtwz0gsd7fw49h5nqpjynpnqgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsweph40

Publishing to

relay.primal.net

nos.lol

relay.damus.io

Author Public Key

npub175njugc8993kkp4rl5cv6vqk3fwckuy73qmuja2t0fxqryfxrxqsj7wamw

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Last Notes

2026-05-02 17:38:14 UTC

Horrified to hear that NHS England is ignorantly closing their #OpenSource repositories "for security reasons".
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2026/05/nhs-goes-to-war-against-open-source/
#UKPol
#note1wul…34th

2026-04-28 08:50:30 UTC

Want a job shaping the future of #OpenSource in EU tech? European tech standards body ETSI has a new paid position available for an open source expert.
The advert doesn't say it quite like that because they have members who dislike open source, but "SDG" is the term for what was originally "Open Source Group" and this person will be managing collaborative open source projects on open source tools in a unique, challenging but hugely influential setting.
https://www.etsi.org/about/open-position-technical-expert/
#Jobs

2026-04-14 09:59:10 UTC

Strong new report from @npub1p2p…hjzg
> The UK is currently facing a crisis of digital dependency. The country is overly reliant on a small number of tech giants for its critical digital infrastructure, which poses significant economic, security, legal, and policy risks, including to democracy and public debate.
https://www.openrightsgroup.org/publications/tech-giants-and-giant-slayers-the-case-for-digital-sovereignty-and-the-digital-commons/
#ukpol #sovereignty #CyberSecurity #OpenSource

2026-03-18 20:54:46 UTC

Are you going to @npub1kp3…pqjs this year? April 25-26 in Manchester (the original one in the UK).
https://www.oggcamp.org/
#Events #OpenSource #FreeCulture

2026-01-30 08:32:17 UTC

When a government does not fully control its IT systems it is unable to govern effectively and this cannot be solved with legislation or contracts, only with #OpenSource - Dirk Schrödter, head of the state chancellery, Schleswig-Holstein and at #OFESummit

2026-01-29 18:35:55 UTC

@npub13ym…eka8 & @npub1ev4…xe5p just received an #EOSAwards26 for @npub1xww…m4mx - congratulations to them, very proud to be part of their team!
https://cdn.masto.host/meshedcloud/media_attachments/files/115/979/829/538/075/877/original/793331be662d1f9a.jpg

2026-01-09 20:16:48 UTC

As ever in January, Element lit up like a Christmas tree on my phone as all the #Matrix invites for #FOSDEM came in this evening. Feels vaguely festive.

2026-01-05 21:41:03 UTC

#OpenSource #Regulation incoming! The @npub1m96…ag4y is about to ask for feedback for:
* a strategic approach to the open source sector in the EU that addresses the importance of open source as a crucial contribution to EU technological sovereignty, security and competitiveness
* a strategic and operational framework to strengthen the use, development and reuse of open digital assets within the Commission.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16213-European-Open-Digital-Ecosystems_en

2025-11-26 01:18:41 UTC

I am concerned about Russian interference in UK domestic politics and have signed this #petition asking for a public enquiry.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/744215

2025-11-18 11:46:04 UTC

Looks like CloudFlare is down, but I can't even check at DownDetector as it uses CloudFlare too.
Roll on the #federated future.
https://cdn.masto.host/meshedcloud/media_attachments/files/115/570/539/665/953/864/original/abf456345365a762.png

2025-11-12 08:52:17 UTC

RE: https://mastodon.social/@glynmoody/115535821923001880
Ryanair's business model is "a satisfied customer is a missed monetisation opportunity" but sadly these sorts of issues - in particular excluding devices not under Google or Apple's control - will become more and more common as "digital ID" is normalised by governments.
#note1pv8…u9mw

2025-10-30 23:20:57 UTC

Belkin has decided to brick a bunch of smart devices their customers thought they owned.
https://cdn.masto.host/meshedcloud/media_attachments/files/115/465/676/455/455/777/original/48779d519733786c.png

2025-10-15 18:07:31 UTC

Would you like to review the drafts of the #standards being created for compliance with the CRA (Cyber Resilience Act)? They have started to appear here:
https://labs.etsi.org/rep/stan4cra/
Yes, mostly in Gitlab and Markdown,

2025-10-11 12:24:18 UTC

Parking on pavements is sociopathic. Parking in cycle lanes is sociopathic. Parking in front of traffic lights is sociopathic. Obstructing a bus route is sociopathic. So this Comax driver in #Southampton can be proud to be top of the high-score table.
https://cdn.masto.host/meshedcloud/media_attachments/files/115/355/494/469/869/866/original/d08c19120cf0e7df.png

2025-09-30 14:23:28 UTC

The @npub1m96…ag4y would like to hear your views on the governance and sustainability of critical open source software. The survey closes October 5th.
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/FOSSEPS_Governance_and_Sustainability_Survey
#OpenSource #Governance #Sustainability

2025-09-24 21:53:47 UTC

A reminder to Bluesky users that if you reply to me but you haven't bridged your account to the Fediverse I can't respond even if I see your message because Bluesky doesn't allow me to.

2025-07-03 15:39:12 UTC

Would you like to end the constant drumbeat of ill-informed legislative proposals that threaten to destroy end-to-end #encryption in #OpenSource #software? Are you from #Europe? Can you demonstrate your expertise? Then why not apply to join the European Commission's Expert Group for a Technology Roadmap on Encryption (E04005). Deadline is September 1st, don't be late.
https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupID=4005

2025-04-30 23:00:29 UTC

The Open Source Lab (OSL) at Oregon State University (OSU) hosts over 500 #OpenSource projects and is globally important. It faces a funding crisis that will see it shut down later this year if it can't secure $250k from sponsors.
If your company depends on open source software, you probably owe a debt to OSU/OSL. Now is the time to pay that debt.
https://osuosl.org/blog/osl-future/

2025-04-26 08:49:49 UTC

There's long been a view held by certain cynical entrepreneurs that they can go with #OpenSource to build a user base then bait-and-switch #SoftwareFreedom away once it is established. That's bad.
What's worse is to donate to an open source Foundation then pretend you have the right to "take back" the project later.
This is not a new phenomenon, we have seen it before and can spot the signs (like fake licenses). But this case (#NATS at #CNCF) looks pretty severe.
https://www.cncf.io/blog/2025/04/24/protecting-nats-and-the-integrity-of-open-source-cncfs-commitment-to-the-community/

2025-04-24 22:00:23 UTC

The @npub1m96…ag4y wants to know if it should plough money into #cloud and #AI #development. I know there are lots of #OpenSource people with views, so maybe express them here:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14628-AI-Continent-new-cloud-and-AI-development-act_en

2025-04-17 22:33:10 UTC

One of my significant fears about the EU Cyber Resilience Act is that it could be abused by vendors to force DRM-like limitations into consumer products, as Synology is regrettably attempting. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/synology-could-bring-certified-drive-requirements-to-more-nas-devices/
One of my goals in engaging strongly over the CRA and especially its standards is to ensure that they are written to prevent this, as far as possible. We have now placed many #OpenSource experts into EU standards committees as a result. Can you help?
#CRA @npub1m96…ag4y #DRM @npub1djq…zj5f

2025-04-06 15:32:31 UTC

Don't be fooled by Meta's claims its Llama AI is open source. As well as its commercial restrictions, Meta's Llama 4 Acceptable Use Policy overrides the license & blocks software freedom rights to EU citizens.
AUP: "the rights ... are not being granted to you if you are an individual domiciled in, or a company with a principal place of business in, the European Union"
https://www.llama.com/llama4/use-policy/
https://www.llama.com/llama4/license/
#OpenSource? #NotOpenSource!

2025-03-19 18:27:07 UTC

- reply

Background:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3721

2025-03-19 18:15:42 UTC

With the FTC and FCC gutted and no-one left to ensure the US end of the adequacy arrangement with the EU, surely it's time for the EU to ban data sharing with the USA?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/03/18/two-democratic-commissioners-fired-ftc/

2025-03-03 01:17:33 UTC

And the #Oscar for Best #OpenSource animation software goes to .... @npub1k5u…hg3t

2025-02-24 12:52:07 UTC

The ISO/IEC lawsuit against the @npub1m96…ag4y to undo the finding that we have a right to know all of the law that binds us is a threat to digital human rights. #Standards should serve humanity, not enrich private corporations.
https://circleid.com/posts/a-threat-to-europeas-digital-human-rights-stewardship
/cc @npub1jre…alex

2025-02-19 10:16:50 UTC

- reply

Meta does not give OSI money, as far as I know. I would be interested to know the source of that allegation.

2025-02-18 17:14:20 UTC

- reply

OSI posted this:
https://opensource.org/blog/metas-llama-license-is-still-not-open-source
and I just posted this: https://meshed.cloud/@webmink/114025966275341199

2025-02-11 18:11:35 UTC

- reply

OK, I'll investigate. But you can be confident that it's not an open source license.

2025-02-11 17:14:16 UTC

- reply

did post https://opensource.org/blog/metas-llama-2-license-is-not-open-source and this revision seems to change nothing.

2025-01-02 17:34:02 UTC

Do I have any UK followers who use #Octopus energy, are on the Agile tariff and access it via the REST API? It seems to be returning no new data since 11pm last night...
https://api.octopus.energy/v1/products/AGILE-FLEX-22-11-25/electricity-tariffs/E-1R-AGILE-FLEX-22-11-25-H/standard-unit-rates/?period_from=2025-01-02T00:00Z&period_to=2025-01-03T00:00Z

2024-11-20 08:29:22 UTC

The #CRA is now published in the Official Journal so comes into force as European law in 20 days. Next task: the #standards.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202402847
#Policy #OpenSource

2024-11-01 00:12:59 UTC

I've been testing a federated classified ads server, flohmarkt ("Flea Market") which I think is a promising idea for promoting a circular economy among friends. Details on my hub.
It raises quite a few questions for me though - it's going to need more trust & safety features than other #Activitypub applications for example.
https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt
#OpenSource #FreeSoftware #Fediverse #SelfHosting #CircularEconomy #Yunohost

2024-10-30 23:39:23 UTC

At #FOSDEM last year, a group of us ran a unique devroom that got developers and legislators together to discuss how to legislate as if #SoftwareFreedom matters. It made a big difference to how things went during 2024 so we are doing it again in 2025. If you want to join in, the CfP is out now:
https://softwarefreedom.net/fosdem-25-cfp
#OpenSource #FreeSoftware #Policy

2024-10-22 20:05:01 UTC

Loving this new release line from @npub1ax5…lujq - it's the future AlmaLinux 10 that will have a cat codename, so the new preview line is called #AlmaLinux Kitten!
https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-10-22-introducing-almalinux-os-kitten/
#Linux #OpenSource #RHEL #CentOS

2024-10-10 22:12:04 UTC

Well that was unexpected for today! The Council of the EU has adopted the #CRA Cyber Resilience Act and we are just a few small steps away from it becoming a European law.
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/10/10/cyber-resilience-act-council-adopts-new-law-on-security-requirements-for-digital-products/

2024-09-21 12:24:21 UTC

- reply

IKEA Tradfri bulbs? https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/tradfri-led-bulb-gu10-345-lumen-smart-wireless-dimmable-white-spectrum-20547424/

2024-09-10 14:02:29 UTC

I am delighted to announce that @npub1djq…zj5f has a new full-time staff member working in Brussels to advocate for and defend the #OpenSource community. Welcome @npub1fzh…p7r7!
https://opensource.org/blog/jordan-maris-joins-osi
#Policy #FreeSoftware

2024-08-30 09:17:47 UTC

Come to @npub1kp3…pqjs in #Manchester on October 12-13 and geek out with the rest of us at this venerable free culture #unconference resurrected after four years.
Tickets on sale now, FINAL DAY for early-bird pricing, from https://oggcamp.org/tickets/
More info at https://andypiper.co.uk/2024/08/20/return-of-the-oggcamp/
#FreeCulture #FreeSoftware #OpenSource #Geek #Hacker #Event #OggCamp

2024-08-26 21:03:53 UTC

Excellent concise explanation of why @npub1ax5…lujq is the ideal #enterprise #Linux when RHEL doesn't fit the need.
https://thenewstack.io/almalinux-your-enterprise-linux-ticket-to-freedom/

2024-08-21 12:17:23 UTC

Come to @npub1kp3…pqjs in #Manchester on October 12-13 and geek out with the rest of us at this venerable free culture #unconference resurrected after four years.
Tickets on sale now, one more week of early-bird pricing, from https://oggcamp.org/tickets/
More info at https://andypiper.co.uk/2024/08/20/return-of-the-oggcamp/
#FreeCulture #FreeSoftware #OpenSource #Geek #Hacker #Event #OggCamp

2024-08-20 15:28:35 UTC

Tickets are already on sale for #OggCamp 2024 (I'm once again helping organise it as publicsoftware.eu is its fiduciary host). We'd love to see you in Manchester on October 12th & 13th for a relaxed geek-out.
@npub13za…8j89 has more details - https://andypiper.co.uk/2024/08/20/return-of-the-oggcamp/

2024-08-12 15:26:09 UTC

Heard it said that the #Apache license and the #GPL are somehow "incompatible"? Pam Chestek disagrees, and I think she is probably right (as usual).
https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/chtlj/vol40/iss3/2/
#OpenSource #FreeSoftware

2024-08-08 10:34:16 UTC

Good roundup of #OpenSource responses to the NIS2 implementing act
https://blog.nlnetlabs.nl/supply-chain-security-obligations-for-nis2-regulated-entities-vs-developers-of-open-source-software/

2024-08-01 16:12:23 UTC

The @npub1m96…ag4y wants to know if their Digital Europe funding programme is working. The consultation is open to the public. You may want to comment on their attitude to #OpenSource, to #Federated systems or other aspects of emergent digital culture that company lobbyists won't be mentioning.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13880-Digital-Europe-programme-interim-evaluation_en
#FreeSoftware #Policy #Europe