Software Freedom Day: Past, Present and Future
Open Source For You|October 2023
Every year, Software Freedom Day (SFD) celebrates free software across the world. The aim is to increase awareness of free software and its virtues, and encourage its use. This year, SFD was celebrated on September 16
Software Freedom Day: Past, Present and Future

Frederick Noronha caught up with Jurgen Gaeremyn, member of the Digital Freedom Foundation (the charity behind Software Freedom Day), to ask some pertinent questions about the history of the event, and its evolution over the years.

Jurgen Gaeremyn, member of the Digital Freedom Foundation, wrote in to say: “In June of this year, I offered to help launch Software Freedom Day (SFD) globally. I found your name when searching through the first years of Software Freedom Day, and your account was the oldest one (apart from the founders) I could find in my list. Back in 2005, you were writing for BytesForAll.”

Jurgen says that the SFD team and its supporters in different pockets of the globe are celebrating the 20th edition of Software Freedom Day this year. “Thanks for being one of the very first supporters of SFD, and two decades later still standing for open source software, open data and open culture!”

Seizing the opportunity, I sent across some queries. Here is an excerpt of the exchange.

FN: How has SFD grown or changed over the years (since I last knew it)? 

JG: Actually, SFD started back in the time when every self-respecting computer magazine offered a CD with some freebies on it. Back then Matt Oquist decided that burning a CD with actual free software (contrary to the freebies or trial versions on those other CDs) could add much value. He teamed up with Henrik Omma and Phil Harper and they decided to promote this OpenCD project all over the world. Things moved quickly from there.

Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Open Source For You.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Open Source For You.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA OPEN SOURCE FOR YOUSe alt
Amazon Bedrock: A Boon for the Financial Services Industry
Open Source For You

Amazon Bedrock: A Boon for the Financial Services Industry

Amazon Bedrock is a fully managed service that provides access to foundation models from top AI providers, enabling organisations to build and scale generative AI applications. It is specifically designed to bring AI solutions to the financial sector. Let's explore all that it can do...

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024
Quantum-Safe VPNs: The Future of Secure Communication
Open Source For You

Quantum-Safe VPNs: The Future of Secure Communication

As quantum computing continues to advance, it poses a significant threat to traditional cryptographic algorithms that secure our digital communications. Virtual private networks (VPNs), which rely heavily on encryption, are particularly vulnerable. Quantum-safe VPNs utilise post-quantum cryptographic algorithms to protect against quantum attacks.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2024
Popular Open Source Toolkits for Quantum Machine Learning
Open Source For You

Popular Open Source Toolkits for Quantum Machine Learning

Quantum machine learning is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to solve the complex problems of the AI age. Here are a few open source libraries and frameworks that help with quantum computations.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2024
Quantum Computing: Harnessing Open Source for Innovation and Accessibility
Open Source For You

Quantum Computing: Harnessing Open Source for Innovation and Accessibility

We explore how open source initiatives are shaping the future of quantum computing, making it more accessible and driving innovation through collaboration.

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2024
How Quantum Computing Differs from Classical Computing
Open Source For You

How Quantum Computing Differs from Classical Computing

Despite being in its infancy, quantum computing has numerous potential applications in modelling, cybersecurity, AI/ML, and other fields. But how do quantum and classical computing compare with each other? Let's find out...

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
From Bits to Qubits: The Growth Story of Quantum Computing
Open Source For You

From Bits to Qubits: The Growth Story of Quantum Computing

Quantum computing may still be in the early stages of evolution, but its potential impact on everyday life is significant. We delve into the key concepts behind it, the reasons for its rapid growth, and how global advancements are shaping its future.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
Pytket: A Comprehensive Guide to Quantum Circuit Design
Open Source For You

Pytket: A Comprehensive Guide to Quantum Circuit Design

Pytket stands out as a powerful toolkit in the realm of quantum computing, offering a suite of features that cater to both researchers and industry practitioners. Its key strengths include optimisation, platform-agnostic support, flexible quantum circuit design and hybrid algorithm support. These features make Pytket a versatile tool for various quantum computing applications, from machine learning and cryptography to optimisation problems in industrial settings.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2024
Cirq: The Open Source Framework for Programming Quantum Computers
Open Source For You

Cirq: The Open Source Framework for Programming Quantum Computers

Explore the key features, capabilities, and impact of Cirq, an open source quantum computing framework developed by Google, on the quantum programming landscape.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024
The Role of Open Source in Accelerating Quantum AI
Open Source For You

The Role of Open Source in Accelerating Quantum AI

Here's an overview of how open source frameworks are being utilised to build quantum machine learning models, including quantum neural networks and quantum kernel methods. The challenges and future directions in the quantum AI landscape are also discussed.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024
Quantum Machine Learning: An Overview
Open Source For You

Quantum Machine Learning: An Overview

Quantum machine learning (QML) is a burgeoning field at the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. In recent years, the integration of quantum mechanics with machine learning algorithms has sparked substantial interest among researchers and technologists alike. Here's a quick look at the essentials of creating quantum algorithms for AI models, their practical use cases on open source platforms, and best practices for implementing these advanced algorithms.

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2024