Documentation Revision, clarification, and editing.

[mediagoblin.git] / docs / source / about_mediagoblin.rst

=================
 GNU MediaGoblin
=================

.. contents:: Sections
   :local:


What is GNU MediaGoblin
=======================

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..


How is GNU MediaGoblin licensed?
================================

GNU MediaGoblin software is released under an AGPLv3 license.

See the ``COPYING`` file in the source repository for details.


Is MedaGobilin an official GNU project?  What does that mean?
=============================================================

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!