docs/source/about.rst

   1 =======================
   2  About GNU MediaGoblin
   3 =======================
   4
   5 .. contents:: Sections
   6    :local:
   7
   8
   9 What is GNU MediaGoblin
  10 =======================
  11
  12 In 2008, a number of free software developers and activists gathered
  13 at the FSF to attempt to answer the question "What should software
  14 freedom look like on the participatory web?" Their answer, the
  15 `Franklin Street Statement`_ has lead to the development of
  16 `autonomo.us`_ community, and free software projects including
  17 `Identi.ca`_ and `Libre.fm`_.
  18
  19 .. _Franklin Street Statement: http://autonomo.us/2008/07/franklin-street-statement/
  20 .. _autonomo.us: http://autonomo.us/
  21 .. _identi.ca: http://identi.ca/
  22 .. _Libre.fm: http://libre.fm/
  23
  24 Identi.ca and Libre.fm address the need for micro-blogging and music
  25 sharing services and software that respect users' freedom and
  26 autonomy.  GNU MediaGoblin emerges from this milieu to create a
  27 platform for us to share photos in an environment that respects our
  28 freedom and independence.  In the future MediaGoblin will include
  29 support other media, like video, and provide tools to facilitate
  30 collaboration on media projects.
  31
  32
  33 Why Build GNU MediaGoblin
  34 =========================
  35
  36 The Internet is designed---and works best---as a complex and endlessly
  37 resilient network.  When key services and media outlets are
  38 concentrated in centralized platforms, the network becomes less useful
  39 and increasingly fragile.  As always, the proprietary nature of these
  40 systems, hinders users ability to develop, extend, and understand
  41 their software; however, in the case of network services it also means
  42 that users must forfeit control of their data to the service
  43 providers.
  44
  45 Therefore, we believe that network services must be federated to avoid
  46 centralization and that everyone ought to have control over their
  47 data.  In support of this, we've decided to help build the tools to
  48 make these kinds of services possible.  We hope you'll join us, both
  49 as users and as contributors.
  50
  51
  52 Who Contributes to the Project
  53 ==============================
  54
  55 You do!
  56
  57 We are free software activists and folks who have worked on a variety
  58 of other projects including: Libre.fm, GNU Social, Status.net, Miro,
  59 Miro Community, and OpenHatch among others.  We're programmers,
  60 musicians, writers, and painters.  We're friendly and dedicated to
  61 software and network freedom.
  62
  63
  64 How Can I Participate?
  65 ======================
  66
  67 See `Get Involved <http://mediagoblin.org/join/>`_ on the website.  We
  68 eagerly look forward to seeing you!
  69
  70
  71 How is GNU MediaGoblin licensed?
  72 ================================
  73
  74 GNU MediaGoblin software is released under an AGPLv3 license.
  75
  76 See the ``COPYING`` file in the root of the source for details.
  77
  78
  79 Is MedaGobilin an official GNU project?  What does that mean?
  80 =============================================================
  81
  82 MediaGoblin is an official GNU project! This status means that we the
  83 meet the GNU Project's rigorous standards for free software.  To find
  84 out more about what that means, check out the `GNU website`_.
  85
  86 Please feel free to contact us with further questions!
  87
  88 .. _GNU website: http://gnu.org/