this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2025
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I've seen many threads suggesting products but they often don't mention FOSS projects, which should always be preferred to corporate software. With FOSS you are already boycotting capitalism, on either side. Free and Open Source ignores borders and shouldn't be categorized in nationalist terms, no matter where some of the maintainers happen to live.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 days ago (4 children)

I get it as an European that it means more to me to consume "locally" and to prioritize services that are European-based. But due to the nature of computers and FOSS, borders are redefined and it is more about ideas and politics rather than physical location. However, computers and servers are also physical and submitted to legislations of countries, we cannot ignore laws such as the Patriot act and the power that the American state can have even on FOSS projects.

For me the priority is to use software that match my needs; if I have the choice between an American and an European solution, I'll tend to choose the latter one.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I canceled ongoing donations to several projects based in the US and stated that my reasons for doing so was US policy against my country. It doesn’t matter if the dev or project lead supports those policies or not, I refuse to contribute to the US economy if I can at all help it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

I understand, but I am also thinking about the dev of those projects, as an individual who (probably) really despises the current US Gov, and even though they have to engage in the US economy, as they need to eat, pay bills, etc. It is a very tricky problem for those individuals and how to emancipate from. It is like with Russia where such individuals do not endorse at all the ongoing war but still live in that system 🤔

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

FOSS is definitely not boycotting capitalism, but its still an objectively good thing. I see FOSS work as a way for relatively rich imperial core citizens to give back to the world.

Definitely do not boycott FOSS projects.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't understand why you say FOSS isn't boycotting capitalism. I don't disagree, but I also don't know enough to agree yet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Look at the success of Linux. It's not in opposition to capitalism, it's ba kernel widely used by capitalists. If Linux was truly a threat to capitalism, google wouldn't use it in their phones.

I still think that Linux and open source are great. They're just not neccesarily anticapitalist. They definitely can be in certain circumstances, and definitely make some rent seeking impossible

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

To be fair, what Google is doing is a perversion of the original intent of Linux. It used to be a direct competitor to commercial OSs. Google turned it into one.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago (8 children)

I would think it depends on the project

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Totally agree. The majority of Americans are great people. Not everyone is MAGA. We need to support the good ones. Sanctions and boycotts tend to unite.

One exception would be if the project imposse a security risk because key people and servers, within the US, may be blackmailed or pushed by the new administration. We're not there yet though. And I hope these projects and people migrate if this becomes the case.

Also, FOSS projects run by big tech are probably also wise to avoid for strategic reasons.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 2 days ago (2 children)

The majority of Americans are great people

They're not the majority if they can't win an election — just sayin'.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

77mio out of 340mio voted for trump which is roughly 22.6%

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (3 children)

a minority of the population voted for trump though, it's not like 50+% of the total population voted for him, it's 50+% of the voters, a lot of people just didn't vote.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Fair enough. I'm still smarting from that election result, all the way across the pond.

On the other side, I don't count people as "great" who can't be bothered voting against bigoted authoritarianism. But different strokes, I'm sure.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (2 children)

There are some pretty corporate "open core" software companies tho, that's a more grey area

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 day ago

I have been following some of these movements in the last few weeks and, at least the ones I know of, include FOSS in the alternatives to American products and services. So while I support what you say 100%, in my experience so far, it looks like most people are aware of this.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago
[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I think you're missing the point a bit.

Both BuyCanadian and BuyEuropean are about supporting their respective economies as they are boycotting America's.

For Canada, we're looking at a recession (brought on by our "ally") so people are trying to help fellow Canadians out as things get rough and people lose jobs.

While I support FOSS and recommend them in threads etc I fully understand why they don't meet all the goals of those movements. (That being said, I think one of the most rocking counter punches would be EU investment in stabilizing Linux enough to make it a feasible alternative to Windows/Apple for casual and corporate users, solid shot to 2 of the magnificent 7.)

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 days ago (5 children)

investment in stabilizing Linux enough to make it a feasible alternative

Do you care to elaborate? If I had to write a list of reasons why Linux might not be ready for your average cubicle... Stability wouldn't be one of them.

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