Energy and processing power analysts are very taken with the Jevons paradox. The concept is that as energy or processing power become more efficient, demand expands to use up that increased efficiency and everyone wins. It has been applied in great haste by investors and firms in the AI space. Especially since much more efficient open source solutions have been made available commercially (such as DeepSeek).
Instead of insecure passwords, password managers with passwords to access them, two-factor authentication through text message or app on your phone, and easily compromised services, we can now start using a simple, user-friendly physical USB key system.
As part of my evangelism around free software, I have provided several of my friends and comrades with one of two Pine64 devices with Linux pre-installed. These boxes are to introduce people to this world of free software (and the freedom it brings) and to provide a useful and (hopefully) a little fun computer/server/gaming platform to tinker with. While you may not be on my list of people who get one of these, you can always buy one from Pine64 (or another single board computer company) and take them out for a spin.
The purpose of this document is to outline how I work in Linux. While there are lots of documents online on how coders set-up and tinker with Linux, there are not many for regular users who want to become more proficient in their computer use.
This is a list of GNU and open source programs I use regularly. I have included some install commands and configuration details that I hope will make them easier to use.
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The call to use open source software is a call for social justice.
30 Years of GNU
I argue that the political economy of software is even more important for those engaged in the struggle for social justice. Our organisations do not have the resources that governments and oligopoly corporations have. Social justice organisations also have a mission that is expressed through the actions they take. So, it is not only expensive in terms of money wasted but also in the waste caused when not building software with like-minded organisations and movements.
