Episode 211: FOSSY 2023 with Kyle Wiens

Guest Kyle Wiens Panelist Richard Littaueropen-source Show Notes
Hello and welcome to Sustain! Richard is in Portland at FOSSY, the
Free and Open Source Software Yearly conference that is held by the
Software Freedom Conservancy. In this exciting episode, Richard
welcomes Kyle Wiens, the driving force behind iFixit, a large open
source collection of user-generated repair manuals. Born out of a
response to Apple’s stringent copyright regime on their service
manuals, iFixit has grown into the most extensive collection of
medical service manuals for hospitals. Kyle shares his journey from
combating copyright laws to working on right to repair laws for
everyday devices like tractors. From discussing locks on toasters
to exploring the use of Linux and WINE on John Deere tractors, Kyle
offers an insightful glimpse into the world of repair, open source
contributions, and the potential futures of hardware. Press
download now to hear more cool stuff! [00:00:46] Kyle explains that
iFixit is a large open source collection of repair manuals. The
manuals are created by the users, not sources from other companies,
and they are the largest collection of medical service manuals for
hospitals, from ventilators to vital sign monitors since the
COVID-19 pandemic. [00:02:08] Kyle explains that iFixit is a
for-profit company that sells parts and tools. He also mentions his
friendship with Scotty Allen from Strange Parts. [00:03:08] Richard
brings up the topic of legal implications surrounding iFixit and
Kyle explains that while they do receive takedown notices, they’ve
never been sued. He discusses how they deal with these notices,
providing a detailed analysis of fair use. [00:05:27] Richard asks
about LEGO building guides on iFixit, to which Kyle mentions a
separate website dedicated to it. [00:06:04] We hear about the
“Right to Repair” laws they are advocating for in various states.
Kyle discusses the success of passing four bills in three states,
focusing on electric wheelchairs and tractors, a consumer
electronics bill passes in New York, and a law passed in Minnesota.
[00:09:00] Kyle tells us his perspective about the intersection
between right to repair and open source. [00:11:07] Richard asks
Kyle if he collaborates with groups like Software Freedom
Conservancy to circumvent these protections, and he confirms and
gives an example of their work with “Right to Repair” laws for
tractors. [00:12:46] What’s exciting for Kyle about this
conference? Kyle expresses optimism about the conference and the
potential of transferring the momentum from the right to repair
movement to the open source world. [00:13:33] Kyle suggests that
open source contributors can help by assigning their copyrights to
the Conservancy, aiming to get GPL software into as much physical
hardware as possible. [00:14:46] You can go to iFixit.com for
guidance on fixing their devices and find out where you can follow
Kyle online. Links SustainOSS (https://sustainoss.org/) SustainOSS
Twitter
(https://twitter.com/SustainOSS?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)
SustainOSS Discourse (https://discourse.sustainoss.org/)
podcast@sustainoss.org (mailto:podcast@sustainoss.org) Open
Collective-SustainOSS Contribute
(https://opencollective.com/sustainoss) SustainOSS Mastodon
(https://mastodon.social/tags/sustainoss) Richard Littauer Twitter
(https://twitter.com/richlitt?lang=en) Software Freedom Conservancy
(https://sfconservancy.org/) Open OSS
(https://openoss.sourceforge.net/) Kyle Wiens Website
(https://kylewiens.com/) Kyle Wiens Twitter
(https://twitter.com/kwiens?lang=en) Kyle Wiens LinkedIn
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylewiens?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F)
iFixit (https://www.ifixit.com/) Strange Parts
(https://www.strangeparts.com/author/scotty/) The Repair
Association (https://www.repair.org/) The End of Ownership: Why You
Need to Fight America’s Copyright Laws by Kyle Wiens (Wired)
(https://www.wired.com/2014/01/174071/) Credits Produced by Richard
Littauer (https://www.burntfen.com/) Edited by Paul M. Bahr at
Peachtree Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/) Show notes by
DeAnn Bahr Peachtree Sound (https://www.peachtreesound.com/)
Special Guest: Kyle Wiens.