The document outlines 4 principles for a sustainable digital society: 1) Reuse and circular use of software to enable reuse of public infrastructure, hardware, and artificial intelligence models. 2) General purpose devices with the right to replace operating systems and software. 3) Upcycling of software through publication of source code under free licenses after support ends. 4) Interoperability of things using open interfaces, drivers, and standards.

1. 4 principles for a sustainable digital
society
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Erik Albers

2. Woman-hours Brainpower
Reusing software saves energy
Work
environment

3. Google Cemetery
"Total deaths" since 2006: 166
Average lifespan:
4 years and 1 month

4. 4 freedoms of Free Software
use study
share improve

5. Free Software = Reuse = Circular use
use study
share improve

6. Reuse optimises efficiency over time
Supercomputer
Old hardware
Server
Linux

7. Exponential growth needs reuse
Artificial Intelligence
Internet of things
Smart Cities, Homes, etc.

8. Circular Use / Reuse of Software
Public Money, Public Code!
Public infrastructure to be set up
with Free Software and public code

9. Free Software can save lives !

10. Free Software can save lives !
... of Hardware

11. Free Software can save lives !
... of Hardware
Biggest footprint occurs during production, not lifetime
“just one year longer” can save hundreds of millions
devices from being wasted and/or produced

12. Software Obsolescence
Version x
Version x+1

13. Software Obsolescence
Version x
Version x+1
of support of hardware
New phone

14. Free Software solves Software Obsolescence
Version x Version x+1
Custom ROM
Version x
Custom ROM
Version x+1
of support
New phone

15. Free Software enables reuse & upcycling
Replace with
Free Software

16. General Purpose Devices
Right to install alternative software &
operating systems
Unlock unnecessary technical
and legal restrictions!

17. Upcycling of Software
of support of hardware

18. Upcycling of Software
of support
Publication of
Source Code
Upcycling
by 3rd
parties
2nd
life

19. Publication of source code under a free
license after the end of support
Stop linear product waste
through software obsolescence
Upcycling of Software

20. Incompatibility of products

21. Standardisation

22. Interoperability via Open Standards

23. Interoperability of things

24. Ability to combine and reuse different
hardware and software via Open Standards,
drivers and interfaces
Transform the Internet of linear things
Into one of re-usable devices
Interoperability of things

25. Right to Repair
Publication of source code Open Standards, interfaces,
drivers and tools
enables third party repair
&

26. 4 principles for a sustainable digital
society
●
Reuse / Circular use of Software
(enables reuse of public infrastructures, hardware, trained AI etc)
●
General Purpose Devices
(Right to replace operating system and software)
●
Upcycling of Software
(Publication of source code under free license after end of support)
●
Interoperability of Things
(open interfaces, drivers and standards)