From 5ddb84ef7d6a12e6ee892fc2478bcd229c16ad68 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: rsiddharth Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2021 20:48:36 -0500 Subject: md: add better-than-zoom.md Sent by Ravi Dwivedi et al. --- md/article/better-than-zoom.md | 249 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 249 insertions(+) create mode 100644 md/article/better-than-zoom.md (limited to 'md/article/better-than-zoom.md') diff --git a/md/article/better-than-zoom.md b/md/article/better-than-zoom.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c7aed9 --- /dev/null +++ b/md/article/better-than-zoom.md @@ -0,0 +1,249 @@ + + +# Better than Zoom and Google Meet: Try these Free Software powered video conferencing apps and services + +We recommend you to use [free software][fw] powered video conferencing +software like [Jitsi][j] and [BigBlueButton][bbb]. Since they are free +software, the software is under user's control, and they give the user +the freedom to run their own server which gives users full control +over their communications. + +[fw]: https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw +[j]: https://jitsi.org +[bbb]: https://bigbluebutton.org + +We would like to highlight that the FOSDEM 2021 conference which [used +only free software (Matrix and Jitsi) and hosted 30,000 +attendees][matrix-fosdem] which shows that for large conferences also +we need not depend on proprietary software. + +[matrix-fosdem]: https://matrix.org/blog/2021/02/15/how-we-hosted-fosdem-2021-on-matrix + +## Problems with proprietary videoconferencing systems + +In the pandemic time, our communications are being held via nonfree +video conferencing software like Zoom, Google Meet etc.[1](#fr) +Hosting video conferencing via nonfree software gives away control of +our communications. + +Video communications on Zoom are done via Zoom's central server which +mistreats users in various ways such as [snooping on users][ia-vice] +and [shutting down accounts of activists][guardian]. Zoom also +[censored an event with Palestinian activist Leila Khaled][ti] and +other events criticizing its censorship. A Zoom executive [reported on +users to China][wp], and snooped on meetings. If they discussed the +Tien An Men Square massacre, he terminated the meetings and the +participants' accounts, on the orders of China. What made it possible +is that Zoom's design lets staff snoop on every conversation as it +passes through the server. Further, [Zoom has done a lousy job in +protecting your privacy][cl]. + +[ia-vice]: https://web.archive.org/web/20210104084812/https://www.vice.com/en/article/k7e599/zoom-ios-app-sends-data-to-facebook-even-if-you-dont-have-a-facebook-account +[guardian]: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jun/11/zoom-shuts-account-of-us-based-rights-group-after-tiananmen-anniversary-meeting +[ti]: https://theintercept.com/2020/11/14/zoom-censorship-leila-khaled-palestine/ +[wp]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/12/18/zoom-helped-china-surveillance +[cl]: https://citizenlab.ca/2020/04/move-fast-roll-your-own-crypto-a-quick-look-at-the-confidentiality-of-zoom-meetings + +Surveillance and censorship are the consequences of the power Zoom has +over its users because of its nonfree software and centralized +server. It is Zoom's unjust power over their users that we +oppose. This power bring users at the mercy of the entity (Zoom in +this case) providing the service. The same is true for other nonfree +conferencing systems like Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, +[Skype][skype], etc. + +[skype]: https://stallman.org/skype.html + +Nonfree programs should never be trusted for privacy even if they say +that the communications are end-to-end encrypted. It could send the +unencrypted version to the owner of the software when asked, bypassing +the encryption. A company that sold encryption systems to 100 +countries was controlled by US and German intelligence, [and the +equipment spied on the governments that used it][guardian-crypto-spy] +which means that you should never trust a proprietary encryption +program to protect your privacy . Therefore, we suggest you to reject +any nonfree/proprietary software. + +[guardian-crypto-spy]: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/11/crypto-ag-cia-bnd-germany-intelligence-report + +## How can free software powered video-conferencing systems solve the problem? + +If the users communicate using free software installed in a server +controlled by the users or a server run by a trusted service provider, +they get full control over their communications. This gives them +control over the policies of the service and data collection. With +Free Software like Jitsi and BigBlueButton, you have a choice of +service providers, and you are not forced to host your video meetings +on any particular server, say, Jitsi's central server. You can also +host the service in countries with better Free Speech laws instead of +forced to follow only Chinese law, in case of Zoom. This is like +dissenters taking refuge in other countries to avoid persecution by +oppressive governments. + +Jitsi instances usually have maximum capacity of 70 participants at a +time. A list of Jitsi instances can be found at + and +a list of BigBlueButton instances can be found at +. We +did not try all the instances listed in these links, this is just a +list for users to try different instances. We suggest you to read the +policies of the servers before hosting your communications there. + +Autistici's Jitsi instance supports +recording without using Dropbox or any other nonfree software service +(other Jitsi instances usually require a Dropbox account) and +live-stream without using YouTube (other services usually support +live-streaming with YouTube only) on their own server. To record your +meeting on Autsitici's server, you can click 'Start Recording' when +you want to start and after 'Stop Recording', you will be sent a link +in the Jitsi chat, and you can download the recording in your device. + +Jitsi instances like 8x8.vc has an Indian dial in (not toll-free but a +number in Mumbai) number to join the audio conference. So people with +unlimited talk time but not a good internet connection can also join these. + +[tube.tchncs.de][tchncs.de] and other PeerTube instances that support +live-streaming can be another option. +[joinpeertube.org/instances][jpt] has a list of PeerTube instances and +you can filter the list by choosing 'Video maker' profile and 'Yes' to +'And do live streams' option. Apps like [NewPipe][np] and Fedilab +support watching PeerTube videos and live streams. [OBS][obs] can be +used to stream classes live. + +[tchncs.de]: https://tube.tchncs.de +[jpt]: https://joinpeertube.org/instances +[np]: https://newpipe.net +[obs]: https://obsproject.com + +BigBlueButton instances generally have more capacity than Jitsi +instances and instances like [meet.nixnet.services][bbb-nn] can scale +up to 270+. Mixed approach of live-streaming and using separate text +chat for questions can increase the limits. BigBlueButton supports +white board, presentations, live-streaming on YouTube. We suggest you +to avoid live-stream on YouTube. BigBlueButton doesn't need any app +on mobiles to work, people can simply join via any web browser. +[Chiguru also runs a BigBlueButton server][bbb-cg] especially for +online classes and includes paid plans according to your needs. + +[bbb-nn]: https://meet.nixnet.services +[bbb-cg]: https://classmeet.chiguru.tech + +## Conferences conducted using only free software + +In the pandemic time, we also saw the successful organization of +conferences using only free software. [FSCI][fsci] and [Free Software +Foundation of India][fsfi] conducted the [Free Software Camp][c-fsfi] +entirely [using Big Blue Button][c-fsfi-bbb]. Conferences +[DebConf][debconf20] and [MiniDebConf Online India 2021][mdebconf21] +were also held using Jitsi and Vogol for live-streaming the conference +and Etherpad + IRC chat were used by the audience to ask +questions. The [Free Software Foundation][fsf] conducted their 2020 +annual LibrePlanet conference online [without the use of any +nonfree/proprietary software][fsfi-lp2020]. The FOSDEM 2021 conference +was [conducted using only free software which hosted 30,000 +attendees][matrix-fosdem] which shows that there is absolutely no +reason that [any online conference should require proprietary +software][sfc-no-zoom][α](#fn-1). Any organization seeking +to run a conference can either hire their own people, hire some of the +people who organized FOSDEM to deploy the technology for you. If they +can host their conference using only free software, other +organizations can do it too. + +[fsci]: https://fsci.in +[fsfi]: https://fsf.org.in +[c-fsfi]: https://camp.fsf.org.in +[c-fsfi-bbb]: https://videos.fsci.in/accounts/fscamp/videos +[debconf20]: https://debconf20.debconf.org/about/debconf +[mdebconf21]: https://wiki.debian.org/DebianIndia/MiniDebConfOnlineIndia2021 +[fsf]: https://fsf.org +[fsfi-lp2020]: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/libreplanet-2020-in-person-component-canceled-but-well-see-you-online +[sfc-no-zoom]: https://sfconservancy.org/blog/2021/feb/08/just-say-no-to-zoom + +## Educational Institutes should switch to free software + +Educational institutes all over the world are conducting +lectures/webinars via nonfree software. We suggest educational +institutes to adopt free software alternatives like Jitsi, +BigBlueButton and avoid nonfree software for lectures and +conferences. Conferences can be held using only free software similar +to the above mentioned conferences. Educational institutes have a +responsibility towards their students and teachers to respect their +freedom and privacy. Students should not be forced to give away their +freedom and privacy to attend lectures, webinars to build their +career. + +If you are from an educational institute, and need help in switching +to free software services which respect your freedom, we will be glad +to help you. Please do not [hesitate to contact us in this +regard][fsfi-contact]. + +[fsfi-contact]: https://fsf.org.in/contact + +## Ways in which students can resist + +To show rejection of nonfree software, students can resist in various +ways. Students can get in touch with each other and send collective +letters to teachers or their administration to create awareness about +the problems that proprietary software poses. To raise awareness, they +can share this article. They can ask their teachers to make +recordings from the Zoom calls and post the recordings where they can +download them later. We suggest free software like upload.disroot.org +or PeerTube for sharing video lectures. Or else ask teachers to post +the pertinent visual materials so that students can get them before +the class, and they can record the audio themselves. That way they can +attend the classes without running any nonfree program. + +Students can also set up kludges to avoid running nonfree video chat +programs. For instance, the teacher (or one student) could point a +camera at a screen showing the Zoom call, and stream that camera and +mic to the students who want to stay off Zoom. There can also be a +kludge for them to speak and send their voice to the Zoom call. + +## How to start and join a meeting via Jitsi and BigBlueButton? + +[Find a Jitsi service that suits your needs][chatons-j] and create a +room with a random name or a name that you can remember. Share the +meeting link with attendees. Joining a Jitsi meeting is as easy as +clicking a link and loading it in your browser(Recent versions of +Chromium and Firefox) or Android or iOS Jitsi Meet apps and does not +require creating any accounts. Jitsi meetings can also be password +protected so that only invited attendees can join. + +[Find a BigBlueButton instance that suits your needs][chatons-bbb] and +sign up for an account. Once you are logged in, you can create rooms +and share the links with attendees. Joining a BigBlueButton meeting is +as easy as clicking a link and loading it in your browser (Recent +versions of Chromium and Firefox) either on your laptop/desktop or on +your mobile. + +[chatons-j]: https://wiki.chatons.org/doku.php/la_visio-conference_avec_jitsi +[chatons-bbb]: https://wiki.chatons.org/doku.php/la_visio-conference_avec_big_blue_button + +## Need help? Contact us + +If you would like to switch to free software powered services like +Jitsi and BigBlueButton, and you need help in this matter, feel free +to contact us at [fsf.org.in/contact][fsfi-contact]. We would be very +glad to help you. + +## Further reading + +1. Members of UK parliament were [forced to use Zoom in + order to vote][fr-1]. + +2. Americans are getting evicted because [they could not attend a + court hearing carried out via Zoom][fr-2]. + +3. [Why Schools Should Exclusively Use Free + Software][fr-3]. + + +[fr-1]: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/apr/20/mps-expected-approve-plans-virtual-parliament +[fr-2]: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/19/880859109/zoom-call-eviction-hearings-they-ll-throw-everything-i-have-out-on-the-street +[fr-3]: https://www.gnu.org/education/edu-schools.html + +- - - + +α. The article uses the term 'FOSS' which +stands for 'Free and Open-Source Software' which we avoid because we +stand for freedom and therefore prefer 'free software' over 'FOSS'. -- cgit v1.2.3