Eda4d ago

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(French version of this thread yesterday)

I have just completed my doctoral dissertation entitled “Software Obsolescence: Analysis and Remediation Strategies.” The manuscript, in english, is available at https://eda.mutu.net/these.

I would also like to invite you to my thesis defense next Monday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. CEST, which will be streamed live on Peertube on: https://tube.futuretic.fr/w/ixf9YaCEsZxoTJGydtrRVb, or in person at the Sciences Library Conference Room, Lyon 1 Claude Bernard University, Villeurbanne.

Edlira Nano

Show threadEda4d ago
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In my thesis “Software Obsolescence: Analysis and Remediation Strategies” I examine the production of obsolescence through a study of the #Android ecosystem, as well as the strategies for remediation implemented by several alternative open-source systems such as @LineageOS @postmarketOS @mobian @unifiedpush
@microg .
I also examine approaches from #Fairphone, @commownfr, the open hardware movement with #MNTreform or open chips design work in #ALSOC team at #LIP6 lab (Chapters 2 and 4).
Show threadEda4d ago
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Chapter 3 of my thesis, “Software Obsolescence: Analysis and Remediation Strategies” is devoted to analyzing maintenance in @debian. In it, I discover that maintenance is a collective socio-technical process that extends far beyond #Debian, into the broader ecosystem of free software and the global digital infrastructure. It teaches us a different way of thinking about changes and updates to computer systems—one that is centered on the people affected by them.
Show threadEda4d ago
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In Chapter 1, I share the different perspectives on obsolescence I have encountered: those in computer science and software engineering, where obsolescence has been defined and modeled, but also harnessed for the purposes of internal industry management. Then there is the perspective of Bill Gates, those he inspires, and other Big Tech companies that have turned it into an entrepreneurial mantra, using management, communication, design, advertising to drive a constant digital replacement.
Show threadEda4d ago

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But there is more ... the perspective of institutions which depoliticize obsolescence, absolve politicians and industries of responsibility, and disguise it by shifting the blame onto “culture” or the irrational “desires” and behaviors of consumers.

Finally, I discuss civil society protest movements that advocate to raise awareness and fight against obsolescence #HalteObsolescenceProgrammee #PIRG #ElectronicWasteGraveyard #RepairEU #RightToRepair @iFixit #enshittification #clippy

Show threadEda4d ago
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Finally, co-authored with @culturepoub who has greatly inspired my work, this dissertation analyzes how digital obsolescence—whether software- or hardware-based—through planning, software enclosure, pseudo-history, and lobbying, has been chosen, imposed, and placed at the heart of digital capitalism (Chapter 4).
Show threadEda4d ago

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A huge thank you to the people and alternative communities who welcomed me and shared ideas with me over these past three years, starting with #Debian, but also @larma from @microg, @agnes007 from #Fairphone, the folks at @commownfr, at @mobian, @unifiedpush @replicant and many others I’m sorry I’m forgetting...

Thanks also to the organizations close to my heart and my colleagues at @LaQuadrature and @aprilorg  You’ve been a huge inspiration for my work and beyond… 

Show threadEda4d ago

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Thank you to my amazing thesis advisor @aurelien and the wonderful team at @limitesnumeriques where this work took place: these three years with you have meant so much to me—I feel very lucky to have been part of your team ✨

Thanks also to the SICAL team at LIRIS lab, #NetGouv, which partially funded my trips to the Debian conferences, as well as to Olivier Alexandre and Benjamin Loveluck for their invaluable help in the work co-authored with @culturepoub

Show threadEda

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Thank you @culturepoub : your work on consumerism, obsolescence and waste, your historical and systemic perspective, your incisive analysis, your writing… have motivated and inspired this dissertation from the very, very beginning, and continue to do so.

Go read her captivating books: Le consumérisme à travers ses objets, (ed Divergences), Une histoire des produits menstruel, (ed Divergences) et Le Désir de nouveautés : L’obsolescence au cœur du capitalisme (ed La Découverte).

Jun 19 at 3:51pmWeb
Show threadEda4d ago

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And to wrap up this long thread, aside from the people that I continue to contact personally and who are mentioned in this thesis (please do not mind if I do not write immediately, I am a little tired, but I will continue), please feel free to give me feedback on the manuscript, which isn’t final yet, I still have three months before final publication. Your feedback is important, I will consider it and take it into account in a way or another <3

I can’t wait to continue the work :-)