Explaining the principles of free software to adults, if they have never heard of it, is not always easy. So to children? This is what a lovely book, “Ada & Zangemann. A tale about software, skateboarding and raspberry ice cream” (C&F éditions, 60 pages, 15 euros): recently published in French, it opposes a resourceful little girl, Ada – a nod to the pioneer Ada Lovelace -, to an inventor whose devices have made immensely rich (Zangemann, literally “pinch man”, evokes several figures of tech billionaires, Gates, Jobs etc.).
Apology for tinkering and solidarity
Written by Mathias Kirschner – also president of the Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) – and drawn by Sandra Brandstätter, the book sees the brilliant inventor abuse his power: he blocks electronic skateboards that roll on sidewalks, limits the volume of its connected speakers or even restricts the choice of ice cream to its favorite flavor. And there, young Ada, who discovers the concept of software, will hack these devices and with her friends work to give users choice. Enough to annoy the billionaire, who is putting pressure on the government to ban these manipulations which escape his control. Then…
In short, I’m not going to spoil everything for you, but this album succeeds in describing with clarity and humor, through its examples which will speak to everyone, the notion of software freedom, and thus invites us to reflect on concrete democracy. And as “the more successful the villain, the more successful the film” (Alfred Hitchcock), here the antagonist is successful, this book is a success in every respect: THE recommended gift for Christmas and beyond.
Furthermore, the way this book is distributed is remarkable in itself. First, its digital version is freely priced (from free to donation to C&F éditions, whose remarkable work is to be saluted – look at their entire catalog, anyone interested in the political and social aspects of tech should find happiness there).
A free project from A to Z
Then, the book, initially published in German, was placed under a free license (Creative Commons by-sa) by its authors, who thus favor its maximum distribution: use, modification and sharing of the work are authorized. Enough to facilitate translations, explains Alexis Kauffmann, software and open educational resources project manager at the Ministry of National Education and Youth and founder of Framasoft. He also specifies that “for this French edition, Matthias Kirschner has decided to donate all royalties from sales of the book in paper version to the Free Software Foundation Europe”.
– “its translation was carried out collaboratively by around a hundred students who coordinated using the free tools of La Digitale
– its editing chain is free: HTML, CSS, JavaScript Paged.js + free typography Luciole»
Alexis Kauffmann initiated this collaborative educational project, with the help of teachers and ADEAF (Association for the Development of German Teaching in France).
Having met at C&F some of these young translators (the participants ranged from 3rd to preparatory classes, from 13 to 19 years old, in four different schools, in Alès, Besançon, Guingamp and Paris) and their teachers, the Enthusiasm was there for this beautiful collective project.
This publication in French is already covered in praise, I invite you to discover it to see how much this book deserves it.
Read also
Free and common software in education: presenting alternatives to GAFAM – November 26, 2020
Linux and Creative Commons licenses explained in videos – May 31, 2012