Boston Linux Meeting Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - Reproducible Builds for a Better Future

[Jerry Feldman]

When:  November 16, 2016 7PM (6:30PM for Q&A)
Topic: Reproducible Builds for a Better Future
Moderator: Valerie R. Young
Location: MIT Building E-51, Room 315


Summary:
Debian's Reproducible Builds project

Abstract:
Many free software projects (Tor, Debian, Fedora and more) have 
dedicated a great deal of time and effort toward the reproducible builds 
goal: anyone can download the source code and generate identical 
binaries. This technical goal has a massive impact on delivering free 
software's promised freedoms. Our vision:

Anyone can verify that the binary program they are running came from the 
source code they separately downloaded.
Anyone can reliably modify their software without fear it will not build 
on their system.

This talk will begin with the story of the Tor browser bundle becoming 
entirely reproducible. You will learn how the technical success of Tor 
inspired the Debian project's ongoing efforts, resulting in an 85% 
reproducible operating system so far, and other parallel efforts. After 
laying down this technical and historical background, the talk will 
focus on concrete ways that achieving reproducible builds will change 
our relationship with software in the future.

The intended audience is anyone who cares about free software, no matter 
your technical experience.
https://wiki.debian.org/ReproducibleBuilds/About
http://blu.org/meetings/2016/11/valery-young-cached-blogpost.txt

For further information and directions please consult the BLU Web site
http://www.blu.org
Please note that there is usually plenty of free parking in the E-51
parking lot at 2 Amherst St, or directly on Amherst St.

After the meeting we will adjourn to the official after meeting meeting
location at The Cambridge Brewing Company
http://www.cambridgebrewingcompany.com/
-- 
Jerry Feldman <gaf at blu.org>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id:3BC1EB90
PGP Key fingerprint: 49E2 C52A FC5A A31F 8D66  C0AF 7CEA 30FC 3BC1 EB90