imported>NuggestNug at 15:55, 18 October 2025

2025-10-18T15:55:09Z

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{{Short description|Task force for free and open-source software}}
{{WikiProject status|active|taskforce=yes|parent=Software|portal=Free and open-source software|sc1=WP:FOSS|sc2=WP:FLOSS|sc3=WP:WPFS|sc4=WP:WPFREE|sc5=WP:OSS}}

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Welcome to the '''free and open-source software task force''', a project devoted to creating, improving, and maintaining articles related to [[free and open-source software]] (FOSS), and bringing them to [[WP:GA|good]] or [[WP:FA|featured article]] status. The scope of this project extends to articles about:
*free and open-source software programs
*FOSS operating systems ([[Linux]]-based, [[Berkeley Software Distribution | BSD]]-based, and others)
*[[:Category:Free software websites|websites]] for and about FOSS software and community
*organizations, such as the [[GNU Project]], the [[Free Software Foundation]], and the [[Open Source Initiative]]
*people, such as [[Richard Stallman]], [[Linus Torvalds]], and [[Keith Bostic (software engineer)|Keith Bostic]]

Always remember to follow [[WP:STYLE|Wikipedia conventions]], and to [[WP:BB|be bold]]!

The FOSS task force is supported by [[WP:SOFTW|WikiProject Software]] and [[WP:COMP|WikiProject Computing]].
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Here are some tasks that have to be done constantly or to almost every article. Further down the page you'll find TODO lists with one-off tasks that need to be done.

=== Verify the bare minimum ===
Each article about a free and open-source software project should:
# Contain a link to the [[Portal:Free and open-source software|Free and open-source software portal]]:
#* add <code><nowiki>{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}</nowiki></code> to the "See also" section or the last section of prose in the article body.
#* Alternatively, add <code><nowiki>{{Portal bar|Free and open-source software}}</nowiki></code> to the bottom of the page.
# Mention that it is [[free and open-source software]] in the [[MOS:BEGIN|opening paragraph]], preferably in the [[MOS:FIRST|first sentence]]
# Describe the [[free software license]]s used by the project, preferably in the [[MOS:IBX|infobox]], with a citation to the project's license
# Use {{tl2|citation needed}} to tag any unverified statements

=== Complete tasks on to-do list ===
[[#Open tasks | Those tasks]] are the backlog of issues found by other task force members.

=== Add references ===
Make sure that your source meets the [[WP:RELIABLE | criteria for reliable sources]], especially that they are not [[WP:SELFPUB | self-published]] (personal blogs, forums, etc.). This project develops [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Software/Free and open-source software task force/List of reliable sources|its own list of useful, reliable sources]] and a [https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=50e6a512f934786ca custom search engine]. Feel free to audit and improve the list with other [[WP:RELIABLE | reliable]] sources you can find.

=== Improve article links ===
Many articles containing phrases such as "[[free software]] licence" or "[[free software]] community", when it is usually better to link to "[[free software licence]]" and "[[free software community]]" instead of the main [[free software]] article.
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{{/Article alerts}}
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{{todo}}
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=== Participants ===
If you wish to join the project, please add your name to the list with:

<pre>
#{{np2|username}} ~~~~~
</pre>

{{Clickable button 2|Join the free and open-source software task force|url={{fullurl:Wikipedia:WikiProject Software/Free and open-source software task force|action=edit&section=5}}|class=mw-ui-progressive}}

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#{{np2|Quickfixdemon}} 14:12, 16 February 2024 (UTC)
#{{np2|DigitalDasein}} 13:18, 4 June 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|Daveout}} 08:05, 31 March 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|Dexxor}} 18:50, 22 May 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|Forlornacorn}} 02:14, 15 July 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|Gamingforfun365}} 06:09, 31 July 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|Isacdaavid}} 17:59, 21 January 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|Jonathanischoice}} 03:18, 8 April 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|JorgePeixoto}} 18:23, 28 October 2013 (UTC)
#{{np2|K4rolB}} 22:01, 14 September 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|Newslinger}} 20:45, 25 August 2018 (UTC)
#{{np2|PrinceKael}} 13:06, 6 May 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|Priyanshu1rai}} 05:31, 6 March 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|ScotXW}} 13:44, 8 October 2016 (UTC)
#{{np2|Vitaly Zdanevich}} 21:14, 25 November 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|WildStar}} 14:07, 28 October 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|Yae4}} 01:22, 30 August 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|psypherium}} 15:26, 20 August 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|Lkb335}} 20:07, 1 February 2022 (UTC)
#{{np2|GavriilaDmitriev}} 12:31, 22 February 2022 (UTC)
#{{np2|Palosirkka}} 07:53, 23 March 2022 (UTC)
#{{np2|Labdajiwa}} 03:00, 30 April 2022 (UTC)
#{{np2|Machiavellian Gaddafi}} 09:48, 06 December 2022 (UTC)
#{{np2|CoderThomasB}} 00:18, 11 April 2023 (UTC)
#{{np2|SPAAAAACE}} 14:11, 8 November 2023 (UTC)
#{{np2|StreetcarEnjoyer}} 23:16, 4 January 2024 (UTC)
#{{np2|TappyTurtle}} 05:06, 9 February 2024 (UTC)
#{{np2|BlauweVis}} 18:20, 14 August 2024 (UTC)
#{{np2|GracenC}} 14:58, 19 September 2024 (UTC)
#{{np2|Baeddelgeuse}} 17:14, 10 February 2025 (UTC)
#{{np2|Kateregga1}} 03:39, 26 June 2025 (UTC)
#{{np2|Spiral6800}} 12:32, 22 July 2025 (UTC)
#{{np2|NuggestNug}} 15:54, 18 October 2025 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Happysmileman}} 16:43, 30 July 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|HockeyInJune}} 02:24, 25 February 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|Hotshotesquire}} 01:21, 18 April 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Hyperreallogic}} 02:28, 7 October 2017 (UTC)
#{{np2|Infamouse}} 16:43, 17 March 2011 (UTC)
#{{np2|Initramfs}} 23:55, 6 March 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|Iraneal}} 22:56, 19 March 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Isilanes}} 14:38, 24 May 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|JackSlice}} 05:36, 25 January 2010 (UTC)
#{{np2|Je mir}} 10:07, 2 October 2011 (UTC)
#{{np2|Jet123}} 01:08, 28 May 2007 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Johnsu01}} 15:34, 31 January 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|Jonathan.roberts.uk}} 8:17, 6 Marth 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|JordanMussi}} 13:49, 13 June 2015 (UTC)
#{{np2|Jrtayloriv}} 22:43, 26 January 2010 (UTC)
#{{np2|Karl.brown}} 21:10, 24 March 2012 (UTC)
#{{np2|Kibo no shirei-kan}}
#{{np2|KernelExcqtable}} 22:16, 11 June 2009 (UTC)
#{{np2|KeybladeSephi}} 22:42, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Kl4m}} 03:44, 21 August 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Klez}} 18:45, 14 March 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|Koman90}} 22:38, 12 March 2009 (UTC)
#{{np2|Linus M.}} 16:20, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Little Filament}} 15:31, 8 July 2009 (UTC)
#{{np2|Luca Edd Fike}} 12:21, 23 February 2012 (UTC)
#{{np2|Ma11achy}} 13:56, 18 April 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Mad Pierrot}} 19:51, 22 May 2009 (UTC)
#{{np2|Mayurf}} 00:57, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Md gilbert}} 20:57, 14 February 2014 (UTC)
#{{np2|Melab-1}} 00:25, 8 July 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|Melnakeeb}} 09:14, 27 June 2010 (UTC)
#{{np2|Menasim}} 18:40, 27 March 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|MichaelNetzer}} 08:39, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Mike Linksvayer}} 19:05, 12 July 2012 (UTC)
#{{np2|Mnair69}} 02:08, 12 December 2018‎ (UTC)
#{{np2|Mohammadnasiruddin}} 00:11, 2 February 2013 (UTC)
#{{np2|Monochrome Monitor}} 01:47, 13 July 2016 (UTC)
#{{np2|Muchris}} 12:30, 1 March 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Narwaro}} 22:11, 22 January 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|NerdyNSK}} 00:56, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Nickispeaki}} 08:45, 16 February 2013 (UTC)
#{{np2|Nightrune}} 00:32, 21 May 2015 (UTC)
#{{np2|Northgrove}} 13:09, 28 March 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|P3net}} 05:47, 19 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Palmpilot}} 01:16, 16 December 2017 (UTC)
#{{np2|Pmresource}} 12:06, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
#{{np2|Potatoj316}} 19:06, 26 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Punk physicist}} 20:59, 20 August 2011 (UTC)
#{{np2|Puttyschool}} 20:25, 26 July 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|Raunak777}} 12:16, 30 October 2008 (UTC)
#{{np2|RedDwarfPlanet}} 19:56, 21 April 2016 (UTC)
#{{np2|RedSpike101}} 15:53, 7 May 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Resistor}} 22:26, 16 December 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Richlv}} 14:45, 31 August 2009 (UTC)
#{{np2|Rozzychan}} 10:53, 1 July 2010 (UTC)
#{{np2|Russh}} 11:14, 7 January 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|RyGuy}} 14:18, 20 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Saeedbiniqbal}} 14:11, 19 February 2008‎ (UTC)
#{{np2|SantaWinsAgain}} 13:20, 13 August 2015 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Shooke}} 19:06, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Sidnext2none}} 10:05, 22 October 2013‎ (UTC)
#{{np2|Skeith}} 16:51, 30 July 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Smmsadrnezh}} 20:14, 18 August 2010 (UTC)
#{{np2|Sodaplayer }} 22:45, 16 February 2007 (UTC)
#{{np2|Some Gadget Geek}} 20:03, 14 February 2015 (UTC)
#{{np2|SpK}} 13:18, 22 February 2007‎ (UTC)
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#{{np2|Stewart Little}} 14:13, 24 March 2017 (UTC)
#{{np2|Stormchaser}} 17:23, 29 April 2008 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Tinucherian}} 06:51, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Trisweb}} 00:47, 17 February 2007 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Zhaofeng Li}} 14:40, 29 September 2012 (UTC)
#{{np2|ranjithraj}} 07:46, 27 August 2021 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Flori4nK}} 14:23, 20 June 2020 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Guy Macon}} 20:42, 6 December 2011 (UTC)
#{{np2|Jubinmr}} 23:01, 19 May 2020 (UTC)
#{{np2|Nirvanatoday}} 01:53, 7 March 2019 (UTC)
#{{np2|Ph03n1x77}} 15:53, 21 January 2021 (UTC)
#{{np2|Rohit Goswami UI}} 03:56, 25 August 2020 (UTC)
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#{{np2|Zazpot}} 13:03, 27 December 2018 (UTC)
#{{np2|Senn-00}} 02:08, 10 October 2021 (UTC)
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After you sign up, please get active on this page and/or on [[WT:FOSS|the talk page]]. You may want to add some of [[#Open tasks|the below todo lists]] to your watch list.
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===Articles===
To tag an article as a FOSS article, please add the following to the top of its talk page:

<code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:WikiProject Computing|WikiProject Computing]]|class=|importance=|'''free-software=y'''|'''free-software-importance='''|software=y|software-importance=<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code>

This produces the following banner:

{{WikiProject Computing|category=no|class=|importance=|software=y|software-importance=|free-software=y|free-software-importance=}}

The banner adds the talk page to [[:Category:WikiProject Free and open-source software articles]].

===Userbox===
The FOSS task force [[Wikipedia:Userboxes|userbox]] is transcluded by using <code><nowiki>{{</nowiki>[[Template:User FOSS task force|User FOSS task force]]<nowiki>}}</nowiki></code>, which yields:
{{User FOSS task force}}
{{clear}}

=== Invitation ===
To invite a user to the FOSS task force, use {{tlxs|FOSS task force invite}}, which displays:
{{FOSS task force invite|demo=y}}
Use {{tlxs|FOSS task force invite|heading{{=}}y}} to include a section heading before the message.
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{{Box-header|border=#008666|titleforeground=#fff|titlebackground=#008666|background=#fff|noedit=yes|title=Assessment}}
The '''Assessment department''' will focus on assessing the quality of Wikipedia's FOSS-related articles. This will aid us in recognising excellent contributions and identifying topics in need of further work.

''Stub-'', ''Start-'', and ''B-''class assessments can be made by every editor (although generally you should not assess an article on which you have had a major influence). ''A''-class assessment is made within this project, while ''Good Article'' and ''Feature Article'' assessments require formal review procedures outside of this project.

Assessment should be conducted following these guidelines.
{{Grading scheme
|Project = Free software
|FA_example =
|A_example =
|GA_example = [[FreeBSD]]
|B_example = [[GNU General Public License]]
|C_example = [[Free and open-source software]]
|Start_example = [[cd (command)]]
|Stub_example = [[Integer set library]]
|FL_example =
|List_example = [[Comparison of free and open-source software licenses]]
|Cat_cat = no 
|Cat_example = [[:Category:Free and open-source software organizations]]
|Dab_cat = no
|Dab_example = [[Free software (disambiguation)]]
|File_cat = no
|File_example = [[:File:Linus Torvalds.jpeg]]
|Portal_cat = no
|Portal_example = [[Portal:Free and open-source software]]
|Project_cat = no
|Project_example = [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Software/Free Software]]
|Redirect_cat = no
|Redirect_example = [[ANSI/POSIX Environment]]
|Template_cat = no
|Template_example = [[Template:Free and open-source typography]]
}}
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{{Box-header|border=#008666|titleforeground=#fff|titlebackground=#008666|background=#fff|noedit=yes|title=See also}}
=== Related projects ===
* [[WP:SOFTW|WikiProject Software]]
* [[WP:COMP|WikiProject Computing]]

=== Categories ===
*[[:Category:WikiProject Free Software articles]], a list of articles under this project
*[[Special:Whatlinkshere/Portal:Free and open-source software]], a general list of FOSS-related articles
*[[:Category:Free software]], the top-level category of free software articles
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[[Category:Free and open-source software task force| ]]
[[Category:WikiProject Software|Free Software]]

MyWiki:WikiProject Software/Free and open-source software task force - Revision history

imported>NuggestNug at 15:55, 18 October 2025