pURL and SWHID are both software identifiers with similarities, but they are fundamentally different. pURL is assigned by a registry. SWHID is derived from the code itself. They are not competitors — they complement each other.
Category: free software
SWHID is an open standard, governed under open governance
SWHID is an open ISO standard with transparent governance and free access to its specification. It includes a reference implementation and several tools that developers can use or extend. The community is open, and anyone can join the discussion to help shape the next version of the standard. Read more in this new blog post
Embedded World 2026: Open Source Everywhere, and Two New Topics Dominating the Conversation
Embedded World 2026 in Nuremberg showcased the growing dominance of open source technologies and ecosystems. Various stacks, tools, and frameworks saw increased adoption in embedded systems. Discussions heavily focused on two emerging topics: cybersecurity regulations and artificial intelligence, pointing to major future investments despite some hype.
Description of SWHID: syntax
This article explains the syntax of SWHIDs, describing how the core identifier and optional qualifiers are structured. It shows how SWHIDs can reference software artifacts such as files, directories, revisions, and releases, and how their design enables precise comparison of software
What is the best way to identify software? Introducing SWHID
Modern software is assembled from hundreds of components that organizations often did not write and do not fully control. Identifying those components reliably is becoming a legal requirement. This article introduces SWHID, an open standard for identifying software artifacts.
Returning Home and Evolving As Consultant in 2026
In 2026, Agustin relocates to La Palma while evolving his independent consulting practice. He aims to specialize services, explore freelancer collaborations, and adapt to AI, while remaining active in the thriving global open-source community.
There Is No “Commercial” Open Source – Only Open Source
Open source already includes commercial use by definition. The label “commercial open source” mixes copyright, licenses and business models, creates confusion, and helps disguise non‑open‑source licenses. If you care about the open source commons, avoid the term and always check the facts.
Choosing AnyType: A Platform for Scalable, Secure Governance
STF needed a scalable, secure, and asynchronous collaboration system for representatives across multiple time zones. This article explains why AnyType was selected, how it is used today, and which features and challenges matter most as the Software Transparency Foundation.
Why choosing open source tools; yet another argument
Your toolbox defines your craft. The freedom to choose, evolve, and master your tools is not just a productivity choice—it’s a long-term strategic decision that will put you in control of your craft, for life. Yet another reason to choose open source tools.
Part 3: Evolving the Model by adding a company-driven open source project
When direct contribution brings too much friction within your company, you might need a temporary intermediate layer as an interface. See how this evolution helps organizations maximize value flow and ROI when contributing to open source. 1. Introduction: Evolving the Model In the inaugural post of this series, "The Virtuous Open Source Cycle: Model Description", … Continue reading Part 3: Evolving the Model by adding a company-driven open source project
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