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Read and share online: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/2024-ethical-tech-giving-guide
Dear Free Software Supporter,
All year long, but especially during the last two months of the
year, ads and media that celebrate the use of freedom-violating
software are fed to us by greedy corporations. No matter which
holiday(s), if any, you celebrate, the spirit of cherishing our
loved ones is very strong right now. Unfortunately, so is the
messaging that many of us encounter on a daily basis that you
have to buy the newest tech gifts (most of which are not
freedom-respecting) if you want to show your friends and family
that you love them. While you as one single person can't stop the
production or advertising of tech that infringes on user freedom
tomorrow, you can choose to not participate, and we're here to
help.
Fifteen years ago, we started the Ethical Tech Giving Guide
to give you a few ideas for gifts that respect user
freedom. Every year, we publish an updated version detailing your
options for ethical tech gifts, from computers to e-books. Many of
the devices we recommend in the Ethical Tech Giving Guide have
successfully received our Respects Your Freedom (RYF)
certification, ensuring that whoever receives your thoughtful
gift will have full control of their own computing. Similar to
2023, we don't have much in the way of new tech to recommend, as
there isn't much newer hardware that supports free
software. While the value of freedom is immeasurable, to large
tech companies freedom is worth much less than extra cameras and
your data.
However, that doesn't stop us from being excited about the following:
ThinkPenguin's VPN Router, designed to complement your
existing router by providing a VPN that enhances privacy and security
and circumvents network controls; Technoethical's Mini Wi-Fi Adapter which is great for
all-free-software installations on laptops with incompatible
Wi-Fi hardware; and DRM-free books, music, and video such as the thrilling
computer-animated films in the Blender Open Movies project
collection that were made entirely with the popular free
software tool Blender.
We have plenty other suggestions for ethical tech gifts in our Ethical
Tech Giving Guide (not just for the holiday season!), so consider
getting your friends and family gifts that send a good message and
guarantee freedom.
Our Giving Guide does include a lot of ideas for gifts that are
freedom-respecting, but it also includes suggestions for
non-monetary ways to show people you care. If you know someone
who's using proprietary programs on their computer, you can give
them the gift of freedom by installing and showing them the
basics of a free software program, all while helping prevent
e-waste! For a lot of people still using proprietary programs
it's intimidating to install a free software program and learn
how to use it yourself. A great gift for someone you know that
hasn't switched over to free software can be installing a
program (or many) for them and showing them how to use it. Not
only are you giving them a freedom-respecting program, but you're
also giving them the confidence to seek out more free
software. Not only are you giving someone the gift of knowledge,
but you're also getting to spend time with someone and create
priceless new memories.
We know not everyone is in a position to, but if you can, can
you support our efforts by making a donation? Or, an
associate membership is a great show of support we can rely on,
and an annual FSF associate membership translates to a mere
$2.69 per week, or $0.38 per day! We need resources to continue
our work, but my request is even bigger, because we have to do
more. By supporting us today, you help secure our future.
Associate members will also be able to enjoy all the associate
member benefits. Will you help us reach our year-end
fundraising goal of USD$ 400,000 this year-end? If you join
as a member this period, we'll send you a set of five unique
postcards to help you promote computer user freedom.
Please do take the time to share the Guide with the people you
care about. More importantly, we hope that you'll continue to move
forward on your own individual journey to freedom. In our experience,
one of the best ways to persuade others to use free software is simply
by using it yourself, both by setting a moral example and showing
those around you all that software freedom does for you. In the face
of so many new and seemingly "dazzling" devices, the holiday season is
one of the best times to introduce friends, family, and even coworkers
to free software.
Wishing you a happy gifting season from the FSF!
Eko K.A. Owen
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
&
Greg Farough
Campaigns Manager
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