The Free Software Foundation Europe's successful PDF Readers campaign comes to Manchester next month for a one day sprint at MadLab hackerspace on the 13th of August, 15.00-17.30. Cakes and pizza provided!
*What:*
We'll search out proprietary PDF reader adverts on UK Government funded websites, and contact the institutions by letter and email, requesting that they remove them.
Currently there are only 41 reports of such adverts in the UK, only three of which have already been resolved by the advert being removed. Many more adverts on UK Government websites still exist however, and on 13th August we'll find them, and aim to get as many of them removed as possible.
*Why:*
Publicly funded institutions routinely advertise proprietary PDF reader applications on their websites, often stating that a particular vendor's product is "required" for completing basic civic tasks like paying tax or registering a vehicle.
Yet Free Software PDF Readers exist for all major operating systems, which can be used to perform the same tasks without sacrificing the freedom of their users.
Many institutions carry proprietary software adverts simply out of ignorance, not realising that there are alternatives which protect citizens' freedom. By contacting them we will be making them aware of the existence of Free Software alternatives, and encouraging them to think about the benefits of Free Software in general.
*Can it work?:*
Throughout Europe, Free Software advocates have already reported more than 2,000 adverts, and successfully removed nearly 500 of them. Many of the success stories involved high profile websites, such as the Belgian Prime Minister, The Mayor of London, and the Bank of Italy. Several adverts have been replaced with links to Free Software PDF Readers on the pdfreaders.org website.
*Real progress has been made, now its time to make an impact in the UK!*
*Links:*
MadLad event page: http://madlab.org.uk/content/stamp-out-the-ads-free-software-pdf-reader- sprint/
Campaign homepage: http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders
Report an advert from a UK website: http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/bug-report-uk.en.html
List of UK adverts already reported: http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/buglist.en.html#GB
Website about Free Software PDF Readers: http://pdfreaders.org/
See you there!
Sam.