At the first local Fellowship meeting Thursday 7th, we discussed distributing
Free Software leaflets at community events, and also leaving them in
sympathetic venues like cafes and theatres. I propose using the attached
leaflet for this purpose. Please share comments and suggestions (bearing in
mind the strict space limitations for text). Proposed locations for leaving
leaflets were:
- Corner House Cinema
- Post Office Deli in Levenshulme (Enrico)
- Contact Theatre
- MadLab
- OpenSpace
Please send any other locations that you can think of to the list, preferably
ones that are relatively easy to get to, and especially if you are able to
deliver them yourself.
This is a new flyer, based on one that I gave out at the London protest march a
few weeks ago. Please let me know what you think of the content; send
constructive feedback to this list.
Thanks,
Sam.
--
Sam Tuke
British Team Coordinator
Free Software Foundation Europe
IM : samtuke@jabber.fsfe.org
Contact the British team: uk@fsfeurope.org
*Text of the flyer:*
"Software Is For Geeks!"
Who Needs Digital Freedoms Anyway?
Who Put The Rights Out?
Europeans use computers every day. Employers demand it, the state requires it,
schools prescribe it. But what rights do we have when using these computers?
Often our actions are recorded and the details sold, our data is copied and
inspected, our software dictates costly and inconvenient 'upgrades', and our
PCs regularly need complete replacement.
Computers tell users what they may be used for; each function with a price tag
attached. Sharing, studying, or improving the applications that you use is
illegal by default.
What happened to our rights!
Free Software, Free Society
Software is an intrinsic part of our culture. Mobile phones, music players,
netbooks and even pacemakers are controlled by the code inside them.
Equal access to computer technologies is a basic requirement for egalitarian
society. When software is expensive, restricted and treacherous, society
suffers.
Today tens of millions have chosen to demand more from the technology they
use. By choosing to use Free Software they retain their rights, and become
part of a global community of innovators.
Free as in freedom
Free Software guarantees our rights to: use (for any purpose), share (with
anyone), study (without secrets), and improve.
Free Software offers safe, equal, and sustainable computing for the future.
A Foundation For Freedom
Since 2001 FSFE has been working to create general understanding and support
for software freedom in all areas of society.
We have successfully fought attempts to legislate away citizens rights over
the computers that they use in many European countries.
For over a decade FSFE has steered the EU towards publicly owned technology
through our campaigns and frequent consultations.
Defending Digital Rights
The Free Software Foundation Europe And You
A Fair Fight
Fighting for Free Software is essential if the tools and skills of tomorrow
are to be accessible to more than a privileged few.
We believe that fairness is worth fighting for.
Freedom in the UK
The public sector is Britain's biggest buyer of software. Public money spent
on software should buy safe, accountable, and cost-efficient solutions. £16bn of
UK tax is spent on IT each year, typically on technology which may not be re-
used, adapted or improved. FSFE is working with the Coalition government and
community organisations to get more rights, more value, and more Freedom from
public software purchases.
FSFE has organised round-table meetings to bring together British Free
Software groups and organisations, and continues to work at a local and
national level to promote Free Software in Britain.
Get Involved!
Contribute your skills to the Free Software movement! Help us with writing,
designing, translating, coding, editing and organising:
fsfe.org/contribute
uk.fsfe.org