[Reminder] Software Freedom Day this Saturday

[Billy Crook]

For all you foaming-at-the-mouth freedomites out there, this Saturday
is Software Freedom Day.  See: http://softwarefreedomday.org/  Show
your friends, family, and colleagues that you care about them by
celebrating Software Freedom Day with them this Saturday.  This is a
big one.  This September marks the FSF's 25th Birthday.

How can you celebrate Software Freedom Day?
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Upgrade any computers running Windows or OS X to any GNU+Linux
distribution of your choosing.
Nuke that flash player.  Or, next time it breaks, let Adobe fix it for you.
rm -rf ~/.ies4linux
Switch from IIS webhosting to Apache.
Upgrade your home NAT/router firmware to OpenWRT.
Become more familiar with SSH and screen.
When a website doesn't render in Firefox, it's broken.  So call up the
company and let them know.
Replace vmware with kvm, qemu, Xen, VirtualBox-OSE or any of the other
Free Software alternatives.
Check out the latest gNewSense (Ubuntu with proprietary blobs removed)
from http://torrent.gnewsense.org/gnewsense-livecd-deltah-2.1.iso.torrent
 It is even more free than Fedora!  If you use gNewSense, you
basically have zero risk of running proprietary code on your machine.
Learn the difference between Free Software and Open Source.
Become an FSF associate member.  The FSF campaigns to raise awareness
of software freedom, and end software tyranny.  They are also to thank
for most of the core GNU utilities upon which your GNU+Linux system is
built. http://www.fsf.org/associate/
Buy your next workstation, or server, with GNU+Linux pre-installed!
Even if you prefer to do your own install, you will have assurance
that the hardware works, and is validated by the manufacturer.  And
you will be giving your vote for Free Software.
Support the SFLC, who defend software freedom by holding violators
accountable, and enforcing free software licenses in and out of court.
http://www.softwarefreedom.org/
When choosing hardware, consider which vendors provide Free drivers,
or participate in kernel development.  Speak with your wallet, and ask
"Does this support GNU+Linux?" and  "Will you refund my purchase if it
doesn't work?" before buying hardware.
Stop using proprietary and patent encumbered formats like .mp3, .doc,
.xls, .gif, .jpeg, .wmv, etc., and convert your old media to Free
formats like ogg vorbis, open document format, png, svg, and theora.
If someone "can't open" a free format, don't give them a patent
encumbered file.  Give them Free Software to open and work with it.
There are even versions of most Free Software that users can use
without installing to a system, or modifying system configuration so
they don't have any excuses not to use it.
Support other GNU+Linux users at http://www.linuxquestions.org/ and on
your mailing lists.
Switch from proprietary network services like Twitter, and Google
Reader, to Free Software Solutions like itenti.ca, and Gregarious.
Keep an eye out for AfferoGPL licensed Software As A Service sites,
and give preference to them.  They're gaining steam, quickly.