Speaking Out and Spreading the Message of GNU
Free Software Foundation (FSF) got 112 new members since 2.5 weeks ago
WITH nearly a week left in the current campaign (the deadline or cutoff date will almost certainly be extended, as it usually is) the FSF's fundraiser is now just 88 members short of the goal.
Staving off threats/enemies of Free software isn't free and isn't cheap. It takes a lot of work and determined people, including those who started and shaped the movement, e.g. RMS, Prof. Moglen, and Bruce Perens, who now leads a movement to tackle openwashing and exploitation by "Open Source" (which he started in 1998 only to witness it going astray).
Advocating for free (or Free, capitalised) software isn't just a matter of giving money. Action, typically volunteer efforts, will be required at several levels. We do our part on the media side and beyond. We try our best.
If you have some cash to spare, consider helping the FSF by becoming a member and also spread the word of software freedom, which manifests itself in a broad range of topics or a wide spectrum of issues, including the use of physical cash.
Like we said the other day, the FSF is not perfect but perfection is impossible and at the moment the FSF is the best that exists for the purpose of copyleft (not only as watchdog or enforcer), public advocacy, etc.
We're pleased to say that many inside the FSF read our site. The FSF never paid us anything, but ideological support means a lot too.
3 years ago the GNOME Foundation led a campaign to effectively destroy the Free Software Foundation; eventually GNOME Foundation ended up perishing, whereas the FSF grew. Going against freedom is a losing strategy because once people realise what's really going on they get angry, get involved, and fight for freedom. This is why the Australian government ended up demanding the release of Julian Assange and eventually got its way. If you begin by doing something very evil, do not expect a positive outcome; sooner or later karma will catch up. So do good, be good, and the rest will follow. █
