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Giving Guide

Are you giving your loved ones holiday gifts they can use freely?

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Operating System

good Trisquel GNU/Linux

Trisquel GNU/Linux

  • FSF-endorsed completely free operating system: transparent and modifiable.
  • Break the cycle of forced upgrades and planned obsolescence.
  • Comes with all the software you need and an easy software manager to find more.
  • Works great with the Wi-Fi adapters in this guide.
bad Windows

Windows

  • Proprietary software that profits from controlling how you use your computer
  • Invades privacy and exposes personal data to Microsoft, the NSA, and other malicious attackers
  • Dependent on mandatory upgrades and devices that don't support older versions of Windows
Download
avoid

3D Printers

good TAZ 4.0

Lulzbot TAZ 4.0

  • Contact Lulzbot sales and mention this guide to receive gratis shipping and filament with your TAZ.
  • Respects Your Freedom-certified by the FSF to run with all free software, making 3D printing more accessible and encouraging innovation.
  • Supports tetherless printing, optional Dual Extruder upgrade, and exotic filaments including wood-, rubber- and stone-like materials.
  • Hardware designs available to make modification and improvement easy.
bad Makerbot Replicator 2

Makerbot Replicator 2

  • MakerWare software is proprietary, restricting freedom and stifling innovation
  • Hardware patents threaten free printers like the Lulzbot
  • Recently announced an increasingly proprietary approach, further distancing itself from the free software community
Download
avoid

Ebooks

good Project Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg

  • All of the ebooks are gratis, including classics like Peter Pan and Huck Finn.
  • The original purveyor of DRM-free eBooks, inspiring many others.
  • Enjoy the freedom to read your ebooks on any device.
bad Amazon

Amazon

  • Amazon can remotely block or delete individual ebooks or your entire library with no warning or explanation (they've done it before--read about it here ).
  • DRM prevents you from sharing your favorite books with friends, and Amazon uses DRM to maintain their monopoly
  • Amazon claims you don't actually own or control your ebooks
  • Thanks to DRM, you won't be able to transfer your books to any other reader
Download
avoid

Mobile OS

good Replicant

Replicant

  • Fully free software mobile OS based on Android
  • Supported devices include both phones and tablets
  • Used devices can be purchased, so your dollars won't go to proprietary OS companies.
bad Apple iPhone, iPad and Watch

Apple iPhone, iPad and Watch

  • iOS is a fully proprietary operating system, giving Apple ultimate control over devices running it
  • Apple uses DRM to block competing software.
  • The company claims to take away your freedom for your own good.
Download
avoid

Laptops

good ThinkPenguin GNU/Linux Notebook

ThinkPenguin GNU/Linux Notebook

  • Save $5 on any purchase of $50 or more with coupon code FSFGIVING. ThinkPenguin will also donate $5 to the FSF (expires at the end of 2014).
  • Comes with free OS and free software-compatible Wi-Fi and 3D-accelerated graphics chipsets work with any fully free GNU/Linux distribution you choose. While its proprietary firmware means it's not fully free, this laptop is one of the most freedom-supporting available.
  • Browse more companies that sell free software-compatible computers.
Buy
bad Apple Macbook Pro

Apple Macbook Pro

  • Runs on proprietary software that restricts the user's freedoms
  • Apple's App Store uses DRM (Digital Restrictions Management) to restrict what you can do with your purchases
  • Planned obsolescence: business model forces you to buy new devices frequently
avoid

Graphic Design

good GIMP and Inkscape

GIMP and Inkscape

  • Free software, with thriving developer communities.
  • Designed for free formats, but can also open files created in other programs.
  • Wide variety of plugins grants limitless features.
  • Easy to install on all major operating systems.
Download
bad Photoshop and Illustrator

Photoshop and Illustrator

  • Proprietary software controlled by Adobe.
  • Prefers locked-down proprietary formats.
  • Requires costly upgrades to stay up to date.
avoid

Gift Card

good FSF Membership Card

FSF Membership Card

Buy
bad iTunes Card

iTunes Card

  • DRM (Digital Restrictions Management)
  • Apple claims (wrongly) that you don't actually own anything you buy from the iTunes store.
  • Requires proprietary software to use, even to download DRM-free music.
avoid

Online Storage

good Least Authority

FSF Membership Card

  • Free software system guarantees that you control who sees your data.
  • Decentralized infrastructure protects from attacks and give you flexibility in how your data is stored.
  • Client side encryption to prevent snooping, unlike Google Drive, Dropbox, Apple iCloud, Microsoft SkyDrive, and Ubuntu One.
Download
bad Google Drive

Google Drive

  • Requires granting Google a virtually unlimited license to any public data, and also having your public and personal data mined for ads.
  • Data may be accessed by Google and intelligence agencies.
avoid

Media Hosting

good GNU MediaGoblin

GNU MediaGoblin

  • Soon-to-be federated to allow decentralized sharing.
  • Supports free video formats.
  • Ability to choose a copyleft license.
  • Source files can be attached to an upload.
  • Go to http://mediagoblin.org/ to learn how to use it and see a list of public instances.
Download
bad YouTube

YouTube

  • Uses proprietary Adobe Flash player and patent-encumbered H.264 codec.
  • Implements DRM to control access to videos by device and region.
  • Imposes advertising on your uploads and polices copyright harshly.
avoid

More Recommended Products

Tehnoetic dongle Wi-Fi adapter

Tehnoetic dongle Wi-Fi adapter

Great for all-free-software installations on laptops with incompatible Wi-Fi hardware. Respects Your Freedom-certified by the FSF.

Buy
ThinkPenguin Wi-Fi N router

ThinkPenguin Wi-Fi N router

High speed wireless router running free LibreCMC operating system. Respects Your Freedom-certified.

Buy

If you have ideas for more gifts that can be given freely, submit your recommendations to our growing page at libreplanet.org/wiki/Group:Giving_Guide_Suggestions.

Recommended charities for holiday donations

Electronic Frontier Foundation, Creative Commons, Wikimedia Foundation, Software Freedom Conservancy, Software Freedom Law Center, GNOME Foundation and Free Software Foundation.

Licenses