Does the gift you're giving your loved ones put someone else in control?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us more reliant on technology than
ever, which is a compelling reason to think carefully about the
-choices we're making during the gift-giving season. Is that smart
-assistant smart enough to respect your friend or family member's
-freedom? Do new gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 restrict more than they
-entertain? Or does that shiny gadget come at a cost much higher than
-its price tag?
-
When we allow proprietary software created by Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Google, and countless other companies to handle our basic computing tasks, we put an enormous amount of power in their hands, power which they freely exploit. It's only through using free software, and devices running free software, that we can seize this power back.
+choices we're making during the gift-giving season. Is that "smart
+assistant" smart enough to respect your friend or family member's
+freedom? Do new gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 restrict more
+than they entertain? Does that shiny gadget come at a cost much higher
+than its price tag?
+
When we allow proprietary software created by Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and countless other companies to handle our basic computing tasks, we put an enormous amount of power in their hands, power which they constantly exploit. It's only through using free software, and devices running free software, that we can seize this power back.
Freedom is the gift that keeps on giving
Letting your loved ones know that
you respect their privacy and freedom too much to cave in for the
@@ -587,27 +167,29 @@ newest Apple or Google device is a great gift in itself, and one that
Tell your friends
- Use the hashtag #userfreedom on social media sites like Twitter, Mastodon, or GNU social. You might get a gift out of it yourself!
+ Use the hashtag #UserFreedom on social media sites like Mastodon, GNU social, or Twitter. You might get a gift out of it yourself!
-
-
Unleash your advocacy
+
+
Gift a membership
-Your fight for freedom doesn't have to end at home. Use this
-printable version of the guide to spread the word.
-
+ Freedom is the gift that keeps on giving. By giving your friend or family member an
FSF associate membership, you can show them you care
and benefit the cause for global software freedom.
+
+
-
Support free software
+
Unleash your advocacy
- Donate to our suggested charities.
+ Your fight for freedom doesn't have to end at home. Use this
+printable version of the guide to spread the word.
+
@@ -631,13 +213,19 @@ Your fight for freedom doesn't have to end at home. Use this
- BUY
+ BUY
+
+
sale
+
+
@@ -650,12 +238,14 @@ Your fight for freedom doesn't have to end at home. Use this
Get it from
Purism
+
+ Sale details.
- Why it's cool: While we're still waiting for it to be released, this
+
Why it's cool: While we're still waiting to get our hands on one, this
device looks promising. We're giving it a tentative recommendation
because the company has publicly committed to doing the right things
for prioritizing user freedom and privacy, and because we have
@@ -665,6 +255,7 @@ that many people around the world use a mobile phone as their only
Internet-enabled device, it's important to have confidence that your
mobile phone isn't "listening in" on you to make more money for
advertisers.
+ (Like many companies, Purism has made financial contributions to the FSF's work, but that is not a consideration when deciding what products we list in this Guide.)
@@ -678,9 +269,7 @@ advertisers.
Why it's cool: The Vikings D8 is a robust desktop computer that can be scaled up or down according to your needs, and which is capable of doing everything from simple Web browsing and video playback to intense code compilation.
-You can order the Vikings D8 installed with the preferred Trisquel distribution of GNU/Linux, a fully free operating system that removes the user-hostile binary-only blobs lurking in the drivers of many common network and graphics cards, or, if you prefer, you can order the D8 installed with any other free distribution of GNU/Linux.
+You can order the Vikings D8 installed with the FSF-endorsed Trisquel distribution of GNU/Linux, a fully free operating system that removes the user-hostile binary-only blobs lurking in the drivers of many common network and graphics cards, or, if you prefer, you can order the D8 installed with any other free distribution of GNU/Linux.
Despite the efforts of companies like Spotify, we can still dance to music in the free world. Thanks to the artists, producers, record labels, and shops highlighted on on our Guide to DRM-free Living, the rights-respecting options are nearly endless. Check out music from great labels and artists, including:
@@ -1201,12 +800,12 @@ numbers, which aids in password generation and encryption.
DRM-free video
-
In the last year, we've all become a little more dependent on streaming media. But it's important to remember how streaming services can deprive you of important rights. "Dis-services" like Disney+ and Netflix mandate the use of a hardware-level backdoor called Widevine, giving them permanent access into deep components of your machine.
-
Widevine prohibits these services from running on many older devices, as well as most computers running GNU/Linux, leaving families who can't afford a new computer or a new television out in the cold.
+
In the last year, many people have unfortunately become more dependent on streaming media. But it's important to remember how streaming services can deprive you of important rights. "Dis-services" like Disney+ and Netflix mandate the use of a hardware-level backdoor called Widevine, giving them permanent access into deep components of your machine.
+
Widevine prohibits these services from running on many older devices, leaving families who can't afford a new computer or a new television out in the cold.
Try these video services and sites instead:
@@ -1218,7 +817,7 @@ numbers, which aids in password generation and encryption.
Stay away from: Netflix
@@ -1246,8 +845,9 @@ numbers, which aids in password generation and encryption.
- Cameras
- eBook readers
+ - Home appliances
- Fitness trackers
- - Watches
+ - Smartwatches
- Video gaming consoles
@@ -1279,25 +879,15 @@ numbers, which aids in password generation and encryption.
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The graphics and photos used on this page have been modified by the Free Software Foundation and are licensed separately under the following terms: