-
+
-
+
+ 
-
- 
- Are you giving your loved ones holiday gifts they can use freely, or gifts which put someone else in control?
-Electronics are popular gifts for the holidays, but people often overlook the restrictions that manufacturers slip under the wrapping paper. From remote deletion of files to harsh rules about copying and sharing, some gifts almost take more than they give. The good news is that there are ethical companies making better devices that your loved ones can enjoy with freedom and privacy. Here's a list of these smarter gifts, compared with their more well-known, but more restrictive alternatives.
-Like this guide? Organize a Giving Guide Giveaway to share it with the masses. And remember: donating to a charity in your friend or family member's name (see our recommendations below) is at least as meaningful as buying them an electronic device.
- - - -
- Operating System
- -
- 
- 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. -
- 
- 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 - -
- 
- 3D Printers
- -
- 
- 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. -
- 
- 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 - -
-
- Ebooks
- -
- 
- 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. -
- 
- Amazon
--
-
- - Amazon can remotely block or delete - individual ebooks or your entire library - with no warning or explanation (they've done - it before). - - -
- - Amazon uses DRM to prevent you from sharing your favorite - books with friends or moving them between readers. - - - -
- - Amazon openly claims - - you don't actually own or control your - ebooks. - - -
-
- Mobile OS
- -
- 
- Replicant OS
--
-
- - Fully free software, based on Android. - - -
- - - Supported devices - - include both phones and tablets - - -
- - Works on used, so your - dollars won't go to proprietary OS - companies. - -
- 
- Apple iPhone, iPad and Watch
--
-
- - iOS is a fully proprietary operating system, - giving Apple ultimate control over devices. - - -
- - Apple uses DRM to block competing software. - - -
- - The company claims to take away your freedom for your own good. - -
-
- Laptops
- -
- 
- 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 installed with a free OS, and its Wi-Fi and 3D-accelerated graphics work with any other fully free GNU/Linux distribution. - - -
- 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. -
-
-
- 
- Apple Macbook Pro
--
-
- - Runs on proprietary software that restricts - the user's freedoms. - - -
- - Apple's App Store uses DRM to restrict what - you can do with your purchases. - - -
- - Planned obsolescence: business model forces - you to buy new devices frequently. - -
-
- Graphic Design
- -
- 
- 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. -
-
-
- 
- Photoshop and Illustrator
--
-
- Proprietary software controlled by Adobe. -
- Prefers locked-down proprietary formats. -
- Requires costly upgrades to stay up to date. -
-
- Gift Cards
- -
- 
- FSF Membership Card
--
-
- Join over 3,000 active members working to make a better world built on free software. -
- Enjoy a host of member benefits, including admission to the yearly LibrePlanet conference. -
- Membership donations are tax-deductible in the US. For a smaller gift, donate in a friend's name. -
-
-
- 
- iTunes Card
--
-
-
-
- - DRM on everything (except music) control what you can do with your purchases. - - -
- - 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. - -
-
- Online Storage
- -
- 
- 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. - -
-
-
- 
- 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 - intelligence agencies. - - - -
-
- Media Hosting
- -
- 
- GNU MediaGoblin
- --
-
- - Soon-to-be federated to allow decentralized - sharing. - + + + + +
+
+
+ Are you giving your loved ones holiday gifts they can use freely, or gifts which put someone else in control?
+Electronics are popular gifts for the holidays, but people often overlook the restrictions that manufacturers slip under the wrapping paper. From remote deletion of files to harsh rules about copying and sharing, some gifts almost take more + than they give. The good news is that there are ethical companies making better devices that your loved ones can enjoy with freedom and privacy. Here's a list of these smarter gifts, compared with their more well-known, but more restrictive + alternatives. +
+Like this guide? Organize a Giving + Guide Giveaway to share it with the masses. And remember: donating to a charity in your friend or family member's name (see our recommendations below) is at least as meaningful as buying them an electronic device.
+Operating System
+ +
+
+ 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. +
+
+ 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 + +
+
+
+ 3D Printers
+ +
+
+ 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. +
+
+ 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 + +
+
+
+ Ebooks
+ +
+
+ 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. +
+
+ Amazon
+-
+
- + Amazon can remotely block or delete individual ebooks or your entire library with no warning or explanation (they've done + it before). + + +
- + Amazon uses DRM + to prevent you from sharing your favorite books with friends or moving them between readers. + + +
- + Amazon openly claims + + you don't actually own or control your + ebooks. + + +
+
+
+ Mobile OS
+ +
+
+ Replicant OS
+-
+
- + Fully free software, based on Android. + + +
- + + Supported devices + include both phones and tablets + + +
- + Works on used, so your dollars won't go to proprietary OS companies. + +
+ 
+ Apple iPhone, iPad and Watch
+-
+
- + iOS is a fully proprietary operating system, giving Apple ultimate control over devices. + + +
- + Apple uses DRM to block competing software. + + +
- + The company claims to take away your freedom for your own good. + +
+
+
+ Laptops
+ +
+ 
+ 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 installed with a free OS, and its Wi-Fi and 3D-accelerated graphics work with any other fully free GNU/Linux distribution. + + +
- 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. +
+
+ Apple Macbook Pro
+-
+
- + Runs on proprietary software that restricts the user's freedoms. + + +
- + Apple's App Store uses DRM to restrict what you can do with your purchases. + + +
- + Planned obsolescence: business model forces you to buy new devices frequently. + +
+
+
+ Graphic Design
+ +
+
+ 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. +
+
+ Photoshop and Illustrator
+-
+
- Proprietary software controlled by Adobe. +
- Prefers locked-down proprietary formats. +
- Requires costly upgrades to stay up to date. +
+
+
+ Gift Cards
+ +
+
+ FSF Membership Card
+-
+
- Join over 3,000 active members working to make a better world built on free software. +
- Enjoy a host of member benefits, including admission to the yearly LibrePlanet conference. +
- Membership donations are tax-deductible in the US. For a smaller gift, donate in a friend's name. +
+
+ iTunes Card
+-
+
- DRM + on everything (except music) control what you can do with your purchases. + + +
- 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. +
+
+
+ Online Storage
+ +
+ 
+ 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. + +
+
+ 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 + intelligence agencies. + + +
+
+
+ Media Hosting
+ +
+
+ GNU MediaGoblin
+ +-
+
- + Soon-to-be federated to allow decentralized sharing. + + +
- Supports free video formats. And ability to choose a copyleft license. + +
- Source files can be attached to an upload, making it easy to remix people's work. + -
- Supports free video formats. And ability to choose a copyleft license. +
+ 
+ YouTube
+-
+
- + Uses proprietary Adobe Flash player and patent-encumbered H.264 codec. + +
- + Implements DRM to control access to videos by device and region. + -
+
+
+
+
+
-
- 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. - - +
More Recommended Products
-
+ Tehnoetic dongle Wi-Fi adapter
+Great for all-free-software installations on laptops with incompatible Wi-Fi hardware. Certified to Respects Your Freedom.
+
+
+ 
+ ThinkPenguin Wi-Fi N router
+High speed wireless router running FSF-endorsed LibreCMC operating system. Certified to Respects Your Freedom.
-
+
+
+ More Recommended Products
+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.
-
- Tehnoetic dongle Wi-Fi adapter
-Great for all-free-software installations on laptops with incompatible Wi-Fi hardware. Certified to Respects Your Freedom.
-
- If you have ideas for more gifts that can be given freely, submit your recommendations to our + growing page. +
-
- ThinkPenguin Wi-Fi N router
-High speed wireless router running FSF-endorsed LibreCMC operating system. Certified to Respects Your Freedom.
-
- If you have ideas for more gifts that can be given - freely, submit your recommendations to our growing page. -
-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
- +This page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported. +
+Lulzbot by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Based on a work at https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/ryf/taz2.jpg.
+
Replicator 2 by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.
+
Based on a work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/creative_tools/8080029032/.
FSF USB membership card by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Based on a work at http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/dontcardomebro.jpg.
iTunes gift card by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Based on a work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmiphone/4640570159/.
Licenses
+ThinkPenguin with GNU by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Based on a work at https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/royal-penguin-gnu-linux-notebook.
This page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-Lulzbot by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Based on a work at https://static.fsf.org/nosvn/ryf/taz2.jpg.
Macbook Pro PSD by andrew-gw is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macbook_Pro_PSD.png.
Replicator 2 by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic.
-
Based on a work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/creative_tools/8080029032/.
Astounding Stories by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org.
FSF USB membership card by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Based on a work at http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/dontcardomebro.jpg.
The Amazon.com logo is public domain but is a registered trademark.
-iTunes gift card by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Based on a work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmiphone/4640570159/.
Replicant by Paul Kocialkowski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
+
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Replicant_logo_alpha.svg.
ThinkPenguin with GNU by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Based on a work at https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/royal-penguin-gnu-linux-notebook.
The iOS logo is a registered trademark.
+The Least Authority logo is copyright Least Authority Enterprises.
+The Google Drive logo is public domain but may be subject to trademark laws.
+The Media Goblin graphic is public domain.
+The YouTube logo is public domain but may be subject to trademark laws.
-Macbook Pro PSD by andrew-gw is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macbook_Pro_PSD.png.
Astounding Stories by FSF is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org.
The Amazon.com logo is public domain but is a registered trademark.
-Replicant by Paul Kocialkowski is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported.
-
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Replicant_logo_alpha.svg.