From 2bfe5706f002870b0ce6bde059f2c4475ce57099 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Greg Farough
You can help others know which devices to avoid by documenting hardware you own that does or doesn't work with free software in the h-node database. Join a growing community of volunteers to help individuals choose hardware compatible with their freedom, even if they don't have Respects Your Freedom (RYF) certification.
Our advice: There's currently no cell phone on the market that's fully compatible with user freedom, given the presence of nonfree software in iOS and Android. What makes matters worse is that all smartphones currently run a separate, nonfree OS commonly referred to as the "mobile baseband," which is responsible for most of the device's communications. Our advice: There's currently no cell phone on the market that's fully compatible with user freedom. iOS and Android are both riddled with nonfree software. What makes matters worse is that all smartphones currently run a separate, nonfree OS commonly referred to as the "mobile baseband," which is responsible for most of the device's communications. If you're at all able to, and if you find your hardware is compatible with it, we recommend pairing the Replicant distribution of Android with the F-Droid app repository. Replicant is the bottom line when it comes to mobile OSes that respect their user's freedom, and is a project fiscally sponsored by the FSF. Why it's cool: The X200 is one of the few home user devices that's
-able to run fully free software from top to bottom. Starting with an
-attractive user interface and extending through the microcode (or
-"BIOS") at the heart of the system, this laptop is powered by software
-that takes your freedom and privacy seriously. While it may be a little vintage, what it lacks in speed
-it makes up for in utmost respect to user freedom. It's so good that
-it's the laptop that's most frequently used in the FSF office! 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. Each and every day, free software reaches more devices and is used in more interesting contexts. While we haven't evaluated these products specifically in our RYF program, we're including mentions of certain communities who are going in the right direction when it comes to freedom, but who aren't fully there yet. They're already making waves, but need the help of developers or technical users in crossing the freedom "finish line" to full acceptability. If you know of a project or company we've missed who are earnestly working to free their devices, but who need a little help in doing so, please let us know!
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Personal Computers
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- Personal Computers
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us you.Stay away from: M1 MacBook and MacBook Pro
- Cool Devices
- Mini Wi-Fi Adapter
@@ -852,7 +829,7 @@ it's the laptop that's most frequently used in the FSF office!
Promising Communities & Companies
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:
Over the past few years, 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. Don't be swayed by them -- even if your access is gratis and "ad-supported."
+Over the past few years, 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. Don't be swayed by them -- even if your access is gratis and "ad-supported."
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:
Visit the Guide to DRM-free Living for more suggestions on how to stay a film lover and keep your freedom at the same time.
Netflix is continuing its disturbing trend of making onerous DRM the norm for streaming media. That's why they were a target for last year's International Day Against DRM (IDAD).
+Netflix is continuing its disturbing trend of making onerous DRM the norm for streaming media. That's why they're a target for the Defective by Design campaign.
They're also leveraging their place in the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to advocate for tighter restrictions on users, and drove the effort to embed DRM into the fabric of the Web.
- If you're in the Boston area and would like to volunteer some time in support of free software and the FSF's mission, get in touch with us! We're always in need of help stuffing envelopes, scanning copyright assignments, and more. One great place to get involved in volunteering is our upcoming LibrePlanet 2024 conference.
+ If you're in the Boston area and would like to volunteer some time in support of free software and the FSF's mission, get in touch with us! We're always in need of help stuffing envelopes, scanning copyright assignments, and more. One great place to get involved in volunteering is our upcoming LibrePlanet 2024 conference.Do you have a product that you think is eligible for RYF certification? Read our information for hardware vendors to find out.
The graphics and photos used on this page have been modified by the Free Software Foundation and are licensed separately under the following terms:
The FSF is a nonprofit with a worldwide mission to advance software freedom â learn about our history and work.
-Version 13.0. Copyright © 2004-2022 +
Version 14.0. Copyright © 2004-2023 Free Software Foundation , Inc. -- 2.25.1