A new phone or computer can be the highlight of the holidays, but with proprietary software lurking under the wrapping paper, your thoughtful gift may be more naughty than nice.
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This guide replaces these holiday humbugs with better devices from ethical companies -- no creepy remote deletion of files, no punitive and mean rules about copying and sharing. Just products and software that respect the freedom and privacy of your loved ones: gifts you can feel good about.
Plus, our crib notes below will help you explain why this version is better than the one they've heard of (and spread the word about software freedom, too).
- Donate to our suggested charities in your friend/family member's name
+ Donate to our suggested charities
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Why it's cool: Ever feel like every time you pick up your smartphone, someone is watching you? This may not cut off their access entirely, but it will make their job a little harder.
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Why it's cool: Ever feel like every time you pick up your smartphone, someone is watching you? This may not cut off their access entirely, but it will make their job a little harder.
Your smartphone is so much more than a phone: it's a tiny computer you carry with you every day, and for many people around the world, it's their only internet-enabled device. Choosing one of these phones lets you bring software freedom everywhere you go.
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You can also get an S2 or S3, complete with replicant.
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You can also get an S2 or S3, complete with Replicant.
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Runs the Replicant free operating system, based on Android.
- Features F-Droid, the free software catalogue that makes it easy to get all the applications you need without sacrificing control of your phone.
+ Features F-Droid, the free software catalog that makes it easy to get all the applications you need without sacrificing control of your phone.
Note: While the main processor is exclusively running free software, the modem processor runs a Samsung nonfree system.
- iOS is a fully proprietary operating system, giving Apple control over the software on the devices.
+ iOS is a fully proprietary operating system, giving Apple control over the software on the devices.
Why it's cool: You need a reliable computer for work and play. This one is just dandy for both, minus icky DRM and spyware.
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Setting up a fully free system is easier than it used to be, but can still seem daunting--especially if you've never done it before. Luckily, you can now get a new-to-you laptop that's ready to go out of the box.
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Setting up a fully free system is easier than it used to be, but can still seem daunting—especially if you've never done it before. Luckily, you can now get a new-to-you laptop that's ready to go out of the box.
Why it's cool: Take it to the office, take it to the cafe, take it to class, take it home and set it up on the counter so you can listen to NPR while you cook. Do all of this the easy way.
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Why it's cool: Take it to the office, take it to the cafe, take it to class, take it home and set it up on the counter so you can rock out while you cook. Do all of this the easy way.
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This machine is made to go everywhere with you, and thanks to Libiquity and Technoethical, you can have your mobility and your freedom too.
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This machine is made to go everywhere with you and thanks to our friends who make RYF products, you can have your mobility and your freedom too.
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Created by a small business that replaces all restrictive components from a stock laptop.
Stay away from: Apple
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Runs on proprietary software that restricts the user's freedoms.
Why it's cool: Use it as a laptop or as a table with a built-in stylus. It may not be a brand-new concept, but it'll always feel a little futuristic.
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Why it's cool: Use it as a laptop or as a tablet with a built-in stylus. It may not be a brand-new concept, but it'll always feel a little futuristic.
Enjoy all the portability of a tablet, without having to hunt-and-peck every letter when it comes time to do some work. It's versatile, multi-purpose, and stylish, and fits smoothly into every environment in your life (without pummeling you with the abuses of proprietary software).
- The D16 Workstation is not Respects Your Freedoms certified at this point.
+ The D16 Workstation is not Respects Your Freedom certified at this point. Sale details.
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Why it's cool: Sometimes you need heavy-duty computing power that a laptop just can't provide.
Gamers, video editors, and other users may want or need a more powerful machine â a desktop is the answer when you really need that extra push. Also good for users who want a bigger screen.
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Vikings offers three desktop computers. (ThinkPenguin also has desktops.)
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Options of coming with the FSF-endorsed Trisquel or Parabola operating systems.
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Choose between corebook and Libreboot.
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Free boot firmware.
Customize and specialize to your needs.
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Stay away from: Intel Management Engine
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Stay away from: Apple iMac
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Intel Management Engine is a little piece of firmware that performs various tasks while computers are booting, running, and sleeping. This poses a major security risk and threat to user freedom. While there's not actually anything that can be done about Intel ME at the moment, it's good to know what's lurking inside your computer.
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Photoshop and Illustrator have pesky DRM that can prevent the software from running even with a valid subscription.
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Format lock-in keeps users from switching software.
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Stay away from: Alienware Aurora
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This gaming desktop claims to come without boundaries, but it does include enough proprietary software to limit any gamer.
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Why it's cool: Trying to go 100% free? Do it the easy way â just plug this into your USB port and you're ready to go.
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Why it's cool: Trying to go 100% free but stuck with a proprietary Wi-Fi card? just plug this into your USB port and you're ready to go.
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Why it's cool: Think ahead: if you give this to your friend or relative, they might use it next year to make YOU a gift.
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Why it's cool: Think ahead—if you give this to your friend or relative, they might use it next year to make YOU a gift.
3D printers are an amazing learning and exploration tool for kids and a fun toy for grownups, and they've come a long way from their origins in the early 2000s. Keep it free and fun by digging into the zillions of free software options for modeling, and communities that share freely licensed designs.
Hardware designs available to make customization easy. Standardized material format allows 3D printing with plastics, wood-, stone-, bamboo-, rubber-, and metal-like materials.
Hardware designs are available to make customization easy. Standardized material format allows 3D printing with plastics, wood-, stone-, bamboo-, rubber-, and metal-like materials.
MakerBot was founded with a more freedom-respecting philosophy, but has since announced an increasingly proprietary approach and distanced itself from the community that formed around it.
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Books, Games, Music, and Video
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Books, Music, and Video
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Books
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There are a lot of options for where to get your literature fix without any pesky DRM. We're highlighting some publishers and shops who are offering deals for you!
Delphi Classics has a wide range of classic literature available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Use the code fsfdelphi for 30% off orders over $10 through the end of December.
Ediciones Babylon can supply you with all of your Spanish language needs for comics, art, novellas, and novels. Use the code FSFDISCOUNTEB for 5% off all the way through March 2018.
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No Starch Press pecializes in educational, instructional, and how-to books on everything from arduinos to system administration. Use the code ETHICTECH for 40% off through January 10th, 2018.
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No Starch Press specializes in educational, instructional, and how-to books on everything from arduinos to system administration. Use the code ETHICTECH for 40% off through January 10th, 2018.
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Many consider music essential to the richness of the human experience. Thanks to the many artists, producers, record labels, and shops highlighted on Defective by Design, the rights-respecting options are nearly endless. Check out music from great labels and artists, including:
Dischord Records, a classic punk label providing music since 1980.
DRM is the unfortunate standard for so much of major music available. While Spotify certainly isn't the only offender, they're the one we are choosing to highlight.
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In addition to streaming music encumbered by DRM, people who want to use Spotify are required to install additional proprietary software. Spotify's build for GNU/Linux is available as a Debian package that requires Debian non-free and comes with "onerous license conditions."
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Spotify isn't the only offender when it comes to putting DRM in music—all major streaming services do this with the support of big record labels.
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In addition to streaming music encumbered by DRM, people who want to use Spotify are required to install additional proprietary software. Even Spotify's client for GNU/Linux relies on proprietary software.
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As winter comes to the Northern Hemisphere, it's the perfect time to curl up under a blanket and watch some DRM-free video. In the Southern Hemisphere? Enjoy relaxing with a great movie actually owned by you.
Technoethical:
Receive a 5% discount on any items you buy from the Web site. Ends at 00:00 EST on February 1st, 2017. Use the coupon code FSFHOLIDAYS at checkout.
ThinkPenguin: 5% discount on all products is available to FSF members.
Vikings: 5% discount on all products and services between now and February 1, 2018. Help the FSF! Vikings will also make a donation for each product purchased using this code. Use the coupon code fsfftw.
