[Blackpool] Fwd: [Fsuk-manchester] Hunt down ads for non-Free PDF readers on 13th August

[Les Pounder]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Sam Tuke" <samtuke at fsfe.org>
Date: Jul 21, 2011 5:59 PM
Subject: [Fsuk-manchester] Hunt down ads for non-Free PDF readers on 13th
August
To: <fellowship-uk at fsfeurope.org>, <manchester at lists-fsfe.org>, "Manchester
Free Software" <fsuk-manchester at nongnu.org>
Cc: <uk at fsfeurope.org>

The Free Software Foundation Europe's successful PDF Readers campaign comes
to
Manchester next month for a one day sprint at MadLab hackerspace on the 13th
of August, 15.00-17.30. Cakes and pizza provided!

*What:*

We'll search out proprietary PDF reader adverts on UK Government funded
websites, and contact the institutions by letter and email, requesting that
they remove them.

Currently there are only 41 reports of such adverts in the UK, only three of
which have already been resolved by the advert being removed. Many more
adverts on UK Government websites still exist however, and on 13th August
we'll find them, and aim to get as many of them removed as possible.

*Why:*

Publicly funded institutions routinely advertise proprietary PDF reader
applications on their websites, often stating that a particular vendor's
product is "required" for completing basic civic tasks like paying tax or
registering a vehicle.

Yet Free Software PDF Readers exist for all major operating systems, which
can
be used to perform the same tasks without sacrificing the freedom of their
users.

Many institutions carry proprietary software adverts simply out of
ignorance,
not realising that there are alternatives which protect citizens' freedom.
By
contacting them we will be making them aware of the existence of Free
Software
alternatives, and encouraging them to think about the benefits of Free
Software
in general.

*Can it work?:*

Throughout Europe, Free Software advocates have already reported more than
2,000 adverts, and successfully removed nearly 500 of them. Many of the
success stories involved high profile websites, such as the Belgian Prime
Minister, The Mayor of London, and the Bank of Italy. Several adverts have
been replaced with links to Free Software PDF Readers on the pdfreaders.org
website.

*Real progress has been made, now its time to make an impact in the UK!*

*Links:*

MadLad event page:
http://madlab.org.uk/content/stamp-out-the-ads-free-software-pdf-reader-
sprint/

Campaign homepage:
http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders

Report an advert from a UK website:
http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/bug-report-uk.en.html

List of UK adverts already reported:
http://fsfe.org/campaigns/pdfreaders/buglist.en.html#GB

Website about Free Software PDF Readers:
http://pdfreaders.org/

See you there!

Sam.
--
Sam Tuke
British Team Coordinator
Free Software Foundation Europe
IM : samtuke at jabber.fsfe.org
Latest UK Free Software news: uk.fsfe.org
Is freedom important to you? Join the fellowship.fsfe.org

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