[Bradford] Fwd: Support the FSF: Turn your dollars into decibels

[David Carpenter]

For those of you interested in the Free Software Foundation, but not
members, this is their annual round up email. I found it interesting
reading.

Enjoy the meal tonight.
See you in 2013!

David


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Libby Reinish <info at fsf.org>
Date: 14 December 2012 03:35
Subject: Support the FSF: Turn your dollars into decibels
To: David Carpenter <d.carpenter at virgin.net>


Read this online at <http://www.fsf.org/appeal/2012>.

Dear Free Software Supporter,

For nearly three decades, the Free Software Foundation has been
advancing software freedom thanks to support from individuals like
you.

We make every dollar you give part of our comprehensive approach to
the advancement of free software. The Free Software Foundation is the
only organization that combines support for free software development,
worldwide education and outreach efforts, software licensing and
compliance, and advocacy in a holistic strategy to build the strength
of the free software movement.

Here are some of the ways our impact was felt in 2012:

* We certified the first device with the Respects Your Freedom
certification. This new certification has created a new benchmark for
freedom, and we are committed to building this program so that one day
you will be able to make sure that every gadget you purchase supports
and respects your freedoms as a user. But in order to build our
capacity to certify devices through our rigorous process, we need
additional support.

* A team of only four sysadmins working with a few dedicated
volunteers kept all of the GNU infrastructure running smoothly for
hundreds of projects so that free software development could happen
more quickly and users could easily download the results.

* We made free software more accessible to new audiences through our
2012 Giving Guide, which offers a comparison of freedom-supporting and
proprietary gift options. The Giving Guide makes giving freely an easy
choice, even for people who are new to free software.

* We increased our capacity to amplify the voices of our supporters.
Our new campaigns team has already made a big splash; at a cost of a
few hundred dollars, they brought positive international news
attention to free software during Microsoft's Windows 8 launch.
Microsoft is projected to spend over a billion dollars to promote
Windows 8. While we will never have that kind of money to blow, our
campaigns team has you standing behind it. With your support, we can
continue to raise your voices for free software above the marketing
buzz.

The Free Software Foundation receives the majority of its funding
through individual memberships and donations. We raise a large portion
of these gifts during our annual fundraiser. This year, we need to
meet our goal of $350,000 to crank up the volume for the free software
movement. That's .02% of what Microsoft is estimated to spend
promoting Windows 8. With what amounts to a rounding error for
Microsoft, we can build and strengthen the free software movement by
increasing our capacity to serve you, our supporters.

If you appreciate our work and want to help us do even more, please
consider making a donation to the Free Software Foundation:
<https://my.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal-1&pk_kwd=donate>
There are many ways to help us meet our fundraising goal by January
31st.

* Become a member of the Free Software Foundation for just $10 a
month, or $5 a month for students. In addition to supporting our work,
FSF members get a variety of benefits, including an ultra-slim USB
membership card and free admission to our annual conference,
LibrePlanet: < https://my.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom/join_fsf?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal-1&pk_kwd=join>
* Renew your existing membership before January 31st:
<https://my.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom/join_fsf?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal-1&pk_kwd=renew>
* Give a friend or family member a gift membership to the Free
Software Foundation. It's the perfect gift for conscientious
technology lovers:
<https://my.fsf.org/associate/support_freedom/join_fsf?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal-1&pk_kwd=join>
* Make a one-time donation to help us make your voice for software
freedom heard: <https://my.fsf.org/donate/?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal&pk_kwd=donate>

Please support us at whatever amount feels right to you:
<https://my.fsf.org/donate/?pk_campaign=2012-Appeal&pk_kwd=donate>.
Every dollar helps us raise your voices one more decibel.

Sincerely,
John, Ward, Chrissie, Don, Kira, Jasimin, Jeanne, Josh, Libby, Martin,
Nico, Peabo, and Zak

PS. Please help us amplify this appeal by sharing it with your
networks: <http://u.fsf.org/turnitup>.
--
Follow us at https://status.fsf.org/fsf | Subscribe to our blogs via
RSS at http://fsf.org/blogs/RSS
Join us as an associate member at http://www.fsf.org/jf



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