What is Free Software activism?
Free Software activism is a type of social movement that advocates for the development, use, and promotion of free and open-source software (FOSS).
Activists may not necessarily be involved in politics or see their activism as a form of political engagement. Instead, most view their work as a way to promote freedom, autonomy, and community in the digital sphere.
Do I need to be an activist to develop Free Software?
No, the majority of maintainers contribute to and maintain free software projects with the intent to improve the software they use everyday. Most simply enjoy coding and problem-solving and wish to give back to the free software community.
Does Free Software activism harm the economy?
No, companies like Red Hat®, Canonical® and SUSE® have successfully built businesses around free software by offering professional support and services, proving that it's possible to earn money and create jobs while promoting software freedom.
Is Free Software activism mainly social or political?
All core values and goals of free software activism are tied to social activism.
Free Software activism
Promotes and advocates for the development, use, and preservation of software that is freely available, modifiable, and distributable, often with the goal of protecting user freedom and autonomy in the digital realm.
Social activism
Addresses the consequences of software and technology, such as issues related to digital rights, online freedom, data privacy, and the impact of technology on marginalized or underrepresented communities.
Not everyone who uses or promotes open-source software does so with a deliberate political intention. Most simply prefer FOSS for practical reasons, such as cost, flexibility, or security, without any intentional political involvement.
While free software activism sometimes involves some political implications, such as lobbying and policy advocacy, the movement's strong focus on promoting end user autonomy, free software licenses, open hardware, public codebases, and community-driven development fully aligns with social activism's emphasis on empowering individuals and communities.
What do Free Software activists do in practice?
Free software activists:
- develop and publish new FOSS projects
- maintain, document, translate and localize existing FOSS projects
- publicly advocate for software freedom
- educate people about the benefits of free software
Many keep informational websites, forums and newsletters. Some organize or partake in events and conferences. Those who lack technical expertise can still participate by supporting related foundations and companies.
