*Please consider adding info-at-fsf.org to your address book, which will ensure that our messages reach you and not your spam box.*
*Read and share online: *
Dear Ruben Safir,
### What's your free software story?
Each of us has our own story to share about how we came to free software. For some, it might have been something as simple as learning about it from a friend. Others may have come to GNU/Linux through an article online or in a magazine, and at least a few lucky members of our community will have grown up with free software being used in the home. As part of our [Freedom Ladder][1] initiative, we want to take the time to highlight these stories, and distill what we can from them in order to help more and more people join the free software movement. Our stories may differ widely, but we're confident that we can learn something of value from each of them, and use them as tools to help lead others to freedom.
We're inviting **you** to a [live][2] session on **January 20**, starting at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC), in the \#fsf channel of the Libera.Chat IRC network. During this time, we'll be having an impromptu discussion about our own free software journeys, and opening a convenient place for you to share your own with us. Although it's not necessary to participate in the IRC session to submit your story to the campaign, we hope that you'll take the time to join us! To access the story submission form, please visit the [event page][3] on Thursday, or any time over the following weekend.
While each of our stories about how we came to free software are likely as distinctive and diverse as the people sharing them, they might have certain commonalities. Over the sixteen years that I've been using free software, for example, I've often wondered how many people have a story similar to mine. I don't expect that very many people came to software freedom by way of [Punkcast][4], like I did, but I imagine there *are* quite a few people who still remember that first inspiring reading of the GNU Manifesto (shoutout to C-h g!) -- not to mention the first time they accidentally erased their root filesystem.
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punkcast
In the interest of helping others reach the highest level of freedom that we can, we want to keep these discussions honest and frank. No matter what stage you're on when it comes to computing freedom, your perspective is valuable, and we aim to draw from it as much as we can to help others find their way to computing freedom. Especially when we're considering what we can take from our stories that will help others, we shouldn't shy away from places where we've failed, or where we think our journey could have gone better. The point of this event is to learn what we can from each other, and carry it to the free software users of the future.
*The more members we can count on, the better we can build the ladder for others, and this starts with achieving our membership goal of [500 new members before January 20][11]. Right now, we have 334! Can you [join][12] this effort as an FSF associate member? You can start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per year. Your membership will help the FSF give more people the tools they need to continue on toward software freedom. It will enable us to continue to create new resources, and to lead much needed initiatives like the Freedom Ladder campaign for the community.*
*Plus, associate members can select a special gift during this fundraiser, and enjoy all the [member benefits][13], which include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and use of our videoconferencing server.*
* If you haven't already, now would be a good time to read the [Freedom Ladder][14] campaigns page on the [LibrePlanet wiki][15]. This is where we've been publicly developing our campaign materials.
* In the days leading up to the event, start thinking of the parts of your story that you most want to share, and which parts of your story you feel might be the most helpful to others. If you like, you might write parts of your story down to help you remember.
* Join the FSF's live discussion on Thursday, January 20 at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). This is your opportunity to share your story, and listen to others' stories! For instructions on how to submit, please see our [event][2] page.
* If you're unable to attend the event, would prefer not to speak, or would like to share your story in another way, you can do so on the [Ladder's LibrePlanet wiki][14] page, or by writing .
No matter whether your free software journey began two days ago or two decades ago, we believe you have something to teach newcomers to free software. At the same time, and especially when considering the dire necessity of bringing computing freedom to the world, we feel sure that the campaigns team can draw on your experiences and use them to make free software advocacy stronger. We're looking forward to seeing you, and sharing with you, as we prepare for the next steps. Your story will help not only for this campaign, but will shape the course of our advocacy throughout 2022 and beyond.
Happy hacking,
Greg Farough Campaigns Manager
-- * Follow us on Mastodon at , GNU social at , PeerTube at , and on Twitter at -at-fsf. * Read about why we use Twitter, but only with caveats at . * Subscribe to our RSS feeds at . * Join us as an associate member at . * Read our Privacy Policy at .
Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1335 United States
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by visiting
Each of us has our own story to share about how we came to free software. For some, it might have been something as simple as learning about it from a friend. Others may have come to GNU/Linux through an article online or in a magazine, and at least a few lucky members of our community will have grown up with free software being used in the home. As part of our Freedom Ladder initiative, we want to take the time to highlight these stories, and distill what we can from them in order to help more and more people join the free software movement. Our stories may differ widely, but we're confident that we can learn something of value from each of them, and use them as tools to help lead others to freedom.
We're inviting you to a live session on January 20, starting at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC), in the #fsf channel of the Libera.Chat IRC network. During this time, we'll be having an impromptu discussion about our own free software journeys, and opening a convenient place for you to share your own with us. Although it's not necessary to participate in the IRC session to submit your story to the campaign, we hope that you'll take the time to join us! To access the story submission form, please visit the event page on Thursday, or any time over the following weekend.
While each of our stories about how we came to free software are likely as distinctive and diverse as the people sharing them, they might have certain commonalities. Over the sixteen years that I've been using free software, for example, I've often wondered how many people have a story similar to mine. I don't expect that very many people came to software freedom by way of Punkcast, like I did, but I imagine there are quite a few people who still remember that first inspiring reading of the GNU Manifesto (shoutout to C-h g!) -- not to mention the first time they accidentally erased their root filesystem.
In the interest of helping others reach the highest level of freedom that we can, we want to keep these discussions honest and frank. No matter what stage you're on when it comes to computing freedom, your perspective is valuable, and we aim to draw from it as much as we can to help others find their way to computing freedom. Especially when we're considering what we can take from our stories that will help others, we shouldn't shy away from places where we've failed, or where we think our journey could have gone better. The point of this event is to learn what we can from each other, and carry it to the free software users of the future.
The more members we can count on, the better we can build the ladder for others, and this starts with achieving our membership goal of 500 new members before January 20. Right now, we have 334! Can you join this effort as an FSF associate member? You can start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per year. Your membership will help the FSF give more people the tools they need to continue on toward software freedom. It will enable us to continue to create new resources, and to lead much needed initiatives like the Freedom Ladder campaign for the community.
Plus, associate members can select a special gift during this fundraiser, and enjoy all the member benefits, which include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and use of our videoconferencing server.
How to participate
If you haven't already, now would be a good time to read the Freedom Ladder campaigns page on the LibrePlanet wiki. This is where we've been publicly developing our campaign materials.
In the days leading up to the event, start thinking of the parts of your story that you most want to share, and which parts of your story you feel might be the most helpful to others. If you like, you might write parts of your story down to help you remember.
Join the FSF's live discussion on Thursday, January 20 at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). This is your opportunity to share your story, and listen to others' stories! For instructions on how to submit, please see our event page.
If you're unable to attend the event, would prefer not to speak, or would like to share your story in another way, you can do so on the Ladder's LibrePlanet wiki page, or by writing campaigns@fsf.org.
No matter whether your free software journey began two days ago or two decades ago, we believe you have something to teach newcomers to free software. At the same time, and especially when considering the dire necessity of bringing computing freedom to the world, we feel sure that the campaigns team can draw on your experiences and use them to make free software advocacy stronger. We're looking forward to seeing you, and sharing with you, as we prepare for the next steps. Your story will help not only for this campaign, but will shape the course of our advocacy throughout 2022 and beyond.
*Please consider adding info-at-fsf.org to your address book, which will ensure that our messages reach you and not your spam box.*
*Read and share online: *
Dear Ruben Safir,
### What's your free software story?
Each of us has our own story to share about how we came to free software. For some, it might have been something as simple as learning about it from a friend. Others may have come to GNU/Linux through an article online or in a magazine, and at least a few lucky members of our community will have grown up with free software being used in the home. As part of our [Freedom Ladder][1] initiative, we want to take the time to highlight these stories, and distill what we can from them in order to help more and more people join the free software movement. Our stories may differ widely, but we're confident that we can learn something of value from each of them, and use them as tools to help lead others to freedom.
We're inviting **you** to a [live][2] session on **January 20**, starting at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC), in the \#fsf channel of the Libera.Chat IRC network. During this time, we'll be having an impromptu discussion about our own free software journeys, and opening a convenient place for you to share your own with us. Although it's not necessary to participate in the IRC session to submit your story to the campaign, we hope that you'll take the time to join us! To access the story submission form, please visit the [event page][3] on Thursday, or any time over the following weekend.
While each of our stories about how we came to free software are likely as distinctive and diverse as the people sharing them, they might have certain commonalities. Over the sixteen years that I've been using free software, for example, I've often wondered how many people have a story similar to mine. I don't expect that very many people came to software freedom by way of [Punkcast][4], like I did, but I imagine there *are* quite a few people who still remember that first inspiring reading of the GNU Manifesto (shoutout to C-h g!) -- not to mention the first time they accidentally erased their root filesystem.
[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punkcast
In the interest of helping others reach the highest level of freedom that we can, we want to keep these discussions honest and frank. No matter what stage you're on when it comes to computing freedom, your perspective is valuable, and we aim to draw from it as much as we can to help others find their way to computing freedom. Especially when we're considering what we can take from our stories that will help others, we shouldn't shy away from places where we've failed, or where we think our journey could have gone better. The point of this event is to learn what we can from each other, and carry it to the free software users of the future.
*The more members we can count on, the better we can build the ladder for others, and this starts with achieving our membership goal of [500 new members before January 20][11]. Right now, we have 334! Can you [join][12] this effort as an FSF associate member? You can start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per year. Your membership will help the FSF give more people the tools they need to continue on toward software freedom. It will enable us to continue to create new resources, and to lead much needed initiatives like the Freedom Ladder campaign for the community.*
*Plus, associate members can select a special gift during this fundraiser, and enjoy all the [member benefits][13], which include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and use of our videoconferencing server.*
* If you haven't already, now would be a good time to read the [Freedom Ladder][14] campaigns page on the [LibrePlanet wiki][15]. This is where we've been publicly developing our campaign materials.
* In the days leading up to the event, start thinking of the parts of your story that you most want to share, and which parts of your story you feel might be the most helpful to others. If you like, you might write parts of your story down to help you remember.
* Join the FSF's live discussion on Thursday, January 20 at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). This is your opportunity to share your story, and listen to others' stories! For instructions on how to submit, please see our [event][2] page.
* If you're unable to attend the event, would prefer not to speak, or would like to share your story in another way, you can do so on the [Ladder's LibrePlanet wiki][14] page, or by writing .
No matter whether your free software journey began two days ago or two decades ago, we believe you have something to teach newcomers to free software. At the same time, and especially when considering the dire necessity of bringing computing freedom to the world, we feel sure that the campaigns team can draw on your experiences and use them to make free software advocacy stronger. We're looking forward to seeing you, and sharing with you, as we prepare for the next steps. Your story will help not only for this campaign, but will shape the course of our advocacy throughout 2022 and beyond.
Happy hacking,
Greg Farough Campaigns Manager
-- * Follow us on Mastodon at , GNU social at , PeerTube at , and on Twitter at -at-fsf. * Read about why we use Twitter, but only with caveats at . * Subscribe to our RSS feeds at . * Join us as an associate member at . * Read our Privacy Policy at .
Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1335 United States
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by visiting
Each of us has our own story to share about how we came to free software. For some, it might have been something as simple as learning about it from a friend. Others may have come to GNU/Linux through an article online or in a magazine, and at least a few lucky members of our community will have grown up with free software being used in the home. As part of our Freedom Ladder initiative, we want to take the time to highlight these stories, and distill what we can from them in order to help more and more people join the free software movement. Our stories may differ widely, but we're confident that we can learn something of value from each of them, and use them as tools to help lead others to freedom.
We're inviting you to a live session on January 20, starting at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC), in the #fsf channel of the Libera.Chat IRC network. During this time, we'll be having an impromptu discussion about our own free software journeys, and opening a convenient place for you to share your own with us. Although it's not necessary to participate in the IRC session to submit your story to the campaign, we hope that you'll take the time to join us! To access the story submission form, please visit the event page on Thursday, or any time over the following weekend.
While each of our stories about how we came to free software are likely as distinctive and diverse as the people sharing them, they might have certain commonalities. Over the sixteen years that I've been using free software, for example, I've often wondered how many people have a story similar to mine. I don't expect that very many people came to software freedom by way of Punkcast, like I did, but I imagine there are quite a few people who still remember that first inspiring reading of the GNU Manifesto (shoutout to C-h g!) -- not to mention the first time they accidentally erased their root filesystem.
In the interest of helping others reach the highest level of freedom that we can, we want to keep these discussions honest and frank. No matter what stage you're on when it comes to computing freedom, your perspective is valuable, and we aim to draw from it as much as we can to help others find their way to computing freedom. Especially when we're considering what we can take from our stories that will help others, we shouldn't shy away from places where we've failed, or where we think our journey could have gone better. The point of this event is to learn what we can from each other, and carry it to the free software users of the future.
The more members we can count on, the better we can build the ladder for others, and this starts with achieving our membership goal of 500 new members before January 20. Right now, we have 334! Can you join this effort as an FSF associate member? You can start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per year. Your membership will help the FSF give more people the tools they need to continue on toward software freedom. It will enable us to continue to create new resources, and to lead much needed initiatives like the Freedom Ladder campaign for the community.
Plus, associate members can select a special gift during this fundraiser, and enjoy all the member benefits, which include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and use of our videoconferencing server.
How to participate
If you haven't already, now would be a good time to read the Freedom Ladder campaigns page on the LibrePlanet wiki. This is where we've been publicly developing our campaign materials.
In the days leading up to the event, start thinking of the parts of your story that you most want to share, and which parts of your story you feel might be the most helpful to others. If you like, you might write parts of your story down to help you remember.
Join the FSF's live discussion on Thursday, January 20 at 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). This is your opportunity to share your story, and listen to others' stories! For instructions on how to submit, please see our event page.
If you're unable to attend the event, would prefer not to speak, or would like to share your story in another way, you can do so on the Ladder's LibrePlanet wiki page, or by writing campaigns@fsf.org.
No matter whether your free software journey began two days ago or two decades ago, we believe you have something to teach newcomers to free software. At the same time, and especially when considering the dire necessity of bringing computing freedom to the world, we feel sure that the campaigns team can draw on your experiences and use them to make free software advocacy stronger. We're looking forward to seeing you, and sharing with you, as we prepare for the next steps. Your story will help not only for this campaign, but will shape the course of our advocacy throughout 2022 and beyond.
