Our holiday visit to the Apple store (with photos)

by Zak Rogoff Contributions — Published on Dec 20, 2013 05:34 PM

Ever wonder if you're the only one concerned about software freedom when you're doing your holiday shopping? We hit the streets yesterday to make sure that you aren't.

FSF activists took a stand in front of an Apple Store in Boston to get people thinking about the injustices of proprietary software-laden gifts and show them that they can do better by their loved ones.

Dressed as elves and accompanied by a plump gnu Santa, we distributed copies of our 2013 Giving Guide to the curious crowd. The guide raises the alarm about nonfree software and DRM in popular gadgets and tech gifts, and proposes replacements. These better options won't spoil the holiday cheer with spying, limits to copying and use, or forced upgrades, all of which are staples of nonfree software and the products that carry it.

We welcome you to join in the fun and distribute the Giving Guide to your loved ones and friends this holiday season.

To make a really big splash, get some friends together, print the PDF version of the Giving Guide and hand it out near a local store that sells nonfree software. Be sure to take photos! Send us photos and any questions at campaigns@fsf.org.

If you also want to help us make actions like this a holiday tradition, please pitch in for our winter fundraiser. $5, $10, or $20 will help us reach our goal of $450,000 by the end of January. We also welcome you to join our low-volume mailing list, to stay up-to-date and get involved with more free software activism.