I love Free Software Day 2016
In the Free Software society we exchange a lot of criticism. We write bug
reports, tell others how they can improve the software, ask them for new
features, and generally are not shy about criticising others. There is nothing
wrong about that. It helps us to constantly improve. But sometimes we forget to
show the hardworking people behind the software our appreciation. We should not
underestimate the power of a simple "thank you" to motivate Free Software
contributors in their important work for society. The 14th of February (a
Sunday this year) is the ideal day to do that.
Show your love for Free Software
Free Software drives a huge number of devices in our everyday life. It ensures
our freedom, our security, civil rights, and privacy. It enables everyone to
participate in a fair society. But as with people, everybody has different
reasons to love Free Software. Let's show this variety to the world!
As the traditional day to show one's appreciation to people, Valentine's Day
is the perfect opportunity to say thank you to the
contributors of the various Free Software you love: developers, translators,
designers, testers, or documentation writers, of huge softwares or smaller
projects. All of them work on the Free Software ecosystem which we can enjoy
every day.
Be part of #ilovefs
It doesn't matter who and where you are and what you do – everyone can
participate at the "I love Free Software" day in many different ways:
- Send some cool videos or pictures of yourself or your friends, a meme
image, or something completely different – the main thing is creativity! And
with each video and image you automatically participate in our
#ilovefs competition. Just tag your media with #ilovefs on
Twitter or GnuSocial, or send them to us via mail to win an FSFE shop voucher1. See the pictures of last
years for some inspiration.
- Thank your favourite contributors for their work in an individual way.
For example by sending one of our
postcards.
- Show your appreciation publicly using social networks or your blog to
demonstrate the world how many people love Free Software – and thereby
motivate others to do the same. Just use the hashtag
#ilovefs on GnuSocial, Twitter, or other
platforms.
- You didn't find what you were looking for? No problem, just do something
else! Create small chocolate bars, design new promotion material... Find out
how to make #ilovefs more unique with your contribution.
If everybody contributes a small part we can enjoy a beautiful "I love Free
Software" day together. Let's share videos and pictures, send postcards, tweets and blog
posts, and show our love individually. Happy I love Free Software day
everyone!
22 February 2016:
Sunday 14 February 2016 was a day to declare love for
people we care for. On this day, as a yearly tradition, the Free Software
community celebrates "I love Free Software" day to thank developers behind Free
Software. This year, for the 6th time, FSFE asked everyone to participate and
express their appreciation and gratitude to their favourite Free Software
contributors.
08 February 2016:
It's time to say "thank you" on 14th of February,
the "I love Free Software" Day 2016.
The Free Software Foundation Europe asks all Free Software users to use
the traditional day of love to think of the hardworking people
contributing to the Free Software we all depend on. As every year there are
many ways for people to participate in this online campaign which has
first been celebrated five years ago.
03 March 2015:
On Saturday, 14 February 2015, people all over the world
showed Free Software contributors their appreciation. It was the fifth year the
Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) asked people to participate in the “I
Love Free Software” day. This report shows a variety of love declarations that
happened this day, including blog posts, pictures, comics, poems, and an
#ilovefs Android library. The FSFE thanks everybody who motivated Free Software
contributors this year, and ask everybody to mark 14 February in their
calendars for next year's “I love Free Software” day.
09 February 2015:
Every year on 14th February, the Free Software Foundation Europe
asks all Free Software users to think about the hard-working
people in the Free Software community and to show them their
appreciation individually on this "I love Free Software"-Day.
21 February 2014:
On February 14th, people all around the world expressed
their gratitude and appreciation not only to their partner but also to Free
Software and its contributors. With our yearly #ilovefs we asked you to
thank your favourite developers and projects and were overwhelmed by the
resonance in blogs, social networks, and mailing
lists.
Notices for the competition: We reserve the right to choose multiple winners. The
winner(s) get an 25€ FSFE Shop voucher. Everybody may participate in
the video and image competition. The competition starts on January 8
2016 and ends on end of February 14 2016. The winner(s) will be elected
by an internal FSFE jury. We will contact the winner(s) using the same
way they sent their video or image. The winners' contributions will
be published online by FSFE but we will never share your full name or
more private details if you don't want to.
