Show your love for Free Software
On 14th February, the Free Software Foundation Europe asks all Free Software users to think about the dedicated hard-working people in the Free Software community and to show them their appreciation like last year.
"Every day, we use Free Software and often take it for granted. We write bug reports, tell others how they should improve their software, or ask them for new features. Often we are not shy about criticising. So, to let the people in Free Software receive a positive feedback once a year, there is the 'I love Free Software day'." says FSFE's vice president Matthias Kirschner, who initiated the #ilovefs campaign in 2010.
For the "I love Free Software Day" the FSFE has several suggestions how to show your love creatively to the people behind Free Software, including:
- Write an e-mail or letter to contributors expressing how much you like what they are doing.
- Share your feelings about Free Software in social networks and microblogs using #ilovefs . Or write a blog post about your favourite Free Software application.
- Buy your favourite contributor a drink. Or buy someone else a drink and while enjoying it, tell her/him about your favourite Free Software program.
- Give a contributor a hug (ask for permission first). You might wonder how many Free Software developers live in your area!
- Help us collecting quotes for our testimonials of people loving Free Software. Ask developers, artists, politicians, or other users to send their quote to contact@fsfe.org.
- Take a picture of yourself showing your feelings for Free Software, and post them online.
- Donate to Free Software initiatives or to FSFE to express your gratitude. They depend on your contribution to continue their work. So check out your favourite organisation and make a donation. You can be sure they will love you back.
- Finally you can help spread the love by sharing the campaign banners, by e-mail, (micro)blog or by spreading through any social network (please use the hashtag #ilovefs for this).
"Free Software gains its strenghts by the community and the ability to work together and join forces." says Matthias Kirschner. "We should not underestimate the power of a simple "thank you" for people who are easing our everyday work. So say thank you on 14th February!"