The High Priority Free Software Projects (HPP) list is an
initiative from the Free Software Foundation (FSF). It draws attention
to areas of development of strategic importance to the goal of freedom
for all computer users, and highlights specific projects within these
areas. The HPP list helps guide volunteers, developers, funders, and
companies to projects where their skills and resources can be
utilized, whether they be in coding, graphic design, writing,
financial contributions, or activism.
The HPP list helps projects explain their importance, which
attracts other developers and sponsors. Adding the right projects and
project areas to the HPP list while keeping it comprehensive is thus
extremely important for the future of free software. Besides this, we
also enjoy being able to highlight projects of major importance,
giving them the attention they deserve for the inspirational and
challenging work that they do.
This year, we are again working with an expert committee for
review of the HPP list, and we issued a call for input from the
community. Currently, we have received more than one hundred
suggestions from community members with invaluable feedback. We are
seeing information come through from all over the world: from
newcomers, seasoned users, and developers of projects alike. Some
community members have suggested an entire overhaul, while others have
given nuanced information on the items currently listed. All of it is
immensely appreciated, and will help the committee when they start
their review from January 8 onwards.
The new High Priority Projects list will be published in the first
months of 2021, and a presentation by the committee will follow at the
upcoming LibrePlanet conference in March, where you will be able
to hear firsthand from committee members and talk with them about
their findings. Make sure you register for the event, so you can
connect to the committee more directly in the online conference
portal.
We still need your input! Please send your suggested changes for the
HPP list to [email protected] by January 8, 2021.
Remember, we're looking for projects of great strategic importance to
the goal of freedom for all computer users. We are looking for areas
where people feel they are heavily pressured or even required to use
proprietary software, as well as for important missing features in
existing free software, and for problems you see on the horizon as
technology is developing.
If you wish, you may also publish your thoughts independently (e.g.,
on your blog or social media) and send us a link to them at
[email protected] instead.
Initiatives like the High Priority Projects list cannot exist without
your input. Our connection to, and support for, the work the free
software community does can only be continued thanks to your
help. Right now, we are in the middle of our annual fundraiser, and we
need 239 more associate members to reach our year-end goal of 500 new
associate members before December 31st.
It's your support that keeps us moving forward. Will you help us reach
our goal by sharing information about the work we do, like the
High Priority Projects list, with your community? Also, if you can
spare $10/month ($5/month for students), we would appreciate it so
much if you would become an FSF associate member, in order to
help us continue this work.
We are looking forward to more of your feedback at
[email protected] as we work on these substantial improvements!
