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Dear Free Software Supporter,

For those of us who do our daily computing with free software, it has
become such a part of our world that some may take it for granted.
Even people who have been working with GNU/Linux for years often do
not realize that the systems that they work on were born out of one
simple philosophy: user freedom.

At times, our mission of securing computer user freedom for all can
seem unrealistic. It can seem like our adversaries are just too
strong. But remember the ground we've already covered. We built a free
software operating system and developed the legal framework to
preserve the freedom of that system against proprietary abuse. Free
software has spread globally, and for every function you can imagine
you can find (or make) a free (as in freedom) tool. It found a way
into the computing of millions of users around the world.

A lot has happened in thirty-six years, but we have never strayed from
our path. We have kept to our message throughout everything, and we
will continue to focus our attention on, and direct our resources to,
spreading the most important aspect of free software: freedom. Our
perfect score from the ratings group [Charity Navigator][1] shows our
commitment to the financial health, accountability, and transparency
of our organization as well.

[1]: [link removed]

With your support, this year, our small but effective FSF staff has
continued to pave the way to freedom, with outcomes like:

* [JShelter][2], a new Web browser application to combat threats from
nonfree JavaScript. JShelter provides a way to educate and protect
yourself from potential abuses on the Web;

* Updated resources like the licensing team's [Contributor's
Frequently Asked Questions][3], an extensive update to the [End
Software Patents][4] site, the [h-node hardware database][5], and
the [Email Self-Defense][6] guide; and

* We've organized people to speak up for their freedom in protest to
Apple and Windows by making sure the free software perspective was
heard when Apple launched their [personal device monitoring
software][7], in relation to the Apple [antitrust hearings][8], and
with the [launch of Windows 11][9].

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Our work directly involving the community has also increased. One of
the initiatives we launched this year is the [Freedom Ladder][10]. It
will be a way to structure resources, together with the community, to
attract new community members, and to help existing free software
supporters move closer to full software freedom. In four consecutive
interactive sessions, we made significant progress towards
understanding people's levels of commitment, and identifying obstacles
in the way of people's personal advocacy.

[10]: [link removed]

It is our job to chart a path for those who want to tread into free
software, to guide users forward one step at a time, but we need your
help. We need it to grow advocacy for #UserFreedom, to fund resources
and to spread our message. Being an associate member of the FSF
matters. FSF members are everywhere in the world, making us a truly
global organization, and as a member you will have an important role
to play in improving the FSF's governance. You can read more about
this, and other free software issues in this season's upcoming *Free
Software Foundation Bulletin*.

Can you join this effort as an [FSF associate member][20]? You can
start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per
year. Besides enabling important work at a time the world desperately
needs it, your membership gives strength to the *idea* of free
software. No other organization stands for this idea like the FSF
does.

[20]: [link removed]

The more members we can count, the better we can defend everyone's
freedoms against the largest companies and governments on the planet,
and this starts with achieving our fall goal of 500 new associate
members. Plus, associate members can select a special gift during
[this fundraiser][21], and enjoy all the [member benefits][22], which
include merchandise discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and
use of our [videoconferencing server][23].

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The FSF is evolving, but the principles driving our work don't
change. In the face of growing injustices, we have stood our ground
for over thirty-five years. People around the world are more concerned
than ever about problems with the social dynamic of technology and
the companies behind it. Now is a key moment to help them stand for
user freedom. With your support, we can empower them, and guide them
in the right direction. Thank you for standing with us, for doing so
much for free software, and for being essential to this work.

Yours in freedom,

Zoë Kooyman
Program Manager

P.S. Please speak up for freedom by using the hashtag
**#UserFreedom** on your favorite microblogging service, and pledge
your support for the free software movement today. See
[fsf.org/share][24] to learn how to follow the FSF on various social
networks.

[24]: [link removed]

--
* Follow us on Mastodon at <[link removed]>, GNU social at
<[link removed]>, PeerTube at <[link removed]>, and on Twitter at @fsf.
* Read about why we use Twitter, but only with caveats at <[link removed]>.
* Subscribe to our RSS feeds at <[link removed]>.
* Join us as an associate member at <[link removed]>.
* Read our Privacy Policy at <[link removed]>.

Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02110-1335
United States


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