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Dear Free Software Supporter,

This first half of 2022 has been a time where *change* was a recurring
theme here at the Free Software Foundation (FSF). The free software
movement grows in size and number every day, and there are as many
reasons for using free software as there are free software users. Yet
despite the [latest developments in AI][1], proprietary operating
systems, and recent opposition to user freedom causes like the [right
to repair][2], the right a user has to control their own computing is
fundamental and unchanging.

[1]: [link removed]
[2]: [link removed]

It can be difficult to explain we are not fighting for some complex
dream that serves only a few people who understand enough of
technology to be able to circumvent the pervasive use of proprietary
software in today's society, but instead make people understand that
user freedom is actually well within our reach. It matters in *all*
our lives, *right now*, and all it really takes is a change in
mindset, and together with our small but dedicated team of staff I
will do what I can to bring people to fight for our cause.

The upcoming Spring 2022 edition of the biannual [*Free Software
Foundation Bulletin*][3] will be posted online soon, and is now making
its way by snail mail to all our [associate members][4] and [current
donors][5]. It shows us some of the many scenarios in which free
software is a must-have conversation when we speak of issues of global
importance such as government, education, and environmentally
conscious behavior.

[3]: [link removed]
[4]: [link removed]
[5]: [link removed]

- [Governments][6] have a responsibility to citizens to be
transparent, and people everywhere have the right to have access
to, and to question, the software that is used in decisions that
affect their lives. If they don't, it can have catastrophic
consequences;

[6]: [link removed]

- [Students][7] have the right to receive an education without being
forced into "consenting" to data collection on their person or
their behavior. And in today's technology-pervasive society, we
should be teaching them about the concepts of software and how to
meaningfully contribute, instead of pushing them through the
predetermined and limited motions of use-only proprietary software
programs; and

[7]: [link removed]

- If we truly want to facilitate [environmentally conscious
behavior][8], we need regulations that allow people the freedom to
use their software-powered devices as long as possible. That means
giving them the right to repair, yes. But that includes first and
foremost giving them the right to use, modify, copy, and share the
software running on their devices.

[8]: [link removed]

It's a testament to the success of the free software movement that the
number of free software developers is increasing every day. [99% of
the world's software][9] has at least some free software in it. In the
last year, the FSF has processed more than 180 new copyright
assignments to programs in the [GNU operating system][10]. We've also
been continuing our work alerting people to the dangers of proprietary
JavaScript on the Web through our [JShelter][11] browser extension,
which limits the potentially harmful effects of JavaScript running on
your machine. This extension is now being used by more than 3,000
users around the world on the Chrome browser alone. We hope to lead
more people to free software and to this end, we continue to talk
about free software to everyone who will listen. We will continue to
develop educational resources in both our licensing and campaigns
area, and we will defend copyleft.

[9]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]
[11]: [link removed]

I am personally convinced that change is a phenomenon you don't see,
until it is unavoidable. It is forged by individuals like you, who
find themselves somewhere on the ["freedom ladder"][12] willing to
make even minor adjustments to do what is right. The FSF's latest
campaign by the same name helps motivate exactly this. Dozens of
individuals have collaborated with us to [share their experiences][13]
in coming to the movement. And with your support, we continue to drive
this change toward free software.

[12]: [link removed]
[13]: [link removed]

**Can you [join this effort][4] as an FSF associate member?** You can
start for as little as $10 per month ($5 for students), or $120 per
year. With your support we can continue to show people how free
software can help drive major change. Besides that, your membership
gives strength to the *idea* of free software. Standing up for, and
sharing your reason to believe in, free software can help inspire
others just like you.

The more members we can count, the better we can defend everyone's
freedoms in matters of global importance. Plus, your membership will
count towards achieving our spring goal of $67,000. You'll also be
able to enjoy all the [member benefits][15], which include merchandise
discounts, a 16GB bootable membership card, and use of our associate
member videoconferencing server. For a membership at the $120 level,
we'll send you a commemorative pin.

[4]: [link removed]
[15]: [link removed]

Your support will also be valuable in our upcoming new board member
nomination process. We ask for our community's engagement both in
recruiting new potential board members, as well as in the discussion
part of the process. We're looking to build a strong and lasting
governance structure, and your ideas [on our ongoing governance
work][16] are highly valued.

[16]: [link removed]

The FSF will continue to work to bring more and more people to their
own reasons for using free software. Our thirty-seven years of strong,
level-headed advocacy will be our guide in that mission. We hope that
you'll join us in working for freedom. We cannot do it without your
support.

Yours in freedom,

Zoë Kooyman
Executive Director

--
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Sent from the Free Software Foundation,

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


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