*Please consider adding <[email protected]> to your address book, which
will ensure that our messages reach you and not your spam box!*

*Read and share online: <[link removed]>*


Dear Free Software
Supporter,

I hope this message finds you well, because we have some exciting
news! On July 8, from 16:00-17:00 EDT (20:00-21:00 UTC), we are
hosting a "Mastodon Hour."

As you probably know, the FSF is on Twitter (with caveats), Mastodon,
and GNU Social. We *simultaneously* post to all three microblogs. You
can read all the details about this at <[link removed]>,
which has been updated recently to include more information about
centralization, decentralization, and microblogging exclusively with
free software.

### Some background...

As a small organization, while we are able to send out messages to all
three microblogs efficiently and effectively, we are *not* able to
reply directly to individual messages on social media. Additionally,
we have reservations about using Twitter, so we avoid interacting in a
way that makes people feel like they *must* go to that platform (and
consequently run nonfree software).

This being said, we *do* monitor your replies to all three
platforms. For Twitter specifically, we use a combination of
[Choqok][1], KDE's microblogging client, [Nitter][2], a free front-end
mirror to Twitter, and [Nitter's RSS feed][3] feature to avoid running
nonfree JavaScript ourselves, which we advise you do as well when
viewing Twitter feeds. Sometimes your replies inform future posts, in
which case, we respond with a new post that answers your question. But
we post simultaneously to all three platforms so that everyone can see
the answer, regardless of which microblog you are viewing our feed
from.

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

### What is a Mastodon Hour?

Mastodon Hour is a special window of time that we are setting aside
when we, the FSF campaigns team staff, will respond to your messages
in real time.

**On July 8, from 16:00-17:00pm EDT (20:00-21:00 UTC), we will be
making ourselves available to respond to you!**

During this time, you may communicate via reply to our toots, mention
us in a new thread, or direct message, and we will be available to
respond in real-time. If you would like to participate in Mastodon
Hour, we recommend joining Mastodon, following us at
<[link removed]>, and trying these features
beforehand, if you haven't done so already.

### What is the topic?

For this first Mastodon Hour, the main topic will be "Help others find
their reason to support free software." This is the theme of our
[spring fundraiser][4], which is going on now. Our secondary topic
will be "decentralization and federation," and what better place to
discuss this than on a decentralized service such as Mastodon!

[4]: [link removed]

Also, if you have anyone who is "on the freedom ladder," who you might
want to introduce to us (whether by direct introduction or not), or if
you know anyone that is creating or sharing resources relevant to
educating people about free software, no matter how simple or complex,
please send us links or their handle (i.e. @user@domain). We will look at it in real
time and can discuss any topics related to it. We think that this
might be a nice ice-breaker for everyone, and has the potential to
expand the network of free software users.

We understand that you may have questions unrelated to these
chosen topics that you want answered. While we will do our best to
respond to relevant queries, we will be prioritizing on-topic
questions and directing most other questions to the appropriate email
address (i.e. specific licensing questions are still best sent to
<[email protected]>).

### Not on Mastodon yet? Well, then flock on over!

If you are not yet on Mastodon and you want to join, you can! The
Mastodon developers [maintain a list of servers with open
registration][5], allowing you to participate in the decentralized Web
with just a click of a few buttons.

[5]: [link removed]

We're a third of the way to reaching our [spring fundraising
goal][7] of USD 67,000 before July 8. [*Any* financial
contribution][6] you can make goes to help the campaigns team spread
the message of free software. For only $10 a month ($5
if you are a student), you can [join us][10] as an FSF associate
member. Bringing new members to the community is a core part of the fight for
software freedom, and helps us build a foundation of committed
activists for years to come. We can organize more events such as these, in which
we can assist people directly in their journey to learn more
about free software.

Spreading the word is just as important: please take a moment to
[publicly bring attention][11] to the need for free software! Use
the hashtag \#UserFreedom, and share this message and others to
help us build even further support.

[6]: [link removed]
[7]: [link removed]
[10]: [link removed]
[11]: [link removed]


Hope to see you at our upcoming "Mastodon Hour!"

Happy hacking,

Devin Ulibarri
Outreach & Communications Coordinator

--
* 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


You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by visiting

[link removed].

To stop all email from the Free Software Foundation, including Defective by Design,
and the Free Software Supporter newsletter, visit

[link removed].