Re: [Fsuk-manchester] "Selling" Free software to the masses

[Mark Reynolds]

>If you own a windows PC or a Mac then it is illegal for you to study how your 
>computer does what it does.

I think it's important to use examples people can relate to in their
everyday lives. When was the last time non-geeks got an urge to
deconstruct how an entire operating system works?

I bet, though, that most of those non-geeks will have iPods/iPhones,
laptops running Windows I'd start by looking at the restrictions of
DRM and how the increased transparency of Free Software means that new
features get added sooner and security problems are spotted and fixed
earlier than on proprietary systems. Give some examples of well known
free software that's given people an alternative to vendor specific
software, think Firefox, OpenOffice.org, etc.

I also think it's important to mention the 4 freedoms, even if only in
a simplified way. One last thing, I'm presuming these are going to be
fliers? If so, try not to include too much information and remember
that cute mascots like Tux are always good.

2009/12/28 Lucy <address@hidden>:
> 2009/12/28 Simon Ward <address@hidden>:
>> On Mon, Dec 28, 2009 at 12:43:24AM +0000, Luke Taylor wrote:
>>> I am putting together some literature to give out to the students at
>>> Manchester University promoting free software (and free culture). I
>>> have looked around and haven't found any good resources for "selling"
>>> free software to non-geeks. Does anybody have any good ideas or points
>>> to make to enthuse somebody who may not even know what source code is?
>>> The finer points in the GPL versus BSD debate may need to be dropped
>>> for example and probably the whole four freedoms thing.
>>
>> The four freedoms are vital, they define what free software is.  You
>> don’t have to explain it as “the four freedoms” and recite them word for
>> word, but you will need to mention them all or the whole point of free
>> software is lost.
>
> How about writing a simplified, non-technical version of the four
> freedoms.. something like:
>
> With Free software:
> 1. You are free to use the software however and where ever you like.
> 2.  You are able to share it with your friends, and everyone else.
> 3. You are allowed (even encouraged) to understand how it works.
> 4. You can make changes to the software and share those changes with others.
>
>
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