= Show your love for Free Software =
[ Read online: https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20150209-01.en.html ]
Every year on 14th February, the Free Software Foundation Europe asks all Free Software users to think about the hard-working people in the Free Software community and to show them their appreciation individually on this "I love Free Software"-Day.
Like last year[1] the campaign is dedicated to the people behind Free Software because they enable us to use, study, share and improve the software which enables us to work in freedom. This time the focus especially lies on the small contributions to the big picture of the Free Software community.
"When people think of the Free Software they need and admire, many think of large well-known applications. These softwares and the organisations behind it are very important indeed. But we should also think of the countless developers who spend their free or work time to write and improve the smaller bits of software we also rely on." says Max Mehl, this year's #ilovefs[2] campaign manager. "Coders are no machines and their contributions deserve our respect and gratitude."
For I love Free Software Day 2015 FSFE has several suggestions how to show one's love to the people behind Free Software, for example:
- *Pictures* A picture is worth thousand words. The Free Software Foundation Europe already collected some images[3] of people showing how they express their support for Free Software developers in public. That's a very individual way to participate.
- *Postcards* If you rather prefer to clothe your thoughts in words the brand-new postcards enable you to do so. It's either suitable for your valentine or for developers which software you adore. The postcards can be ordered[4] for free just like FSFE's other promotion material.
- *#ilovefs* always had great online impact so FSFE is once again looking forward to seeing a lot of messages on microblogs, social networks, mailing lists, and blogs in a variety of languages.
- *Donations* to developers and organisations dedicated to Free Software are another way how to declare one's appreciation. Invite them for a drink or donate to their projects, to FSFE[5] or to other supporters of Free Software[6].
"Software is deeply involved in all aspects of our lives. It is important that this technology empowers rather than restricts us. Free Software contributors give everybody else the freedom to use, understand, adapt and share the software they have written. This way they help to support other fundamental freedoms like freedom of speech, freedom of press and privacy." says Matthias Kirschner, FSFE's Vice President. "We should not underestimate the power of a simple "thank you" to motivate them in their important work for society. So say thank you on 14th February!"