Free Software Foundation anti-Windows campaigns
Free Software Foundation anti-Windows campaigns are the events targeted against a line of Microsoft Windows operating systems. They are paralleling the Defective by Design campaign against digital rights management technologies, but they instead target Microsoft's operating systems instead of DRM itself.
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BadVista
BadVista was a campaign by the Free Software Foundation to oppose adoption of Microsoft Windows Vista and promote free software alternatives. It aimed to encourage the media to make free software part of their agenda. [1]
The campaign was initiated on December 15, 2006 with aims to expose what it views as the harms inflicted on computer users by Microsoft Windows Vista and its embedded digital rights management, as well as providing a user-friendly gateway to free software alternatives. [2] [3]
BadVista activists teamed up with Defective by Design members on a Vista launch party on January 30, 2007 at the Times Square. Protesters in hazmat suits held their signs explaining the restrictions Vista may impose on computer users. [3] [4] [5] [6] The campaign ended on January 8, 2009, when "victory" was declared after Microsoft released its Windows 7 Beta. [7] This victory claim was based on the tepid adoption of Vista, compared to those sticking with the less-DRM infused Windows XP or moving to the FSF-defined less restrictive Mac OS X or entirely free GNU/Linux or FreeBSD.
Windows 7 Sins
In 2009, a campaign targeted towards Windows 7 was launched by the Free Software Foundation under the name "Windows 7 Sins".[8] The campaign's site uses graphics from the free software video game XBill. The campaign was accused of using tactics of fear, uncertainty and doubt.[9][10][11]
Upgrade from Windows 8
In October 2012, the Free Software Foundation began another campaign called "Upgrade from Windows 8", this time targeted towards Windows 8.[12]
Windows 10
During the Windows 10 release, the FSF issued a statement urging users to reject it due to its proprietary nature. The Foundation also cited other sources of concern, such as forcing lower-paying customers to test less-secure updates before higher-paying users, Microsoft's implication in the 2013 global surveillance scandal and the new privacy policy enacted by Windows.[13]
See also
- Defective by Design - an associated anti-digital rights management campaign that also targets Windows XP and higher
- Hardware restrictions
References
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- ↑ Free software group attacks Windows 7 'sins' COMPUTERWORLD, August 26, 2009
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- ↑ Microsoft Windows 8 Legacy: An Unacceptable Level of Risk Linux Advocates, May 02, 2013
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External links
- badvista.fsf.org/badvista-declares-victory - official "BadVista" website
- en.windows7sins.org - official "Windows 7 sins" website
- fsf.org/windows8 - official "Upgrade from Windows 8" website
- fsf.org/news/the-fsfs-statement-on-windows-10 - official "The FSFs statement on Windows 10" website