LibrePlanet: Rules and Guidelines/Draft
Contents
Recommended Methods
Emphasis
LibrePlanet groups are about raising the profile of freedom and ethical concerns. They aren't primarily about promoting the technical advantages of free software like GNU/Linux. To this end, they should refer to the operating system as GNU/Linux (GNU plus Linux), not Linux. They are clear about the distinction between free software and open source, and prefer the term free software.
LibrePlanet is a project intent on removing restrictive software laws and practices, educating the public to the dangers of restrictive legislation by providing a platform to act and defend their freedom, and giving them the collective power to change their society through coordinated action.
Software advocacy
When it comes to advocacy through promoting software, groups should try to promote operating system distributions that are on the list of fully free distributions, and individual programs that are distributed under free software licenses.
Fundraising
Groups that want to help support the LibrePlanet network and the other work of the FSF often encourage their members or attendees at their events to donate to the FSF. They pass out FSF membership sign-up cards and collect contributions which they then forward directly to the FSF.
Groups are of course also welcome to fundraise for themselves. They should be clear about where the money is going. They should not give the impression that money they are raising is going to the Free Software Foundation, the GNU Project, or LibrePlanet unless that is actually the case.
Advertising
Sites should not have advertising for proprietary software on their pages. This means that having things like Google Ads will require filters.
Resources
LibrePlanet will strive to provide all the necessary resources to create and operate a group. Groups can certainly also develop and host their own resources, but since our mission is to create a free world, they should not depend on proprietary resources.
Organization
If you need to step down from a role you have in your group, especially if you are the official group contact, please do so in a way that minimizes impact on the group. We know that people want to sometimes move on and do different things -- if you give us some notice that you'll be leaving your role, we can help find a new contact for the group.
