[FSF] Stand up for your freedom to install free software

[Errol Mangwiro]

Hmmm, is it a concidence that I tried to sign the petition (twice) and didn't get the confirmation email in hotmail account but when I tried on my gmail it worked?? 
(>_<)
_______
Behold, they are one people,  and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 
Genesis 11:6

-----Original Message-----
From: Lucélio Gomes de Freitas <aa.lucelio at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:08:13 
To: <users at lists.fedoraproject.org>
Subject: [FSF] Stand up for your freedom to install free software

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
 Hash: SHA256
 
 Dear Supporters,
 
     * Please join us in signing the statement: /Stand up for your
       freedom to install free software/
      
&lt;http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement&gt; <http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement> 
 
 The free software movement has come a long way over the past 25+
 years. While we still face many challenges ahead for us to create a
 world in which it is normal and expected for computer users to have
 freedom, we have made steady progress. Right now, however, there is a
 potential threat that could put us back years. Microsoft has announced
 that if computer makers wish to distribute machines with the Windows 8
 compatibility logo, they will have to implement a measure called
 "Secure Boot."
 
 When done correctly, "Secure Boot" is designed to protect against
 malware by preventing computers from loading unauthorized binary
 programs when booting. In practice, this means that computers
 implementing it won't boot unauthorized or modified operating systems.
 This could be a feature deserving of the name, as long as the /user/
 is able to authorize the programs she wants to use, so she can run
 free software written and modified by herself or people she trusts.
 
 However, we are concerned that Microsoft and hardware manufacturers
 will implement these boot restrictions in a way that will prevent
 users from booting anything other than unmodified Windows. In this
 case, a better name for the technology would be Restricted Boot, since
 such a requirement would be a severe restriction on computer users and
 not a security feature at all.
 
 We're looking at a world in which it could become impossible for the
 average user to install GNU/Linux on any new computer, so too much is
 at stake for us to wait and see if computer manufacturers will do the
 right thing. "Secure Boot" could all too easily become a euphemism for
 restriction and control by computer makers and Microsoft -- freedom
 and security necessitate users being in charge of their own computers.
 
 So please, join us in signing this statement against Restricted Boot,
 and consider encouraging your friends, family, and colleagues to do
 the same.
 
 If you are part of an organization or company that would like to
 prominently show their support, please contact us at campaigns at fsf.org <mailto:campaigns at fsf.org> 
 &lt;mailto:campaigns at fsf.org&gt; <mailto:campaigns at fsf.org> .
 
 For your convenience, here is a list of additional articles and
 resources related to this statement:
 
     * Public statement:
      
http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot/statement
     * Press release:
       http://www.fsf.org/news/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot-in-windows-8
     * Detailed explanation of the issue:
       http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/secure-boot-vs-restricted-boot
 
 Sincerely,
 
 John Sullivan
 Executive Director
 Free Software Foundation
 
 
 - --
 Follow us on identi.ca at http://identi.ca/fsf | Subscribe to our
 blogs via RSS at http://fsf.org/blogs/RSS
 Join us as an associate member at http://fsf.org/jf
 
 Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
 
 51 Franklin Street
 Fifth Floor
 Boston, MA 02110-1335
 United States
 
 - -- 
 Lucélio Gomes de Freitas
 ETFCSF-> U.G.F.-> P.U.C.(RJ)
 Engº, Analista Suporte(Free Mind).
 Email: aa.lucelio at gmail.com <mailto:aa.lucelio at gmail.com> 
 Tel: 55 0XX 21 85964911
 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
 Version: GnuPG v1.4.11 (GNU/Linux)
 Comment: Using GnuPG with Fedora - http://enigmail.mozdev.org/
 
 iF4EAREIAAYFAk6dzpIACgkQENqGaHfBA/d/0gEAtgxngsxOM6UbJz5YAp+1a/ky
 pPwR0r8acc6/ShIFubwBALF0/MYkypmuTIsYKApGAF8JmZAJw+qhSY9DVJHkElWY
 =TW53
 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----