Using FLOSS Alternatives

Ask participants to list some of the most desired software which is both a) commercial and b) not free of charge (e.g. Windows, Microsoft Office and Photoshop.) Point out that these are frequently pirated due to cost, but that piracy brings certain risks:
•Governments and criminals release software with malware in order to compromise computers.
•Governments often use piracy as a pretense to crackdown on independent organizations.
•Many users do not know how to vet where their pirated software comes from.
•Pirated software is often blocked from receiving important security updates.
•Pirated software often has disabled features, or causes issues after installation.

Open a browser and navigate Osalt (http://www.osalt.com). Present free and open source software as an alternative to the dangers of piracy. For instance:
Linux/Ubuntu instead of Windows
LibreOffice/OpenOffice instead of Microsoft Office, Gimp/Gimpshop instead of Photoshop or commercial (paid) software platforms, human rights activists and their organizations may be eligible to receive free, or heavily discounted, versions of commercial software:
•Users may look for official distributors among local ICT service providers and request for a non-profit or public sector license discount.
•A large distribution network for donated software is run by TechSoup.
•The following page contains a list of partners and the countries in which they operate: http://www.techsoupglobal.org/network

Step 10: Obtaining Software and Updates in Countries with Content Blocking users may be frustrated when trying to update software if they live in a country blacklisted from receiving ’software exports’ from countries like the United States, or where ISPs are instructed to block downloads from certain sites. If this is the case, users can use circumvention tools to access the original sources for software. Refer to training content on Anonymity and Circumvention here on LevelUp.

Warning
Use of circumvention technology or encryption is not allowed in some countries. Please review the laws for your country before attempting to use.