Help Me IT

Wasteful

The fasting growing waste stream globally is e-waste. It includes plastics. Our choice of electronic hardware, software, and services is vital to reduce e-waste.

Harmful Software

Non-free / proprietary software:

  • Is a major factor in e-waste and pollution through propietary obsolescence.
  • Is exclusive, furthering inequality.
  • Diminishes diversity.
  • Creates imbalances of power which can be used to manipulate.
  • Restricts users and developers.
  • Threatens security and privacy.
  • Is opaque (closed source); full functionality may not be known to users.
The Solution

Free / libre software is so-named because it pertains to liberty. It consists of 4 essential freedoms which empower users and developers. It reduces e-waste by prolonging the life of devices.

Examples of free / libre software include:

Richard Stallman's TEDx video:
"Introduction to Free Software and the Liberation of Cyberspace"
Credit
Computer being repaired
Help Me IT

In January 2024 Help Me IT was set up to deal with e-waste and provide support for the local community:

Help Me IT have sessions at the Swindon Hub on Thursdays 2-5pm and Fridays 10am-1pm.

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