In times like these, it becomes all the more important to take a closer look at tools like Zoom, Slack, and Facebook Messenger.
A few of the tools FSF recommend here depend upon some self-reliance; that is, steering clear of proprietary network services by hosting free software solutions yourself or asking a technical friend to do it for you. It’s a difficult step, and the benefits may not be immediately obvious, but it’s a key part of preserving your autonomy in an age of ubiquitous digital control.
To those who have the technical expertise and available infrastructure, the FSF urge you to consider hosting instances of free communication platforms for your friends, family, and community at large. For example, with a modest server and some GNU/Linux knowledge, you could help local students learn in freedom by volunteering to administer an instance of one of the programs they are recommending.
The need to self-host can be an uncomfortable reminder of our dependence on the "cloud"—the network of someone else’s computers — but acknowledging our current reliance on these providers is the first step in making new, dependable systems for ourselves. During dangerous and stressful times, it’s tempting to sideline our ethical commitments for easier or more convenient ways to get things done, and software freedom is no exception.
See The FSF reveals the tools they use for chat, video, and more
In times like these, it becomes all the more important to take a closer look at tools like Zoom, Slack, and Facebook Messenger.