Can we plan to celebrate Software Freedom Day 2026 in a different way ?
Instead of conducting a conference for existing Free and Open Source Software users, we are exploring the idea of organizing it in a shopping mall or another public space or may be a beach walk to reach people who are completely new to Free Software.
The goal is simple: Introduce Free Software to the General Public.
Many people use software every day without knowing they have the freedom to use, study, modify, and share software.
Through this event, we want to create awareness about why these freedoms matter and how Free Software benefits individuals, education, businesses, and society.
The event can include,
Free Software awareness booths
Live demonstrations of Free Software applications
Linux Experience Zone
Privacy and Digital Freedom Corner
Interactive games and quizzes
Community stalls
Beginner friendly hands on activities
Free Software for students, creators, and professionals
Visitors can walk in, explore different Free Software applications, interact with community members, ask questions, and discover practical alternatives they can start using immediately.
Those interested in organizing this event, please respond here.
If your community would like to set up a booth, conduct live demonstrations, or help introduce Free Software to the public, we’d be happy to have you join us.
Let’s celebrate Software Freedom Day by taking the message of software freedom beyond our communities and introducing it to thousands of people who may be hearing about Free Software for the very first time.
Minutes of Meeting (MoM) discussed on Klug weekly Virtual Meet
Meeting Topic: Community Event Planning Date: 09-Aug-2026
Key Discussion Points & Decisions
1. Event Duration
Team agreed that a one-day event would be suitable.
2. Event Date
The proposed dates are:
19 September
26 September
Final date to be confirmed.
3. Committee & Leading / Volunteering Team
Community Lead: Syed Jaffer
Program Lead: To be finalized. (Idea to form 5-6 person committee)
A minimum of 5 committee/program members should be identified.
4. Event Schedule
Proposed event timing:
Opening Note: 9:30 AM
Event Closing: 6:30 PM
5. Permissions
Idea is to conduct the event in open public spaces like
Permissions required for conducting the event in public places will be handled by Syed Jaffer.
6. Community Participation
The event will be open to the general public and community audience.
Target attendance: approximately 200 people.
7. Community Formalization
The group discussed formally establishing the community.
8. Common Email
A common community email address needs to be created.
Action Owner: Sakhil
9. Venue
Venue is yet to be finalized.
The venue should be suitable for approximately 200 attendees.
Action Items
Action Item
Owner
Status
Finalize event date (19 or 26 September)
Committee
Pending
Handle public-place permissions
Syed Jaffer
Pending
Finalize Program Lead
Committee
Pending
Identify minimum 5 committee/program members
Committee
Pending
Formalize community
Committee
Pending
Set up common community email
Sakhil
Pending
Identify and finalize venue for ~200 people
Committee
Pending
Finalize detailed event schedule
Program Lead / Committee
Pending
Next Step: Finalize the event date, venue, Program Lead, and committee members.
** We welcome volunteers from different groups and community to join the committee and support us for a successful event
Great.
I can volunteer virtually till the date and can help in person on the day of the event.
This time let me do some heavy lifting, coz last time I didn’t much help for the TossConf except adding some FAQ. But people were gracious enough to include my name in the volunteers.
Let me repent for that and do some work this time, probably in person works too if possible.
Appreciate the initiative, let’s do it great.
Also we can add a small parallel stall like thing, where people can bring their sluggish old laptops and we can install Linux there to renew their systems for daily driving. Just as suggestion as I can help with that too and probably some here from the community can also help with that.
So far, we have Syed, Salman, Sakhil and Vivek. Anyone willing to be a part of the organizing committee, pls mention in the below thread. Also, if you have any lead for the venue, pls do help. We are looking for 200 participants space within Chennai.
Kamal, Vigneshwaran, Ragul - pls join this telegram group and introduce yourself what you do currently and if you are interested in any particular idea or plan to implement.
