Point 1: yes endorse
I would support a qualified endorsement, I agree in theory with everything except the user recommendations.  If we want to recruit new members we can not rely on only using ethical systems.  If we only use open social networking sites we are preaching to the choir.  We need to use our power as users in the legacy systems to promote changes in those systems and to reach out to people using those systems and let them know the problems. 

Point 2: rewrite user portion
"Where it is possible, they should use Free Software equivalents that run on their own computer."  This is near Luddite talk... It is almost always possible to use an app on your own comp, but it is so inefficient.  Networked online apps are not inherently evil, should you back up your work offline, yes.  Should you have alternative options and data portability, yes.  You should fight to impove them. But you should not avoid them like the plauge.

I would rewrite the user section two to say:

Users are encouraged to:

• Consider carefully how they use software on someone else's computer. Where it is practical and efficient, they should use Free Software equivalents that run on their own computer. Services may have substantial benefits, but they can represent a loss of control for users and can introduce problems for freedom.
• Look for network services that follow the guidelines listed above, so that users still have the freedom to modify or replicate the service without losing their own data.
• Take precautions when using any online service and back up their data in case of problems or opportunities to migrate to more ethical alternatives.

Note 1: even an open service can crash losing all your data and contributions
Note 2: the grammar on the statement appeared odd to me.  I am sure my alternative has other grammar tweaks needed, feel free to send ideas to me directly.

I will be posting these comments on the autonomo.us site and on FFIP's endorsement of the statement





--
Brian Rowe
Legal Intern
Creative Commons
brian <at> creativecommons.org
(206) 335-8577 (Cell)

Access To Justice Technology Principles
www.ATJWeb.org

Freedom for IP
www.FreedomforIP.org

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