FACIL, pour l’appropriation collective de l’informatique libre (FACIL), a Quebec-based non-profit, has decided to crowd-fund the development production of a 16 GB USB key bearing the FACIL logo and capable of booting from a selection of free-software operating systems (such as GNU/Linux and BSD) on a large set of target computers, specifically those using UEFI.

Modern systems often won’t boot some Live USB keys created by traditional methods, specially when wanting to combine several systems on one large-capacity USB key. This is a very useful item to add to your advocacy/testing toolkit.

The FACIL key will serve to propagate free software on the computers of ordinary Quebecers all the while providing FACIL with a better source of financing than only selling T-shirts and stickers. This can also be used by any other organization producing their own keys once the project has completed.

The project first consists in developing the prototype of a 16 GB USB key capable of booting different free-software operating systems. The key will be developed using, MultiSystem, an excellent free software application designed to do just that. MultiSystem will have to be modified to allow booting on computers with either a classic BIOS or the more recent UEFI.

The resulting improvements to MultiSystem source code will be integrated into the project itself, meaning any other organization or individual using it will also be able to produce their own custom USB keys and benefit from this.

The next step will be to mass duplicate the USB key image on good quality devices that will bear the FACIL logo.

For more details on the funding needs and how the money will be used if this succeeds, see the project page at Goteo.

We need your support! Please consider donating any amount you can, and share this information with anyone interested in GNU/Linux and in general free open source software advocacy.

I am posting this as the acting president of FACIL, I can relay / answer any questions about the project to those directly involved.

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