Company, Support and Friendship (CSF)

# Identity and Purpose

This group aims to provide a platform for people who are facing some sort of struggle - such as loneliness, social isolation, lack of friends, distant family (e.g. that is in a different city/country), absence of a support network, etc. - to meet similar people and support each other.

We care about each other; the communities and city where we live in; society and the world. We want to make the world a fairer and better place not only for ourselves, but for everyone, including future generations.

Our three core values are: Freedom, Truth and Justice.

While some things can change and evolve over time and according to the group's members, there are certain things that form the foundational interests of this group and its core Identity. This is the essence of interests which characterise and distinguish this group from others. This includes, but is not limited to:

Technology - Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS); Decentralisation; Anonymity, Privacy and Security (APS).
Examples: Linux (e.g. Fedora, QubesOS, TailsOS); GrapheneOS; F-Droid; Tor.

Independent Journalism, Activism and Whistleblowing (IJAW)
Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning, Rui Pinto, Suchir Balaji, among many other whistleblowers, are role models.

Politics, Economics, Law, History. Philosophy, Geography, etc – we think about and discuss Society.

Where we stand:
Free Palestine, Free Lebanon, Free Iran, Free Yemen, Free Sudan, Free Congo, Free Taiwan.
(The people of those countries should determine their own future, not foreign, Imperialist powers).
Ukraine-Russia is a US-Russia proxy war.

# Technological Ethos

Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS), Decentralisation, Anonymity, Privacy and Security (APS).

All technologies used in this group not only follow all these principles, but are also the best in the world in them.
These include: Session (messenger), Mastodon (social media network), CryptPad (file sharing and collaboration), and Mobilizon (event management)*.

## Session

Session is non-profit – they rely on donations to exist (I have donated) instead of selling your data for profit or charging you a subscription to use - and based in Europe – Switzerland to be precise. The latter means Session is outside US jurisdiction and therefore it doesn't have to comply with its data-request subpoenas and global mass surveillance programmes (in the name of 'US National Security').

## Mastodon

For those who are new to Mastodon, Mastodon is the leading decentralised Social Media Network in the world. It is also the biggest European Social Media company. Its HQ and own servers are based in Germany.
I recommend the 'ieji.de' instance (it is the best for APS and the one I and the Group account use). That said, members are free to choose any instance.

## CryptPad

Cryptpad is the best collaborative office suite and file-sharing platform. Its HQ and main instance is based in Europe, more precisely in France.

Both Session and CryptPad use E2E and zero-knowledge encryption.

## Mobilizon

Mobilizon is the best non-commercial, FOSS alternative to Meetup.
It is a non-profit project based in Europe, more specifically in France.
*The group's Mobilizon account is currently being built.
In the future, Mobilizon will become the group's primary events, group and RSVPs management platform.

# Basic Rules

Please treat others with respect and in the same way you would like to be treated.
No harassment, bullying, abuse or discrimination of any kind towards others will be tolerated.