Today I asked in the Matrix Channel about an idea on how to get new users to the open source way.
A short summary of the idea:
As a hoster we wanna provide a sub-community for gaming. A lot of people play games and most of them use unfree operating system or chat software like Discord or Teamspeak.
What we wanna try is to get new people through this channel to open source services. Of course this is not possible with open source things, so we first need to use closed source applications and services.
It is nearly impossible to get new people to the open source way without using closed source applications first.
The question is now, is this okay in terms of a Librehoster?
An example: What if we announce a gaming tournament for game XY via Mastodon? The game is probably not open source. But what if we meet someone during the tournament, talk a bit, and get this person to switch from Teamspeak to Mumble? Or at least he uses Mumble next to Teamspeak? What if he uses Framapoll instead of Strawpoll for his next game voting?
Speaking for myself: Yes! From the ethical side this is fully okay for me. Trying to get new people to the open source side through closed source channels is the best and often only way.
What do you think?
/edit: Of course we will NOT host any non-free services!