# Freedom Toaster

> public kiosk which burn copies of free software onto user-provided CDs and DVDs

**Wikidata**: [Q534568](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q534568)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Toaster)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/freedom-toaster

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Freedom Toaster**:

---

## Summary  
The Freedom Toaster is a public kiosk that burns copies of free software onto user-provided CDs and DVDs. It was sponsored by the Shuttleworth Foundation and functions as a self-service station for distributing open-source software. The kiosk is classified as both a CD writer and DVD writer, enabling users to create their own discs without cost.

## Key Facts  
- **Sponsor**: Shuttleworth Foundation  
- **Function**: Burns free software onto user-provided CDs/DVDs  
- **Classification**: Subclass of DVD writer, CD writer, and kiosk  
- **Website**: [freedomtoaster.co.za](http://www.freedomtoaster.co.za/)  
- **Image**: Available on Wikimedia Commons ([link](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Aber_freedom_toaster.JPG))  
- **Wikidata Description**: Public kiosk for burning free software  
- **Instance of**: Product model  
- **Freebase ID**: `/m/08jz2w`  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of the Freedom Toaster?  
A: It allows users to burn free and open-source software onto their own CDs or DVDs at no cost, promoting accessibility to digital tools.  

### Q: Who created the Freedom Toaster?  
A: The project was sponsored by the Shuttleworth Foundation, though specific creators are not detailed in the available sources.  

### Q: Where can I find a Freedom Toaster?  
A: While the website ([freedomtoaster.co.za](http://www.freedomtoaster.co.za/)) suggests locations, exact deployments are not specified in the source material.  

## Why It Matters  
The Freedom Toaster addresses the digital divide by providing free access to software without requiring internet connectivity. By enabling users to burn open-source tools onto physical media, it supports education, innovation, and digital inclusion, particularly in regions with limited broadband access. Its sponsorship by the Shuttleworth Foundation underscores its alignment with broader goals of open knowledge and technological empowerment.  

## Notable For  
- **Public Accessibility**: One of the few kiosks dedicated to distributing free software via physical media.  
- **Sponsorship**: Backed by the Shuttleworth Foundation, a notable advocate for open-source initiatives.  
- **Multi-format Support**: Functions as both a CD and DVD writer, accommodating different user needs.  

## Body  
### Functionality  
- Burns free software onto user-supplied CDs/DVDs.  
- Operates as a self-service kiosk, requiring no direct staff intervention.  

### Technical Classification  
- **Subclass of**:  
  - DVD writer  
  - CD writer  
  - Kiosk  
- **Instance of**: Product model  

### Sponsorship and Outreach  
- Funded by the Shuttleworth Foundation.  
- Website ([freedomtoaster.co.za](http://www.freedomtoaster.co.za/)) provides additional information, though specific deployment statistics are unavailable.  

### Media and Documentation  
- Image available on Wikimedia Commons.  
- Listed in Wikidata and Freebase with consistent descriptors.  

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013