There are many similarities between the philosophy of convivial tools and that of the free software movement. Both aim to promote the autonomy and freedom of the users of technical means. And both cover so much ground that there are bound to be extensive areas of overlap. But to explain exactly (...)

I had been thinking about convivial tools and related themes for years. However, the creation of a website on the theme turned out to be more difficult than expected. Initial creation of the Convivial Tools website I first decided to create a website about Convivial Tools in early 2005. At (...)

Ivan Illich was a visionary precursor of the digital revolution. Many of the principles that he advocated have been realised through the spread of the personal computer and the use of internet. Illich criticised the present form of industrial society, but not technology itself. His thesis is (...)

This site aims to provide theoretical background, practical information and identification of resources pertaining to convivial tools. You can help by: indicating errors or inaccuracies pointing out relevant ideas or thinkers that we have overlooked identifying particularly useful books or (...)

The theme of appropriate technology is closely related to that of convivial tools. E.F. Schumacher, the best known advocate of appropriate technology, published "Small is Beautiful" in 1972, the same year that Illich published "Tools for Conviviality". Both books present the case for an (...)