Re: Sacrifices made for Free Software
I really don't understand, why is the FSF petitioning schools ( https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/sign-this-petition-for-freedom-in-the-classroom ) to use Free Software if there is no available Free Software alternative for what they're specifically looking for and the schools cannot afford and do not have the expertise or resources to create a Free alternative of their own? If the FSF expects the average school to change, they need to give more aid than just educating schools about the advantages of Free Software. Many schools simply don't have the resources to write their own Free Software. It's fine to tell a programmer, if you want something done, do it yourself. That doesn't work well for a school. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: OS for schools (was Re: Practicality of GNU project and libre movement)
Adonay Felipe Nogueira wrote: > If the goal is to get a user-friendly system distribution for use by > non-advanced users, then there's no need start anew, since Trisquel > ([1]) is still active and accepting contributors. It even has a Sugar > environment/flavor. A primary goal is to be able to build the entire operating system from source code (similar to Linux from Scratch). This gives the students a chance to find out more about how an operating system works, what it takes to put one together and how to customize their systems however they choose. The second goal is to be able to supply lightweight educational programs, games, utilities, hobby software, accessibility tools, ebook readers and CC/public domain reading materials and recordings. That way, if a user has an older machine and/or poor or no Internet access, etc., he/she can still perform educational activities with the computer. I'm finding less and less people who actually know how to program and more and more people just using what someone else did. Just had a conversation with someone today about measuring if a program would work well on an older computer and the other person's definition had nothing to do with the actual source code itself or how complex it was or what the dependencies were. Being able to have the source code so that you can modify it is one of the goals of the FSF. The aim is to encourage hobbyists/students to learn how to understand, modify, customize, improve and share code rather than just using whatever software they're given. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: Sacrifices made for Free Software
Adonay Felipe Nogueira wrote: > Another challenge that came to haunt me in 2018 (first bachelor's > degree) and is surely going to be repeated in 2020 and 2021 is the fact > that the teacher of the "final course work" class expects the student > perself to use a non-free software to scan for plagiarism, this involves > making an account to some service and using a Java (not JavaScript) > program to scan the .PDF comparing each phrase with lots of other works > in scientific repositories, in which case I resort to borrowing > computers again. Someone on the LibOER mailing list is asking about software to check for plagiarism. He's looking for an "interactive online discussion platform". He needs a system that "monitors and grades student online discussions for an instructor" and "tracks down plagiarism and monitors open ended discussion". He gave a commercial example of https://www.packback.co/ So, here's an opportunity to give a school an alternative to a non-Free product and promote Free Software. Is there a Free Software solution that does the job? If not, how do we expect schools to give Free options or replace what they're using? We have the opportunity to replace a non-Free product with a Free one. If anyone knows of any Free alternatives for this or a project that would be willing to work on one, please let me know and all pass the information on to the LibOER mailing list. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Is there a way to identify flash versus HTML5 sites for Open Education Resources?
Someone was asking over on the LibOER mailing list if there's a way to "identify or search for OER labs/simulations that were in modern formats (i.e. html5 vs. flash)." They're using resources like MERLOT and searching for open simulation/labs. They're trying to avoid Flash. They'd like to know if there's a way to filter results in any of the OER aggregators and search engines by web standards. Are there any OER search engines that filter on sites that are friendly to FSF standards (such as Free JavaScript usage, avoiding Flash, etc.)? Thank you. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
re: Online banking support for Linux?
On Sat, Jun 13, 2020 at 12:01 PM wrote: > I'm in Ontario, Canada. My credit union, Meridian, only supports > Microsoft Windows and Max OS X for online banking. > https://www.meridiancu.ca/About-Meridian/Privacy-and-Security.aspx under > browser requirements. > > I doubt they have any legal or regulatory obligation to support Linux - > but it's getting to the point where it's almost a necessity to bank > online, especially with COVID-19. I think the government needs to step > in to regulate online banking terms and conditions. > > Any thoughts on legalities? I find the situation extremely frustrating as well. There may be some legal grounds based on impairments and accessibility. In the US, there are 508E guidelines. Canada may have something similar in place. However, I believe only government sites are required to adhere to 508E guidelines. I do remember a legal case where someone sued a large chain of stores over accessibility (even though it wasn't a government site) and won. You can check with the EFF regarding legal matters. One plus is that many people are no longer using computers and only have phones. So, many banks are offering mobile apps in addition to web access. If a bank offers an Android mobile app, that should make it easier to access the services on Linux systems. There are several projects in the works to run Android on Linux including libhybris. One can also run Android-x86 or other similar Android distributions in an emulator. Replicant might be another option to look into. Only issue might be trying to get the app from the Android Play Store if you don't want Play Store on your system. If you can get the apk file, you can load it directly. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
virtual meetings
Okay, just had to complain to a more sympathetic ear. Seems like all the technical groups in my area are using Zoom or Microsoft Teams or Microsoft Visual Studio for communications during virtual meetings. Talk about not being inclusive. I've been posting links for the FSF alternatives and letting them know not everyone can access what they're using, but they don't seem to care. On the plus side, LibreMiami held its first Jitsi meeting this Saturday and I thought they did a wonderful job on it. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: Sharing your free software / quarantine success story
I wrote: >>> Trying to share OER or FLOSS alternatives is an uphill battle in >>> these kinds of situations. Jean Louis wrote: >Ah come on. >Define your presentation well, and get through. You can do it. I hope members of this will try to stay positive and supportive during these stressful times. You really don't know what another person has already tried or experienced. You only know your own experiences. What works for one in one case may not work in another case. One may be welcome to push for change in one situation and someone else may lose their job in another situation. It's great if we can share practical experience for what's worked for us. However, that doesn't mean it will be of use to someone in a different situation. Most businesses I've worked for have had no issue with my introducing FLOSS as long as they didn't need to pay for it. I've had many successes using FLOSS in those cases. However, I've found myself in an unusual situation where money and security are not issues. Status quo seems to be paramount. I think each person should use his/her own unique talents to promote Free Software the way he/she is best able to. One technique or method does not fit all. I personally prefer to try to reach out to individuals who will actually be using the software on a grass roots level rather than trying to take on large bureaucracies that are resistant to change. Helping someone discover and use even just one new Libre program is a plus for me. I'm currently very disappointed to find out that are nearest Linux users group will be using Zoom for their next meeting. I sent them the information from the LibrePlanet wiki about Zoom issues and Free software choices available. They've decided to use Zoom anyway. I'm most disappointed since it's a Linux group and one would think they'd care more about issues related to using Free Software. If anyone knows of other Linux users groups that are having meetings virtually using Free Software and wouldn't mind if people outside their area joined in, would appreciate hearing about them. It would be great if there was an events page (something instead of meetup) or mailing list where FLOSS related groups such as small users groups could share their virtual meetings/events. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: libreplanet-discuss Digest, Vol 120, Issue 5
One of the OER mailing lists I'm on shared a link to this page: https://thejournal.com/articles/2020/03/13/free-resources-ed-tech-companies-step-up-during-coronavirus-outbreak.aspx It includes a link to Acer's recommendations for Remote Learning: https://eu-acerforeducation.acer.com/uncategorized/remote-learning-a-comparison-among-top-collaboration-tools/ None of the options they promote appear to include an Open Source alternative. Maybe some of us should write or post comments and let them know about the Open Source alternatives out there so they have a more well-rounded comparison. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: Sharing your free software / quarantine success story
On Fri, Apr 17, 2020 at 12:03 PM, you wrote: > > So no real buy-in for now. Although I guess that getting Sillicon Valley > to use free software is like playing the game in ultra-hard mode. I'll > keep trying, though. > Not really surprising. The School District where I work prefers to stick with vendors that offer full support rather than using Open Source software. Trying to share OER or FLOSS alternatives is an uphill battle in these kinds of situations. However, I'm sure there are people who are in a situation where they don't have a lot of choices as to what they can use or access. Getting the word out to them about FLOSS alternatives and volunteering technical assistance could really be of benefit to them. Now seems like a really good time to try to connect and let people know what's available because so many people seem interested in and are currently writing about this online. It's a great time to post comments to relevant articles and mention alternatives. By the way, I've seen a lot of groups using Zoom. It doesn't even work on my main laptop. I've been posting to the groups and letting them know they aren't reaching everyone with the tools they're using and mentioning alternatives if they're interested. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: Remote communication LP wiki page
Put together a better list for FLOSS Learning Management Systems and related Internet based educational tools: https://lmemsm.dreamwidth.org/14124.html Some of the applications listed could be helpful additions to the remote communication wiki page. On Fri, Apr 3, 2020 at 1:53 PM LM wrote: > I have a copy of the Schoolforge database. If it helps any, for the > LMS section, here's what Schoolforge had listed for FLOSS LMS software > (beyond what's already at the LibrePlanet site): Also put together my list of FLOSS 3D printing and CAD software: https://lmemsm.dreamwidth.org/13927.html 3D printing seems pretty useful for manufacturing needed parts at this point in time. Will update my Open Education Resources (OER) list as well. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
re: Remote communication LP wiki page
On Fri, Apr 3, 2020 Greg wrote: > If you follow the LibrePlanet wiki closely, you probably will have > noticed the FSF tech team hacking away on an article documenting free > tools that can be used for remote communication -- both their > advantages and their flaws. This is great. What I'd really like to see added to the page is information on what minimal requirements (operating systems, browsers versions, etc.) are needed to run the software to access/support these various methods. Regarding the mention of e-mail, don't know if it pays to mention the old no MIME FAQ ( http://cypherpunks.faithweb.com/nomime.html ), but I typically recommend it to people for accessibility and security reasons. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
Re: Remote communication LP wiki page
I have a copy of the Schoolforge database. If it helps any, for the LMS section, here's what Schoolforge had listed for FLOSS LMS software (beyond what's already at the LibrePlanet site): ATutor https://atutor.github.io/ ILIAS https://sourceforge.net/projects/ilias/ Chamilo https://chamilo.org/en/ The database also mentions the option of using SEB in conjunction with various LMS software: https://safeexambrowser.org/news_en.html ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
LibrePlanet and DFD
The SFD (Software Freedom Day) group ( http://mail.sf-day.org/lists/listinfo/sfd-discuss ) was discussing planning Document Freedom Day. Similar to the LibrePlanet conference, they've run into some issues and were considering moving their meeting online. However, it doesn't sound like they have the organizational resources of the FSF. Does the FSF have enough speakers for LibrePlanet 2020? Is there any chance of reaching out to the SFD group and seeing if it would be possible to include part of DFD in the LibrePlanet 2020 conference? Might enhance both events if the groups could combine forces. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
FLOSS alternatives (was re:Campaign to boycott Facebook)
On Mon, Feb 24, 2020 Jim Garret wrote: > From: Jim Garrett > I also made the tactical choice to > not for Free Software specifically, for which I'm sure many here will > be disappointed. I generally do advocate for Free Software when I > see an opportunity, but I felt the need to focus in this case, and can > discuss software freedom in whatever follow-up conversations arise. I would be very interested to hear what alternatives there are to various social media networks that are specifically Free/Libre software based. I'd also be especially interested in what alternatives work well with low resource or older hardware. Many of the newer social media systems require the latest and greatest browsers or other software that's complicated to build and isn't always available for older systems. Forums like the Puppy Linux forum try very hard to support older and low resource computers. Are there other good examples of this sort of thing? With the recent issues with Yahoo Groups, I investigated what free mailing list alternatives were still available. I ran across a few options like https://framalistes.org/sympa/ but I really could not find a lot of options even when I looked at non-Free alternatives in this area. Has anyone put together a list of FLOSS options for social media sites and Internet methods of connecting with each other (whether they're web 2.0 based or earlier concepts)? I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions for FLOSS options for social media or suggestions for resources where you could look up FLOSS options. Thanks. ___ libreplanet-discuss mailing list libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
