The K-12 Open Source Classroom

Bringing Open Source (Free and Free) into the Classroom

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Google App Inventor

Sep 3

Posted by admin in OSS Applications, open source | No Comments

Google App Inventor

My Invite To Create Apps Came!

I recently received my invite to Google’s App Inventor.  Obviously, with all the new Google tools, this one is on a limited entry, so I was pretty surprised to see my invite in my inbox.  Why did I want it?  I want to create apps, of course.  I do not yet possess any great ideas, but I wanted to see the tool and hopefully that would get my creative juices flowing.  I really would like to find some creative uses for K-12.

Of course I also use this to highlight the differences between Apple and Google.  Google provides this free.  At least at first, and I think still, you need to pay $100 or more to Apple for the same privilege.  I can see that for a commercial developer, but what if we want students to create apps?  I can see eventually a course in high school, or even online, to show students how to create apps.  I doubt we will spend thousands of dollars on the Apple side, so it would be Android.  Why does Apple not see that?

Anyway, I will explore this over the next few weeks and report as necessary.  Apps away!

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Teachboo…ah…book…um…

Sep 1

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Teachbook--Threat to Facebook?

Teachbook--Threat to Facebook?

It seems big, bad Facebook cannot take competition from a 2-employee, 20 user, yet to be released start-up centered on teachers.  Facebook recently filed patent suits against this tiny Chicago start up (http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/08/facebook-says-it-owns-rights-to-the-name-book.htm) to forbid them from using ‘book’ in their title.  Book?  We really are trying to patent the use of the word book?  With all the Oracle mess this week, this just takes the cake.  Oops, better watch my words, someone may patent cake.  In all seriousness though, when you compare logos, compare web design, and compare audiences, does Facebook seriously think this group of educators will pull profit from them?  It makes me think that maybe Facebook has been working on something educationally directed and Teachbook beat them to it.

We really do need to get a handle on this mess.  We just fill up our already busy judicial system for these frivolous actions.  What money does a 2 person start up even possess?  I hate to poke fun, but did Thomas English Muffins file patent suits against Barnes and Nobles?  I am pretty sure ‘nook’ (and crannies) are more valuable that ‘book,’ but I just teach and educate.

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Oracle’s Axis of Evil

Aug 30

Posted by admin in OSS Applications, open source | No Comments

Do you remember this clip from Saturday Night Live from a few years back?  Will Ferrell, as George W. Bush, listing his ‘Axis of Evil.’ Hilarious stuff, as pretty much everything (Evil Knievel even) joined his Axis.  Well now, not to many people’s surprise, Oracle joined the OSS world’s Axis of Evil.  For years we had Microsoft and Apple, but lately, Microsoft seems to be the OSS darling, Apple still is evil, but just harmless, and Oracle trumps them all.  What happened, and why should educators worry?  Well, database company Oracle, which is quite popular, but loathed, recently purchased Sun Microsystems.  Sun developed many products, including the popular Java programming language, Open Office, the popular and free office suite, Virtual Box, the free virtual machine software we reviewed here: http://www.k12opensourceclassroom.org/?p=114, and other open source projects.

When Oracle made the purchase, we all began to sweat.  Now that they made it, we are starting to see their intentions.  They filed patent infringement suits right away against Google for infringement of Java on Android.  They splashed their name all over VirtualBox and Open Office, and we hear rumors that they want to take some of these products closed source.  Make a buck, make a buck.  What will probably ultimately happen in many cases, is the projects forking.  Oracle keeping theirs, and a continued OSS version.  That will be fine, but we will lose the expertise of the Sun/Oracle developers.  You really cannot majorly fault Oracle (although we will), as they do just what a business should.  When you get to it, all businesses work to make money.  Some in just different ways.  This acquisition, though, will really stifle creativity, and the looming battle of Android could ultimately change the number one mobile OS.  Just as I get my Evo.  Time will tell, but we will watch this battle closely…

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Google Bell?

Aug 28

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Google Calling

Google Calling

What will they think of next?  On the heels of Google Video Talk, you now can place calls from your browser to landline and cell lines.  This reeks of Skype and other VOIP software, but you would be foolish if you did not see this coming.

So now you can dial phones right from your Gmail page.  You need to download the voice plugin (if you did not already use it for Video chat), and it DOES come in Windows, Mac, and Linux versions.  My screenshot shows me using it in Ubuntu.

So why excited about this in education?  Think of the ability for students to call whoever they need, right from their browser.  They can call historical sites, distance learning teachers, travel agencies, businesses, etc.  Just with a set of headphones/microphone.

Another helpful innovation from Google.  Truly, what will come next?

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Dexpot–Get ‘Linux-style’ Multiple Windows on Windows

Aug 26

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Dexpot

Multiple Desktops in Windows 7 with Dexpot

Yeah, I know, Windows on Windows.  So sad this does not come default with Windows, and not just XP, but their mighty Windows 7.  I NEED my multiple desktops.  I like a VM up on one desktop, the browser on another, maybe a document on a third, and of course, WinAmp or music on a fourth.

So why does Windows not come with this by default?  Well, it appears they have some kind of add-on, PowerToys for XP, but not as slick as Dexpot.  I recently downloaded it (http://dexpot.de/index.php?id=home) and it truly amazed me.  Lots of additional features, even beyond what Linux and Ubuntu offer.  As you see, I like my toolbar on the left side of my screen, hidden, and when I hover, it shows me all four of my desktops, and I can quickly click which I want.  I can also use a special key combination, but I have never been the type to remember those, so the toolbar hovering will work.  With all the many applications educators use in a day, I would think this would work well.  In our state, we have a data management system that they use all day long.  With that, teacher email, a plethora of proprietary student software, they could definitely benefit from Dexpot.

Yet another reason why the time has passed for closed source operating systems.  We need these features by default.  We should not need to add third party apps (although Dexpot is GOOD stuff) to get what I now refer to as basic functionality.

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