The K-12 Open Source Classroom

Bringing Open Source (Free and Free) into the Classroom

Posts Tagged ubuntu

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…

Tags: , , , , , , ,

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

Aug 26

Posted by admin in Uncategorized | No Comments

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.

Tags: , , , , ,

Ubuntu Computers for Less Fortunate

Jun 18

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

Kramden Institute logo

Kramden--Ubuntu Computers for All!

So often I wanted to find a company to share my skills with, a volunteer opportunity that would really help families.  My thought was to purchase some surplused computers from our district auction, thrown on Ubuntu, and put them in a community center or donate to families.

Looks like I found a way to begin my work.  Kramden Institute, a non-profit in Durham, NC, does just that.  By visiting  http://www.kramden.org/, you can learn about their mission, see how you can either donate time or money to help, and see some of their many accomplishments.

What a great way to help those less fortunate.  As their pages say, imagine not using computers the past 10 years.  I see this in schools, kids so excited at their once a week computer class, since they do not have a computer at home.  In a plugged in world, we do families a great disservice if we cannot provide computers to them.  And of course, using Ubuntu, throwing on a bunch of open source software, and some internets, we can begin tackling the digital divide.  Bravo to Kramden for beginning this program in North Carolina.  I hope other organizations do this across the country as well.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Scholarships for Open Source Developers

Jun 2

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

Fedora Logo

Do All Educational Roads Lead to Fedora?

We reviewed OpenSource.com, a webpage from Red Hat, awhile ago (http://www.k12opensourceclassroom.org/?p=241).  In looking at it recently, I found an article about the Fedora Foundation (Red Hat) providing scholarships for open source developers.  How cool!!  According to the article:

recognizes one high school senior per year for contributions to the Fedora Project and free software/content in general. With a selection process that looks at the student’s contributions to Fedora and other free software projects and uses members of the Fedora community as references, it’s a little different from most scholarships you might be used to seeing. In addition to $2,000 USD for each of 4 years of an undergraduate education in any field of the recipient’s choice, the scholarship includes 4 years of annual all-expenses-paid trips to the nearest FUDCon

(FUDcon is Fedora’s Developers Conference.  )

A HUGE bravo to Red Hat/Fedora for this.  What a great way to increase interest in programming and open source!  Especially in these economic times, we need more students ‘tinkering’ with code, developing applications for Linux, mobile phones (ANDROID!), and just for learning.  The article (http://opensource.com/education/10/5/scholarships-open-source-contributors) discusses many of the things we’re talking about at the national level, with STEM schools and trying to encourage girls into the fields of science and technology.  As the daddy of two smart little girls, I definitely want these options open to both of my girls!  Definitely worth checking out!

–

imaged used under Creative Commons license by flickr user jgbrl

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Open Source Alternatives–Osalt

May 19

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

Osalt Logo

Osalt: Your Guide to All Apps Open Source

Looking for an open source application to one of your proprietary ones?  Not sure what’s out there in a particular category?  Then you definitely need to visit the OSALT website.  Osalt, or Open Source As Alternative, lists top open source applications and top proprietary applications.  Right from the front page you can begin finding good OSS alternatives to programs such as Photoshop, Citrix, iTunes, and Nero Burning ROM.   For instance, it lists Amarok (I use this one!) and Songbird as alternatives to iTunes.  I definitely recommend Amarok, as I use it.  Songbird is a great choice, although they recently stopped Linux development.

On the site, you can click one of the Top 10s and see a review of the application.  Looking at Dia, for instance, you will see a link to the website, a brief description, a rating (3 out of 5 stars), and other apps similar to Dia.  Dia, if unaware, allows you to receive some of the Visio functionality.  In schools, we use it in place of Inspriation.

You can also just search or go through the directory.  A definite must is to subscribe to their RSS feed, to receive updates of new software.  Osalt definitely will help you in finding the Open Source alternatives to go an open source world!

http://www.osalt.com/

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,