2005 August 29 » open thinking

Having so many distributions of Linux available can be more confusing than helpful. To make things a bit easier, here’s a helpful Linux Distro Chooser that can assist those looking for the right fit.

Note: This chooser is geared for x86 based-systems only.

August 29, 2005
Posted by Alec at 11:09 pm
1 Response
Open Source, Software

It seems that Opera is celebrating its tenth anniversay, and for one day only, you can get the ad-free version of the browser. Here’s how:

For one day only, you can get an ad-free version of Opera. Simply e-mail registerme@opera.com to obtain a registration code. This offer is valid from 12 a.m. Tuesday, August 30 to 12 a.m. Wednesday, August 31 2005 (PDT).

Although I prefer open source browsers like Firefox (free ALL the time), if you were ever interested in Opera, here’s an opportunity.

August 29, 2005
Posted by Alec at 11:00 pm
1 Response
Software

Fellow EdTech Posse member Dean Shareski points to this really interesting story from the Saskatoon Star Phoenix regarding the blog of Dwayne Harms, a pastor who recently passed away from Cancer on August 16, 2005.

From Dean’s Blog:

Weblogs have proven to be a more powerful communication tool than the static webpage. This type of conversation has the ability to provide perspective and understanding that might not happen. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to tell your kids you have cancer? Here’s an inside look at that question and more like it.

Be sure to take a look at this very sad, but inspirational story. Check out the weblog that has inspired many.

August 29, 2005
Posted by Alec at 10:36 pm
Comments Off
Media, Social Trends

Wired News reports that a disgruntled faction of Flickr users are threatening a symbolic “mass suicide” to protest an upcoming requirement (scheduled for 2006) that all Flickr users must now join Yahoo! (Flickr’s new owner).

At stake is a new user-profile stipulation that reads: “We will be migrating all independent Flickr accounts to Yahoo’s network in 2006. At that time, if you have not done so already, you will be asked to create a Yahoo ID (or link your account to your Yahoo ID if you already have one) in order to continue using your account.”

… and one user threatens:

If Flickr really forces me to join Yahoo in 2006 in order to still use my account, I will quit 24 hours before the deadline.

One thing I appreciate about the article is the snippet taken from Sherry Turkle, director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Initiative on Technology. She states:

So many of us don’t have a gathering place that feels comfortable and communal, For those who found that on Flickr.com, its transformation into a ‘service’ on Yahoo is a loss; they are losing something important to them. It is a harbinger of the greater sensitivity we need to show in the future as we take more seriously the psychological importance of our digital lives.

Read the article here.

August 29, 2005
Posted by Alec at 2:08 pm
Comments Off
Media, Social Networks, Social Trends

I think this has been mention a few times in the blogosphere, but if you missed it …

Free Software and Open Source Symposium
Monday, October 24th, 2005 – 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
York University Campus, Toronto

Do you use – or have you considered using – free or open source software for educational, training or research purposes? If so, we invite you to join us at our 4th annual Free Software and Open Source Symposium.

The Symposium is a one-day event aimed at bringing together educators and other interested parties to discuss common free software and open source issues, learn new technologies and to promote the use of free and open source software in our classrooms, labs and educational infrastructure. At Seneca College, we think free and open source software are real alternatives.

Speakers this year include:

* Jim McQuillan, Founder and Project Leader of the Linux Terminal Server Project
* Marcel Gagne, Author of “Moving to Linux: Kiss the Bluescreen of Death Goodbye!” and Linux Journal Columnist
* Marcus Bornfreund, Director, Creative Commons, Canada
* Jesse Hirsh, President, Openflows Networks Ltd.

To register, or for more information (including a full list of speakers), please visit http://cs.senecac.on.ca/sos/2005/.

Please note the deadline for presentation proposals for this year’s symposium is August 31.