Ariel’s Playground & Toy Factory

Posts Tagged ‘Free and Open Source Software’

foss-for-health.org

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

We have just formally launched the foss-for-health.org web portal last week.

foss-for-health.org is part of the Open Source and Standards PCTA (PANACeA Common Thematic Activities) that hopes to help create awareness of Free and Open Source Software(FOSS) in eHealth, promote its use and build both capacity and support for those starting to adopt it.

PANACeA (PAN Asian Collaboration for Evidence-based eHealth Adoption and Application) is an initiative to generate evidence in the field of eHealth within the Asian context, by forming a network of researchers and research projects from developing Asian countries.

PANACeA supports multinational projects to evaluate eHealth solution in the field and generate evidence through methodologically sound research.

foss-for-health.org aims to build a FOSS for eHealth Online Community that can be a venue for networking and exchanging ideas and experience on FOSS use, best practices and business models for sustainability aside from providing online support to FOSS adopters and making available FOSS resources.

Tags: foss-for-health.org, Free and Open Source Software, PANACeA
Posted in FOSS, News, weblog | No Comments »

Ubuntu Forums: Top 100 Open Source Linux Apps

Friday, August 31st, 2007

Knowing how long it usually takes to discover Linux / Open Source Applications especially for those just starting to use Linux, the author of this thread in Ubuntu Forum hopes it would be helpful to someone new to Linux or for those looking for programs they have never used.

The thread also contains links to the listed applications’ website / download page. Some even contains installation instructions. The listing is divided into: BitTorrent Clients, EyeCandy, File Browser/Search, Games, Graphics and Text Viewers/Editors, Music and Video Players, Network Programs, Programming IDEs, Sound/Video Editors and Disc Burning Utilities, Web Browsers, Other Programs.

Yet another nice listing of Open Source / Linux applications: Top 100 Open Source Linux Apps

Tags: Free and Open Source Software, Linux
Posted in Linux, Ubuntu | No Comments »

100 Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Developed in the University of the Philippines (UP)

Wednesday, August 29th, 2007

On the 100th (2008) year of the Premier State University in the Philippines

— The only University that has declared the use of Free and Open Source Software as a policy, providing continuously both organizational and budgetary support to an ongoing program towards migration to FOSS (that includes training and development of training materials, faculty grant and student thesis grant for FOSS related research projects and FOSS helpdesk) for the entire UP System that includes 7 constituent universities in 7 campuses all over the Philippines —

I will try to gather and list Free and Open Source Software developed in the UP and hopefully approximate a total of 100. This will be a continuous and evolving list that’s why I will devote a separate permanent page for this (see link below).

As the list grows, I will try to provide some details like description, the name of the unit or people behind the development and the design architecture / requirement. Will also try to provide links for downloading if possible.

Hopefully, others will contribute to this list or even give suggestions or corrections if ever I wrongly listed softwares that are not supposed to be in this list.

The List: 100 FOSS in UP

Tags: FOSS News, Free and Open Source Software, Linux
Posted in FOSS, Linux, News | No Comments »

Linux (FOSS) and Everything, Part 2: World Happiness Scale and FOSS

Sunday, August 26th, 2007

Bhutan has long ago gave up the idea of the Gross National Product as measurement of development. Instead the Bhutan King decreed that they use Gross National Happiness instead. This kind of Buddhist wisdom has started influencing international policy and development models, seeking to establish scientific methods of finding what makes people happy.

What is striking is that money or material wealth are not the main cause of happiness.

“Icelanders are just as happy as Swedes yet their country spends half what Sweden does (per capita) on social welfare,” according to Ruut Veenhoven, creator of the World Database of Happiness in 1999.

“Education, nutrition, freedom from fear and violence, gender equality, and perhaps most importantly, having choices” are as much as relevant to happiness as per capita income. “People’s ability to be an agent, to act on behalf of what matters to them is fundamental,” said Sabina Alkire of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Institute.

This just proves what FOSS advocates have already known (implicit or explicit), the freedoms guranteed by Free and Open Source Software should be protected and promoted as it can contribute to what really matters: Happiness.

No wonder FOSS people are a happy lot.

Reference : tulsaworld.com – World happiness-scale: U.S. in top 15

Tags: Free and Open Source Software
Posted in FOSS, News, weblog | No Comments »

DesktopLinux.com survey out: Desktop Linux users more than doubled in the past year

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

DesktopLinux.com’s just completed a survey saying the number of Desktop Linux users has more than doubled compared to the 2006 survey.
Way to go Linux! For world domination not only in the servers but on to the desktop. This means a continuing popularity not only among sysadmins but also desktop users.

Excerpts: Based on our survey results, we think that everyone should be taking a closer look at desktop Linux. What we see here is a quickly maturing line of desktops that are capable of replacing Windows desktops for both home and business uses.

The Linux desktop is gaining quickly in popularity, and it’s not because of technology-happy fans. It’s gaining users because it’s an inexpensive, secure, and efficient alternative to today’s mainstream desktop operating systems. After all, 38,000 plus users and two major PC companies can’t be wrong.

(more…)

Tags: FOSS News, Free and Open Source Software, Linux, Ubuntu
Posted in Linux, Ubuntu | No Comments »

Linux (FOSS) and Everything, Part 1

Friday, August 10th, 2007

Yes, friends! Linux is not only for software developers, geeks, hackers, etc. It is also for Philosophers, Social Scientists, Legal Scholars and Environmentalists …

FOSS and the philosophers
By Matt Butcher on August 09, 2007 (7:00:00 PM)

Excerpt: Is it surprising to hear of philosophers and computer scientists — together with economists, legal scholars, mathematicians, and sociologists — getting together to discuss topics that seem to be the primary domain of software developers? Not to those at the conference. “I was impressed to see that there are serious modern philosophers and computer scientists alike who think the intersection thereof is interesting,” computer science professor George Thiruvathukal said. “Given a history of computing that includes other disciplines (philosophy, mathematics, science, and art), I’m not surprised but I am nevertheless impressed.”

…

When asked why a conference like this is of any importance to software developers, system administrators, and others whose daily work revolves around computers, Thiruvathukal said, “Given the now ubiquitous nature and power of computing in our society, it is more important than ever that everyone who uses computers — developers included — understands the Spider-Man mantra, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ It is the discipline of philosophy that provides the tools of ethics and helps us to guide how we apply technology responsibly. These issues are of paramount interest to computer science and philosophy educators.”

IBM launches ‘Big Green Linux’ initiative
Matt Broersma ZDNet UK
Published: 09 Aug 2007 10:07 BST

Excerpt: IBM on Tuesday kicked off an initiative aimed at convincing big businesses and data centres that Linux is not just a way of saving money — and that it’s also a good way to cut back on power consumption and environmental damage.

Tags: Environment, FOSS News, Free and Open Source Software, Linux, Philosophy, Social Science
Posted in Environment, Linux | 1 Comment »

Available Linux Applications or Linux Equivalent Alternatives to MS Windows Software

Sunday, August 5th, 2007

Most of the time friends and students asked about what free and open source software apps in Linux are available for their particular needs. Or questions like: “I use this software in MS Windows, if I migrate to Linux is there something similar I could use?” Before, as a response, I usually do a search of the Internet to look for FOSS apps, show it to them and then forget about it until another same question would crop up. A few months ago I started bookmarking some useful sites I can point to those interested (so I will also have something to refer back to once I forget those urls, which happens most of the time ). And Yes! Everything you can do in MS Windows you can do in Linux or other FOSS flavors.

Here’s an initial listing (will try to add once I discover other sites. I will be grateful if others can also help by showing me other sites ):
(more…)

Tags: Free and Open Source Software, Linux
Posted in FOSS, Linux | No Comments »

Making Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 work in Ubuntu 7.04 and Connect to the Internet via GPRS/EDGE/3G

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Referred to also by Linux.com July 31, 2007 (3:00:00 PM)

A nephew recently bought a PLDT WeRoam Wireless kit containing among others a Sierra Wireless AirCard 775 pcmcia card with antenna. He asked me to help him in installing it to his WinXP laptop. Later I thought of trying it also on my IBM x40 laptop with Ubuntu 7.04.

The Sierra Wireless AirCard has newer models now but this is the model PLDT WeRoam currently issues for a prepaid kit. The AirCard enables a laptop to connect to the internet using GPRS/EDGE technology. This is the technology used by mobile phones which means wherever there is a cell site it is also possible to connect to the internet. While the connection is quite slow (around plus or minus 225 kbps) compared with a DSL link, it is better than having nothing at all especially if you’re on the move and you need to connect to the internet once in a while.

The PLDT WeRoam kit costs PhP 10,860 (US$231) and includes the Sierra Wireless AirCard 775, CDs for Windows install (plus anti-virus) and a free 3 months unlimited GPRS/EDGE connection plus a 3 month wifi (803.11) connection where there is an Airborne Access. After 3 months you need to “load” your account around PhP 1,700 (US$36) monthly to continue using both types of connection. Not bad compared to a link using Globe or Smart which charges per mb and per 30 minutes respectively which are more expensive in the long run.

Initially, I got some info from the Ubuntu Community Docs: Sierra Wireless AC850 wireless card installation in Ubuntu url: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AirCard8X0. Since the documentation is about a different model of the AirCard, I decided to revised/customized the steps/configs to suit the AirCard model we have. I also tried a different script to connect to the internet, which I already tried with my Nokia N70 (see earlier related blog). Later, I also tried GPRS Easy Connect, a GUI-based software for internet connection using cellphones and similar wireless pcmcia card.

Here are detailed steps:

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Tags: Free and Open Source Software, GPRS/3G, Laptops, Linux, Mobile Phones, Ubuntu
Posted in Hardware, Linux, Linux tips, Ubuntu | 13 Comments »

Lao Gov’t IT officials offer free Lao Software

Wednesday, July 25th, 2007

Laonux Referred to also by Linux.com July 29, 2007 (11:00:00 PM)

The Official Lao Language font can now be downloaded and Lao versions of Open Office and email suite is now available at the Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) in Lao PDR. This is part of a series of project with the International Open Source Network (IOSN) that includes localization and training.

(more…)

Tags: FOSS News, Free and Open Source Software, International Open Source Network, Linux, Training
Posted in FOSS, IOSN, Linux, Training | No Comments »