Freedom Technology Christmas Free and Open Source Gift Ideas

Thank you, Francis, for extending an invitation to post on the Afrospear Freedom Technology Christmas blog. Now that the Christmas season has officially arrived, I will be posting more frequently on ideas that I have for making the most out of the gifts that Afrospear members and friends may be giving.

Here are a few ideas I have for Christmas gifts and gift complements of the Open Source variety. Expect more in the near future.

A laptop preloaded with Ubuntu Linux from Dell

Why a laptop with Linux installed rather than, say, Windows? There are several good reasons to consider Linux. The first is security and stability. Linux is less vulnerable to viruses. While it's true that virus writers don't attack Linux systems often due to it's small market share, Ubuntu is designed in a way that even if you do get a virus, the harm will be minimal. Of course, there are anti-virus and firewall programs for Linux as well, so you can always rest assured that your computer is at least more safe than a Windows machine.

Most Linux programs are open source and free. Installing programs is as easy as a mouse click, and to boot, you almost never have to restart your computer after installing a program, thus increasing your productivity. There is a Linux alternative to just about any Windows or Macintosh program you can imagine.

If you are buying for a child, there is a plethora of educational software available, all free of charge. Notably, there are the Edubuntu packages, which can be easily added to any Ubuntu installation.

Ok, so you're not ready to abandon Windows? That's cool.You can still compliment a new Windows computer or an existing one with all of the productivity software you need for a fraction of the cost.

For your Windows using relatives and friends - an OpenDisc CD.

It's loaded with productivity software. It's free. A great compliment to a new or existing computer.

A domain name.

Domain names are cheap. You can get one for ten dollars a year. You can give an aspiring blogger the domain name of their choice for two years for twenty bucks. For another ten a month, you can purchase a month of web hosting, and if you pay for a year in advance, you will end up paying significantly less. So, for under 100 dollars you can purchase a full year of blogging for someone. All they would have to do is install the Open Source Wordpress blogging software and they're ready to go.

While online services like Blogger, Wordpress, Typepad, etc., are all great, there are many benefits to owning and controlling your own site. Most importantly is that you own and control your site. There are no restrictions to what you can do with your blog (barring illegal activities, of course). If, for instance, the recipient of your gift is interested in podcasting, it is much easier to do on a site that they own and control than on a Blogger site. Once you own and control your own site, the possibilities become infinite.

Over the next few weeks, I plan on commenting on some of the ideas offered by the widgets on the sidebar here. If any readers have any questions about a particular product or technology, or want to know more about how to incorporate open source technology into their lives, please leave a comment letting me know and I'll respond in comments or write a post addressing it.

Happy Afrospear Freedom Technology Christmas!

Give One Get One: One Laptop per Child

A friend has told me about a program that, they say, sells laptops computers for $200.00 in the developing world, and will send one to a friend of yours in the United States this Christmas if you pay for one for a child who lives somewhere else.

Between November 12 and November 26, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in North America. This is the first time the revolutionary XO laptop has been made available to the general public. For a donation of $399, one XO laptop will be sent to empower a child in a developing nation and one will be sent to the child in your life in recognition of your contribution. $200 of your donation is tax-deductible (your $399 donation minus the fair market value of the XO laptop you will be receiving).

For all U.S. donors who participate in the Give One Get One program, T-Mobile is offering one year of complimentary HotSpot access. Find out more.

Please be aware that we will make every effort to deliver the XO laptops by the holidays, but quantities are limited. Early purchasers have the best chance of receiving their XO laptops in time for the holidays, but we cannot guarantee timing. Give One, Get One

I admit that I haven't read the small print about this program or considered it from a political perspective. Do any of our readers have any more information about this or any perspective to provide? Or even any personal experience with these laptops?

A Testimonial on Behalf of AfrosSpear Freedom Technology Initiative

Shawn Williams of the AfroSpear's Dallas South blog submitted the following encouraging and heart-warming testimonial from one of his readers, C. Morgan Perry:

Hey, Shawn, thank you and AfroSpear Freedom Technology Blog for keeping us up-to-date on whats out there for our use.

I have office 2003 on my desktop but not my laptop. I would often have to get up and sit at my computer desk in order to view word excel or power point attachments sent
to me because of this. While visiting your blog I came across AfroSpear Freedom Technology Blog and read about open office by sun system down loaded it and now can view all my microsoft office attachments. And the cost of the program was FREE.

Kudos good looking out.

C. Morgan Perry