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 Links: Linux, Free Software, and the Information Society April 18, 2005 10:22 AM

Since we can't really directly support users yet I am proposing that we have a very detailed set of links and introductory pointers to them.

We have two directions here.

One is getting people over to Linux and the other is free software activism, showing how proprietary software hinders knowledge and in particular, how dangerous Microsoft really is.

Here are some of my offerings:

Information Society, Brief History

How an Internet computer is like you or me

Free Communication Through Meshing

Subjective Thought in Science and Computation

The MP3 Rebellion
 [ send green star]
 
 April 21, 2005 2:49 PM

Insightful stuff, John. I enjoyed reading those (apart from the MP3 rebellion, which I couldn't find!). I just want to highlight the significance of the printing press revolution. At that time, most Europeans were unable to read or write, nor given any incentive to do so. Education was the preserve of the clergy and the nobility, both of whom would have jealously guarded their learning; they knew well enough that information was power, and that mass ignorance was their only way of retaining control of the common people. It was no coincidence, then, that the first book to receive mass circulation was the Gutenberg Bible. For the first time, ordinary people could literally hold their lives in their hands; no longer did they have to rely on the priest to translate the word of God, as it was freely available (and translatable into everyday language). And what could be read, could be debated - be it the law of the land, or the Ten Commandments. Printing meant communication across and between nations. One man could speak to thousands of others, simply by printing the required number of copies. Dictionaries enabled standardisation and exchange of language. The French Revolution could not have happened without mass-produced tracts; Darwin's theory of evolution would have remained under lock and key, or destroyed unread. And without printing, the information society could never have been born. Astounding, when you think about it. Albeit not in isolation, the work of one man - Johan Gutenberg - changed the world beyond recognition. For those of you who still read books , try Gutenberg: How One Man Remade the World with Words by John Man. Even if you don't, read this review: http://www.pdma.org/bookstore/books/gutenberg.html In a few short paragraphs, you can see the parallels between our respective revolutions: printing, and the internet. Substitute Microsoft for the Catholic Church, and you'll see where we're at. Perhaps this goes some way to explain why most people would rather trust technology to "those who know". I would definitely use it to argue for plain language and user-friendliness, which is why it's essential to keep asking stupid questions!  [ send green star]  [ accepted] 		(Member Is Blocked)
 
 May 11, 2005 2:14 AM

Outstanding info!
Thanks for share John.
 [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
1-2-3 of Linux LANetworking? June 03, 2005 11:28 PM

Here is one url link that can tremednously HELP you setup your Penguin networking "hassle-free" and SIMPLE (contains explanation too) - http://www.linux-firewall-tools.com/linux/faq/  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
We are getting big now :) June 04, 2005 3:54 PM

Thanks for the link.. but it belongs in home networking, sorry to be a pain, but it comes w/ the territory cheers !!  [ send green star]
 
 June 19, 2006 5:39 PM

Well SarahJane I can ask a boatload of stupid questions.

I get stuck immediately after clicking "download"..  seems they change the language or something.. 

I've enjoyed this thread, by the way... thanks to all. 

 [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
Update :) June 19, 2006 7:14 PM

With the help of Jesse, a Care2 member, I have managed to download Ubuntu...

Dell had provided me with wonderful (not) 'sonic digital media' that wasted more than an hour of our time...  now I am downloading roxio to hopefully copy ubuntu onto cd to go intall onto the other computer... if I can stay up that long... lols.  That may be as far as I get, if I even get that far...  sorry, novice would be an understatement..

 [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
... nada June 20, 2006 4:22 AM

made 2 copies of the image on 2 separate cds, but neither would install...  ...  maybe I'll have to try another image...  [ send green star]  [ accepted]
 
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