[Uncle Fester]

As some of you may be aware, I spoke about Software Freedom Day (last Saturday).

Quite an assorted turnout, main promotions in my area centered on Ubuntu, and Open Disc. Open Disc is a CD/DVD(for the complete 'Education' package) containing a selection of some of the best/most popular and interesting Open Source software available, all collected together in one place. Especially designed for Windows users to introduce them to the delights and availability of such programs there are two different collections available HERE. Download the ISO image and burn it to disc, or just follow the links to an individual program's site.

For new and experienced users alike this is woth a look.

# by the way, if you have schoolage kids, look at the 'Education' disc (DVD) and also I would like to recommend the 'Edubuntu' add ons for Ubuntu.

Enjoy:D

[madmatt2006]

Had a look hope to see there catalog grow there are many freeware programs they could add. Is Open Disc fairly new?

[Uncle Fester]

Been going a few years (Isaw my 1st copy about 3 years ago), but I think they just try to demonstrate some of what's out there - hopefully once someone's appetite gets whetted they can look for more. I will be giving a copy to those on a course I'm running from this Friday, just to let them know about the whole idea. Was going to give them OpenOffice and a Linux distro to play with, this enables me to increase their experience.
Some of the stuff on the educational DVD is a bit 'niche', but just goes to show that name the subject, there's a freeware app to do it. To be honest, I think there's better selections that could be made too- how about we hold a poll,and make our own version?

To start with obviously OpenOffice, CCleaner, Eraser and Videolan:)

By the way, testing quite a few open source and portable apps on my Win 7 Enterprise testbed - will let everyone know if I encounter any problems.

[madmatt2006]

Our own one would be great but would take a lot of work to keep it up to date. We would need a few members to maintain it.

[Uncle Fester]

Well for one I'd be up for it, could keep a repository somewhere, either as an iso or maybe a page of links that we could direct new users etc towards. When I get some time will put together a more comprehensive selection.

[madmatt2006]

sounds great. I'll mention it to the other admin so we can discuss it further.

[Uncle Fester]

Great, when work quietens down a bit (and I'm not burning the midnight oil writing courses) will make a start. I think between us we could come up with quite a comprehensive selection.

[madmatt2006]

Yes I'm sure we can come up with a huge selection of great software!

[Pirate07]

Hey this sounds like a great idea. I would be willing to help out on this project. I have a busy schedule, but I can always find time for free and open source, and it would also look good in my portfolio . Open Office is definitely number one on the list. I would like to suggest Gimp, and we can also throw some free Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware protection in there like Avast or Avira, Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. There are so many free software options out there, we could fill up a DVD in no time

[madmatt2006]

we need to work out a plan for this so we can all work together and make one hell of a DVD!

[noop]

Hmm... So what does this exactly do?

I was thinking more along the lines where we could make the disk autoload with a GUI that we make, and allow it to launch the installers of the corresponding programs.

[Uncle Fester]

That's similar to the Open Disc; has a HTML front page with a menu. The software is grouped by usage i.e. Office, Media, System etc with brief descriptions. Sub-selections lead to a page with a more detailed explanation of the app, an option to install and a link to the site. The Educational DVD also includes a few Linux distros and related software - although I think a separate disc for that would be good. Also a 'Techie' toolkit disc could eventually be produced.

Glad to see all on board, would be a good asset for new and experienced users alike; and also if proliferated would serve to publicize the site.

[Uncle Fester]

Have an update to this post, which may be of interest:
Have been on at a few people over the last few days and the upshot is that my co-ordinator is trying to get funding so the charity I work for can do a mailshot of our own version of the OpenDisc, with a slightly altered collection. This may go out in a magazine delivered to about 25,000 homes, which is better than I could of hoped for - what a start! Will take suggestions for any inclusions/deletions if put forward, and upload an iso for your perusal when finished. As a lot of the recipients will be in social housing I'm including templates for CVs, job applications, home budgeting spreadsheets etc, so any contributions will be welcome.

Think that's a successful day for once:D

[noop]

Wow great news! Sounds like this could be a really nice project! I can definitely help out with designing the GUI of the program if you would like.

[madmatt2006]

OMG!! Great news . Where do you think we should start with this? I guess it would have to be a list of programs to put on the CD first then arrange programs in to a nice format(sections) then work on the GUI.

[Uncle Fester]

That's great, suggest we get our heads together soon. I'm in a different time zone from the rest of you I think, but maybe could arrange to have a sleepless night sometime soon.

Off now, early start tomorrow (coming up to midnight here), got to commute in the rush hour - that's why I left London!

[noop]

I am free tomorrow afternoon (5:47PM here)

[madmatt2006]

The rush hour that's why I left the city it used to take me over an hour to get to work, now it takes 5 mins. Let us know when your free and have some spare time and we will try work around that.

[Uncle Fester]

As far as GUI concerned, OpenDisc uses k-meleon, an open source broswer which I've already had a play with, and all html/css etc - maybe we should design a logo too. Someone else d/l OD - give you some ideas. Have also looked into legal situation (just to clarify - had to for work - they don't understand GNU etc) and also contacted OpenDisc (who I think are European, or at least someone is on my time), they're willing to give support if needed.

[Uncle Fester]

madmatt2006, on 24 September 2009 - 10:47 PM, said:

The rush hour that's why I left the city it used to take me over an hour to get to work, now it takes 5 mins. Let us know when your free and have some spare time and we will try work around that.

Tell me about it, less people in the whole of Scotland than in central London, but even less can drive properly! Anyway, maybe weekend, best if you lot come up with a day, let me know and I'll try to re-arrange my commitments. Busy Monday and Friday def so not Sun/Thurs nights next week.

Till Tomorrow