Free Software at the Local Library?

DoraLives asks: "I live in a small town in East Central Florida, nearly in the shadow of the launch pads at Cape Canaveral. People generally expect that a place like this would be quite technologically advanced. Unfortunately, this isn't always true, and a case in point is the local library. They have a nice collection of CD's, and you might think you'd see Free Software CD's on the rack right next to Frank Zappa, Duke Ellington, and Bach. Think again, no such thing obtains here, or in any of the other libraries hereabouts." Aside from Linux and BSD install discs, what other pieces of software might make good items for the software section in your local public library? "I went and talked to the director of the local library about having them provide a Knoppix disk or something similar to those unfortunates, who cannot afford a high speed internet connection to download and burn their own copies. Mr. Director seemed quite unaware as to the entire concept of Free Software and asked me to provide him with a 'list of this free software,' for his review. So, as part of my research into what's available out there, I thought I'd run this one past the users of Slashdot and see what they might recommend by way of operating systems, utilities, applications, and all the rest of the free stuff that's available for download and burning, that would make good items for the shelves of a lending library.

Methinks the inhabitants of my little burg would be tickled to find out that the entire computing world is NOT owned by a corporation in Washington state. I further think that this could be a fine way to get the word, and the actual software, out to the masses. Am I right? Can Slashdot help me with Mr. Director's need for information so he can make an informed decision."

Comments

Gnu Win CD

[paulproteus]

In all fairness, you should probably focus on Free Software for Windows, at least to get the project off the ground.

You should check out the GNUWin CD, a CD of lots of Free software for Win32, at least for inspiration on what to give users.

If you can make pop-in-the-drive-double-click-and-run CDs of things like OpenOffice or Mozilla Firefox (i.e., without installing), those would be great for demos. Perhaps an OpenOffice.org 2-CD set: One demo disc, one install CD. That way people could try it and realize how much they want it. :-)

Also, consider pointing them to a good online support forum. It makes a lot of sense to have your own user-support service for your little project, or for others like it. That way, you can say, "Let me just drive over." A PhpBB setup would do fine for that.

Re:Gnu Win CD

[ttldkns]

Dont forget to have a paper CD sleeve explaining in very simple terms what to do.

Also a label of "free software" could give the image to the regular library goer of inferior quality as sowtware is (for them) associated with cost. A more subtle title such as "public software" is also more accurate and is something that follows logically in a public library.

So burn some discs and donate them

[ElectricPoppy]

what's the big deal?

Fast internet connection and CD burners?

[David Hume]

I have to ask whether your library has a fast internet connection and whether the computers have CD burners (that library clients can use)?

Not to disparage your idea by implication, it is excellent. I just thought that the above could help people access software the library does not have on CD. In addition, some Free Software is updated so quickly that a library might have trouble keeping up with regard to receiving and cataloging physical CDs.

Finally, many libraries keep a home page on their computers which lists various reference sites. Perhaps Free Software sites could be added to this list.

Provide Commercial Alternatives

[nurb432]

My local library for one loans commercial software, so it woudlnt be too far fetched to try it here too.

As far as what, id stick with the following:

1 - run from CD, such as Mepis, or knoppix, or freebsie.. ( give people a choice )
2 - General application replacements for windows.
3 - make your own #2's... with pretty liners for the sleves.. attract attention...
4 - games.. lots of games. its what drives a lot of people these days. FOr both windows and unix..

Just dont over do it.. give people 'cute' stuff to look at.

Re:Why CDs?

[Anonymous Coward]

That hasn't stopped libraries from having photocopiers.

Free software

[Pompatus]

I worked in a small town library in high school (about 10 years ago). We had software in the back that wasn't in circulation because of the fear of lawsuits about copying. I said that was rediculous, because people could photocopy books, plus we had tons of movies available for checkout. It wasn't my decision though, so the software sat there collecting dust.

I personally think the local library should carry ALL software. It's copyrighted the same as books. How about tax software? People only need it once a year. Checking it out for a week and returning it makes sense. Think about how many programs you only need maybe once or twice a year. Partition Magic comes to mind. Almost all games get boring after a couple of weeks.

Of course software companies would have a fit about this because they percieve lost profits. I think most people that would check out software from a library would go without before buying it.

The real solution to the problem is open source software. I personall think linux is almost ready for the desktop for the average user. Hell, the evolution email client alone makes me want to switch (I'm dual booting now, mainly because my sound drivers play volume at 1/3 of the windows drivers and my USB flash keychain thingy doesn't work properly under linux. I'm running mandrake 10 with asus a7v8x-x mobo. any ideas?? :).

But I'm getting offtopic. Libraries should have ALL software available for checkout, just as they have all other forms of media. Thank god libraries have existed for as long as they have in this country, because if they were suggested today, they would get vetoed by book, magazine, movie, music, and software publishers because of a percieved loss in profit. Think of all of the brilliant people throughout history that were not rich enough to have their own vast collection of books.

Re:Has anone noticed?

[LoFat ByLine]

Libraries are dead...

OK, I'll feed you. What do you mean? The physical space or the idea? Not that it matters much.

Libraries as physical space: Lots of information, especially books, are not available in digital format and may never be. Even if they were, digital isn't the preferred format for lots of people. Maybe someday this won't be the case, but that's not the point: Right now, communities still need a place to store physical media.

Libraries as idea: Basically, a library is a bunch of people pooling their money to build a collection of information much greater than any of them could amass individually. Doesn't matter what format the information takes. The only thing that could kill the library as idea is for all (or almost all) the information anyone could want to be available and easy to access for free. That hasn't happened yet either, and it's not likely to happen for a looong time, if ever.

Re:Why CDs?

[Total_Wimp]

So how about a computer with large HD and "Jukebox" software that lets you burn the free software on demand, but no other software?

TW

Re:Which library?

[Anonymous Coward]

Are you two (Gangis and DoraLive) are part of the Melbourne LUG? That used to be (and still is?) is pretty active lug, and should have some folks who'd help out with this. Give Mlug a call...

Member of LEAP-CF in Orlando.

Re:Why CDs?

[HybridJeff]

I dont really see why it shoud have to cost the library much at all. No one said that the library has to give out CDs for free, eitehr let peolple bring them their own, or sell them at a small profit to pay off the computer.

You wouldnt exactly need a top of the line computer either, its just burning CDs. Any PC less than 5 years old should be more than enough. Try goign up to some big tech company and seeing if they could donate one of ther older machines. Its worth a shot.

The only real cost would be the time required to set up the system and support it.

Re:Burn from ISOs only

[westlake]

There are problems here:

1 Mac and Windows users will want download privileges and access to a burner as well. That I can guarantee, particularly if the library has the only free public access broadband connection in town.

2 A public library may not be willing or able to accept restricted donations, privately maintained kiosks, etc, especially if has has to pay for the bandwidth, documentation, maintenance, insurance, etc., needed out of it's general funds. Imagine the response of your local LUG if Microsoft took up the same plan, but with $60 billion in cash to back it up.

3 This isn't a trivial commitment for your local Linux Users Group or one that it can easily back out of gracefully.

Get it out there.

[rice_burners_suck]

Hell... I'd communicate on a constant basis with everyone and anyone I could get a hold of who is involved with any free software, and try to put together an organization that would take money donations and use them to provide libraries with "official" free software CDs to be borrowed and copied by their patrons.

In other words, a real charity organization, with glossy professional looking literature describing to those in charge of libraries the benefits of allowing people to borrow, use, and copy free software. All the library has to do is contact the organization and a 4211 disc crate of CDs will arrive in the mail shortly thereafter, fully labeled with the contents and nice little explanation pamphlets attached that explain what is what.

If such a thing can be successful around the world, and I see no reason why it shouldn't, then the corresponding materials might be put together by the project that produces the software, just as RPMs are produced today.

I would love to see this happen. The more free software we put out there, all over the place, the more people will consider switching.

Re:Knoppix and OpenOffice

[fhic]

Funding is not a problem. While I'm no Bill Gates, I can afford to give away five or six spindle's worth of CD-Rs a year. :-)

My local branch library is pretty small, but branch libraries are the heart and soul of libraries everywhere. If they can give away everything that I give them, I'm entirely prepared to give them way more. I could constantly burn CD-Rs from now until my dying day and not give back a tenth of what local public libraries have given me over the years.

In fact, I offer up this challenge to my fellow Slashdotters: every time you visit your local branch library, do what I do: drop off a few (or a whole bunch of) CD-Rs with free or open source software and let me know by email at library (at) hicinbothem.com. If there's any response, I'll do my best to get a FPP with details of our successes.

I am far from an anti-Microsoft zealot, but this is the way we will win that war: by showing computer users who can think, and yes, one by one, that there are better alternatives to IE and Outlook, and yes, there are even better OSes than Windows.

recommend no burned cds

[SaberTaylor]

This is a great idea. I used to think that free sw advocates should get free cdroms placed at checkout counters but apparently that is highly valuable retail space.

I would recommend that for people introducing libraries to free software, that cds should be purchased from mass-produced (with the distinctive stamped look) cd vendors for security trustworthiness. Not just on the person who puts the cds in the library but so borrowers don't replace any cds with their own versions.

And for burnt cds I'd recommend that the URL for the checksum be included in the cdrom case.

As far as selection goes, I don't think you can go wrong.

have fun.