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TheOpenCD 2.0 Released

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the spread-the-gnus dept.

HenrikOxUK pastes "We are pleased to announce the immediate availability of TheOpenCD v2.0. The disc contains old favorites like Mozilla, OpenOffice, AbiWord, Gimp in updated versions, but also has some noteable additions like Firefox, Thunderbird, Blender and Gaim. The CD browser technology is also new this time, and is based on Gecko (see screenshots). This approach should make it simpler to make derivatives, including localized versions, some of which will be out shortly. We have timed the release to be out just before the holidays so you can fill the stockings of friends and family with Free and useful software. Read more or get a copy from one of our FTP mirrors or on Bittorrent."

5 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. What is OpenCD? by eln · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well, the site is hopelessly slashdotted, so what is OpenCD? Is it just a collection of open source programs on a CD or what? What is the reasoning behind it, and what is it meant to do?

    Thanks for the info.

    1. Re:What is OpenCD? by eln · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Thanks for the info! Sounds like a worthwhile project for gently easing people toward the Open Source world. I've already managed to convince my entire family to switch to Firefox, so I know how hard it can be to break people of old software habits.

      One question though: Why include both Mozilla and Firefox? I know a big part of open source is choice, but are you worried about causing confusion with multiple programs for the same purpose?

  2. Gifts for young hackers! by the+talented+rmg · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well my little brother is a bit of a budding hacker. He's really into Blender and Python right now. He probably doesn't really need this CD since he's got his own setup already, but it's always good to encourage kids to get into this stuff at an early age.

    With Microsoft and recently and more chillingly the government itself constantly chipping away at our freedoms, it's crucial to make sure we bring up a new generation of programmers who understand their civic responsibility to protect freedom of speech, whether its political or digital.

    If we don't keep the ranks of young hackers swelling, we can expect Microsoft to take over. Without a constant stream of competitive free GPL's software and other viruses, their ascendency is just a matter of time. Give the the gift of resistance!

    --


    A Proud Member of the Reality Oriented Community.

  3. Rolling your own... CD, that is.. by the_rajah · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Open CD is a nice idea, but I've been doing this sort of thing myself for a long time.

    I include, at a minimum:
    Firefox
    Thunderbird
    Open Office
    Latest AVG free Antivirus download
    Ad Aware
    Spybot Search and Destroy
    Zone Alarm free version
    XP security utilities from GRC.com

    I keep these installs in a directory on my HD and update as new versions come out. Then, when I want to give one to someone, it's easy to burn a fresh copy. I usually carry one with me in my briefcase along with a Knoppix Live CD and a Xandros free version Install disk (in case I get a convert). These have been useful a number of times.

    "Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain

    --


    "Do the Right Thing. It will gratify some people and astound the rest." - Mark Twain
  4. OSS Spyware Removal by NardofDoom · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Why hasn't anyone created an open source spyware cleaner yet? I think that would be a perfect OSS project, since it's continually changing and needs lots of eyes to keep up to date.

    --
    You have two hands and one brain, so always code twice as much as you think!