If you’re concerned about Microsoft Internet Explorer’s vulnerabilities, I’d recommend that you try an open source alternative, such as Mozilla Firefox, Mozila Seamonkey or Chromium Web Browser. Open source Web browsers are stable, secure and just as user-friendly as Internet Explorer. Best of all, they’re free to download, use and share, so check out an open source Web browser. It might just change your Web surfuring experience.
Mozilla Firefox displaying information about Mozilla’s license.
An excellent way to cultivate girls’ (and boys’) interest in technology is to employ stimulating learning aides, such as Kalzium. Kalzium is an open source interactive periodic table of the elements. Clicking on an element opens an overview providing such information as freezing and boiling points, discovery information and an atomic model.
Kalzium, an interactive table of the elements.
The SD (Software Development) Times re-ran an article that I wrote on the need for young women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers. The article, initially entitled Why Does Technology Need Young Women? has been renamed Five things the industry can do to ncourage young girls to code. If you would like to check it out, click here.
Designed with the GIMP
WinFF is an open source media converter for Linux and Microsoft Windows. Users can convert both audio and video files from one format to the other. Supported formats include, but are not limited to, MP3, WAV, AVI and WMV. I used WinFF to convert a colleague’s digital camera video to a format Windows could read.
I converted these CD (wav) files to MP3 using WinFF.
Tux Paint is a fun way to introduce young children to the world of technology. This software allows users to create colorful pictures and offers an amazing amount of stamps including such categories as animals, sealife and shapes, among others. This software could very well be the first step towards stimulating young women’s interest in STEM fields of employment.
Tux Paint could be the ideal way to introduce young girls to technology.
SuperTux is an open source re-imagining of Nintendo’s Super Mario Brothers. Users must help Tux, the Linux Penguin, resuce his girlfriend, Penny, from the evil Nolok. Along the way, Tux has obstacles to overcome, such as chasms to jump across, and adversaries to elude or defeat, like Snowballs, Mr. Iceblock and Evil Tux. This fun game helps to develop manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Can you help Tux rescue Penny?
Etoys is a stimulating learning suite that engages learners through the integration of media, games and a simple programming language called Squeak. Users can create colorful images and bring life to them using Squeak. Etoys would be a wonderful way to pique students interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.
A typical Etoys session