Re: Introducing a new project for teenagers in free software (and how you can help!)

[melba]

   Jean,
   While yes people who have the privilege to decouple from society, such
   as myself, are free to chose how to engage with tech; it feels
   dismissive to not count the points brought up in this discussion; about
   those that do not have the privilege of this choice as they are the
   ones schools and government are forcing certain types of technology(and
   other oppressive systems) on.

   with gratitude,

   Melissa



   On 2024-12-06 04:57, Jean Louis wrote:

     On December 5, 2024 11:12:09 AM GMT+03:00, Paul Sutton via
     libreplanet-discuss <[1]libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org> wrote:

     Hi All
     I agree on starting people young,  perhaps one way in to this is to
     open up discussions.   Young people (and others) want to be
     involved.
     Lets take integration of AI in to everything,  the fact this is
     being forced on us, regardless of if we actually want it,  should be
     open to discussion,  free software gives us that choice,  we can
     fork a project to include or exclude AI Components for example,  but
     we need the freedom to do so.
     Also we could aim this project at different faculties a lot of
     subjects do now include programming as we can use code to help
     automate work,  BUT we need to trust all the tools not just what
     they are doing, but they are also secure against external threats to
     steal what we are working on.
     Take cloud strike as an example of what happens when we rely on a
     3rd party and closed source to do things for us, 99 percent of the
     time it works.   All very well, what is the alternative,  I get told
     to avoid cloudflare (or what ever it is called) but don't get told
     what I can use instead.
     Projects need to be student led,  many have external interests and
     we can help them develop solutions that are practical  but personal
     to them.   If there are several students involved in the same
     external interest,  then they can form a team and take ownership.
     Students get told what to do at school,  external clubs to a point
     need to be about them.
     Just some thoughts.
     Paul
     On 04/12/2024 16:23, Aaron E-J wrote:

         I have thought that the idea of working on open source projects
     as
         learning tools would be a great win-win-win opportunity to
     advance
         education.  I am coming in the context of the college level, but
     I
         think we need to start students down the path towards free
     software as
         early as possible.  The name for the project I was thinking of
     is
         called "World Piece" or "World Pieces" and it is a play on the
     notion
         of breaking learning goals into code tasks.  Basically how I was
         thinking this would work is, given a topic to be learnt, there
     is some
         auto-curation of open source git repositories with open tasks to
     be
         completed.  Although there are definitely issues with GitHub,
     privacy,
         and consuming open source technologies for closed source gain, I
     was
         just looking at some of the learning materials on GitHub and I
     think
         there may be funding or technical support available from
     Microsoft to
         create such a project.  Obviously we need to make sure that the
         objective is learning code, not learning to use GitHub, and
     promoting
         open source software, not maximizing profit to the determent of
         society.  However, I think the general concept of integrating
     open
         project issues into learning tasks is a far more efficacious
     means of
         teaching than having students work on meaningless one-off
     homework that
         has no larger purpose.  There could even be the chance to get
     industry
         funding for students to earn money based on completion of
     sponsored
         tasks, although again, we need to be careful to not turn this
     into an
         exploitative means of getting cheap labor.
         I am connected to both the education and engineering departments
     at
         UMass in Massachusetts, USA and will put feelers out for
     potential
         collaborators.  Do you have a website/other documents with more
     info on
         the framework?  Do you think my idea and yours can be melded
     into some
         sort of larger plan?
     Aaron E-J
     The Other Realm
     [1][2]http://otherrealm.org
     [2][3]http://theotherrealm.org (Blog)
         On 11/29/2024 11:41 PM, carmenmaris--- via libreplanet-discuss
     wrote:
     Hi everyone!
     I've been working on something really exciting I want to share with
     you all.
     For the past several months I've been working on a project whose aim
     is to bring
     teenagers into the free software movement, help them develop their
     skills and give them a fun and supportive community that will
     sustain
     their interest.
     My project is currently unnamed[[4]1]. The idea for it was inspired
     by my
     own memories of discovering free software at age 13. This is the
     kind
     of thing I would have loved to participate in as a teenager. I
     hope that's also true for today's teens.
     This is an ambitious project and I'm in it for the long-term. I'd
     like
     to start fairly small. In the first year, I'll be focussing on:
     * Introducing teenagers to free software.
        I'll be making plenty of age-appropriate materials telling people
        about free software and working with other youth organisations to
        distribute them to their members.
     * Creating a community for teenagers interested in free
        software.
        I will run an online community with structured discussions and
        online events. I'm also planning on running some biweekly free
        software clubs using videoconferencing software. The online
        communities will be safe places for young people to learn new
     skills
        and share what they know with others.
     * Publishing a small online magazine once a month.
        The articles will be things like answers to questions, stories on
     free
        software issues relevant to teenagers, inspiration for college
     and
        careers in technology, programming tutorials, interviews with
     people
        in the community and stories celebrating young people's
     successes.
     * Helping teenagers fight back against non-free software in their
        lives.
        What I do here really depends on the needs of the young people
     that
        join us. I want to work with them to find goals they can achieve
        with some support. Based on what I know about how things are in
     my
        local community, I would be looking at finding ways to help
        teenagers win the right to choose free software at school and get
        their friends to adopt free software social media and messaging
        apps.
     This project isn't just for teenagers that are interested in
     programming. I have lots planned for everyone.
     [[5]1] I came up with a name ('LaunchLibre') many months ago.
     Despite
     searching trademark registers and the internet, I somehow hadn't
     heard about
     LaunchCode until this morning. Obviously, I'll be choosing another
     name as soon as I can. Suggestions are very welcome.
     Where I'm at now
     ----------------
     I've done substantial research and made detailed plans for what
     my project will do, how it'll be funded and how I hope it will grow
     into the future. I've been experimenting in my local community with
     distributing materials, speaking to community groups and working on
     setting up a free software club for teenagers. I've learnt a lot
     about
     what will work and what won't.
     The plan for the next few months is to apply for a small business
     grant and incorporate.
     How you can help me
     -------------------
     I need members to found an incorporated society.
     The law here in New Zealand says I need 10, but it's best if I have
     around 20. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find enough people
     in
     this country to get even remotely close to those numbers.
     If you might be interested in becoming one of the society's members,
     please message me off-list. There will only be an occasional time
     commitment. Your participation is vital for making this a
     reality and I'll be very thankful for your help. You can become a
     member of the society even if you live outside of New Zealand.
     I'm always appreciative of comments and advice.  You can also help
     me by
       sharing this information with other people you think might be
     interested.
     If you're 13-18 and haven't graduated from secondary school yet, I'd
     love to talk to you. This project is for you, and your thoughts mean
     a
     lot to me!
     Questions and updates
     ---------------------
     I'm always happy to answer questions. I've thought long and hard
     about
     everything to do with this project and I'm excited to share!
     If you'd like updates on my progress, I'll be putting
     together a mailing list. Please message me if you're interested.
     If you're in Auckland, I'd love to meet you! I'll have a table at
     the Christmas festival at Coast Plaza on December 8. I'll be there
     from around 10 am to 3 pm with a break for lunch. If you can't make
     it, you can message me and I'm sure we can arrange something else.
     - Carmen
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     cuss
     References
         1. [8]http://otherrealm.org/
         2. [9]http://theotherrealm.org/
         3. mailto:[10]libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
         4.
     [11]https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discu
     ss
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     ss

     I don't see how artificial intelligence is being forced upon us.
     Computers were invented to extend our intelligence, and in essence,
     every computer is already a form of artificial intelligence. There
     is nothing being imposed on anyone. You are free to go fishing or
     spend time in nature. You don’t have to use a computer or concern
     yourself with artificial intelligence if you don’t want to.
     Everyone has the freedom to choose how they live and how they feel
     about technology. The invention of electricity didn’t force anyone
     to use it, just as the development of clean water networks in cities
     doesn’t compel people to use clean water—you can choose to use dirty
     water if you prefer.
     Similarly, computers and artificial intelligence are not mandatory
     aspects of life. They are simply developments in society.
     Participation is entirely voluntary; nothing is being forced upon
     anyone.
     Jean
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     ss

   --
   Ask me how I can support you and your organizations in becoming more
   conscious tech users and move to freedom friendly tools and platforms

References

   1. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
   2. http://otherrealm.org/
   3. http://theotherrealm.org/
   4. http://otherrealm.org/
   5. http://otherrealm.org/
   6. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
   7. https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
   8. http://otherrealm.org/
   9. http://theotherrealm.org/
  10. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
  11. https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
  12. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
  13. https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
  14. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
  15. https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss