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

[Jean Louis]

On December 5, 2024 11:12:09 AM GMT+03:00, Paul Sutton via libreplanet-discuss 
<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]http://otherrealm.org
>> [2]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[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.
>> 
>> [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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>> 
>> References
>> 
>>     1. http://otherrealm.org/
>>     2. http://theotherrealm.org/
>>     3. mailto:libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
>>     4. https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
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>> libreplanet-discuss@libreplanet.org
>> https://lists.libreplanet.org/mailman/listinfo/libreplanet-discuss

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