www/server/staging free-software-for-education....

[Dora Scilipoti]

CVSROOT:        /web/www
Module name:    www
Changes by:     Dora Scilipoti <dora>   16/02/01 12:58:10

Modified files:
        server/staging : free-software-for-education.html 

Log message:
        Add introduction and other modifications.

CVSWeb URLs:
http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewcvs/www/server/staging/free-software-for-education.html?cvsroot=www&r1=1.4&r2=1.5

Patches:
Index: free-software-for-education.html
===================================================================
RCS file: /web/www/www/server/staging/free-software-for-education.html,v
retrieving revision 1.4
retrieving revision 1.5
diff -u -b -r1.4 -r1.5
--- free-software-for-education.html    28 Jan 2016 01:04:12 -0000      1.4
+++ free-software-for-education.html    1 Feb 2016 12:58:08 -0000       1.5
@@ -40,7 +40,37 @@
 
 <h2>Free Software for Education</h2>
 
-<p>[INTRODUCTION]</p>
+<p>Here are two lists of high-quality free/libre software applications that 
+can be used in schools and educational institutions of all levels. The 
+first one is a list of free/libre programs along with the popular 
+proprietary applications they replace. The second one contains free/libre 
+programs that do not necessarily replace a proprietary counterpart but can 
+be very useful to students and teachers.</p>
+
+<p>All these programs are released under a license that is granted 
+for zero price and does not expire. While we are glad that schools can also 
+save money with these programs, avoiding miseducation (teaching dependence 
+on nonfree software) is a more important imperative: when we say these 
+programs are <a href="/philosophy/free-sw.html">free software</a>, 
+<strong>we are talking about freedom, not price</strong>. It means that 
+you are free to use them constructively, either alone or in a community, 
+while respecting the freedom of others.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone should use free software, because only free software gives
+users the freedom to control their own computers. However, there are
+<a href="/education/edu-schools.html">other reasons</a> that apply
+specifically to education.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to the wrong of nonfree software, the use of third-party
+network services in schools poses yet another problem: <a 
+href="https://www.eff.org/press/releases/google-deceptively-tracks-students-internet-browsing-eff-says-complaint-federal-trade";>
+the collection of students (and teachers) personal data by companies</a>.</p>
+
+<p>But even if the school never used those services, it could not be sure
+that the machines are not sending data. In fact, the source code of
+proprietary programs is secret, so users don't know what the software is
+really doing.</p>
+
 
 <table>
   <thead>
@@ -64,7 +94,7 @@
 
     <tr>
       <td>Web browsers</td>
-      <td><a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Epiphany";>Web</a> <br /> <br 
/>
+      <td><a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Epiphany";>Web</a>, 
           <a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/IceCat";>GNU IceCat</a></td>
       <td>These browsers do not track users.</td>
       <td>Chrome, Chromium</td>
@@ -72,15 +102,19 @@
     </tr>
 
     <tr>
-      <td>Office</td>
-      <td><a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/LibreOffice";>LibreOffice</a> 
<br /><br />
-          <a href="https://www.collaboraoffice.com/code/";>
-          Collabora Online Development Edition</a> (collaborative editing,
-          browser-based)</td>
-      <td>Documents are not uploaded to third-party servers by default.</td>
-      <td>Google Docs, Sheets, Slides</td>
+      <td rowspan="2">Office</td>
+      <td><a 
href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/LibreOffice";>LibreOffice</a></td>
+      <td>Powerful office suite. Documents are not uploaded to third-party 
+          servers.</td>
+      <td>----</td>
       <td>Microsoft Office, Office 365</td>
     </tr>
+    <tr>
+      <td><a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Etherpad";>Etherpad</a></td>
+      <td>Real-time collaborative editor that runs in your browser.</td>
+      <td>Google Docs, Sheets, Slides</td>
+      <td>----</td>
+    </tr>
 
     <tr>
       <td>E-learning platforms</td>
@@ -139,7 +173,9 @@
     <tr>
       <td>Games</td>
       <td><a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Minetest";>Minetest</a></td>
-      <td></td>
+      <td>Build, explore and play in vast cube worlds, alone or with 
+          friends. Create mods which aren't limited by proprietary 
+          restrictions.</td>
       <td>----</td>
       <td>Minecraft</td>
     </tr>
@@ -147,8 +183,7 @@
   </tbody>
 </table>
 
-<p>Here's some additional free software which does not necessarily replace 
-a proprietary counterpart but can be very useful to students and teachers:</p>
+<p>Here's some additional free software useful for educational purposes:</p>
 
 <table>
   <thead>
@@ -240,9 +275,13 @@
   </tbody>
 </table>
 
-<p>Do you know more free programs suited for students? If so, please 
-contact us at <a href="mailto:address@hidden";>&lt;address@hidden&gt;</a>.</p>
-
+<p>The lists above are a selection of free software applications suitable
+for the most common activities at school. The Free Software Foundation 
+keeps a comprehensive database of educational programs at the 
+<a href="http://directory.fsf.org/wiki/Category/Education";>
+Free Software Directory</a>. If you know about a free/libre program suited 
+for schools and is not listed there, please contact us at <a  
href="mailto:address@hidden";>&lt;address@hidden&gt;</a> to let us 
+know.</p>
 
 
 </div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above -->
@@ -302,7 +341,7 @@
 
 <p class="unprintable">Updated:
 <!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2016/01/28 01:04:12 $
+$Date: 2016/02/01 12:58:08 $
 <!-- timestamp end -->
 </p>
 </div>