I’m having a good week with my computer. It so rarely happens, but everything has been running like a well oiled machine…

Don’t put oil in your computer, it doesn’t help. Unless it’s a Mac, in which case feel free to give it a go.

The best thing is that my little box of circuits is being productive – I can’t take any credit for anything other than pointing.

Using only open source tools, I have been able to start work on a new typesetting job and another animation.

If you’re wondering, here’s what I’ve been using:
 
 

Typesetting

OpenOffice – It’s like Microsoft office, but you know, free plus it works well with the other software.

Scribus – A really good open source desktop publishing program. 

GIMPshop – So you don’t have to use a pirated version of Photoshop.

Inkscape – So you don’t have to use a pirated version of Illustrator.

Animation

Synfig – A 2D animation program, similar to Flash.

Blender – A 3D animation program, for when things need a third dimension.

Jashaka – Video editing for polishing everything up.

These are not just pale imitations of their commercial counterparts, they are better than that. If software could have a soul, they do, and the next time I re-format I’ll be sending them all along to heaven.

…and by using these programs, and I urge you to at least try them, you’ll be helping change the direction of where computers and software are heading. Rather than programs being seen like objects, such as cars or fish tanks, things that can be bought and sold, open source defines them as similar to maths or physics, something that can be learned, shared and constantly improved upon as a collective conscience.