Do you miss having access to amazing software resources here at the library? We’ve got you covered!
Prior to the pandemic, software at BPL branches helped Brooklynites be productive and supported their creativity. At the Central Library’s Info Commons, additional software was available, including Adobe Creative Cloud design applications, as well as other audio and video production software–not to mention a recording studio. Since the start of the pandemic, how the Info Commons provides service has been altered dramatically. Reference services and programs have moved entirely online. These virtual programs hosted by amazing instructors and guest speakers have taught us how to record our own podcasts, helped us view art in new ways, and allowed us to have engaging discussions with experts from around the world. Despite this, the lack of in-person access to our software remains an unfortunate barrier for many of our users.
While computer access at the library is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 precautions, we wanted to highlight a few useful tools for being productive at home, whether you’re a graphic designer, a musician, or just someone who wants to explore your creative side. Each resource is free of cost and open source, and the library can help get you started with helpful books and online classes through Lynda.
Office Software: if you don’t have access to Microsoft Office, don’t worry, there are alternatives! Apache OpenOffice features a word processor, a spreadsheet, a presentation application, a database management application and more.
Art & Graphics Editors : there are many open-source alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud software. Here are just a few:
- GIMP software is a raster graphics editor that allows you to edit and manipulate images, draw, convert files, and more.
- Blender software enables users to create 3D digital graphics and animation. This video offers an excellent introduction if you’re new to Blender.
- Krita is a graphics editor used for digital painting and 2D animation.
Audio Editing : an alternative to software such as Pro Tools, Ableton, and GarageBand, Audacity is an audio recording and editing application that you can use from the comfort of your home computer.
Game Engines: if you’re interested in creating your own video games, there are several open source options. For 2D games, check out Love2D, and for 3D games, there’s Panda3D. Can’t decide between 2D and 3D? Godot can do both!
Need help getting started?
Log into Lynda using your BPL library card number and search for name of the software you’re interested in.
Want More?
If you want to explore the free and open source community and their histories, here are a few books to check out:
The Cathedral and the Bazaar: Musings on Linux and Open Source by an Accidental Revolutionary written by Eric S. Raymond Raymond
Raymond expounds on the “bazaar” versus “cathedral” model of software development in which the code is developed publicly and collaboratively. As he puts it here, “given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow."
Check the Catalog
Free as in Freedom: Richard Stallman’s Crusade for Free Software written by Sam Williams
Richard Stallman is a seminal—and problematic—figure in the free and open source movement. This book covers hacking culture and Stallman’s role in it from the 1970s into the 21st century.
Check the Catalog
How Open Source Ate Software: Understand the Open Source Movement and So Much More written by Gordon Haff
Haff looks at how open source ideas have impacted communication and collaboration, and devotes special attention to the advantages and challenges of open source-based business models.
Check the CatalogOpen Source Projects
There are also several organizations involved in open source projects. If you’d like to learn more, here are a few places to start:
- Mozilla, the maker of the popular Firefox browser, also has a number of educational and advocacy projects.
- Access Now is a global organization that supports an open internet and digital rights worldwide.
- The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is an international network whose values include supporting free and open source software.
This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.
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