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Affero Community Random Hacks of Kindness Newsletter Volume #8 | September/October 2003 |
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Remember the time you were tearing
your hair out because you just couldn't figure out why your modem wouldn't
work since you downloaded the Mandrake upgrade? We know you have all
been there (or somewhere near there) at one time or another. So what
do you do? You turn to an online support community and post your situation,
thinking there has just GOT to be SOMEONE out there that has had this same
problem before that can help me. And wouldn't you know it - there has!!
You life has been saved! Now you just have to figure out how
to glue those patches of hair back on your head! That and thank this
savior for helping you in your time of need....but how? With Affero
of course!
Each month we recognize a few kind individuals that give the answer to that impossible question, provide a fix to that annoying bug, or raise awareness about a socially relevant topic...in other words commit what we call "Random Hacks of Kindness ". Those that took the time to say "THANKS" with Affero are also appreciated and add to the value of the interactive dialog that exists in online communities. Below are some of the comments Affero members have made to recognize the help and information they received.
"Your answers on licensing@gnu.org helped me improve my understanding of the GNU GPL " "He saved my soul dealing with complicated rpm issues in my redhat server. Thank you very very much!! "
Millions of individuals turn to the Internet to provide valuable content represented by posts in help forums, email, weblogs (blogs), newsletters, articles and other forms of digital media. Many people take a great deal of time and effort to provide such information and sending them a warm fuzzy now and then is not only a nice thing to do but also helps build their reputation in the Affero system as one of the good guys (or gals). Think of it as a "Thank You" that lasts. |
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Newsworthy
Hack of Kindness:
"The Manhattan Virtual Classroom
is a password protected, web-based virtual classroom system that includes
a variety of discussion groups, live chat, areas for the teacher to post
the syllabus and other handouts and notices, a module for organizing online
assignments, a grades module, and a unique, web-based email system open
only to students in the class. Developed at Western New England College,
Manhattan is free, and is released under the GNU General Public License."
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In honor of the start of a new school season this month, we recognize Manhattan Virtual Classroom (or simply "Manhattan") as our featured open source project. Manhattan this is a system
that allows you to go online with your courses on the World Wide Web -
without creating a single web page.
Manhattan has been used in its earliest form since 1997 at Western New England College. Today it's a robust online learning platform supporting over 300 courses per semester at WNEC and other schools throughout the world, including pure distance learning courses. It's quick and easy to JOIN Affero. Once you do then you too will have the ability to enable others to show their respects when you help them. And hey, consider leaving a nice word behind when someone helps you. It will make you feel good too! For all of you that still think the term "Hack" has a negative connotation - please read the definition in The Jargon File 4.3.3 , which states that a hack is "an incredibly good, and perhaps very time consuming piece of work that produces exactly what is needed." Don't confuse a hacker with a cracker :) Know of a Hack of Kindness that you want to share with us for consideration in the next newsletter? Send it to: submit@affero.com Do you like reading about this good news for a change? Subscribe to receive our Random Hacks of Kindness Newsletter here. GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK: What do you think of this newsletter? Click on the button to leave your Questions/Comments/Suggestions: 
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"One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; it usually
comes back to you.
" Author: Anonymous |
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