ZDNet: Debian Linux readies an anti-coronavirus hack-a-thon. “Open-source programmers and engineers have been working on a wide variety of projects to beat coronavirus. These range from hospital management programs to speeding up drug development to building inexpensive ventilators. Now, Debian Linux, one of the oldest and largest Linux distribution communities, is throwing its programming resources behind a hack-a-thon trying to beat COVID-19. “
open source
The Register: Singapore to open-source national Coronavirus encounter-tracing app and the Bluetooth research behind it
The Register: Singapore to open-source national Coronavirus encounter-tracing app and the Bluetooth research behind it. “The app, named TraceTogether and its government is urging citizens to run so that if they encounter a Coronavirus carrier, it’s easier to trace who else may have been exposed to the virus. With that info in hand, health authorities are better-informed about who needs to go into quarantine and can focus their resources on those who most need assistance.”
Exclusive: How West Java uses QR codes to fight Coronavirus (GovInsider Asia)
GovInsider Asia: Exclusive: How West Java uses QR codes to fight Coronavirus. “Indonesia now has the highest Covid-19 death toll in ASEAN, less than a month after it reported its first confirmed case. Hospitals risk being overwhelmed by the surge of confirmed cases, as well as panicked citizens rushing to get tested. West Java, one of the worst-hit areas in Indonesia, has registered 60 cases and 10 deaths as of 24 March. The province’s digital team, Jabar Digital Service, this week launched a service to help manage the strain on healthcare facilities.”
ZDNet: Tracking the real US coronavirus testing numbers with open source
ZDNet: Tracking the real US coronavirus testing numbers with open source. “Want to know something scary? We really don’t even know how many people have been tested for the coronavirus, never mind how many have it. Despite the Trump administration’s promise of millions of tests and President Donald Trump’s claims that anyone can get tested for COVID-19, it’s clear there’s still not enough tests available. Fortunately, researchers and Atlantic writers are pulling together data from numerous sources and using open-source software to give us the most accurate possible numbers on those tested, those found to be ill, and those who haven’t gotten it.”
Techdirt: Former Refrigerator Manufacturer Says Companies Using Open Source, Royalty-Free Video Technology Must Pay To License 2,000 Patents
Techdirt: Former Refrigerator Manufacturer Says Companies Using Open Source, Royalty-Free Video Technology Must Pay To License 2,000 Patents. “As Wikipedia explains in painful detail, there are two main patent pools demanding payment from companies that use HEVC in their devices. For one of the pools, the patent list is 164 pages long.”
MakeUseOf: The 5 Best Open-Source Password Managers
MakeUseOf: The 5 Best Open-Source Password Managers. “Open-source password managers keep these credentials in your hands only. You can install or self-host all the options on this list on your own machine. Which one is right for you?”
MakeUseOf: The 5 Best Open-Source VPNs for Linux and Windows
MakeUseOf: The 5 Best Open-Source VPNs for Linux and Windows. “Open source VPNs are quite rare, but they do exist. Their transparency makes them a sworn ally for many users, who are quick to recommend them to anyone seeking a free open-source VPN. Here are some of the best open-source VPNs out there, plus one honorable mention!”
