Last Updated on September 6, 2020
In this series, we look at a range of home activities where Linux can make the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. The change of lifestyle enforced by Covid-19 is an opportunity to expand our horizons, and spend more time on activities we have neglected in the past.
There has been positive news surrounding coronavirus this week. An anti-inflammatory drug called dexamethasone appears to be a ground-breaking treatment for hospital patients seriously ill with Covid-19. Research indicates for every 100 patients on a ventilator for 28 days, 60 patients are likely to recover, and an additional 12 patients survive if they are also given dexamethasone. It’s a cheap, well established steroid.
However, this breakthrough doesn’t change the position regarding social distancing. It’s not a vaccine. And there’s still the recommendation that we should work at home unless that’s not feasible.
When you work remotely, collaborating with colleagues in real-time is much more efficient than corresponding via email. The software featured in this article lets you edit documents collaboratively in real-time.
Each program is free and open source software.
Etherpad
Etherpad is an open-source, highly customizable, web-based collaborative real-time editor, allowing authors to simultaneously edit a text document, and see all of the participants’ edits in real-time, with the ability to display each author’s text in their own color.
It’s a great time saver from the traditional way of working — sending material back and forth via email. Need to write articles, press releases, conduct research with friends or co-workers? Try Etherpad.
EtherCalc
EtherCalc is a web spreadsheet that’s designed to let you work remotely and collaborate with others.
If you’re looking for a simple spreadsheet program that lets you collaborate with others, check out EtherCalc. It supports a lot of standard spreadsheet features, and has a useful comment tab which is great for asking questions to others working on the same spreadsheet.
EtherCalc is also a practical tool letting you do many non-spreadsheet type things, including scheduling meetings, setting up car pooling arrangements, and as a communication tool.
CodiMD
CodiMD is a realtime collaborative markdown notes. There’s a good range of features including support for charts and MathJax. It’s highly customizable, with spellchecker support, and the ability to export notes.
Markdown is a lightweight markup language which helps to make sentences stand out. Style your task notes adding headings, lists, bold, italic, links, images and other elements just by typing a few characters before and after your desired text.
All articles in this series:
| Linux at Home | |
|---|---|
| Astronomy | Explore the universe from your garden |
| Brew Beer | Weave malt and hops and yeast together in unique combinations |
| Circuit Design | Learn to design electronic circuits |
| Collaborating | Edit documents collaboratively in real-time |
| Cooking | Home cooking is an activity that’s great for individuals and families |
| Creative Writing | Pen a classic novel or screenplay |
| Cross-stitching | A form of sewing and a popular form of counted-thread embroidery |
| Digital Art | Paint and draw directly onto a computer |
| Digital Music Production | Digital Audio Workstations |
| DOOM Gaming | Take a break and play classic DOOM |
| Embroidery | Craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle |
| Exercising | Keeping fit can be a challenge with lockdown |
| Gardening | Plan your perfect garden with these great tools |
| Genealogy | Research your family tree |
| Home Security | CCTV solutions to protect your home |
| Musical Instrument | Learn to play an instrument |
| RSI | Reduce and prevent repetitive strain injury |
Etherpad’s plugins are a big draw in my book.