If I strap a suitcase to my chest so that it's open, almost like one of those trays that an old-style 'cigarette girl' has, and walk on the street downtown, selling little odds and ends, is it legal? [more inside]
posted by Sully on Nov 27, 2009 - 8 answers

Which online course should I take next? What are the best free courses you've taken online? [more inside]
posted by mike_bling on Nov 10, 2009 - 13 answers

Offer me suggestions on my open relationship. I believe in it - but still feel a little weird about it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 24, 2009 - 36 answers

My downstairs neighbor has given me permission to connect to her open wireless network. The network looks unsecured, doesn't ask for a password, just tells me "unable to connect," except once when it seemed to connect but told me I had a weak or limited connection. The signal is strong. [more inside]
posted by Sia Stewart on Jul 27, 2009 - 7 answers

What's a good Windows XP open source/freeware sound recorder that is easy for someone with vision deficits to use? Suggestions for a microphone also welcome. Details and... [more inside]
posted by de void on Jun 29, 2009 - 8 answers

Thinking of opening up a bagel store in a town nearby where there are no bagel stores. Looking for tips, suggestions, advice, and name ideas! [more inside]
posted by firei on Jun 21, 2009 - 23 answers

Can I download only OpenOffice Writer? [more inside]
posted by ptsampras14 on Jun 18, 2009 - 4 answers

How can I create an online HTML form poll, preferably for free, wherein the list of multiple choices can grow when users decide to add to the list of choices? [more inside]
posted by kmccormi on Jun 4, 2009 - 2 answers

Please hope an OS X/Open Directory/Kerberos n00b -- I can't reset the directory administrator's password in OS X Server 10.4. [more inside]
posted by liquado on May 13, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm looking for a list or reference to press releases/news articles about large corporations or government departments that have switched to Linux as a desktop platform. For example this week it was reported that the French police have 5,000 PCs running Ubuntu. [more inside]
posted by thewalrus on Apr 30, 2009 - 3 answers

Seeking any way to view the contents of a (possibly corrupted) XML file. It's the database file from a Mac app that manages plain-text notes. [more inside]
posted by sparrows on Apr 20, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm involved in a group of small/nonprofit organizations that would like to financially support the starting of an open-source software application. While I am technically-minded, I'm not a programmer -- and I don't really know what to look for in one (hopefully to be found on MeFi jobs!). Help greatly appreciated. [more inside]
posted by liquado on Apr 6, 2009 - 7 answers

Is there such thing as an open source Kindle that uses texts from things like Project Gutenberg and the like? Perhaps after you bought the device the books would be free because they would all be out of copyright.
posted by samchase on Mar 10, 2009 - 13 answers

I have a Polycom VSX 7000 that we use for video conferencing. I'd like to capture video conference streams and publish to a web server (or youtube) for playback at a later time. (does not need to be in real time) What open source tools can I use to do this? Or can someone point me to a "how to" for this....
posted by purenitrous on Feb 25, 2009 - 0 answers

[relationship filter] How to manage a "break"/"open relationship"? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 16, 2009 - 17 answers

I'm looking into the Open source philosophy to programming seems to be quite an intricate and somewhat confusing setup. I am wondering why so many people put their energy into developing libraries for some open source project with seemingly no direct return. [more inside]
posted by figTree on Jan 2, 2009 - 20 answers

CanadaCellphoneFilter: How can I use a Google G1 Android phone on Canada's Telus network? [more inside]
posted by mrmcsurly on Dec 17, 2008 - 6 answers

Using picasa 3 to make a movie (as per this). The rendering will take over 1 hour. How to get rid of the useless "Making Movie" tab. [more inside]
posted by signal on Nov 24, 2008 - 0 answers

I can't unscrew my stove top Italian espresso maker! [more inside]
posted by whoaali on Oct 16, 2008 - 8 answers

My company is looking to build a search engine to index our web site and I'm wondering if anyone has used any open package to do the task. Names, URLs, experience would be highly appreciated,
posted by seeminglee on Aug 26, 2008 - 6 answers

What content management system (CMS) does the site BNET.com use? Or, what is the currently available CMS that most closely matches the capabilities of this CMS? Bonus points to open source....
posted by omidius on Aug 22, 2008 - 6 answers

Why do they still do open outcry? It would seem that there is a more efficient way to accomplish complex trade transactions than shouting and hand signals.
posted by bartleby on Jul 15, 2008 - 4 answers

I need a Wiki or CMS that has a WYSIWYG editor for a site with about a 100 static pages, sorted into categories. [more inside]
posted by andrewzipp on Jul 11, 2008 - 9 answers

I have open return tix with EL AL which expire in two months. now the doc says i may not be able to fly... [more inside]
posted by Izzmeister on Jun 29, 2008 - 2 answers

for anyone who has trouble hearing, seeing a movie at the theater means missing out on a lot of dialogue and piecing together the story as best they can. thankfully, many movies are now distributed with (optional) captions, and some theaters will have 1 or 2 special screenings where they show the dialogue on-screen. however for some reason, disney/pixar refuses to participate. who at disney do i need to talk to about this, to try and set things right? [more inside]
posted by phoeniciansailor on Jun 19, 2008 - 5 answers

Where did the file go after it was opened from a website and edited it in Microsoft Word? [more inside]
posted by mcarthey on May 27, 2008 - 9 answers

I'm looking for universities that allow students to attend classes without enrolling.. [more inside]
posted by mrunderhill on May 26, 2008 - 12 answers

Looking for your experiences with open-source accounting software. I am helping co-found a non-profit organization and need software that is free (if possible), easy to use for non-accountants, and preferably open-source. Someone recommended OSAS (Open Systems Accounting Software) and gnucash. Has anyone used these or any other programs they would recommend or not recommend?
posted by franklen on Apr 22, 2008 - 3 answers

Open source Wiki software! I'm looking to setup an open source wiki service very similar to wikipedia.org (but slightly different). However I know there is open source software available to download... [more inside]
posted by spinko on Apr 20, 2008 - 6 answers

Changing the default Open/Attach location in Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by Pants! on Mar 24, 2008 - 5 answers

We're having an open house and other various viewings of our place and I was wondering what would be good 'open house' music to play? Preferably from iTunes Radio but other suggestions welcome
posted by royalchinook on Mar 3, 2008 - 11 answers

NerdTalkFilter : What is guy talk about anyway ? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 3, 2008 - 17 answers

I'd like a spreadsheet (OpenOffice Calc) to give me the average of the numbers in a certain row that will be filled over a period of months, and I'd like the formula for the average to remain valid even as I fill it, cell by cell. How? [more inside]
posted by regicide is good for you on Jan 14, 2008 - 7 answers

OSX troubles - whenever I open or switch applications, all other open application windows disappear. How do I fix this? [more inside]
posted by djgh on Dec 25, 2007 - 9 answers

FavoriteLibrivox books? [more inside]
posted by prettyboyfloyd on Dec 19, 2007 - 15 answers

Looking for open source spreadsheet templates I can use commercially (if it comes to that) for recipes, fitness programs and the like. Why? Because my excel skills suck. [more inside]
posted by cameron.case on Dec 18, 2007 - 5 answers

Hi, I would like some recommendations for (preferably open source or inexpensive) web based software that I can implement for my church. Everyone takes turns bringing refreshments, playing songs, etc... and there are waaaaay too many "Who can do it on Sunday the 16th? on Sunday the 26th?" e-mails going around and it gets very confusing to keep track. [more inside]
posted by apark on Dec 12, 2007 - 10 answers

I want to plan a long road trip by myself. I'm not sure exactly where I want to go, but I do know that I want to take some pictures, and have an adventure. [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek on Dec 7, 2007 - 13 answers

Are there any good, open source event management software packages available? [more inside]
posted by breaks the guidelines? on Oct 26, 2007 - 1 answer

Is there a doodad that I can hook onto my laptop that will allow me to close it partially, but not let it close all the way? Said gadget should be easily-takeable-offable, too. [more inside]
posted by Addlepated on Oct 20, 2007 - 8 answers

Recommended Open-Source Desktop Email Client? [more inside]
posted by jjsonp on Oct 18, 2007 - 14 answers

Is there an open course codebase similar to ... Ask Metafilter? I have a fun idea for a specialized group Q and A blog, but I'm not much of a coder.
posted by clango on Oct 15, 2007 - 7 answers

Are there any websites or online communities in which people submit their 'ideas' for public use? [more inside]
posted by wolfsleepy on Oct 9, 2007 - 13 answers

Where can I find comparisons of the time it takes for an application to become relatively mature (in feature set, and bugs) in comparison to its status as open or closed source?
posted by jackofsaxons on Sep 3, 2007 - 4 answers

What options are there for a real-time, open source, video streaming (ogg Theora?) codec/platform/service? I have heard of Flumotion but was wondering if there are others like it in the US or Asia.
posted by gen on Aug 26, 2007 - 3 answers

Is there a software that remembers the open windows sizes and locations in Windows XP? [more inside]
posted by matthelm on Jul 11, 2007 - 4 answers

LostPassionAndCreativityFilter: How does one rekindle one's skill in the zany, lateral, eccentric, imaginative, radical, random, funny, artistic, and kind? [more inside]
posted by regicide is good for you on Jun 20, 2007 - 21 answers

I need some software that will take a PDF file (of a magazine) and produce an online version of it that does not require a PDF reader to view. [more inside]
posted by ajbattrick on Jun 1, 2007 - 5 answers

I believe the mail server associated with my domain name is acting as an open relay. Hosting company claims everything's good. How can I double-check? [more inside]
posted by doctorpiorno on May 15, 2007 - 12 answers

What are some good resources for a ColdFusion programmer who's thinking about going to PHP? [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Apr 20, 2007 - 12 answers