I agree, but as far as I know, on Debian it does not depend on Java. The Libre Office requirements page says it is only necessary for certain 'Base' features: http://www.libreoffice.org/get...

(I have never seen the popups, or had Java installed on my machine for a long time, so I was curious. Libre Office also runs pretty fast imho.)

NeoOffice basically stripped it from Base, and their download page says: "Base users: if you use Base, we recommend that you use OpenOffice with the Oracle Report Builder extension. The Base features in NeoOffice 2014.6 are much more limited than OpenOffice." (http://www.neooffice.org/neojava/en/macappstore.php)

I second the AC above. (Replying to you so you get the notification). Donate them locally. A few computers or clothes wont make much difference and will probably not reach the intended target. Trying to get Customs to release computers is not fun, even if you have all the paperwork in order. Been there, wouldn't want to do that again.

Now, if you plan on going to Cuba and have stuff you want to give away, by all means, carry extra clothes and a laptop. Check what you can bring in without paying extra and pay attention if they write down the details of the laptop (it may mean that they are going to fine you if you don't take it with you. I've never seen that, but I've heard stories). If you fly in to a small airport, most likely no one will bat an eye. Don't stay in a hotel, stay at a B&B (I hate the name tourists give them, "casas particulares"). Hopefully it will be obvious who will benefit the most from your gift. Just keep in mind that those who work with tourists (e.g., your hosts, bartenders, etc) are statistically better off than those who don't.

They have. If you can read spanish, take a look at this book, around page 293. If you can't read spanish, this the end of Castro's quote: "And our country adopted, in fact, the decision of abolishing intelectual property." This was decided in the context of ensuring that students and researchers had access to the literature.

Not all cubans can afford or are allowed (embargo) to pay for modern books. But not all cubans have to: once the book is acquired, it can be photocopied legally... in fact, the government will photocopy the textbooks and loan them to the students "for free" (you pay only if you don't return them at the end of the school year).

Ironically... the cuban "ISP" with most home users, Infomed, was created to facilitate access to information to doctors and health professionals. Nearly every doctor can get a free dial-up account with Infomed. This includes retired doctors. I quoted "ISP" because they only give access to email and some whitelisted sites... pubmed is among them.

(Source: I used to be an Infomed suscriber. I am not a doctor, but there are doctors in the family. They still use Infomed.)

You do need HTTPS to protect mundane content: Saying otherwise is very short sighted...

You might not care about the content, but the way someone, somewhere, is accessing it, does offer a lot of "value".
It can allow a watchful eye to either accuse the reader of being outside the norm, criminal, not respectful and whatnot (reason why librarians fought hard for the right to lend books without giving the list to the state!) or allow them to caracterise, profile, target a person over time for many different reasons.

Thus everyone should have the to right to read anonymously and willingly.
Witholding this right from others is being complicit with opressors.

https://www.httpvshttps.com/

Actually, you would be surprised about that. When treatment is not available in Cuba, patients are often sent to other countries. This is in no way limited to elites. Unfortunately, budget restrictions are very real. I wanted to share another link about that, but I could not find it. (Also, I have no idea re: Fidel Castro leaving the country for treatment)

Indeed.

Try "prosperity". I would say that most Cuban migrants leave because of the economy. Yes, there may be a causal relationship between the lack of liberty and the poor economy, but they are subtle enough that most don't even notice. I didn't feel not-free (though, in hindsight, I really did not have the "freedoms" that I now enjoy). Even some who thirst for liberty, seem to be seeking a better economy, to the point that some want to return to Cuba after receiving asylum in Spain. (Sorry, I couldn't find a source in English).

I was a premature baby, and I am very much alive. Also, your "proof" link does not mention Cuba.

Some people may need subtitles to "just watch the movie".

I authored the previous comment; I didn't realize that I was logged out when I did, so it showed up as AC. But it's me.

1. I'm too busy to sit around thinking up additional words to throw in so I can score "mod" points

2. The people I like on Slashdot are too busy to read a bunch of additional words I only threw in so I can score "mod" points

3. It's not in my nature to waste words, or to waste time

Actually this particular councilman represents an extremely high-rent district--Manhattan's upper east side. I doubt there are many wealthier neighborhoods in the world. He's not doing this to 'score points', he's doing it to do the right thing.

Well said

Let me fix that for you:

Time and again history has shown the way to have a healthy middle class is to alleviate poverty on a grand scale.

Well spoken, bro

The "digital divide" is a real thing. It's the difference between spoiled people like yourself growing up with a computer in your home, and inner city kids who have no computer access at home and have to wait on line at the public library to get a 15 minute time slot.

If you don't recognize that in this society those without computer access are at a disadvantage, you are as stupid as you are uncaring.