FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to analyze my data but the software only works on specific platforms, what are the alternatives? // My institute cannot afford the license, any open source alternatives? // This website/tool is not available in my country, are there any alternatives?

• If you are struggling to find alternatives that work on your platform, please check our list of tools available.

• Tools Available For Researchers

• Awesome Research Tools

• If the software was written for another Operating System (OS), you may be able to use an emulator. For example, Windows programs often run under Linux using Wine.

I would like to teach my students how to use software X, I learned to use it in high computing environments, how do I adapt it? // How we conduct computational training in my country/institute/field without relying on an internet connection?

Here are some guides that can help you adapt your teaching practices:

• Have a look at our Materials and Methods section.

• Computer Science without a computer.

• Reproducible environments by Turing way.

• Strategies for addressing unequal technological access

• University of Cape Town Low Tech Remote Teaching Guidelines

• Learners' Experiences from South Africa's Online Workshop

• Videoconferencing Alternatives: How Low-Bandwidth Teaching Will Save Us All

How can I collaborate and send/receive data from international institutes?

I am creating software, what should I take into consideration for inclusive design? i.e. use on multiple platforms doesn’t require any/too heavy internet connection to function, readme file in multiple languages, the intuitive design doesn’t require much text, doesn’t require high computing power.

• Add lists to inclusive design

Can I receive a mobile data grant to attend a conference?

• Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing

• Wikimedia Rapid Grants program

• Access Now

• RightsCon Connectivity Fund

• World wide web

• South African Centre for Digital Language Resources

What ethical tools can I use?

• Ethical Alternatives and Resources

How do I design a virtual or physical event to be inclusive? // How do I ensure diversity in my event?

• Carpentries

• Alan Turing

Where can I find other groups/information about diversity: in tech and/or open science?

• Awesome list

How do I get more people to interact with my resource?

• Community building

• Accessibility tips:

  • Make It Plain: Accessibility and Usability Through Plain Language

Where can I find info about mentoring others?

• How to be a good mentor

• See OpenCIDER's guide on being mindful

How do I become a better person? i.e. challenging my own biases

• Learn more about your biases via bias test

• How to challenge them

Where do I find information on other initiatives for inclusion in tech workforce?

• Black Code collective https://blackcodecollective.com/