When You Can't Afford A Berkey....

Water is a basic need, and dirty water kills lots of people every year. Luckily there are lots of ways to make water drinkable.  No-Tech Magazine has a good review of OHorizon's open-source biosand filter plans.  It is a relatively permanent solution, with a concrete case, yet only costs a few dollars each to make in quantity, as the form is made of wood.  If you want the plans directly, go to OHorizons and fill out their form.

Little Free Libraries

Love to read?  Imagine having a box in your front yard where new books show up like magic.  It's not just a dream, it's the Little Free Library movement. 

Good list of open-source software

50 Open Source Replacements for Really Expensive Software is not very comprehensive in depth, only listing a few software packages per category, but it is impressive in the breadth of categories it covers.

Related articles

• Bossies 2014: The Best of Open Source Software Awards
• Software Freeware and Open Source
• Keeping moms connected, empowered by technology