LibreOffice Learning Resources: 2025 Update

In 2016 (https://aajkyakiya.blogspot.com/2016/09/three-of-best-learning-resources-on.html), I shared three excellent resources for learning LibreOffice: Full Circle Magazine, Designing With LibreOffice by Bruce Byfield, and TheFrugalComputerGuy.com video tutorials. With LibreOffice evolving (now at version 25.8 as of August 2025), I've revisited these to check their relevance and added new, free resources to help you master LibreOffice in 2025. Here's the update, focusing on free materials for beginners to advanced users.

Are the 2016 Resources Still Relevant?

1. Full Circle Magazine (Including LibreOffice Golden Jubilee Edition)
   Status: Still active and relevant! Full Circle Magazine continues to publish monthly issues covering Ubuntu and open-source tools like LibreOffice, with issue #220 released on August 29, 2025. The 2015 LibreOffice Golden Jubilee Edition (50 articles) remains available via their archives at fullcirclemagazine.org.
   Relevance in 2025: Great for foundational skills and practical use cases (e.g., document formatting, spreadsheets). While the special edition doesn't cover post-2015 features like adaptive toolbars or EPUB export, recent issues include updated LibreOffice tips.
   Access: Free PDFs at fullcirclemagazine.org. Search "LibreOffice Special Edition" for the Golden Jubilee compilation.
2. Designing With LibreOffice by Bruce Byfield
   Status: Highly relevant and updated! The second edition (2022, co-authored with Jean Hollis Weber) is freely available at designingwithlibreoffice.com under a Creative Commons license. It's tailored for LibreOffice 7.3 but still applies to 25.x, covering styles, templates, and new features like HarfBuzz font shaping and Zotero integration.
   Relevance in 2025: A must-read for professional document design and advanced workflows. Over 35,000 downloads of the first edition prove its value. Support the authors via donations or printed copies at Lulu.com.
   Access: Free PDF/ODT downloads at designingwithlibreoffice.com.
3. TheFrugalComputerGuy.com Video Tutorials
   Status: Active and useful! The YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/thefrugalcomputerguy) and website (thefrugalcomputerguy.com) offer embeddable LibreOffice tutorials on Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, and Base, with updates twice monthly.
   Relevance in 2025: Ideal for visual learners mastering basics like pivot tables or database creation. Lacks coverage of 2025-specific features (e.g., UI customization, AI extensions) but remains solid for core skills. Donations are encouraged.
   Access: Free videos at thefrugalcomputerguy.com or YouTube.

Verdict: None of these resources are "too old" for 2025. They cover core functionalities that haven't changed drastically, making them excellent starting points. However, to leverage newer features like collaborative editing or enhanced security, supplement with the resources below.

New Free Resources for Learning LibreOffice in 2025

To complement the 2016 picks, here are the top free resources for learning LibreOffice in 2025, emphasizing accessibility and coverage of recent updates (e.g., version 25.x enhancements like improved font rendering and mobile support). These are curated for beginners, intermediate users, and advanced learners.

1. Official LibreOffice Documentation & Bookshelf
   Why It's Great: Maintained by volunteers, this offers comprehensive guides for all LibreOffice apps (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, Math). Updated for 2025 with 650+ help page fixes, it covers new features like customizable toolbars, EPUB export, and migration from MS Office.
   Best For: All levels, especially those switching from proprietary software or exploring advanced features like macros.
   Access: Free at docs.libreoffice.org or books.libreoffice.org.
2. Class Central: Free LibreOffice Courses
   Why It's Great: Aggregates free YouTube and platform-based tutorials (e.g., Udemy free sections) on LibreOffice basics to advanced topics like Base databases and collaborative editing. Many courses reflect 2025 needs, such as AI-assisted publishing.
   Best For: Self-paced learners wanting structured video content.
   Access: Free at classcentral.com/subject/libre-office.
3. DigitalDefynd: 10 Free LibreOffice Courses
   Why It's Great: Curates free MOOCs tailored for home learners, covering productivity (e.g., Writer templates) to data analysis (e.g., Calc pivot tables). Flexible for 2025 job skills like remote collaboration.
   Best For: Beginners and intermediate users seeking practical, job-oriented skills.
   Access: Free at digitaldefynd.com/free-libreoffice-courses.
4. Ask LibreOffice Forum
   Why It's Great: An active community for Q&A, troubleshooting, and advanced topics like Python scripting or extension development. Regularly updated with solutions for 2025 features (e.g., Angry Reviewer for grammar checking).
   Best For: Intermediate to advanced users needing specific guidance or macro tips.
   Access: Free at ask.libreoffice.org.
5. LibreOffice YouTube Channel
   Why It's Great: Official tutorials and community webinars cover new features (e.g., 25.8's accessibility improvements) and practical tips for all apps. Short, focused videos are ideal for quick learning.
   Best For: Visual learners wanting bite-sized, up-to-date content.
   Access: Free at youtube.com/@LibreOfficeOrg.

Getting Started in 2025

Start with Designing With LibreOffice (2nd edition) for a deep dive into professional document creation, then explore Class Central or DigitalDefynd for interactive courses. Use the Official Documentation for reference and the Ask LibreOffice Forum for specific queries. For visual learners, TheFrugalComputerGuy and the LibreOffice YouTube Channel are perfect. Full Circle Magazine remains a fun, broad supplement.

Have other resources or specific LibreOffice needs (e.g., Calc macros, Impress animations)? Share them, and I'll tailor more recommendations!

From Compassion to Collective Change: Bridging Humanity and Unity

In my earlier article (https://aajkyakiya.blogspot.com/2018/06/unity-vs-humanity.html), I explored the fundamental difference between Humanity and Unity. Humanity is personal compassion—a one-on-one act of kindness. Unity is a collective bond, an intentional connection of multiple groups or communities toward a shared purpose. I argued that while acts of Humanity are visible in India every day, true Unity remains rare and elusive, surfacing mostly during festivals or isolated events.

🌱 Humanity as the Seed of Unity

“Humanity is a necessary foundation.
Unity is a deliberate structure built on top of Humanity.”

Every act of personal kindness contributes, consciously or not, toward the gradual building of trust within a society. A person offering water to a striking farmer is Humanity in action. But if this small gesture is repeated by millions, it becomes something bigger—a culture of mutual respect.

Humanity by itself is spontaneous, emotional, and sometimes random. Unity requires intentional effort, organization, and shared vision. To build Unity, Humanity needs structure.

🧱 Building Blocks of Unity

1. Shared Narratives and Collective Identity

Unity forms when people see themselves as part of something bigger.
India’s slogan Unity in Diversity holds immense potential, but slogans are not enough.
We need to invest in shared narratives:

• Civic education that emphasizes common responsibility
• Stories of collaboration across communities
• Recognition of past struggles where Unity changed the course of history

2. Structured Platforms for Cooperation

Rather than waiting for festivals or spontaneous protests, structured platforms can encourage Unity:

• Local community councils
• Cross-group volunteer organizations
• National awareness drives focusing on collective challenges like climate change, public health, or education

These platforms allow individuals to contribute their Humanity in a way that joins forces toward a common goal.

3. Small Wins Build Big Unity

Revolutions are often seen as sudden and large-scale, but they start with small, persistent wins:

• A neighborhood resolving disputes collectively
• Farmers from different states coordinating practices, learning from each other
• Inter-community initiatives for education, sanitation, or digital literacy

These steps foster interdependence, trust, and ultimately, a true sense of Unity.

🔥 The Real Power of Unity

Why is Unity important beyond Humanity?
Because Unity creates resilience.

A nation bound by individual acts of kindness is fragile—it depends on goodwill alone.
But a nation united by shared purpose becomes capable of coordinated action, capable of handling crises without fracturing.

True Unity allows us to face large-scale challenges:

• Pandemics
• Economic inequality
• Environmental degradation

Unity turns isolated acts of Humanity into a collective force that reshapes society.

🌟 Conclusion – A Call to Action

In India today, we have abundant Humanity, but real Unity remains a work in progress.
It is not enough to help a neighbor in need.
Nor is it enough to celebrate festivals together.

Unity is forged when we consciously expand our circle of concern from the personal to the collective.
It requires structured platforms, shared narratives, and a vision of mutual progress.

Let us stop waiting for spontaneous revolutions or rare moments of solidarity.
Let us build Unity—brick by brick, story by story, action by action.

The path from Humanity to Unity is not automatic.
It is ours to build.

Electric Scooter Feasibility: 2017 vs 2025

🛵 Electric Scooter Feasibility in India: A 7-Year Comparison

In 2017 (https://aajkyakiya.blogspot.com/2017/09/electric-scooter-feasibility-in-india.html) (https://aajkyakiya.blogspot.com/2017/09/electric-scooter-feasibility-in-india_25.html), I explored the feasibility of electric scooters for Indian adults—not toys, but real civic mobility tools. The analysis was granular, skeptical, and grounded in lived economics. Now, in 2025, it’s time to revisit that vision and compare it with today’s reality—especially through the lens of low-speed scooters like the Joy e-bike Gen Next Nanu Eco.

🔍 2017 vs 2025: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Factor	2017 Insight	2025 Reality (Joy Nanu Eco)	Status
Top Speed	25 km/h (license-free)	25 km/h	✅ Matches expectation
Battery Cost	₹20,000 every 2–3 years	₹18,000–₹22,000 every 3–4 years	✅ Slightly better
Battery Lifespan	~1000 cycles	~1500–2000 cycles	✅ Improved durability
Charging Cost (Home)	₹17–₹20 per charge	₹15–₹18 per charge	✅ Slightly cheaper
Charging Cost (Commercial)	₹400+ per charge (not viable)	Mostly irrelevant; home charging dominates	✅ Concern bypassed
Range (Initial)	60 km per charge	60–90 km per charge	✅ Improved range
Range (After 3 Years)	~30 km	~50–60 km	✅ Better retention
Motor Power	250W	250W BLDC	✅ Same category
Maintenance Cost	Minimal	Confirmed minimal	✅ Matches prediction
License & Registration	Not required	Not required	✅ Consistent
Economic Viability	₹8,595 savings over 3 years	₹20,000–₹30,000 savings over 3 years	✅ Stronger savings

💡 What Changed—and What Didn’t

• Battery tech matured faster than expected—better cycles, lower cost, longer life.
• Charging infrastructure for low-speed scooters remains home-based, which is ideal.
• Range degradation is slower thanks to better thermal management and BMS software.
• Smart features like GPS, anti-theft, and remote lock weren’t common in 2017 but are now standard.
• Economic savings have doubled, especially with fuel prices above ₹100/litre.

🧩 Civic Use Case

Low-speed scooters like the Joy Nanu Eco are perfect for:

• Students, senior citizens, and Seva volunteers
• Short commutes, errands, and club rituals
• District-level mobility without license barriers

🚀 Legacy Reflection

My 2017 article wasn’t just a feasibility study—it was a civic simulation. Seven years later, the vision holds. India has moved closer to electric sovereignty, and low-speed scooters are no longer fringe—they’re foundational.

Let’s keep building. Let’s keep simulating. The road ahead is electric—and sovereign.

Time, Money, and Control: Breaking Free from Subscription Sovereignty

Note: This post is a fictional civic reflection on digital autonomy, software ownership, and the emotional cost of convenience. It is not a technical guide, but a framework for rethinking control.

🧭 The Premise

As more apps and platforms shift to paid subscription models, users face a quiet dilemma: trade money for convenience, or reclaim control at the cost of time and effort. This isn’t just a pricing issue—it’s a sovereignty question.

💰 The Subscription Trap

Paid subscriptions offer clear benefits:

• Timely updates
• Fewer security issues
• Smoother transitions to new features
• Priority support and integrations

But the flipside is a constant leak—a percentage of your output, creativity, and income is siphoned off forever. With dozens of apps adopting this model, your wallet becomes a leaking pipe.

🔓 The Ownership Alternative

Open-source software and fixed-release proprietary tools offer a different path:

• You own the tool, not rent it
• You choose when and how to update
• You avoid forced transitions that disrupt your workflow
• You save money—but must invest time and awareness

This path demands responsibility. You must follow development threads, understand changelogs, and protect yourself. But you gain control.

⚖️ The Civic Question

What do you respect more—your time and effort, or your money?

This isn’t a binary choice. It’s a spectrum of sovereignty. Some users may choose subscriptions for peace of mind. Others may embrace open tools for legacy clarity and financial freedom.

🧠 Simulation Prompt

Title: Design Your Digital Sovereignty Ledger

Challenge:

• List the tools you use daily—note which are subscriptions and which are owned
• Score each tool on control, cost, and emotional disruption
• Draft your ideal balance between convenience and autonomy

💬 Final Thought

Software isn’t just code—it’s a civic contract. Every subscription is a vote for convenience. Every open-source install is a vote for control. What kind of citizen are you in the digital republic?

Quarto: The Sovereign Publishing Engine

In a world dominated by proprietary formats and institutional lock-in, Quarto emerges as a modular, open-source alternative to traditional word processors and presentation tools like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Built on top of Pandoc, Quarto empowers creators to write once and publish everywhere—with emotional clarity, technical precision, and civic resonance.

🧠 Why Quarto Outshines Proprietary Tools

• Markdown-first authoring: Write in plain text using .qmd files, with full support for headings, lists, tables, and embedded code.
• Multi-format publishing: Export to PDF, HTML, Word, slides, and even books—without changing your source file.
• Presentation support: Create beautiful slide decks using Reveal.js, PowerPoint, or LaTeX Beamer. Each ## heading becomes a slide.
• Mermaid diagrams: Visualize emotional flows, civic trust protocols, or migration rituals with native Mermaid support.
• Image embedding: Insert figures with captions, layout control, and cross-referencing for print-ready clarity.
• Code integration: Embed live code from Python, R, or Julia—ideal for reproducible civic metrics and Seva Point audits.
• Open-source sovereignty: No vendor lock-in, no hidden formatting traps. Your content remains yours.

📄 Example: A Civic Trust Slide

---
title: "Seva Points Ritual"
format: revealjs
---

## Emotional Stewardship

- Define Seva Points
- Track legacy impact

## Civic Trust Flow

```{mermaid}
flowchart TD
  A[Start] --> B{Trust Verified?}
  B -->|Yes| C[Issue Seva Visa]
  B -->|No| D[Redirect to Ritual]

Legacy Impact: Quarto transforms civic documentation into emotionally resonant, print-ready artifacts—without sacrificing modularity or sovereignty.

🔍 The Open Question

While Quarto clearly replaces proprietary word processors and presentation apps, one question remains:

What is the best standalone, open-source alternative to Microsoft Excel—one that embraces AI, supports advanced modeling, and respects sovereign formatting?

LibreOffice Calc covers most ground. Gnumeric offers precision. But the search for a truly sovereign spreadsheet engine continues.

What would a Seva Points dashboard look like in a post-Excel world?

He-Man Nostalgia - Part 2

Finally, I got around to making the paper crafts of He-Man and Skeletor from this website: http://minipapercraft.blogspot.com/search/label/Heman%20and%20the%20Masters%20of%20the%20universe

Have a look at my attempt:

Rising Sea Level - Solution is Desalination

There has been a spike in news articles on rising sea levels, its impact, solutions, and inevitability.
Well I cannot speak about inevitability because I am no Oracle or Seer; neither do I know the vast grand plan.

I can only give my limited solution, that too, if rising sea level is looked at as a problem and not a tool for new economy. Well, my solution may be seen as some sort of economy generator, lets see.

What I propose is to drastically expand desalination activity across all coast lines and to use the filtered water for agriculture and general use. The usage should be in the coastal areas that are at least 300 to 500 kilometers far away from the coast line.

This will reduce seal level and enrich the land's depleting ground water. This will also reduce the stress on rain water and help farmers invest in heavy water using crops that usually get more price than other crops.