# Announcements **URL:** https://openflexure.discourse.group/c/announcements/8.md [Latest](https://openflexure.discourse.group/latest.md) · [Categories](https://openflexure.discourse.group/categories.md) · [Tags](https://openflexure.discourse.group/tags.md) --- ## [About the Announcements category](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/about-the-announcements-category/26)
**Author:** [@kaspar](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/kaspar)\ **Replies:** 0
Announcements and news related to the Openflexure project. Only forum “staff” and and forum users with “trust level 2” or higher can create new posts here. --- ## [Server V3 is no longer in alpha! Introducing v3.0.0-beta1](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/server-v3-is-no-longer-in-alpha-introducing-v3-0-0-beta1/2529)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [27 September 2026 15:57 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/server-v3-is-no-longer-in-alpha-introducing-v3-0-0-beta1/2529 "2026-09-27T15:57:56Z")
Hi everyone, We have just released v3.0.0-beta1. We soon be going around the website and making a few updates, but we want our community here to know about it first. Beta1 is a major milestone in the software overhaul,… --- ## [OpenFlexure with HQ Camera](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-with-hq-camera/2263)
**Author:** [@JohemianKnapsody](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/JohemianKnapsody)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [21 September 2026 07:30 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-with-hq-camera/2263 "2026-09-21T07:30:28Z")
Excited to share the first (as far as I know!) OpenFlexure Microscope with the 12MP Raspberry Pi HQ camera. Support for the PiCamera 2 isn’t going anywhere, but being able to use the HQ camera comes with some major be… --- ## [We want to feature YOUR OpenFlexure projects! (Call for User Stories)](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/we-want-to-feature-your-openflexure-projects-call-for-user-stories/2520)
**Author:** [@bprobert](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/bprobert)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [24 August 2026 12:52 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/we-want-to-feature-your-openflexure-projects-call-for-user-stories/2520 "2026-08-24T12:52:51Z")
Hi everyone! We are looking to add some new user stories to the OpenFlexure website which showcase some of the awesome work that our community members do with the OpenFlexure Microscope. You can check out some of our e… --- ## [Come work with us!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/come-work-with-us/2513)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [19 August 2026 14:02 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/come-work-with-us/2513 "2026-08-19T14:02:33Z")
Hi all, The Humanitarian Technology Trust is hiring a full-time software developer for the OpenFlexure project! :partying\_face: :openflexure: The role is hybrid, with 2-3 days a week in our offices in Bath, to allow us… --- ## [OpenFlexure Connect version 5.0.0!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-connect-version-5-0-0/2484)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [15 July 2026 01:58 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-connect-version-5-0-0/2484 "2026-07-15T01:58:11Z")
It has been way too long since OpenFlexure Connect got a new release. We hare happy to say it is online! Hopefully you will not notice much of a difference except a few more things working if you are using the v3 server… --- ## [Fifth (and final?) alpha for the v3 server](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/fifth-and-final-alpha-for-the-v3-server/2407)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [18 June 2026 16:12 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/fifth-and-final-alpha-for-the-v3-server/2407 "2026-06-18T16:12:03Z")
Hi all. We have been very very busy since the last v3 alpha release around Christmas time. This release has been a huge amount of work and brings us significantly closer to a semi-stable beta release. We really hope tha… --- ## [An alpha release of the v3 server](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/an-alpha-release-of-the-v3-server/2152)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [10 March 2026 18:17 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/an-alpha-release-of-the-v3-server/2152 "2026-03-10T18:17:04Z")
Hello all, It has been a considerable period of time since the last server release, and it will be a bit longer before we have a stable or full featured release. That being said we are delighted to announce the release … --- ## [Welcoming Beth to the core development team](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/welcoming-beth-to-the-core-development-team/2385)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [3 March 2026 20:41 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/welcoming-beth-to-the-core-development-team/2385 "2026-03-03T20:41:39Z")
Hi everyone, A little update from us. Beth (@bprobert) has joined the OpenFlexure Core Development Team :openflexure:. Beth brings years of software testing experience to the team. Over the past year or so she has been … --- ## [OpenFlexure at FOSDEM 2026](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-at-fosdem-2026/2366)
**Author:** [@WilliamW](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/WilliamW)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [23 February 2026 21:34 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-at-fosdem-2026/2366 "2026-02-23T21:34:11Z")
The OpenFlexure team are at FOSDEM 2026 in Brussels this weekend. If you are nearby, drop in and see us at the stand. There are three talks tomorrow, Sunday 1st Feb, which will be streamed live. All times UTC+1 … --- ## [We need your opinions!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/we-need-your-opinions/2321)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [12 February 2026 17:17 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/we-need-your-opinions/2321 "2026-02-12T17:17:10Z")
Hi everyone, We have made a shortish (though not as short as it first seems, unless you have never used an OFM) survey to better understand how our community use the OpenFlexure Microscope and software. SURVEY LINK! R… --- ## [A wesbite and a handbook](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/a-wesbite-and-a-handbook/2364)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [26 January 2026 17:55 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/a-wesbite-and-a-handbook/2364 "2026-01-26T17:55:23Z")
Hello all. Two announcements A new website Some of you may have noticed we have a shiny new website. It’s still open and served from our GitLab, it is just much better designed. We would love to collect more use cases… --- ## [Christmas has come early! Its a new v3 server alpha release](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/christmas-has-come-early-its-a-new-v3-server-alpha-release/2339)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [6 January 2026 21:10 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/christmas-has-come-early-its-a-new-v3-server-alpha-release/2339 "2026-01-06T21:10:31Z")
Hi everyone. We are celebrating the holidays with OpenFlexure Server v3.0.0-alpha 4! :christmas\_tree::wrapped\_gift::openflexure: The SD Card image can be downloaded from our build server. Please note that this is an al… --- ## [Time to update your sangaboard firmware?](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/time-to-update-your-sangaboard-firmware/2343)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [3 January 2026 19:39 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/time-to-update-your-sangaboard-firmware/2343 "2026-01-03T19:39:36Z")
Hi everyone! If you have a Sangaboard v0.5 we recommend that you update your firmware to be v0.1.4. This should prevent stalling and missing steps when the virtual EPROM is being written to, giving smoother operation. T… --- ## [Help us design stickers!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/help-us-design-stickers/2309)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [10 December 2025 17:37 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/help-us-design-stickers/2309 "2025-12-10T17:37:45Z")
Hi all, At conferences (especially FOSDEM) people always love project stickers. Last year we had some very simple kiss-cut stickers: And also a few fun “You Wouldn’t Download a Microscope” stickers: This year we… --- ## [OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta5 and Server v3.0.0-alpha3](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta5-and-server-v3-0-0-alpha3/2280)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [15 October 2025 08:16 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta5-and-server-v3-0-0-alpha3/2280 "2025-10-15T08:16:43Z")
:openflexure: It’s pre-release day! :openflexure: The team, many collaborators and community members have been very busy over the last couple of months making a number of improvements that we are really excited to share … --- ## [Join us for the first OpenFlexure Maintain-A-Thon!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/join-us-for-the-first-openflexure-maintain-a-thon/2192)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [13 August 2025 15:24 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/join-us-for-the-first-openflexure-maintain-a-thon/2192 "2025-08-13T15:24:20Z")
The OpenFlexure Project is hosting its first hackathon! This is not just any hackathon, it is a two day event focused on pushing the boundaries of software quality, documentation, and testing. To borrow a term we lear… --- ## [Developing v3 of the OpenFlexure software](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/developing-v3-of-the-openflexure-software/847)
**Author:** [@r.w.bowman](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/r.w.bowman)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [24 June 2025 09:33 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/developing-v3-of-the-openflexure-software/847 "2025-06-24T09:33:04Z")
As the software counterpart to v7 of the hardware, we are planning for the next major release. This won’t be as dramatic an overhaul as v7 of the microscope, but will have some substantial new features and may have brea… --- ## [OpenFlexure Connect pre-release](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-connect-pre-release/2158)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [13 June 2025 09:06 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-connect-pre-release/2158 "2025-06-13T09:06:42Z")
A lot is happening on the software side. The biggest things are on the server, please do try the alpha release of the new OpenFlexure Server/OS We have also updated OpenFlexure Connect! v5.0.0-beta1 Hopefully you shoul… --- ## [Happy Birthday!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/happy-birthday/534)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [2 June 2025 17:18 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/happy-birthday/534 "2025-06-02T17:18:47Z")
Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear forum, Happy birthday to you. It was a year ago that we thought “maybe we should have a forum”. Never did we expect over 170 users, nor over 1500 post… --- ## [First prototype of the Field Dissection Microscope is ready to build](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/first-prototype-of-the-field-dissection-microscope-is-ready-to-build/1418)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [25 May 2025 14:28 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/first-prototype-of-the-field-dissection-microscope-is-ready-to-build/1418 "2025-05-25T14:28:10Z")
Hello everyone Earlier in the year I started crowd funding to design a new microscope in the OpenFlexure Family. Later in the thread I provided an update with some images from the microscope The microscope has now reac… --- ## [OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta4](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta4/2120)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [21 May 2025 13:35 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta4/2120 "2025-05-21T13:35:50Z")
We are very very close to releasing version 7 of the microscope hardware. Very soon we will do a “Release Candidate” from that point we will only fix serious bugs before the v7.0.0 full release. However we are not quite… --- ## [Introducing the Humanitarian Technology Trust](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/introducing-the-humanitarian-technology-trust/2101)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [11 May 2025 12:01 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/introducing-the-humanitarian-technology-trust/2101 "2025-05-11T12:01:20Z")
Hi all :openflexure: We have some very exciting news. We have established a new UK Charity, the Humanitarian Technology Trust. The Trust is supporting the open source development and global manufacturing of technologies… --- ## [OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta3 release](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta3-release/1859)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [1 December 2024 12:04 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta3-release/1859 "2024-12-01T12:04:51Z")
Hi all. We have made a number of minor improvements to the upcoming v7 release. We these are now available as v7.0.0-beta3 One of the bigger changes is that the electronics documentation for the Sangaboard is up to da… --- ## [OpenFlexure @ FOSDEM 2025](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-fosdem-2025/1819)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [20 November 2024 10:52 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-fosdem-2025/1819 "2024-11-20T10:52:22Z")
:openflexure: OpenFlexure :openflexure: is going to have a stand at FOSDEM in February next year! It is really exciting to see OpenFlexure listed alongside all of these huge open source projects. Let us know if you are… --- ## [Crowdfunding to support our collaborator's studies in Tanzania](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/crowdfunding-to-support-our-collaborators-studies-in-tanzania/1790)
**Author:** [@j.stirling](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/j.stirling)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [28 October 2024 11:00 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/crowdfunding-to-support-our-collaborators-studies-in-tanzania/1790 "2024-10-28T11:00:44Z")
Hi all, As you know the long term goal of the OpenFlexure Project is to enable local manufacturing of medical microscopes across the world. BTech in Tanzania are probably going to be our first manufacturing partner, the… --- ## [New build server](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/new-build-server/1772)
**Author:** [@r.w.bowman](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/r.w.bowman)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [8 October 2024 15:43 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/new-build-server/1772 "2024-10-08T15:43:13Z")
The OpenFlexure build server has been replaced. This was a server hosted by the University of Bath, and is now a new cloud server that should be, for all purposes, identical. I’m hoping this will make it easier for us to… --- ## [OpenFlexure in the "WHO compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings"](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-in-the-who-compendium-of-innovative-health-technologies-for-low-resource-settings/1693)
**Author:** [@JohemianKnapsody](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/JohemianKnapsody)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [22 July 2024 13:33 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-in-the-who-compendium-of-innovative-health-technologies-for-low-resource-settings/1693 "2024-07-22T13:33:00Z")
Thrilled to announce that the OpenFlexure Microscope has not just been listed in the World Health Organisation “Compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings”, but we’re on the front cover! P… --- ## [OpenFlexure Microscope v7.0.0-beta2 released](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta2-released/1595)
**Author:** [@r.w.bowman](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/r.w.bowman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [20 June 2024 20:39 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-microscope-v7-0-0-beta2-released/1595 "2024-06-20T20:39:40Z")
I’m pleased to report the latest beta has now been built and put up on our build server: https://build.openflexure.org/openflexure-microscope/v7.0.0-beta2/ This includes many small tweaks, including updated electronics… --- ## [Openflexure current build is here!](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-current-build-is-here/1387)
**Author:** [@WilliamW](https://openflexure.discourse.group/u/WilliamW)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [15 May 2024 14:28 UTC](https://openflexure.discourse.group/t/openflexure-current-build-is-here/1387 "2024-05-15T14:28:43Z")
I am delighted to say that we are now able to have the current master development version of Openflexure available, thanks to @r.w.bowman. On large software projects this would be the ‘nightly build’ but the Openflexure … [Next page](https://openflexure.discourse.group/c/announcements/8.md?page=1)