manchester May 2011

manchester@lists.fsfe.org

4 participants
16 discussions

[Manchester] Guardian newspaper education 'Powerpoints'
by Sam Tuke 31 May '11

31 May '11

I noticed in The Guardian's educational supplement last week [1] that the free of charge teaching materials that they make available to teachers are Powerpoint files, and are unnecessarily referred to as 'Powerpoints' rather than presentations or slide-shows: "you can now find a one-hour PowerPoint lesson that can be used both in the classroom and at home" "The PowerPoint gives children the information and vocabulary to devise their own challenging science questions" This presents an opportunity to contact the journalist concerned, and copy in the Guardian's education desk, reminding them of Open Documents, Open Standards, and their particular importance to education. It could also help develop press relations with this important newspaper, which hosts annual conferences on education and public sector technology amongst other things. What do you think would be the best way to approach the issue in our message? Who do you think the message should be from (edu team, UK team)? Please contribute to ideas and the draft itself before the end of this week. Thanks, Sam. 1. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2011/apr/11/space-travel-guardian-teach… -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] IMPORTANT: okay computer list sign up.
by Anna Morris 31 May '11

31 May '11

Dear all, Due to popular demand and general sensibleness, we now have a mailing list for okay_computer! This list will be for organizers and attendees alike, so everyone can muck in together: anyone, from any group and of any skill level is *welcome! * *For organizers:* this list will be the place where all organizational issues are discussed, and all the planning will happen. Its really important that you sign up, because okay_computer planning will no longer be happening on your other lists. This should save us all a lot of bother I think! : ) *For attendees:* this list will keep you informed and help you to contribute your ideas, time and muscle to future events. It will give you a good place to get technical advise or assistance, and will be a good place for you to learn more about free software. So, who ever you are, please do come join this list and get involved. If we all work together, we can all help make okay computer bigger, better, freeer and more welcoming than ever! *How to join the list,* click on the link below and put your details in the boxes as asked. Then, click "subscribe." You will get an email in your in-box noting your request, and then another asking you to confirm. Once you have confirmed (by following the instructions in the email) you are then on the list. http://pielists.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/okay_computer If you are an active member of a specific group, it might be helpful for you to put then name of the group along side your user name. For example: Bob Smith - FSFE, or Josephine Blogs - ManLug. This helps people (like me and novice attendees) who are not so familiar with all the groups, to get to know more about the free software (et. al.) scene in the north west : ) *How to use the list:* If you want to send an email to the list, you need to use the list address like a normal email. The list email address is: okay_computer(a)pielists.net . Your email message will then automatically go to everyone else on the list, and they can all reply, and everyone will see their reply too! Its like a big email conversation. If *you *want to reply to an email, make sure you click "reply to all" (not just "reply) because otherwise you may be replying to one person and not everyone. Sometimes you might just want to talk to one person however: this is called an "offlist email." In this instance, use "reply" or their normal personal email address. Lists can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to them, but never fear, you will get used to it all very quickly, and help its always at hand. If you * are* new, watch especially for replies WITHIN the text of your original email. For example *Anna(a)email.co.uk *said I think we should have more vegan cakes this time, they were really lush. * bob(a)email.co.uk* replied >I think we should have more vegan cakes this time, they were really lush* * Yes, I agree, lushalicious cake mmmm! *Thanks for reading* I hope to see many of you on list sometime soon! Yours faithfully Miss Anna F J Morris Birth Mother of Okay_Computer -- "There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching..." Martha Graham

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[Manchester] Hello All
by Anna Morris 31 May '11

31 May '11

Hi, I am new on this list, so for those of you that don't (yet!) know me: My name is Anna, I am 25, I live a cumbersome 8 miles from the city. I organized Okay_Computer <http://www.okaycomputer.org/> which has very recently shifted from being supported primarily by MFS, to yourselves (last fsfe - M meeting). I will be organizing many more of this fab events with your help (yay!) and lovely people from lots of other groups too. I am not a "techie" but am very passionate about free software. I am a writer, a vegan, massive nerd, a campaigner for/against many things, I am a carer for my partner Joe who is ill, I love doctor who, star trek, disaster movies and all thinks sucker punch, I have 4 cats, 1 rabbit, 2 fish and more books than pennies in the bank. That me : ) Nice to meet you, do introduce yourselves if you have time : D -- "There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching..." Martha Graham

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[Manchester] Reminder: Manchester Fellowship meeting tomorrow at 19.00
by Sam Tuke 25 May '11

25 May '11

Tomorrow the May Manchester Fellowship meeting will take place at MadLab: http://madlab.org.uk/content/fsfe/ See past emails for proposed items for discussion. Best wishes, Sam. -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Weekly report for Sam Tuke (week 20)
by Sam Tuke 25 May '11

25 May '11

During three days working for FSFE I did the following: == Policy == - Published news item re: contributions to 'Open Source Options for Government' paper (syndicated by OSOR here: http://www.osor.eu/news/eu-uk- fsfe-appeals-for-information-on-oss-deployments) - Dented details of contributing to said govt. paper - Emailed fellowship-uk@ and manchester@ mailing lists re said govt. paper - Summarised news of new UK Govt. position 'Executive Director of Digital' to UK team, proposed action regarding this new appointment - Contacted a variety of organisations requesting details of companies able to support a London council's migration to GNU/Linux desktops - Emailed aforementioned London council with updates regarding my enquiries concerning assistance for their migration == Editors == - Proposed questions for May Fellowship interview to Chris Woolfrey - Proposed next steps with Free Software section to web@, proposed opening drafting process to editors team and defining vision for section == Community == - Emailed UK team re: making use of network of 'circuit riders': voluntary technical support and developers for UK based third sector organisations - Attended Manchester Free Software meeting on 'Puppet'. Discussed political contacts for Free Software with other attendees after the meeting. - Engaged in extensive communications with leader of local installfest group, discussed next group event, invited them to next Fellowship meeting - Dented article from fsfeuk account: 'Govt OSS Policy: resilient as a snowflake in June ' - Dented article from fsfeuk account: 'International alarm rings over UK ICT policy' - Dented article from fsfeuk account: 'Summary of today’s National Audit Office report on £11.4bn NHS IT scheme' - Dented article from fsfeuk account: 'MPs pooh-pooh happy clappy ICT strategy' == Fellowship == - Emailed proposed topics of discussion to Manchester Fellowship group for this week's meeting - Proposed improvements to communication mechanisms with Fellows to fellowship@ - Provided a UK Fellow with background information and extensive links to details of FRAND, Open Standards, and procurement. - Achieved access to current draft of Edu team mission statement and forwarded it to a UK fellow for their research == Other == - Contacted system hackers regarding improved spam handling on mailing-lists via use of mailman's spam folder and configuration of mail clients to upload spam messages to server - Debugged shared office Canon photocopier (it doesn't support GNU/Linux). Found solution using virtualbox, documented it and shared it. - Contacted edu team re: publication of mission statement - Forwarded new t-shirt and flyer designs in response to request on designers@ == Web == - Contributed ideas to discussion on reformatting of 'our work' page - Assisted a deputy coordinator in accessing FSFE's track instance - Notified fellowship@ of out of date 'communicate' page, sought commit access to SVN, made enquiries about status of migration of fellowship.fsfe.org to fsfe.org/fellowship - Contributed to debate on privacy of MoinMoin - Added Paul Adams to listed team members on uk.fsfe.org - Contacted UK team members not currently listed on uk.fsfe.org, requested permission to add them - Proposed new tag based breadcrumbs system for fsfe.org, outlined idea and engaged in discussion on web@ regarding this proposal - Implemented Martin Gollowitzer's suggestions for improving mailman message moderation on uk team list == Preview == - Monitor latest contributions to Open Source Options for Government paper - Make preparations for Thursday Fellowship meeting - research PDFR UK campaign current status - Continue enquiries on behalf of London council - Write article about appointment of new Executive Director of Digital? - Lunch meeting with leader of local installfest group - Print UK leaflets for Fellowship group (technical problems prevented this last week) -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Meeting 19.00 this Thursday at Madlab
by Sam Tuke 21 May '11

21 May '11

On Thursday the May Manchester Fellowship meeting will take place at MadLab: http://madlab.org.uk/content/fsfe/ Proposed topics: 1. Leaflets - views on content and next steps in distributing them. I shall bring the leaflets with me as previously discussed. 2. PDF Readers - the current status of the campaign in the UK, how many British public sector institutions are still advertising proprietary PDF software and if and how Manchester Fellows want to get involved 3. OK Computer - Anna Morris will be in attendance and exchange ideas for the next 'OK Computer' Free Software install day and determine participants 4. Getting Free Software into the third sector - how we can improve out-reach to charities and non-profit organisations in Manchester, what resources we need to develop (I've been working on a few), whether we should run or attend particular events etc. Please share your Comments, criticisms, and improvements to these proposed topics, and / or suggest new ones! Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, Sam. -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Circuit riders - gateway to Free Software in 3rd sector?
by Sam Tuke 21 May '11

21 May '11

In the last Manchester Fellowship meeting we briefly discussed out-reach to third sector organisations. Whilst working on a separate issue this morning I stumbled across the UK's 'circuit rider' network. Is anyone familiar with these groups, their relationship with Free Software and Open Standards, or events or meetings which they have? They appear to offer a prime gateway for Free Software in charities and non- profits, and there is at least one national mailing-list with more than 400 members. http://ukriders.lasa.org.uk/what-is-a-circuit-rider/ http://ukriders.lasa.org.uk/ Thanks, Sam. -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Help to write UK govt. guide for Free Software in the public sector
by Sam Tuke 18 May '11

18 May '11

Please help to write the Government's paper "Open Source Options for Government": http://etherpad.fsfe.org/zaKDgMacMd This paper will be used in the UK public sector to: a. Inform the design of new IT solutions b. Suggest opportunities for IT service or solution refreshes c. Challenge a proposed solution that does not use open source technology The Home Office has asked FSFE to contribute our expertise. Here we a have an opportunity to add compelling evidence for Free Software applications which could influence future UK public sector procurement decisions. In short, the better this paper is, the more likely it is that public money could be spent on using Free rather than proprietary software. FSFE's UK team has already done preliminary work on version 0.1 of the document, but more is needed, particularly details of real world deployments of applications which are already listed, and also Free Software alternatives to dominant proprietary systems in particular fields (medical record management, for example). It's authors at the home office have unfortunately chosen to use Google Docs as the drafting platform, and I don't want to encourage people to register with Google in order to make their contributions. Therefore I have created an FSFE hosted etherpad to collect your input at the address above.<http://etherpad.fsfe.org/zaKDgMacMd> I will later submit the contributions that are made on the etherpad to Tariq Rashid (Lead Architect at the Home Office) so that he can add them to the Google Document. Kind regards, Sam. -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM :samtuke@jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team:uk@fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Weekly report for Sam Tuke (week 19)
by Sam Tuke 18 May '11

18 May '11

== Policy == - Asked additional contributors to partake in Tariq Rashid's debate on topics for meeting on public sector procurement - Received, commented on and forwarded to UK and edu teams letter from the Department for Education regarding software procurement - Discussed with Home Office involving all UK Fellows in drafting new Government papers on recommended FS for public sector - Drafted and sent to editors proposed invitation to fellows to participate in govt. document == Editors == - Proposed improving / merging 'what is FS' and 'why FS' pages to web team - Pursued Chris regarding Fellowship interview == Community == - Posted information about new freedombox models to discussion list - Had lunch with local developer about distributed we FS, introduced him to appleseed, diaspora, statusnet and others == Fellowship == - Confirmed meeting date of Fellowship meetings, notified manchester@ - Started planning topics for next Fellowship meeting - Invited two new contacts to attend the next Fellowship meeting - Updated MadLab web page with details of Fship meeting (http://madlab.org.uk/content/fsfe/) - Welcomed new Glasgow Fellow == Other == - Contacted UK team members regarding listing them on UK team page - Booked transportation to FSFE GA in Slovenia - Submitted expenses for travel costs to Slovenia - Replied at length to a London Council who contacted me asking for help deploying GNU/Linux on staff desktops - Thanked PPUK for referring London council contact to me - Proposed social-networking file-sharing plugin for diaspora to OwnCloud mailing-list == Web == - Minor work on FS section - Minor improvements to charities / ngo page in FS section == Preview == - Send suggested Fellowship activities to manchester@ - Make enquiries re help for London council - Make further contributions to UK list of Govt recommended FS - Print leaflets - More work on charity / NGO section of FS section -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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[Manchester] Next Fellowship meeting: Thurs 26th May
by Sam Tuke 12 May '11

12 May '11

As there were no objections to future meetings being held on the last Thursday of each month, I have now confirmed this with MadLab, and our next meeting with the 26th - two weeks today. Before then I shall print some fliers for people who want them. I'll also put together some topics for discussion, including the PDF Readers campaign in the UK, and engaging with third sector organisations. Thanks, Sam. -- Sam Tuke British Team Coordinator Free Software Foundation Europe IM : samtuke(a)jabber.fsfe.org Contact the British team: uk(a)fsfeurope.org

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manchester May 2011