Group: Manchester/2009-01-12/Minutes

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Manchester Free Software Minutes

19:00, Monday 12th January 2009

Attendance: Simon, Tim, Lucy, Michael, Matt M, Paul W(part)
Apologies: Dave


Last Meeting

The minutes of the 8th December 2008 were read and approved.

Announcements

None

Room Booking

MDDA booked for January and March. Lucy informed the group that the MDDA was not accepting bookings beyond this due to uncertainty over funding. Tim informed that group that meeting rooms were available at the BBC should we require them.

ACTION: Tim to investigate use of meeting rooms at BBC.

Speakers

Lucy informed the group that speakers had been arranged for January, February & June.

Michael informed the group that he had not yet received a response from Chris Warburton of Sheffield Free Software Society.

ACTION: Lucy, Tim and Dave to chase up potential speakers.
ACTION: Michael to chase up Chris Warburton.

Books

Despite recent efforts within the group, the FSF have yet to confirm when the books will be made available.

ACTION: Michael to chase Matt Lee again about the books.

Banking

Matt M presented a copy of the draft constitution to the meeting and invited comments. Several amendments were agreed and it was also decided to e-mail a copy to the team list to allow further consideration.

ACTION: Matt M to e-mail draft constitution to the team list and produce further draft.
ACTION: Matt M to produce business plan and complete bank account forms.

Money and Merchandise

Simon informed the group that he still held £4 and and a number of badges from the SFD08, and that he believed the proceeds should be remitted to the FSF.

ACTION: Simon to clarify status of funds and remaining merchandise with Matt Lee.


Marbella Computer Cluster

The Marbella Cafe has closed and is investigating new premises. Lucy told the group that the Marbella team had indicated that they hope to be operational again by April. The group thanked Michael for removing the computers and agreeing to provide storage.

The Arcspace project

Lucy and Michael had attended the Arcspace AGM and had committed MFS to setting up an LTSP cluster and were now awaiting Arcspace to confirm their requirements. Tim told the group he had been offered a number of servers that could possibly be utilised at the Arcspace. Concerns were raised that Arcspace are known to use some proprietary software such as Skype and how this would affect the groups involvement.

ACTION: Tim to investigate Ekiga Video to replace Skype.
ACTION: Michael to e-mail Vicky Sinclair of Arcspace the groups mission statement.

Any other business

Simon suggested that if a live CD were to be created, help files be added suggesting alternative free software sources.

The meeting discussed Dave's e-mail concerning his recent contact with the IT Manager of Central Library, who had agreed to put Dave in contact with relevant Council IT staff.

ACTION: Dave to pursue possibility of demo with Council IT staff.

Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next admin meeting should take place on Monday 9th February 7pm at The Waterhouse.