Group:Manchester/2008-09-08/Minutes

Manchester Free Software Minutes

19:00, Monday 8th September 2008

Attendance: Simon, Dave, Lucy, Michael, Matt M
Apologies: Paul, Tim

Last Meeting

The minutes of the last meeting on 11th August 2008 were read and approved.

Announcements

None

Speakers

After September we have no confirmed speakers.

It was agreed that October's meeting should consist of a series of lightning talks. With Michael (and hopefully Tim) agreeing to speak about the new OpenMoko phone.

Tim suggested that we try contacting Mr Ben (at Lug Radio Live he gave a very interesting talk on F/LOSS World domination), Ian Lynch (the INGOTS - alternative to various existing training systems focusing on using free software) and someone from Axiom Tech.

Simon suggested that we have a social event sometime before the end of the year, possibly in FAB Cafe or the MDDA.

Matt suggested that we look at conferences happening in Manchester for getting new speakers (as people will be in the city for the conference).

From last month's actions:

• Dave has not heard anything definite from Ben Green.
• Simon has contacted Jono Bacon but has yet to hear back.
• Tim has contacted someone from DNUK and Rufus Pollock
• Tim has also spoken to Matt Lee from the FSF, who said that it may be possible for himself and Stephen Fry to give a talk Spring 2009

ACTION: Michael to speak to Tim about talking about OpenMoko in October.
ACTION: Lucy to send an email to the list to request more lightning talks for October.
ACTION: Lucy to contact John Pinner, (Mr) Ben Thorpe, Ian Lynch, Axiom Tech.
ACTION: Simon to contact Harald Welte again.
ACTION: Dave to contact someone else from Bristol Wireless.

Software Freedom Day

Dave has arranged for us to invade the Marbella Cafe [1] on Newton St on Saturday 20th September to celebrate SFD.

The currently unused computers from the Zion centre will be moved permanently to the new cafe and used for free internet access, using LTSP. This setup will be shown off on SFD.

[1] http://marbellacupcakes.com/contact.html

ACTION: Dave to confirm details with the Marbella Cafe.
ACTION: update the software freedom day website and our website once details are confirmed (Dave/Lucy).
ACTION: Lucy to email the list (and other local lists) to give details and request for help.
ACTION: Lucy to create A4/3 posters to advertise Manchester-FS, A5 handouts and an A4 leaflet with the Handsworth Grammar case study.
ACTION: Lucy to organise bringing some cds (OpenDisc, OpenEducationDisc, etc).
ACTION: Dave to create a wiki page with a list of local schools and a template email for inviting IT people at those schools to the SFD event. Dave will then arrange for people to contact those schools.

Promotion

Matt suggested creating a Facebook group to promote Manchester-FS (to get people to go to the website and mailing list, NOT as a separate social space).

ACTION: Dave to find the No2ID list of places to promote Manchester-FS (by putting up posters/leaflets, etc) and add it to the wiki.
ACTION: Matt to look into creating a facebook group for Manchester-FS

120 Books

Matt Lee has arranged for us to receive 120 books from the FSF to sell, with 65% of the proceeds going back to the FSF.

Simon, Michael, Matt and Lucy have all volunteered to look after some of the books. Michael also has a car so would be able to transport some.

ACTION: Lucy to confirm the price of the books and to update Matt Lee on the arrangements.

Selling the books will mean that the group has some money for future events. We agreed that this would mean that we need a group bank account. Simon suggested that we set up a group in the community interest, or similar. Matt pointed out that the CO-OP is a good, ethical bank for small groups like ourselves.

ACTION: Simon to find out how Open Street Map are set up.
ACTION: Lucy to speak to the CO-OP bank about our options, once Simon has spoken to the OSM.

Recording

Dave has confirmed that he has a camera that can be used to record future talks, although it is fairly low quality.

ACTION: Someone to buy an additional SD card for use with Dave's camera.
ACTION: Paul to search for the lost warped camera
ACTION: Tim to chase Mick Fuzz again about the recording for his talk.

Linux World Expo

This is creeping up on us and we need to organise some volunteers and a stall.

ACTION: Simon to contact the FSF to see if they have a stall there.

Any other business

None

Next Meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting should take place on Monday 13th October, 7pm at the Waterhouse.

Summary of Actions

Dave:

• contact someone else from Bristol Wireless.
• confirm details for SFD with the Marbella Cafe.
• update the software freedom day website with our plans.
• create a wiki page with a list of local schools and a template email for inviting IT people at those schools to the SFD event. Dave will then arrange for people to contact those schools.
• find the No2ID list of places to promote Manchester-FS (by putting up posters/leaflets, etc) and add it to the wiki.

Simon:

• contact Harald Welte again.
• find out how Open Street Map are set up financially.
• contact the FSF to see if they have a stall there.

Paul:

• search for the lost warped camera

Lucy:

• send an email to the list to request more lightning talks for October.
• contact John Pinner, (Mr) Ben Thorpe, Ian Lynch, Axiom Tech.
• update website for SFD once details are confirmed
• email the list (and other local lists) to give details and request for help.
• create A4/3 posters to advertise Manchester-FS, A5 handouts and an A4 leaflet with the Handsworth Grammar case study.
• organise bringing some cds (OpenDisc, OpenEducationDisc, etc).
• confirm the price of the books and to update Matt Lee on the arrangements.
• speak to the CO-OP bank about our options, once Simon has spoken to the OSM.

Tim:

• chase Mick Fuzz again about the recording for his talk.

Matt:

• look into creating a facebook group for Manchester-FS

Michael:

• speak to Tim about talking about OpenMoko in October.