Re: [sf-uk-discuss] Fwd: [Dfey-general-discuss] Remember *that* meeting?....

[Richard Smedley]

I've been asked to write something similar for HLUG's
Software Freedom Day events - I'd be happy to collaborate
on this, but won't be starting for a couple of weeks.

Please keep me informed, and I'll join in later in the month :)

 - Richard

PS Yes, I top-posted - sometimes it's appropriate ;)


On 03/08/10 12:56, Tim Dobson wrote:
> I wonder if people here would be willing to weigh in any thoughts on this...
> 
> A lot of people here must have some experience here... :)
> 
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [Dfey-general-discuss] Remember *that* meeting?....
> Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2010 10:50:11 +0100
> From: Joe O'Dell <address@hidden>
> Reply-To: address@hidden
> To: address@hidden
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> It seems such a long time ago since we held the meeting at the hackspace
> - and nothing really has been done since!
> 
> I've got a lot of free time now, as I've just come back from holiday, so
> I am willing to get cracking on the main idea - a booklet describing and
> explaining FOSS in schools.
> 
> Here are the key points that I think should be included - please add
> points or expand on them, but bear in mind it is a booklet, not an essay!
> 
> 1. Introducing FOSS
> Describe (in short terms) the philosophy of FOSS, the fact it has nil
> cost, and that it is improved and repaired by the whole community?
> 
> 2. Taking Baby Steps
> Here should be ideas of the first things a school should use if it were
> going to change over to FOSS - things like OpenOffice.org, Moodle,
> Firefox, Audacity and Inkscape.
> 
> Do a "Popular Misconceptions" section like "Oh, it's open source so I
> can't lock it down - FALSE: Many applications that are open source can
> be locked down, and some made even more secure than proprietary
> alternatives"
> Perhaps it would be worth getting some of us to ask IT
> Teachers/Lecturers/Technicians what their main fears/thoughts about
> using FOSS are? I can ask mine when we get back in september.
> 
> Also talk about the open education disc?
> 
> 3. Complete Overhaul/Starting Afresh
> Explain that if they are thinking of a complete overhaul, or if they are
> just venturing into IT Solutions, that Linux and FOSS alternatives are a
> key player.
> Expand on the cost aspects, the compatability, the fact there are not
> viruses, that it can be locked down heavily (sometimes even more secure
> than MS), and the fact that it is much more resource-friendly.
> 
> Give options such as Ubuntu (Edubuntu for Primary schools) for desktops,
> Easy Peasy for laptops (based on ubuntu), SmoothWall for proxy
> filtering, Ubuntu Server/CentOS as an alternative to WIndows Server.
> 
> 4. Providing Resources
> I am thinking that it would be worth including CDs/DVDs of Ubuntu,
> Ubuntu Server, SmoothWall, the OpenEducationDisc and perhaps another
> distribution (fedora? I can get a fair amount of fedora dvds direct from
> fedora if you want them). These could then go into plastic wallets at
> the back?
> 
> The only reason I am thinking this is because we are only going to send
> them to schools/LEAs - not hand them out in public - and as such if we
> can ply them with as much FOSS stuff as possible, they have a higher
> rate of using it.
> 
> Also include links to DFEY, Ubuntu etc. etc. - please add them if you
> want to see them here!
> 
> So that's my idea at the moment - the only thing I will request is an
> EPS of the DFEY logo - as we discussed at the hackspace, FOSS DTP
> software is far from brilliant, and as I have a Quark license, I am
> happy to build it on that.
> 
> Finally, there is the printing (and postage) charges for all of this -
> Outsourcing printing is the only reasonable option, as in-house printing
> on an A4 inkjet is going to look terrible. The only problem being paying
> for it.
> However, there is O2 ThinkBig that can provide up to £2000 for projects
> - this fits into their "Learning" category - as well as providing mobile
> credit, a laptop and internet etc. etc.. If we could tap into that, it
> could pay for a print run of the booklets, plus postage, plus media.
> 
> Please, give me as many ideas as you can - I am definitely all ears.
> 
> Joe
> -------------------------------------------------------
> Joe O'Dell
> 
> GreenerClassrooms Project Co-Ordinator
> http://www.greenerclassrooms.org.uk
> 
> Fedora Ambassador & Contributor (FreeMedia)
> http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Ascenseur
> 
> bedsLUG Co-Ordinator
> beds.lug.org.uk
> 
> DFEY Member (SouthEast)
> dfey.org
> 
> 
> 
>