[Blackpool] MFS Meeting. Tue, 20 Sept. Talk: "Libreboot: Starting with Freedom"

[Michael Dorrington]

Please feel free to forward this to those that would welcome it.

* Event: Manchester Free Software's September Meeting
* Talk: Libreboot: Starting with Freedom
* Speaker: Michael Dorrington

* Date: Tuesday, 20th September 2016 (3rd Tuesday of the month)
* Start time: 19:00
* Finish time: 20:30 (and then on for social)

* Location: Madlab. (Manchester Digital Laboratory).
  - http://madlab.org.uk/
* Address: 36-40 Edge Street, Manchester. M4 1HN.
  - Opposite "Common" on Edge Street, Northern Quarter.
  - http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=19/53.48413/-2.23639

== Details ==

The purpose of Manchester Free Software is to promote the Free Software
philosophy.

Every meeting we start with an opportunity for informal key signing.
For an explanation of what this is about see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_signing_party

The first part of the meeting will be a talk and discussion on the talk.
 The second part of the meeting will be discussion and planning on
activism events.

=== Talk ===

On our computer we can run only Free Software applications on top of a
Free Software Operating System (OS) but what about the program that runs
when we power on our computer?

The program that runs when we power on our computer, often known as the
BIOS, also needs to be free otherwise we don't have the freedoms of free
software and control of our computing.  This isn't theoretical as these
non-free programs are used to stop us running the OS we want on our
computers.

In this talk we will cover Libreboot, a free BIOS replacement.  This
will include the different options available, the recent improvements
and how to install, including a live install demonstration.

* https://libreboot.org/

If you have experience of Libreboot, U-Boot, SeaBIOS or similar then
please consider giving a lightning talk at the meeting.

=== Event work ===

We will reflect on the Ancoats Festival and on Software Freedom Day.
Then we will plan our next events.

== After-meeting ==

The meeting will be followed by informal discussion and socialising in
the Terrace (which is next door to Madlab).  There are soft drinks
available and there is no pressure to consume alcohol.

== Location ==

The meeting will take place at the usual venue of Madlab, details above.

== Transport ==

=== Parking ===

Around the venue there are parking meter bays that become zero cost
after 8pm on Tuesday so you will have to pay up until then and the
maximum stay is 2 hours BUT MAKE SURE YOU VERIFY ALL THIS on parking.

There are paid parking lots around the venue, they are marked by a blue
P in this OpenStreetMap centred on Madlab
<http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/53.4843/-2.2365>.  Most of those
parking lots are owned by NCP <http://www.ncp.co.uk/>.

If you can’t decide otherwise then park in Manchester Arndale
<http://www.manchesterarndale.com/directions.aspx>.

=== Public Transport ===

Manchester Victoria (MCV) train station, Shudehill tram and bus station,
and Manchester Piccadilly bus station are all fairly close to Madlab,
see OpenStreetMap centred on Madlab
<http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/53.4843/-2.2365>.

Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train station and Manchester Central Coach
Station are not too far away either.

== More Information ==

Information about Manchester Free Software can be found on the
Manchester Free Software pages on LibrePlanet
<https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Manchester>.

Regards,
Mike.
MFS Chair.

-- 
FSF member #9429
http://www.fsf.org/register_form?referrer=9429
http://www.fsf.org/about
"The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is a nonprofit with a worldwide
mission to promote computer user freedom and to defend the rights of all
free software users."


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