[dundee] Smashy and Nicey

[Colin Brough]

> 2) Do some charity work.  There are a lot of small charities in the
> Dundee area that require IT support/networking, web space, web design,
> desktops setting up etc.  Personally I like this idea.  I think that
> this could open up a lot of possible talks, eg Setting up Samba to act
> as a PDC, network topology, authentication techniques, privacy,
> firewalling, generally security.  GNU/Linux and the desktop etc.

Backup would also be useful/often not done in small charity places!

(what is PDC?)

> Why would anyone want to do it, well it makes you feel nice and warm
> inside ;) (Or for those of you with a heart of stone, it looks good on
> CV's etc. and gives you a chance to put things into practise that you
> wouldn't normally do)
> 
> So this email is to judge what other TLUG list members think of idea
> number 2.  Are you willing to donate some of your time to help out some
> of the smaller charities, and at the same time meet new people and learn
> new skills?
> 
> If you like the idea let the list know and we can try and work something
> out for those interested.

I think this is a really good idea, for the reasons above. The Dundee
Voluntary sector have a website at:

	http://www.d-v-a.org.uk/

and there is a regular mailing (I get it 'cos I'm a minister). I don't
know whether it would be better to go with personal contacts, or
whether a chat with the folk at DVA would be a better way to go. DVA's
next newsletter deadlines are 15th September and 17th November.

Random thoughts: Smaller places (one/two PC) are probably interested
in cheap desktop solutions, making use of ancient hardware. Medium
sized places are more likely candidates for the backup/networking/
Samba/firewall type stuff. Quite a few of the community centres have
IT labs, and do basic computer literacy courses - but they'll get
infrastructure support from the Council, and it would be hard for them
to move to non-supported software.

Cheers

Colin

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Colin Brough                             Colin.Brough@blueyonder.co.uk