[Durham] Utter Pie issue 1 :: the re-pute.it newsletter
Rob Swan
robertdavidswan at hotmail.com
Thu Mar 31 11:33:13 UTC 2016
Hi Mark,
Add me to the list, please.
Rob
> To: transitiondurham at lists.riseup.net; dfs3 at lists.aktivix.org; durham at mailman.lug.org.uk
> From: mark at re-pute.it
> Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:24:17 +0000
> Subject: [Durham] Utter Pie issue 1 :: the re-pute.it newsletter
>
> Dear all,
>
> The re-pute.it project is now over a quarter of a year old, and to mark
> the occasion I'm launching a monthly newsletter. Here is issue 1.
>
> I think it would be a bit too spammy to send it to all of these mailing
> lists every month, so please let me know if you want to get it
> regularly, and I'll add you to the subscription list.
>
> Please feel free to forward it to anyone who might be interested.
>
> Cheers,
> Mark
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ### UTTER PIE ###
>
> ### the re-pute.it newsletter ###
>
> ### Issue 1 ----- March 2016
>
>
>
> Dear customers, friends, computer re-puters and neighbours,
>
> Here is the first issue of "Utter Pie", the monthly newsletter of the
> re-pute.it project. Based in Durham, UK, re-pute.it provides green,
> reliable, affordable laptops, Linux conversions and related services.
> Every month, we'll write to update you about what's happening in the
> world of green computing and the free software that it relies on. Also
> we'll inform you of any news about the computers we've sold, recommended
> updates, hints and tips.
>
> Subscription / unsubscription information is at the bottom of this message.
>
>
> IN THIS ISSUE:
> ==============
>
> * Review process and feedback
> * New website
> * Re-pute.it in the News
> * Getting Video to Work in Skype
> * Changes to support club
> * Re-pute.it Associates with Transition Durham
> * Dates for your diary
>
>
> Review Process
> ==============
>
> Thanks very much to all of you who've given feedback after the first
> three months of re-pute.it. It seemed like an important thing to do
> because there haven't been as many sales of laptops as expected, yet
> people have been asking for other things, e.g. getting Linux installed
> on their own laptops. So it was time to take stock and think about the
> next steps for the project. Here are a few of the highlights -
>
> - People are highly satisfied with Thinkpads and Mint
> - The support club is seen as a very high value service
> - There are some great opportunities for development, including;
> - to be more inclusive of younger people, schools and colleges
> - to make more links with other local groups
> - to produce more media (web, email, social media) about the project
> - Review needs to be a continuous process, so more feedback is always
> welcome
>
>
> New Website
> ===========
>
> Following on from the idea of producing more media, you're already
> reading a newsletter which is the first of several developments. Next,
> you'll notice some changes being made to the website at www.re-pute.it,
> which at first will just be a change in appearance, but over time you'll
> see new features being added. There'll be a blog, more details about
> different products & services, hints & tips for green computing and more.
>
> Also, re-pute.it has a facebook presence [1] because that seems to be
> the best way to reach some people, however we don't encourage people to
> use facebook so we promise that anything that we put on there will be
> available through other channels, i.e. this monthly newsletter or the
> website. Any offers of contributions on relevant topics are welcome -
> just reply to this email to discuss.
>
>
> Re-pute.it in the News
> ======================
>
> Since launching, we've been featured in Cross Quarterly (Neville's Cross
> community newsletter), Durham Times [2] and the award-winning blog
> Tracing Green [3]. Thanks to all three for providing their own unique
> angle on the project.
>
>
> Getting Video to Work in Skype
> ==============================
>
> Skype is owned by Microsoft, so it's no surprise that since they
> acquired it, support for Linux has been getting worse. Some of you may
> have noticed that in Linux Mint, certain webcams don't just work when
> you plug them in.
>
> If this effects you, we'd recommend this procedure:
>
> - firstly, make sure you're in the 'video' group (menu > administration
> > users and groups > manage groups) then log off and on again
>
> - if it still doesn't work, try typing this at the command line:
>
> LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so skype
>
> - if it still doesn't work, let Mark know and he'll try to find a
> solution for you
>
>
> Changes to Support Club
> =======================
>
> Although the support club is highly valued by those who attend, there's
> plenty of space for more people to come and benefit. It would be good to
> see more potential customers there, getting an idea of what's on offer
> before they buy a laptop, so please invite any friends who might be
> considering buying a new computer or feeling unsure whether they can
> manage the change to Linux (hopefully we can inspire confidence in the
> majority for whom it is appropriate, without misleading the few for whom
> it isn't).
>
> In order to make the support club more decentralised, we'll be
> introducing a new format in which customers & other Linux users are
> encouraged to "show and tell", which could mean bringing a project to
> discuss, or just sharing what you learnt about your computer or used it
> for in the last month.
>
> Also note that we'll be hiring the room for two hours rather than three
> for the time being, with an option to increase back up to three hours or
> even longer if we get busy.
>
>
> Re-pute.it Associates with Transition Durham
> ============================================
>
> Transition Town Initiatives aim to to support and encourage local action
> on peak oil, climate change and community resilience. On March 30th,
> re-pute.it joined several other local groups in becoming an Associated
> Organisation of Transition Durham. Anyone who wants to get a broader
> idea about local campaigning for a sustainable future would do well to
> look at their great website [4].
>
>
> Dates for your Diary
> ====================
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 2nd April 2016 (Saturday), 11 AM - 1 PM, and the 1st Saturday each month
> Re-pute.it computer support club
> Room 2, Alington House Community Association, 4 North Bailey, Durham
>
> Bring a Linux-related project, a support question, a friend or just
> yourself!
> Cafe will be open
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 19th April 2016 (Tuesday), 7.30 PM - 10.30(ish), and the 3rd Tuesday
> each month
> Durham Linux User Group
> Bar, Durham Amateur Rowing Club, Green Lane, Durham
>
> Informal meeting open to anyone interested in Linux
> Bar will be open
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> 22nd May 2016 (Sunday), 1 PM - 3 PM
> CryptoParty Newcastle [5]
> The former creche room, Level 2, Newcastle Library, Newbridge Street,
> Newcastle
>
> Learn how to protect your privacy on-line using simple cryptographic tools
> There will be cake
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> And Finally ...
> ===============
>
> Green computing is only one small part of what it'll take to save the
> world - we think that personal, social and environmental well-being
> requires balance. So don't spend all your hours looking at a screen.
> It's a good time to be sowing some broad beans, getting your bicycle
> out, ending extractivism [6] or just enjoying a stroll in the woods.
>
> Best wishes from mark at re-pute.it
>
>
> [1] https://facebook.com/re-puteit
> [2] http://www.durhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/14170089.display/
> [3] http://tracinggreen.uk/lifestyle/repute-laptop-upcycling/
> [4] http://www.transitiondurham.org.uk/
> [5] https://cryptoparty.in/newcastle
> [6] https://breakfree2016.org/
>
>
> To unsubscribe, or to be subscribed to the circulation list if you were
> forwarded this email by someone else, please send a message to
> info at re-pute.it
>
> --
> www.re-pute.it _/ _/ _/ a laptop with ethics to be proud of
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Durham mailing list - Durham at mailman.lug.org.uk
> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/durham
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