[HLUG] Fw: OS Offensive

[Noel McG.]

Hello,

I may have missed something, but what does 'the FOSS topic' refer to
exactly?

Noel.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Linnell" <info at lifespacedesign.co.uk>
To: "Herefordshire Linux Users Group." <herefordshire at mailman.lug.org.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2006 8:30 PM
Subject: [HLUG] Fw: OS Offensive


>
> > > Dear All,
> > >
> > > Enjoying my exile in deepest Powys trying out various distro's and S/W
> on
> > a
> > > p3 box assembled from scraps. The Mandriva from the dvd Linux Format
mag
> > is
> > > oustanding, (includes the Scribus I was after!).
> > >
> > > Ta to Julian for the up-date on local activism, I shall be making
> contact
> > > with community first on other matters and will include the FOSS topic
in
> > due
> > > course.
> > > (What follows is predicated on the assumption that no-one from
> > Herefordshire
> > > IT division is in this group)
> > >
> > > As to what can we do I am thinking there are now enough of us, and the
> dvd
> > > distro's are strong enough,to have a go at public install fests. I am
> > happy
> > > to undertake publicity for these and to look into venues in
Leominster.
> I
> > > believe we should do a private session for members and officers of the
> > > Council,(which is of course bankrupt), who could do with a bit of
> > education.
> > >
> > > Education of course is the real issue, teaching the county kids to be
> > > dependant on a commercial monopoly is not a good thing, preparing them
> for
> > a
> > > life of dependance on such is a thought crime in my view.
> > >
> > > I had a frustrating experience with the library in Leominster, where
> there
> > > are public access PC's with MS IE only and everything else disabled
( ie
> > no
> > > use of USB drives to save downloads). The staff were dismissive and
> lacked
> > > awareness of what could have been done. These machines are vastly over
> > > specified for their present use and are paid for MS seats.
> > > So- could we collectively design and specify a replacement system (
> > possibly
> > > using the existing boxes) which would allow the users to do more than
> just
> > > surf. In Powys Libraries users are allowed to plug in USB devices, use
> > > floppies and burn CDs ( all under MS still).
> > >
> > > Last, for now, I believe we should develop some skill in deploying
WINE.
> > One
> > > of the strongest arguments against OS is that high end pro apps are
> built
> > > for MS/MAC, eg Adobe,Macromedia,Quark. Having been fortunate enough to
> use
> > > some of these ( in older versions) I can see how printers and
> > photographers
> > > are reluctant to give up thier depth and power. Having said which,
> > Scribus,
> > > Gimp and OO are all excellent for non-pro day to day use. Anyone know
> the
> > > state of the art with respect to making films on dvd in FOSS?
> > >
> > > ATB
> > > Pete
> > >Later ( by some days and after seeing others comments)
>
> On the matter of finding some funds to pay people's time to help roll out
> FOSS in this area, yes it would need a new body to be set up. I have a
> usable constitution for a non incorporated voluntary body ( NOT a charity)
> which could be easily adapted, or anyone who wishes to be involved in
making
> more of a business of it could sign up for a co ltd by guarantee with
> charitable objectives.( All the neccessaries are a free download from the
CC
> website).( Except the fee!)
>
> As commented by others I agree it would be wrong to try to make this
> informal sharing group into a legally constituted channel for euro or
other
> funds, but that in no way precludes individuals getting together a
seperate
> group for this purpose.
>
> So, expressions of further interest now being sought, in particular to
begin
> by addressing the issues raised in the first part of this mailing.
> Pete
> >
>
>
>
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