[Klug-general] Sat 28th Meeting in Maidstone

[rich-ayres at tiscali.co.uk]

Apologies for my absence. I had a little light come on on the car dash 
an overweight helicopter I think ( but might be an engine). Did not 
like to venture out until I had it checked. Hope to meet up with you at 
a future meeting.
                Regards R.

>----Original Message----
>From: subs at firebox.nu
>Date: 30/03/2009 9:40 
>To: "Kent Linux User Group - General Topics"<kent at mailman.lug.org.uk>
>Cc: "jake"<subs at firebox.nu>
>Subj: Re: [Klug-general] Sat 28th Meeting in Maidstone
>
>Hi People,
>
>Thanks very much for my de-lurking at the meeting on Saturday, good 
to 
>meet you all (well, some of you!) and thanks to Colin, Dan and Paul 
for 
>their presentations.
>
>For those that are interested, here's my 'talk', in outline format:
>
>FOSS centre & investment
>========================
>1. Digital Arts Project
>2. FOSS centre
>3. FOSS investment
>
>My background is in graphic and web design, I used to teach at the 
>University West of England and I've been freelancing over the past 7 
>years, teaching web and FOSS topics on the side.
>
>There are 3 I's which act as a barrier to the takeup of FOSS:
>1. Inertia -- it's a lot of effort to change systems, at any level
>2. Ignorance -- people just don't know about FOSS
>3. Indifference -- people just don't care, and why should they?
>
>IMHO, the inertia can be best tackled by focussing on *new* users 
and 
>markets, people who don't have established practises. Ignorance can 
be 
>overcome by education and promotion, indifference by creating 
>substantially better alternatives.
>
>1. Digital Arts Project
>-----------------------
>I'd like to get back into teaching, and rather than be subject to 
the 
>bureaucratic processes of higher education, I'd like to set up a 
Digital 
>Arts Project, replete with its own bureaucracy ;)
>
>It would initially focus on graphic design and web building (as this 
is 
>what I know), and then expand into music.
>
>I'd like to find out more about funding for such a project -- I've 
had a 
>quick look at the European Social Fund and Learning & Skills Council 
and 
>I was wondering if anyone knew of other potential leads.
>
>2. FOSS centre
>--------------
>I believe that FOSS software in the field of graphics (and 
>unquestionably in web build/dev) has reached a maturity so that it's 
>comparable to proprietary software for 95% of tasks for 95% of 
users. 
>The primary software in this field is GIMP, Inkscape and Scribus.
>
>I also believe that the Free Open Source Software model of sharing, 
>cooperation and involvement should be championed, so my aim is for 
the 
>Digital Arts Project to solely run FOSS applications.
>
>As a corollary, I'd like the Project to act as a FOSS friendly 
space, 
>where FOSS projects have a focal space in which to meet.
>
>3. FOSS investment
>------------------
>Martin Dupras, an ex-colleague from UWE, proposed a system via which 
>public institutions could invest in FOSS. It would:
>a) Be cheaper
>b) Involve local tech support
>c) Provide a mechanism for feature requests
>
>Institutions who use the system would need to be matched with 
>individuals for tech support, and it would probably help a great deal 
if 
>there was some sort of accreditation for specific applications. Does 
>anybody know about the process for accreditation in 
education/training?
>
>---
>
>Hope this is of interest.
>
>all the best, Jake
>
>
>Colin McCarthy wrote:
>> 2009/3/25 J Subs <subs at firebox.nu <mailto:subs at firebox.nu>>
>> 
>>     I actually have some ideas I'd like to run past people about a 
"FLOSS
>>     regional training centre", scribbled down on the back of an 
envelope, so
>>     could give a short 'talk' about that? Also some ideas about 
FLOSS in
>>     education.
>> 
>> 
>> I am sure others will be very interested in that. People have 
mentioned 
>> LPI in the past and I know Wayne was interested in a study group 
and 
>> also James Snyder is interested in LPI.
>> 
>> Look forward to meeting you and hearing your views on FLOSS 
Training and 
>> more importantly FLOSS in education!  Especially good as we are 
meeting 
>> in a school.  (James will be kicking himself for not being able to 
>> attend now)
>> 
>> Colin
>> 
>> 
>> 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> 
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>
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