[MLUG] (no subject)

[- M e l -]

All,
I'm pasting the wiki page this time as opposed to just passing the URL, because
the last time, the page went 8 days without update, until I updated it again
(today).  I know there is help out there, even simple stuff that needs to be
done.  I'm at a point of exhaustion now and have no choice only to ask whoever
is interested to help with the tasks on this mail and update the Wiki page so
I know something has been taken on.
We've already missed the global co-ordinated press-release date, but I suppose
we don't have to stick to that.  Something else has come up that will rob me
of time at the weekend  so things WILL have to be downsized or dropped unless
help comes now.
Examples: A backdrop for the stand, a table, logos for the backdrop etc. etc.
 Update the page if I forgot anything.
Need your help now!!!
Mel

http://www.ifso.ie/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi/SoftwareFreedomDay#preview

= Software Freedom Day =

I urgently need input from members so that our SFD plans do not have to be scaled
back etc.  The most useful thing at present is NOT burning as such, it's ''testing
and looking for and deciding'' what to burn.

If someone can undertake some items on the task list below, I'm more than willing
to do more than my share.  I REALLY need feedback of any kind at this stage.


Mel


=== Enfuriating problems with software choices ===

 * '''English language educational software:''' People have expressed strong
interest in educational software to me this year.  This is consistant with last
year, where Freeduc was a huge hit.  Unfortunately the current Freeduc has very
little English language software.
 * '''EduUbuntu Breezy:'''  Downloaded a nightly build of Edu-Ubuntu, (28 Aug),
and it installs etc. Not a live CD but would be suitable for anything 128mb
up, and loads of educational stuff, USEFUL stuff.  People could use it on ''that
old PC'' that they thought would have no more use.  Looks even less likely to
be in on time for SFD because the Edu stuff is mostly KDE, on a Gnome Desktop.

* '''Fake Educational CDs''': Do not recommend I check out any of the following
without telling me why... ''Debian'' Educational Sarge, ''Lorma'', ''Linux4Kids'',
''Tux4kids'', ''Debian Jr,, as '''none''' of these have CD images available.


=== CD Choices ===

 * ''Slax'';http://slax.linux-live.org/  Version 5.0.6 comes with UnionFS, qemu
and all the latest cool stuff.  I noticed there is an (unofficial) module of
educational tools.  If the installer works (as the last one did) I'd remaster
the KillBill version to include the KDE Educational suite, remaster, test and
add the OpenCD extras stuff.


Help needed RIGHT NOW: Download and install Slax 5.0.6 from [Slax];http://slax.linux-live.org/
and check the installer works and that all is stable.  Report back which EXACT
version of KDE is installed.


 * ''Beatrix'';http://www.watsky.net/  2005.1F is still on Gnome 2.8 but still
a better offering than anything else out there.  If people want the full hog,
they can get the full Hoary CD as well, and upgrade in their own way and in
their own time.

 * ''EduUbuntu'' - I downloaded a nightly build (28 Aug) and it served to show
the good KDE educational apps out there.  Making it run on (the superior) Gnome,
though, just doesn't make sense and as a result, many K-related menu options
don't work.  Looks rough!

If someone could track (download and play with...) this as it develops, it would
save me time.  I want to know if it's going to be ready for users on SFD.  At
the moment it doesn't look good.

 * ''Gentoo Live'' - Didn't get testing it yet, but it's got an installer as
well.  Could be interesting, and of interest to those with broadband.  I'll
post again post testing!

If anyone could review this, I'd appreciate.

 * ''Others'' - I've looked at Sam, Goblinx, etc. but wasn't really happy with
their user-friendliness, given the profile of an English-speaking newbie.

Or if there's anything superb that isn't on "Distrowatch";http://distrowatch.com/
please let me know.



=== Help needed ON THE DAY  if you can manage ANY of the following ... ===

 * '''Talk to people about...''' OpenOffice Abiword ClamAV Linux, Gimp etc.
as a user, a migrant or an advocate.
 * '''Explain about...''' alternative programs, distributions etc., "What is
free software", what makes linux safer etc
 * '''Explain about CD Booting...''' namely how to set the BIOS to boot from
CD, and / or use Smart Boot Manager.
 * '''Stop our stuff being nicked''' if we need to go for a whizzeruni, a smoke
or (even) refreshments!  In the form of making sure our laptops don't get nicked
if we need to go for a whizz, a smoke or a cup of tea!  If someone takes some
nice pictures of us at the stand, we can do an article for the papers, and ramp
up the hits on the wiki, and get people to join IFSO.

== Longford S.C. stand to go ahead ==

Permission has been given by Roy Sage, manager of Longford Shopping Centre to
run a stand all day on "Software Freedom Day";http://softwarefreedomday.org/
 Now all we have to do is organise and get on with it!

=== Wish list ===

 * '''User Documentation'''  Fortunately I found some we can use.  Reviews etc
welcome.
 * '''Publicity'''  Fliers for shops, mentions in local papers in Longford and
surrounding counties.
 * '''Committed People''' Do NOT assume that you need to be a megageek to be
of help.  We have the whole Saturday for our stand, so if we have the numbers,
we can plan who will man the stand, and when.  Anything from an hour upwards
would be greatly welcomed.
Please confirm by mailing '''midlands''' at '''linux''' dot '''ie''' if you
can man the stand, and if so when.  I will be there all day with minimal breaks.

 * '''Help''' with the ''task list'' (below)

=== How to help ===

 * '''Review the documentation'''  Just to be sure it is ALL creative commons,
and of high quality for end users.
 * '''Man the stand'''  It is ''very important'' not just to have geeks and
idealists present.  ''Real people'' relate to end users better!!

 * '''Write an intro leaflet or booklet'''  I looked at the SFD site, and didn't
really find anything.  I have in mind maybe a couple of A4 to distibute with
CDs to give a ''quick guide to what the day is all about'' and where to go for
help afterwards.


=== Free Documentation ===

These are sites where you can find documentation released under the "Creative
Commons";http://creativecommons.org/ licenses.

 * "Tutorials for Open Office";http://www.tutorialsforopenoffice.org/category_index/Index.html

 * "The International Open Source Network";http://www.iosn.net/training '''This
is linked from the SFD site.'''
 * "The International Open Source Network (End User Guide)";http://www.iosn.net/training/end-user-manual/

 * "Bytebot.net";http://training.bytebot.net/ application documentation and
general installation with a heavy Fedora slant
 * The "Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme";http://apdip.net/ have
"similar documentation";http://eprimers.apdip.net/series/foss/titles  This is
linked from the SFD site.
 * "ItrainOnline Multimedia Training Kit";http://www.itrainonline.org/itrainonline/mmtk/
have lots of trainer and end user docs in both OpenOffice and PDF format, including
a ''wham-ban-boogie full doc all in one zipfile'' download.  Again CC license.

'''Any feedback on the quality of these docs, please create a page below this
one with your thoughts'''

=== Task list ===

If someone has time to do any of the following, please send the results to the
mailing list at '''midlands''' at '''linux''' dot '''ie'''

 * '''Damn Small Linux'''  Install it on a USB drive.  
 1. Is there a seperate 'Embedded' version needed?
 2. Will it install onto 128mb
 3. What versions of Windows can you boot into it from.
 * '''Hard Disk Installer for the Open CD'''.  I posted a request about this
"here";http://softwarefreedomday.org/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=47&func=view&id=225&catid=3
and got directed to "Ubuntu Express";https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuExpress but
I'm not optimistic that this will be done in time for our burning of Open CD3.

 * '''Information Leaflets''' on various subjects, just short intros.  What
is... (in under 200 words):  Suggestions: Open Source Software, Free Software,
Linux, OpenOffice, Abiword, a Linux Distribution, etc. etc.  and something similar
for any suggested distro.

On behalf of the "Midlands Linux User Group";http://midlands.linux.ie/portal
I would like to thank the "Irish Free Software Organisation";http://ifso.ie/
for the use of this Wiki and will be (gently!) encouraging all our members to
join.

More content to follow.
Mel
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