Rekindling interest in London LUG events

[Matthew Copperwaite]

Hi Guys,

After the somewhat successful relaunch of the Lincolnshire LUG and the
huge turn out at the GitHub London drink up a few weeks ago (although
they did have free beer) I figured it's time to get the largest Linux
user base in the UK back together.

I decided it should start out informally, just to gauge interest, so I
have set up a pub meet so that everyone discuss plans, locations,
dates etc. over a few drinks. I have booked a small section of The
Skinners Arms, 5 minutes walk from Kings Cross, and a good selection
of beer, for the 7th of June from 6pm and I'm really hoping we can
freak out the Landlord.

To get fresh blood in I will be promoting this event as widely as
possible through Geeks of London, London Hack Space and in Linux
Format Magazine to see how much interest there might be when it comes
to doing a more formal LUG.

If there are no major objections I would like to put this through the
announcements mailing list too.

Matt

The Skinners Arms:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=9950840478486936442&q=The+Skinners+Arms+kings+cross&gl=uk&dtab=2&ie=UTF8&ll=51.528651,-0.12512&spn=0.007756,0.021136&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0
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[Richard W.M. Jones]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
Hi Guys,
After the somewhat successful relaunch of the Lincolnshire LUG and the
huge turn out at the GitHub London drink up a few weeks ago (although
they did have free beer) I figured it's time to get the largest Linux
user base in the UK back together.
I decided it should start out informally, just to gauge interest, so I
have set up a pub meet so that everyone discuss plans, locations,
dates etc. over a few drinks. I have booked a small section of The
Skinners Arms, 5 minutes walk from Kings Cross, and a good selection
of beer, for the 7th of June from 6pm and I'm really hoping we can
freak out the Landlord.
To get fresh blood in I will be promoting this event as widely as
possible through Geeks of London, London Hack Space and in Linux
Format Magazine to see how much interest there might be when it comes
to doing a more formal LUG.
If there are no major objections I would like to put this through the
announcements mailing list too.
Matt
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=9950840478486936442&q=The+Skinners+Arms+kings+cross&gl=uk&dtab=2&ie=UTF8&ll=51.528651,-0.12512&spn=0.007756,0.021136&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

I'd just like to say thanks for actually doing something (and
this location is great for me, so I will be able to attend :-)

I think to get maximum attendance you should gently remind people a
bit nearer the time too.

Rich.

[Mick Farmer]

Dear Matt,

I suggest you send details to the UKUUG. They can help spread the word.

Regards,

Mick

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[Gary Pownall]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
Hi Guys,
After the somewhat successful relaunch of the Lincolnshire LUG and the
huge turn out at the GitHub London drink up a few weeks ago (although
they did have free beer) I figured it's time to get the largest Linux
user base in the UK back together.
I decided it should start out informally, just to gauge interest, so I
have set up a pub meet so that everyone discuss plans, locations,
dates etc. over a few drinks. I have booked a small section of The
Skinners Arms, 5 minutes walk from Kings Cross, and a good selection
of beer, for the 7th of June from 6pm and I'm really hoping we can
freak out the Landlord.
To get fresh blood in I will be promoting this event as widely as
possible through Geeks of London, London Hack Space and in Linux
Format Magazine to see how much interest there might be when it comes
to doing a more formal LUG.
If there are no major objections I would like to put this through the
announcements mailing list too.
Matt

Excellent idea, and count me in too.

Gary

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/place?cid=9950840478486936442&q=The+Skinners+Arms+kings+cross&gl=uk&dtab=2&ie=UTF8&ll=51.528651,-0.12512&spn=0.007756,0.021136&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0
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[Donald Williams]

Hi - as an arthritically bedevilled 78-year-old who has given up marathons
and stuff, can I ask the able-bodied among you to consider as a venue the
only pub I can easily get to in my area - the Birchwood of Abbey Wood? They
do have a function room. I think there are some potential GLLUG members in
this area (even other old farts like me!) who might more easily make it
there and enjoy what I have called for years the best pub in South London
... I've been into Linux for some years - I can't be alone here.

Don

[Gary Pownall]

Hi - as an arthritically bedevilled 78-year-old who has given up marathons and stuff, can I ask the able-bodied among you to consider as a venue the only pub I can easily get to in my area - the Birchwood of Abbey Wood? They do have a function room. I think there are some potential GLLUG members in this area (even other old farts like me!) who might more easily make it there and enjoy what I have called for years the best pub in South London ... I've been into Linux for some years - I can't be alone here.
Don

Good god Don! I live in Sewell Road Abbey Wood - about 10 minutes from the Birchwood - what an excellent idea! As a 54 year old who's only been into Linux for 10 years (Mandrake 9.1) I'm probably still a bit wet behind the ears compared to your good self.

Perhaps we can start an Abbey Wood Lug, or possibly expand that to encompass Greenwich. We could call it Greenlug - hee hee

Gary

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['lesleyb']

Post by Donald Williams
Hi - as an arthritically bedevilled 78-year-old who has given up marathons
and stuff, can I ask the able-bodied among you to consider as a venue the
only pub I can easily get to in my area - the Birchwood of Abbey Wood? They
do have a function room. I think there are some potential GLLUG members in
this area (even other old farts like me!) who might more easily make it
there and enjoy what I have called for years the best pub in South London
... I've been into Linux for some years - I can't be alone here.
Don

Don,

To be honest, it would be far easier and cheaper for me to get to Abbey Wood
- and get home again - than them there high falluting parts of North London.
As a grubby South East Londoner, unused to the alien cultures and dulcet
tones of the Northern delights of this great city I think I would much prefer
a more local group.

Regards

Lesley
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[Chris Bell]

Post by 'lesleyb'
To be honest, it would be far easier and cheaper for me to get to Abbey Wood
- and get home again - than them there high falluting parts of North London.
As a grubby South East Londoner, unused to the alien cultures and dulcet
tones of the Northern delights of this great city I think I would much prefer
a more local group.

London covers a huge area, and I feel that there is a need for many local
hands-on groups with easy access for all, even if carrying hardware and/or
disabled, but we can not expect specialist experts to visit them all so
there will still be a need for the kind of central facilities offered by the
University of Westminster. I have been trying to get something started in
West London, but the only response so far has been plenty of lip service but
very little understanding. Many people with influence (I recently attended a
local council Scrutiny Panel meeting) simply do not understand why Microsoft
Only facilities are not useful.

[Alec Battles]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
To get fresh blood in I will be promoting this event as widely as
possible through Geeks of London, London Hack Space and in Linux
Format Magazine to see how much interest there might be when it comes
to doing a more formal LUG.

i am interested in this, so just my 2 cents.

i found there to be a relatively small number of linux users at the
LHS during my time there. (so small that i always made it a topic of
conversation when i noticed someone wasn't using a mac or...) it seems
weird to me, but there are a lot of regular windows users at the LHS,
and the last time i stepped in there i even heard someone trashing
linux, so...

YMMV, but i would suggest brainstorming to find even more possible
nodes where command-line cowboys are hiding in their mole holes.

off the top of my head, there *must* be some way to get the attention
of greater-london and london-based users of unix.stackexchange.com --
this could bring a huge number of users who are otherwise hard to
reach. as far as mailing lists go, UKnots, the perl monks, and Debian
UK would also all be good places to promote things.

Alec
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[Chris E Hunter]

It begins to look like we might need meetings in more than just central London. The facilities afforded by a college or university may be great for presentations and install fests, but the ad hoc support and discussions that can go on over a beer or three can be very useful too.  I think both types of get-togethers should be arranged!

C.


Sent from Samsung Mobile

Post by Donald Williams
Hi - as an arthritically bedevilled 78-year-old who has given up marathons
and stuff, can I ask the able-bodied among you to consider as a venue the
only pub I can easily get to in my area - the Birchwood of Abbey Wood? They
do have a function room. I think there are some potential GLLUG members in
this area (even other old farts like me!) who might more easily make it
there and enjoy what I have called for years the best pub in South London
... I've been into Linux for some years - I can't be alone here.
Don

Don,

To be honest, it would be far easier and cheaper for me to get to Abbey Wood
- and get home again - than them there high falluting parts of North London.
As a grubby South East Londoner, unused to the alien cultures and dulcet
tones of the Northern delights of this great city I think I would much prefer
a more local group. 

Regards

Lesley
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[Mick Farmer]

Dear All,

Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

Regards,

Mick

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[John Hearns]

Beer and Linux gang thegither.

(with suitable apologies to Rabbie Burns)

Post by Mick Farmer
Dear All,
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!
Regards,
Mick
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[Gary Pownall]

Post by John Hearns
Beer and Linux gang thegither.
(with suitable apologies to Rabbie Burns)

Rabbie Who?

Post by John Hearns
Dear All,
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!
Regards,
Mick
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[Martin A. Brooks]

Post by Mick Farmer
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

Given the comprehensive arse-kicking given by Team Debian last time this
was done, is there really any point? I can still hear the gentoo weenies
blubbing.


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[JLMS]

Post by Martin A. Brooks

Post by Mick Farmer
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

Given the comprehensive arse-kicking given by Team Debian last time this
was done, is there really any point?  I can still hear the gentoo weenies
blubbing.

But I am sure they learned a lot, which I would think is part of the
point of the game....
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[Peter Cannon]

Post by JLMS

Post by Martin A. Brooks

Post by Mick Farmer
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

Given the comprehensive arse-kicking given by Team Debian last time this
was done, is there really any point? I can still hear the gentoo weenies
blubbing.

But I am sure they learned a lot, which I would think is part of the
point of the game....

In the words of Monty Pythons 'Life of Brian' "Splitters!"
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There is no excuse for not asking"

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[Matthew Copperwaite]

Post by Peter Cannon

Post by JLMS

Post by Martin A. Brooks

Post by Mick Farmer
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

Given the comprehensive arse-kicking given by Team Debian last time this
was done, is there really any point?  I can still hear the gentoo weenies
blubbing.

But I am sure they learned a lot, which I would think is part of the
point of the game....

In the words of Monty Pythons 'Life of Brian' "Splitters!"
--
Regards
Peter Cannon
https://twitter.com/dick_turpin
http://www.cannon-linux.co.uk
https://plus.google.com/100694334141523232451/posts
Podcast: http://tdtrs.co.uk
"There is every excuse for not knowing
There is no excuse for not asking"
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Thanks to everyone for their feedback, some of it has been really
useful and I'll take it on board.

I have got the dates a little confused in my head and we've actually
got it booked for the 6th of June not the 7th, but that's why I had
this little airing mail. I think next step is to put stuff in the
announcements mailing list and if any of the mods could make
themselves known so we can get it put it on the main GLLUG page too
that would be awesome.

I know there are some people who may have difficulties getting to
events and while I do appreciate that I'm afraid I can't put on an
event in all your own living rooms, as much as I would like to. The
two other solutions there of course are that we:
1. Move the event around to the various corners of London so some
events are easier to get to than others, or
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

While I'm more than happy to support anyone endeavouring to do the
latter option I do worry that smaller groups will have less momentum
and therefore harder to carry on long term. I think it's also worth
reminding people (without wanting derailing the conversation too much)
that our neighbours in Surrey LUG travel much greater distances than
London covers and we do have the benefit of a semi-functional public
transport system.

I plan for events to be as reasonably central as possible so that
people South and North of the river have as much chance of getting to
events, although that does depend on available locations (so if you
want one in a local area please do suggest a suitable space).

Other than that, I'm really excited about this event and I hope you
are too, and I look forward to seeing as many of you guys there as
possible.

Matt
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[Chris Bell]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

My suggestion was for more local hands-on groups, perhaps similar to that
in London Hackspace, but also a more comprehensive central group structure,
(in any case I am not very good at arranging talks). I learned mechanical
engineering by doing it when I was about 7 at the family run general
engineering and toolmaking company, and there was always a queue of locals
waiting to have a go at weekends when they could attempt their own projects
and repairs. I soon learned about rebuilding petrol engines, worked on an
industrial power wiring project at 13, and electronics later. Too many
people never even get started now, and many are just as nervous about
anything "technical".

[Caparo]

Post by Chris Bell

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

My suggestion was for more local hands-on groups, perhaps similar to
that in London Hackspace, but also a more comprehensive central group
structure, (in any case I am not very good at arranging talks). I learned
mechanical engineering by doing it when I was about 7 at the family run
general engineering and toolmaking company, and there was always a queue of
locals waiting to have a go at weekends when they could attempt their own
projects and repairs. I soon learned about rebuilding petrol engines,
worked on an industrial power wiring project at 13, and electronics later.
Too many people never even get started now, and many are just as nervous
about anything "technical".

I am with you Chris ,people learn more thro doing than listening.something
like 60% knowledge retention to 3% retention after a period of 3 days has
elapsed.

[JLMS]

Post by Caparo

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

   My suggestion was for more local hands-on groups, perhaps similar to
that in London Hackspace, but also a more comprehensive central group
structure, (in any case I am not very good at arranging talks). I learned
mechanical engineering by doing it when I was about 7 at the family run
general engineering and toolmaking company, and there was always a queue of
locals waiting to have a go at weekends when they could attempt their own
projects and repairs. I soon learned about rebuilding petrol engines,
worked on an industrial power wiring project at 13, and electronics later.
Too many people never even get started now, and many are just as nervous
about anything "technical".

I am with you Chris ,people learn more thro doing than listening.something
like 60% knowledge retention to 3% retention after a period of 3 days has
elapsed.
--
TTFN
  Caparo.

All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.

That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...
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[Chris Bell]

Post by JLMS
All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.
That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...

It does not need to be brand new, and there is absolutely no shortage of
equipment no longer required by business users. I am able to teach people
how to put a plug on, plug in a monitor, or wire up a network.

[JLMS]

Post by JLMS
All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.
That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...

  It does not need to be brand new, and there is absolutely no shortage of
equipment no longer required by business users. I am able to teach people
how to put a plug on, plug in a monitor, or wire up a network.

I am thinking more about the venue. Equipment is not a problem,
physical space, power supply, Internet access, administration of all
that, etc. is what is costly ( I would also teach and help as a
volunteer, what is needed is the workshop).
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[Caparo]

Post by JLMS

Post by JLMS
All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.
That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...

  It does not need to be brand new, and there is absolutely no shortage
of equipment no longer required by business users. I am able to teach
people how to put a plug on, plug in a monitor, or wire up a network.

what is needed is the workshop).

In the case that I sited it was the host's lounge which is probably 12ft * 14
ft The server & 1 workstation + firewall were in another room along with the
hub,broadband which he used any way for his own work.

[Caparo]

Post by JLMS

Post by Caparo

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

   My suggestion was for more local hands-on groups, perhaps similar to
that in London Hackspace, but also a more comprehensive central group
structure, (in any case I am not very good at arranging talks). I
learned mechanical engineering by doing it when I was about 7 at the
family run general engineering and toolmaking company, and there was
always a queue of locals waiting to have a go at weekends when they
could attempt their own projects and repairs. I soon learned about
rebuilding petrol engines, worked on an industrial power wiring project
at 13, and electronics later. Too many people never even get started
now, and many are just as nervous about anything "technical".

I am with you Chris ,people learn more thro doing than
listening.something like 60% knowledge retention to 3% retention after a
period of 3 days has elapsed.
--
TTFN
  Caparo.

All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.
That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...
--
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug

Actually it did happen and continued to happen for a period of 2.5 years.all
the 13 computers was donated from companies updating their equipment. .The
venue was tiny but again the Cat 5 was donated and the host provided broad
band . the host was a private individual who organised / held sessions every
other Sunday.

Why did it shut down? Lack of REAL linux users who would pass on their
knowledge wanting to talk & work along side people who knew very little about
computing.
The 2 main guys who helped run it got offered work in the far east and the
city leaving the main host on his own and he ran out of knowledge and despite
asking on a lug got no concrete help and it died of fatigue.

the only finance involved was that anyone who attended paid a Fiver for Lunch
and tea through out the days session of 6 hours.

[JLMS]

Post by Caparo

Post by JLMS

Post by Caparo

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
2. Have a 'splitters' like event where different areas have their own LUG.

   My suggestion was for more local hands-on groups, perhaps similar to
that in London Hackspace, but also a more comprehensive central group
structure, (in any case I am not very good at arranging talks). I
learned mechanical engineering by doing it when I was about 7 at the
family run general engineering and toolmaking company, and there was
always a queue of locals waiting to have a go at weekends when they
could attempt their own projects and repairs. I soon learned about
rebuilding petrol engines, worked on an industrial power wiring project
at 13, and electronics later. Too many people never even get started
now, and many are just as nervous about anything "technical".

I am with you Chris ,people learn more thro doing than
listening.something like 60% knowledge retention to 3% retention after a
period of 3 days has elapsed.
--
TTFN
  Caparo.

All that is well and good, but that would imply the existence of a
permanent or semi-permanent computing lab with all the necessary
equipment to come and hack away.
That costs $$$ (sorry, US English keyboard) which I suppose it is why
it doesn't happen...
--
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug

Actually it did happen and continued to happen for a period of 2.5 years.all
the 13 computers was donated from companies updating their equipment. .The
venue was tiny but again the Cat 5 was donated and the host provided broad
band . the host was a private individual who organised /  held sessions every
other Sunday.
Why did it shut down? Lack of REAL linux users who would pass on their
knowledge wanting to talk & work along side people who knew very little about
computing.
The 2 main guys who helped run it got offered work  in the far east and the
city leaving the main host on his own and he ran out of knowledge and despite
asking on a lug got no concrete help and it died of fatigue.
the only finance involved was that anyone who attended paid a Fiver for Lunch
and tea through out the days session of 6 hours.
--
TTFN
  Caparo.

The thing would be to establish a charity, social enterprise or a
similar set up that keeps running regardless and that has the
capability of paying 2 or 3 staff and a small venue, then all Linux
geekery could volunteer whenever they would have time (coordinated by
one of those theoretical employees) or use the venue for devious
experimentation, it would become the hub of Linux life in London, Red
Hat, Ubuntu, SuSe could come begging for visibility there....

(wait a sec, would it not be in the interest of Red Hat, Canonical,
whoever owns SuSe, etc. to sponsor something like this?)

As much as I like mailing lists, they are not the right marketing
tool, it is kind of calling the religious to mass :-) We should be
"evangelical" in the approach (think about those obnoxious people that
go door to door trying to save your soul).

One would have to give it an angle of offering specific skills, so
newbies could aim for a specific objective.

We really need some kind of non for profit Linux Academy and Hacking Centre...

Maybe the topic of the first Linux meetup should be how to go about
achieving this (there are several people in the list with business
acumen, surely they would have something to contribute).
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[Chris Bell]

Post by JLMS
The thing would be to establish a charity, social enterprise or a
similar set up that keeps running regardless and that has the
capability of paying 2 or 3 staff and a small venue, then all Linux
geekery could volunteer whenever they would have time (coordinated by
one of those theoretical employees) or use the venue for devious
experimentation, it would become the hub of Linux life in London, Red
Hat, Ubuntu, SuSe could come begging for visibility there....

I have been trying to get the local Ealing Council and/or the Park Royal
Partnership involved. I am well known to several years of local councillors
and my MP, I was allowed a five minute chat to a Scrutiny Panel meeting a
couple of weeks ago which sparked interest among the public attendees, but I
still have work to do explaining to other councillors.
"Park Royal" spreads over several London Boroughs and claims to be the
largest business area in Europe, and the Park Royal Partnership can call on
official EU and government backing.
There are obviously Health and Safety issues. If you are teaching
needlework you supply blunt scissors and needles, woodwork requires blunt
saws and chisels, mistakes in car maintenance can result in death so you
teach car maintenance with the bonnet welded shut, and likewise you weld the
computer covers on and threaten dire consequences if anyone attempts to find
out how they tick.
There are still too many people who believe that the answer to everything
is to supply new leased laptops, easily damaged, running only Microsoft,
plus an expensive storage and charging rack, with expensive security doors
for the storage area to try to stop them walking. These are being supplied
to almost every local community facility.

['lesleyb']

Post by Chris Bell

Post by JLMS
The thing would be to establish a charity, social enterprise or a
similar set up that keeps running regardless and that has the
capability of paying 2 or 3 staff and a small venue, then all Linux
geekery could volunteer whenever they would have time (coordinated by
one of those theoretical employees) or use the venue for devious
experimentation, it would become the hub of Linux life in London, Red
Hat, Ubuntu, SuSe could come begging for visibility there....

I have been trying to get the local Ealing Council and/or the Park Royal
Partnership involved. I am well known to several years of local councillors
and my MP, I was allowed a five minute chat to a Scrutiny Panel meeting a
couple of weeks ago which sparked interest among the public attendees, but I
still have work to do explaining to other councillors.
"Park Royal" spreads over several London Boroughs and claims to be the
largest business area in Europe, and the Park Royal Partnership can call on
official EU and government backing.
There are obviously Health and Safety issues. If you are teaching
needlework you supply blunt scissors and needles, woodwork requires blunt
saws and chisels, mistakes in car maintenance can result in death so you
teach car maintenance with the bonnet welded shut, and likewise you weld the
computer covers on and threaten dire consequences if anyone attempts to find
out how they tick.

On the basis of experience, I have to disagree here. I worked at Access Space
for a little while. ( http://access-space.org/doku.php?id=start ) The whole
project arose after James Wallbank had finished with a stack of computers
gleaned for an arts installation and has become a significant part of the
Sheffield scene.

Briefly, they recycle donated computers, using the best bits for ongoing use
within the project generally, use Linux distrubutions, (was Mandriva when I was
there), and they do take stuff apart. Watch the video on the front page.

I ran a course, funded by the South Yorkshire Women's Development Trust there,
a simple Level 1 course designed to help women gain familiarity and confidence
with computers.

On the course, We built a computer from parts, installed Mandriva and destroyed
hard drives as well as introduced people to different software components such
as basic web browser usage with Firefox and OpenOffice.

The centre also attracted a number of artists and geeks using the Space for
everything from collabrative arts or open source projects to creating 3D works
in Blender to advice on email and bulding web pages.

Please do note : Access Space is not a Hackspace (
http://hackspace.org.uk/view/Main_Page or https://london.hackspace.org.uk/).
It is independent of that network and survives through lottery and Arts Council
funding.

I think I will be aiming to set up something similar locally - if only to give
all these poor sods on JSA and ESA hope for an alternative existence besides
the moronic grind of box-ticking operations and slave labour that have to be
performed so they qualify for their benefits. It's just a matter of sorting
out funding to start and some sort of wage arrangement out of it for myself.

Post by Chris Bell
There are still too many people who believe that the answer to everything
is to supply new leased laptops, easily damaged, running only Microsoft,
plus an expensive storage and charging rack, with expensive security doors
for the storage area to try to stop them walking. These are being supplied
to almost every local community facility.

That is a problem within most communities. You have to step outside that loop.
You'll find it's a closed shop involving various 'community business models',
e.g. The Round Table, FreeMasons or an extended family set up where one part of
the family provides the social enterprise/community service and another part
gets the contract to supply the laptops. Similar existed in Sheffield, and
expecting them to come out of their comfort zone is like getting blood out of a
stone. It's just not going to happen.

The best you can hope for is some form of support in terms of low/no rent
accommodation - and that is the crux in almost all of London. There simply
aren't many empty spaces that councils would just have used rather than left
standing empty. Then there's heating, lighting, electricity, water, garbage
collection and broadband to pay for as well as advertising the place and
getting people's head round the art of self determination and that this is not
a box-ticking operation - it's down to them as a group or an individual to
create something.


Kind Regards

Lesley

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Gllug mailing list - ***@gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug

[Chris Bell]

Post by 'lesleyb'
On the basis of experience, I have to disagree here. I worked at Access Space
for a little while. ( http://access-space.org/doku.php?id=start ) The whole
project arose after James Wallbank had finished with a stack of computers
gleaned for an arts installation and has become a significant part of the
Sheffield scene.

I quoted both Access Space and London Hackspace at the council meeting.

[Karanbir Singh]

Post by JLMS
We really need some kind of non for profit Linux Academy and Hacking Centre...

surprised that noone has mentioned the London hackspace setup so far..
they have reasonable space, and reasonable levels of kit and staffing.
Its not Linux centric per se - not even computing centric, but the
basics / ethics / goals line up quite nicely.

- KB

[Chris Bell]

Post by Karanbir Singh

Post by JLMS
We really need some kind of non for profit Linux Academy and Hacking Centre...

surprised that noone has mentioned the London hackspace setup so far..
they have reasonable space, and reasonable levels of kit and staffing.
Its not Linux centric per se - not even computing centric, but the
basics / ethics / goals line up quite nicely.

That is ideal for the people in the area. I have been there best route by
public transport and I was able to stay for a few minutes before I had to
leave for home. The local councils have grants available if anyone can
manage a kick in the right place.

[Alain Williams]

Post by Mick Farmer
Dear All,
Perhaps we should have North, South, East, West ... London groups.
Think of the number of pub quizzes that could be organised!

There is a LUG in Watford, we have been around for some 7 years:

http://www.watfordlug.org/

All welcome to attend ... 1st Thursdays of the month. Join the mail list for
where/when, etc.

[Gary Pownall]

http://www.watfordlug.org/

All welcome to attend ... 1st Thursdays of the month. Join the mail list for
where/when, etc.

Good god! You mean, there are PEOPLE in Watford?!?!

Gary
--
Gllug mailing list - ***@gllug.org.uk
http://lists.gllug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug

[Alain Williams]

Post by Alain Williams
http://www.watfordlug.org/
All welcome to attend ... 1st Thursdays of the month. Join the mail list for
where/when, etc.
Good god! You mean, there are PEOPLE in Watford?!?!

I said that there is a LUG ... I did not make any assertion as to what species attended.

[Karanbir Singh]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
After the somewhat successful relaunch of the Lincolnshire LUG and the
huge turn out at the GitHub London drink up a few weeks ago (although
they did have free beer) I figured it's time to get the largest Linux
user base in the UK back together.

I'm not sure if that user base ever splintered. The biggest challenge in
the meetings was that Linux in itself is no longer niche enough to get
people excited about coming into the city on a weekend day. Most of the
people drifted over into more specific niche groups and interests.

Also, I have some level of access on the gllug website, happy to help
with that side of things; not sure if I can make it into town for the
meeting on the 6th though.

Regards,

[Donald Williams]

Hi again from a bedazzled, thoroughly chuffed whilst rather touched Linux
user. The responses I have seen (and received) are really quite unexpected
in these days of Thatcher's children. (At the same time I spent a whole 1.5
hours yesterday afternoon downloading, burning to dvd and installing Ubuntu
12.04 on my PC - I am already amazed by it and very grateful for it!) The
correspondence on the above-titled matter has prompted a warm respect for
the GLLUG members.

There seems a real wish to understand some of the issues relating to
disability and involvement in GLLUG life. I have tomorrow (entirely
coincidentally) the opportunity to visit the pub I first mentioned, the
Birchwood. Taken there by car by a nice chap who'll foot the bill is quite
an outing for me and I shall investigate all the possibilities/necessities
there (WiFi?). I also plan to call in to our local pensioners' pop-in
parlour to see how many, if any, have broadband at home and are interested
in what Linux has to offer. I might also get an "in" to a more widespread
local provider - more on that, possibly, later.

I give a nod to the day - years ago now - I got bothered by a certain
software make's irritating existence on my computer - so I installed my
first Linux that day.

I'm off away for a B12 injection now. Thank you again, GLLUG

Don

[Tethys]

Post by Matthew Copperwaite
I decided it should start out informally, just to gauge interest, so I
have set up a pub meet so that everyone discuss plans, locations,
dates etc. over a few drinks.

Good idea. I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend, but personally
speaking, I have little interest in Linux oriented pub meets. Or the
installfests that some have proposed. But if there was to be a return
of relevant technical talks, I'd be very interested.

Tet