View this page "Auckland 2010"

[Tabitha]

Click on http://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010 - or
copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.

[Nevyn]

On Apr 28, 8:14 am, Tabitha <tabitha.m...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Click onhttp://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010- or

> copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.

Is it really necessary to have a seperate place for Aucklands efforts?
AuckLUG and UALUG are both VERY likely places for their joint efforts
to go (AuckLUG and UALUG work together on this and hopefully
Installfests and extra groups are likely to reduce the resources
rather than increase them for the efforts for SFD).

So the more likely scenario is that we do our planning as we are
comfortable with until someone posts to these lists but eventually
lets it fall to the wayside due to a lack of energy/interest/
engagement.

Last year the organisers ended up with a very impromptu mailing list
which was split according to topic (venue was quite different from
presenters for example) with both me and Jaco co-ordinating the
efforts (though given Jaco's changed priorities - baby, going solo
rather than "working for the man" etc.) it looks like I'm going to be
the main point of contact for AuckLUG this year (though one of our
members, Zarek (13 I think?) has volunteered to be a major part of
planning this year - I've thus volunteered to be a mentor in this
respect).

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Tabitha]

I made a google group as we used a google group in Wellington last
year and it worked very well to coordinate lots of peoples efforts.
As Software Freedom Day happens every year it is useful to refer back
to previous years efforts, planning and who was involved and might
help each year. I also thought it would be good nationwide to share
this resource and know about other events happening so if we have
friends or family in other cities we know where to point them. Google
groups was a very low tech solution that takes practically no effort
to add pages and contribute to discussions. With the International SFD
goal "to educate the worldwide public about of the benefits of using
high quality FOSS in education, in government, at home, and in
business" I figured easy entry was good.

I have moved to Auckland this year. I have just searched for auckland
linux user group and am interested in finding out more about the
group. I was not a member of wellington linux user group. I do not
know what the AuckLUG group purpose is, so don't know if it is for
hardcore linux coders, or just people interested in learning about
free and open source software. Is the UALUG just for students at
Auckland University?

In Wellington the SFD event organisation was led by Jayne Wallis who
was with Unlimited Potential at the time. Meetings for the event were
held between Catalyst IT Ltd office and Felix cafe. I don't know if
there was anyone from WLUG involved (as I don't know anything about
the group or its members).

If SFD organisers have a better way of collaboratively coordinating
efforts then please do step up and provide details and lead it. More
than happy to follow if there is a better solution.

[Mark Osborne]

This is a good conversation to have because SFD may well have a wider audience than LUG groups. In most situations there will be a lot of overlap, but how do we engage with people who are not on LUG lists but still want to play a part in SFD? What's the right channel?
Mark

--
Hei konā mai,

Mark Osborne
Deputy Principal,
Albany Senior High School.
Google Map: http://bit.ly/7cchi3
http://wikieducator.org/Albany_Senior_High_School
http://wikieducator.org/Albany_Senior_High_School/ICTs

[John Billings]

Hi Mark, Tabitha, et all

WLUG was wondering the same thing, what is right publicity channel?

For us last year we learned that it's not our local newspaper. We
purchased 3 b/w ad's for $440 last year which got buried in the back
page next to the personal ads and no one saw it.

In 08 we got a write up in the paper, but last year we failed to get
that attention. We did send a press release, and you can see the
planning we did on our wiki here:

http://www.wlug.org.nz/SFDPlanning2009

We had an excellent venue and put on a good event for some 50ish
people last year, but we fell short of our expectations and wondered
why we couldn't get 100s of people to come, we certainly had the
space. In 08 we had the event at Waikato Uni where attendance was a
bit higher (80ish). This year we plan to go to the people, rather
than trying to get them to come to us, and planning to just have a
table at the local mall.

Still we are interested in this idea of a national publicity campaign,
and one idea that popped up last year was getting an advertisement on
stuff.co.nz. We found last year our most effective publicity was
people finding out about it online, through mailing lists and our
website, and our flyers and library display were also effective.

We are also wondering why we couldn't get that media attention?
Wellington got a nod here:

http://softwarefreedomday.org/press

We are still scratching our heads about publicity here, but we are
happy to help.

Best,
John

[Nevyn]

On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 9:28 AM, Tabitha <tabith...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have moved to Auckland this year. I have just searched for auckland
> linux user group and am interested in finding out more about the
> group. I was not a member of wellington linux user group. I do not
> know what the AuckLUG group purpose is, so don't know if it is for
> hardcore linux coders, or just people interested in learning about
> free and open source software. Is the UALUG just for students at
> Auckland University?

AuckLUG isn't really about coders at all. Instead it's used as a place
to get help. We have monthly meetings. These are normally quite social
events - I do make sure that I throw in a "pub" meeting every now and
again (these are now held at a place called Pizza Pizza on Queen St -
they have a restaurant license and so our younger members are able to
come along). I've just put the suggestion across that we could do more
open data type presentations rather than struggling to find Linux
presentations every month, which is a direct result of mine and
other's efforts for the Creative Space (creativespace.org.nz). As well
as that, Peter Harrison has indicated that he wants NZOSS to start
getting a bit more active in Auckland in which case I've invited him
to come along to AuckLUG meetings and talk there about it. In other
words, you've probably moved to Auckland at the right time. Actually -
kind of eager to meet you as seem to be a bit of an activist.

UALUG: is for students of the university BUT given that I'm not a
student and am a member (I think) I don't think it's scope stops
there. They're having an "Installfest and Information" day on Sunday
(Information here: https://ualug.ece.auckland.ac.nz/archives/177)
which should be good.

> In Wellington the SFD event organisation was led by Jayne Wallis who
> was with Unlimited Potential at the time. Meetings for the event were
> held between Catalyst IT Ltd office and Felix cafe. I don't know if
> there was anyone from WLUG involved (as I don't know anything about
> the group or its members).
>
> If SFD organisers have a better way of collaboratively coordinating
> efforts then please do step up and provide details and lead it. More
> than happy to follow if there is a better solution.

Sorry - I don't mean to be negative. I'm just not a huge fan of
Google. Mark's quite right, there does need to be a place for
collaboration. There were loads of great ideas that came out of last
years event - one of which was the idea of nationwide sponsors. Last
year we pretty much did everything on no budget whatsoever. Due to
issues with the venue, we were having to do everything at the last
minute (I think we only got the venue 2 weeks before the date - I was
about to pull the plug and go with the alternative by that stage). Due
to not having a budget, there was next to no advertising so we were
preaching to the converted. I'll be talking to the UALUG guys (I think
there's about a dozen of 'em now) about what we can do at the
university for a venue this year. I think our efforts would go a bit
smoother if we had a sponsor who was just willing to do a bit of
printing for us.

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Jaco]

> "Installfest and Information" day on Sunday
> (Information here:https://ualug.ece.auckland.ac.nz/archives/177)

I think this could be an opportunity for us to meet & discuss some
options.
In essence, this could be a dry-run for the actual SFD, in terms of
logistics

> Sorry - I don't mean to be negative. I'm just not a huge fan of
> Google. Mark's quite right, there does need to be a place for
> collaboration.

I think this is a point of philosophical difference.
I understand & respect where you're coming from, but I do not agree on
all points.
Google provides an *excellent* platform for collaboration & low
barrier to entry, and in the absence of any better alternatives, I
feel this is still or best option (workable alternative suggestions
are welcome, of course)

> There were loads of great ideas that came out of last
> years event - one of which was the idea of nationwide sponsors. Last
> year we pretty much did everything on no budget whatsoever.

We bay have to coordinate with the other groups to make this a
reality, and possibly provide some proof of benefit to sponsors in
question.
I know that the FD main site provides stock if we contact them early
enough; I think the same could be said from Canonical, if we work
through their local reps.

[Nevyn]

On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 12:05 PM, Jaco <frea...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> There were loads of great ideas that came out of last
>> years event - one of which was the idea of nationwide sponsors. Last
>> year we pretty much did everything on no budget whatsoever.
> We bay have to coordinate with the other groups to make this a
> reality, and possibly provide some proof of benefit to sponsors in
> question.
> I know that the FD main site provides stock if we contact them early
> enough; I think the same could be said from Canonical, if we work
> through their local reps.

First port of call: Contact those we're already involved with. OSS
(not to be mistaken with NZOSS), the Redhat Rep from last year, Graham
Lauder etc. These are the people who probably won't need convincing.

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Jaco]

> First port of call: Contact those we're already involved with.

...

> These are the people who probably won't need convincing.

I've already flicked all/most(?) parties who participated in last year's
event a message leading them to this group (most have gmail addresses),
and included a few others that have since then indicated an interest
(like FreeCycle; I've not heard a peep from the eDay people though)

I don't think much is required in the way of "convincing", i.e. I think
they'd be willing to at least drop by on the day, but I wouldn't want to
make any assumptions as to their degree of involvement.
If time & money's involved, I do think a case needs to be made as to why
they should get actively involved.


A bit O/T:
Since this is essentially a non-profit event, we could also invite other
parties, such at the Ministry of Economic Development, Education (I've
pinged Mr.Seiler), and/or librarians; this could lend us much exposure
in the press.

[Tabitha]

I have added to the Auckland page with some information on venue
requirements if we want to make SFD in Auckland as big as SFD in
Wellington was last year.

Click on http://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010 - or

[Nevyn]

Hi Tabitha,

The issue was less the venue last year and more getting people to the event.

We had picked a huge space for the city event but we had a trickle of
people all of whom are involved or use Linux. Linux people already
tend to have a sense of the Software Freedom mantra and so we were
preaching to the converted. Add to that the fact that the table that I
had chucked the rep-rap on while Jaco was looking for a table became
the table for the rep-rap so we had a cluster of curious people around
the door while the rest of us sat there doing nothing in particular.

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Jaco van der Merwe]

Hi guys,

Would like to add a point here (may be slightly O/T), without
distracting too much.

Approaching this for a non-*nix'er perspective (i.e. preaching to
converted), this may be something we may want to run by the
(newly-formed) Auckland CreativeSpace group, as a potential project to
draw in disparate groups, from both technical & non-technical areas of
interest.
* https://aucklandcreativespace.ning.com/
* http://creativespace.org.nz/
* http://creativespace.org.nz/mediawiki
* http://creativespace.org.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discussion

Aims are slightly paralleled, so...
More later...

Cheers

- Jaco

On 16/05/10 22:44, Nevyn wrote:
> On Sun, May 16, 2010 at 9:21 PM, Tabitha<tabith...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I have added to the Auckland page with some information on venue
>> requirements if we want to make SFD in Auckland as big as SFD in
>> Wellington was last year.
>>
>> Click on http://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010 - or

>> copy& paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.

[Nevyn]

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 10:06 AM, Jaco van der Merwe
<frea...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> Would like to add a point here (may be slightly O/T), without distracting
> too much.
>
> Approaching this for a non-*nix'er perspective (i.e. preaching to
> converted), this may be something we may want to run by the (newly-formed)
> Auckland CreativeSpace group, as a potential project to draw in disparate
> groups, from both technical & non-technical areas of interest.
> * https://aucklandcreativespace.ning.com/
> * http://creativespace.org.nz/
> * http://creativespace.org.nz/mediawiki
> * http://creativespace.org.nz/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/discussion
>
> Aims are slightly paralleled, so...
> More later...
>
> Cheers
>
> - Jaco

Oh let's get serious here - that Ning site - horrible and has been
done as a demo only thus far. Jaco, can we not present it as the way
into the Creative Space. We're still coming up with options and
there's going to be a couple of different attempts.

[Tabitha]

I just made it possible for all members to edit this page, so if you
have ideas about Auckland SFD please feel free to edit the Auckland
page :-)

Click on http://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010 - or

copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.

[Tabitha]

[Nevyn]

A couple of updates. Do think we need to get moving on this - start
setting up a few guidelines such as deadlines for big decisions such
as venue.

We also need to look at ways of making this fun. i.e. we were looking
at guitar controllers for gaming consoles today - Frets on Fire with a
proper controller rather than on a keyboard. I have singstar
microphones if someone can get UltraStar going with a few songs..

In terms of a LAN party, I think we need to abide by a few guidelines:
* Won't happen if there isn't at least a few computers for public use.
* Needs to be open for anyone to join
* Should have some sort of turn over so that those wanting to have a
go are able to. (We do FLOSS no favours if this isn't fun and watching
other people playing games is seldom fun).

Click on http://groups.google.com/group/sfd-nz/web/auckland-2010 - or
copy & paste it into your browser's address bar if that doesn't work.

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Mark Foster]

I'm happy to have some involvement wearing my AuckLUG hat but I have
limited availability on-the-day due to a family committment.

[Nevyn]

On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 8:47 PM, Mark Foster <bla...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm happy to have some involvement wearing my AuckLUG hat but I have
> limited availability on-the-day due to a family committment.

A few of the people interested in the Auckland effort are also at the
OLPC meetings on Saturdays so we've been talking about it a little bit
there.

I think we need to start figuring out venue now - last year this was a
huge issue with no one entirely sure who to contact at the University.
I do wonder if the University is our best choice - I think I'd be a
little happier with somewhere where passerbys at the very least have
the opportunity to get curious and participate even if it is to note
the shinyness of the RepRap.

Regards,
Nevyn.

[Jaco]

Updated my participation details & some of the contact details

[Tabitha]

Updated page with more event details

[Jaco]

added links

[Tabitha]