Voluntary & Community Sector Open Source 'Meze'

 http://www.lasa.org.uk/it/penguin/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage

Overview

Practical uses of Open Source & Free Software (OSS) and its synergy with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)*.

This will be an informal, peer-to-peer networking event in the co-operative spirit of open source: a many-to-many exchange of experiences, curiosity and enthusiasm.

Discussions will be introduced by people who have already piloted open source & free software solutions in the Voluntary & Community Sector. There will also be a chance for hands-on demos of open source systems. Solution providers will also be attending, so there’ll be lots of opportunities to connect with companies who support open source solutions.

This event is affiliated to the global Penguin Day movement and Lasa's Circuit Rider Conference.

* Those familiar with US terminology may identify "Voluntary and Community Sector" with "NGO/Non-profit". These terms are used loosely and interchangebly for the purposes of this event.
When?
Wednesday 15th September 2004 11am – 5pm (the day after the UK Circuit Rider Conference)

Where?
City Temple Conference Centre, Holborn Viaduct, London. EC1A 2DE. See FindingUs.

How Much?
£5 for individuals,

The day will be an informal, peer-to-peer networking event in the co-operative spirit of Open Source: a many-to-many exchange of experiences, curiosity and enthusiasm. It will be split between timetabled talks with space for questions, and free time for discussion and hands-on demonstrations of Open Source systems.

Discussions will be introduced by people who have already piloted Open Source & Free Software solutions in the Voluntary & Community Sector.

Four “spaces” will be available:

Room 1, Main area - Introduction & wrap-up sessions + ongoing demonstrations & discussions throughout the day
Room 2, Talks area - Scheduled Talk sessions of 45 min, based on 3 x 10 min talks + 15 minutes questions & discussion
Rooms 3 & 4 - Available for ad-hoc discussions & meetings

Event Programme

'Event Programme' Time Item & Personnel
09:30 – 10:00 REGISTRATION – tea & coffee available
10:00 – 10:15 EVENT START (Main area, Room 1)
Welcome, Introductions & Housekeeping
10:15 – 11:00 OSS PERSPECTIVES (Main Area, Room 1)
What OSS has to Offer the Voluntary & Community Sector - Dan McQuillan, Senior Consultant, LASA & Jono Bacon, Technology Journalist
11:00 – 12:55 free discussion time & ad-hoc demos (Rooms 1, 3, 4)
Themed Timetabled sessions, am:
11:00 – 11:45 OSS in ORGANISATIONS I (Talks Area, Room 2)
Moving an Organisation towards Open Source- James Holland, Alone in London
Linux Terminal Services: the magic of x-terminals - Max Hertzberg, Seeds for Change
West Midlands pilot project rolling-out OSS to the Voluntary & Community Sector - Dave Nichols, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council
11:45-12:30 OSS TOOLSETS I (Talks Area, Room 2)
Open Source Tools to use under Windows - Hugh Barnard, ICT Consultant
Creating multi-platform (hybrid) databases with PostgreSQL - Michelle Murrain, VP for Technology, Database Designs Associates
12:30 – 12:55 “WIRELESS INTERLUDE”
Adventures in wireless networking – based in Room 2 but wandering further afield... - Mike Harris, psand.net & Peter Chauncy
12:55 – 13:00 PARTICIPANTS PHOTOGRAPH
13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH
14:00 – 16:00 Free discussion time & Ad-hoc demos (Rooms 1, 4)
Themed Timetabled sessions, pm:+]
14:00 – 14:45 Concurrent Sessions:
OSS in ORGANISATIONS II (Talks Area, Room 2)
How to Punch Above Your Weight Using Open Source - Don de Silva, ABi Associates, Black Information Link (BLINK)
Experiences with Terminal Servers, Distributions & Open Office - Robin Green & Alan Buchel, comm-tech
More than webservers - Case Study of implementing OSS in a Charity - Ryan Cartwright, Contact a Family
OSS TOOLSETS II (Room 3)
The OpenMute Web-based application - Simon Worthington, OpenMute
Developing Open Source Legal Case Management Software - Chris Bailey, Cambridge Independent Advice Centre
14:45 – 15:00 TEA & COFFEE
15:00 – 15:45 SUPPORT (Talks Area, Room 2)
Open Source Circuit Riders - Vladimir Ognyanov Petkov, InterSpace Media Art Center, Sofia & Chris Bailey, Cambridge Independent Advice Centre
How Commercial Support Fits in with OSS - Stephen Russell, Xdevelopment
15:45 – 16:00 spill-over time
16:00 – 17:00 OPEN DISCUSSION & WRAP UP (Main Area, Room 1)
Feedback from the day, questions about Open Source, ideas for what's next...
17:00 EVENT ENDS

Programme subject to modification according to participant availability

Exhibition & Demonstration Space

* Open Source Content Management - Steve Purkiss, open 4 organisations
* Web-based network applications - Simon Worthington, OpenMute
* Commercial support with an emphasis on Open Source - Xdevelopment
* Dasher – keyboard-less text entry via inference – Dasher Project, Cambridge University
* Demonstrations of a mixed Linux/Windows network, and Linux Terminal Services
* CDs of Open Source software available (inc for use under Windows)

Additional ideas for discussions

* open source in the office
* open source on old pc's: the invasion of the x-terminals
* content management systems and web applications
* support: who do i call? (paid, community and user groups)
* drop-in replacements for windows tools
* wireless: the open spectrum & community networks
* open organisations: coordinating work and sharing knowledge using free software
* multilingual open source & international innovations
* accessibility: open standards for all
* commonly used toolsets: Samba & LAMP
* migration issues: step by step...
* licenses and legal issues
* training