Bristol Wireless News

Regular readers will be aware that Bristol Wireless wrote during September to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer (news passim) and sent them each an Ubuntu live CD (so they could do half of Whitehall each? Ed. ).

We’ve now had a reply (sort of. Ed.) from Tim Bett, Director, Commercial Delivery, ICT at the Office of Government Commerce (OCG). The full text of his response – in all its brevity – reads:

Dear Mr Woods

UBUNTU LINUX

Thank you for your letter of 23 September to the Rt Hon. Gordon Brown MP. I have been asked to reply.

I was interested to read about Ubuntu Linux and its potential for helping the public sector reduce ICT costs. As individual departments are responsible for their own ICT arrangements, if you have not already done so you may wish to contact them direct [sic] to let them know about your product.

Yours sincerely, etc.

Your correspondent wonders exactly what the point the OCG serves if it is supposed to set procurement standards for government departments and its ICT folks are telling third parties to approach individual government departments.

Needless to say a considered response will soon be winging its way to Mr Betts…

CodeWeavers, a leading developer of software products that turn Linux and Mac OS X into Windows-compatible operating systems, have announced the release of CrossOver Games 8.1, masquerading under the codename of Zombie Mallard.

Picture courtesy of CodeWeavers, Inc.

As part of the launch, CodeWeavers will also be giving away a fully loaded, custom built, blingtastic (you just made that up, didn’t you? Ed.) CodeWeavers gaming PC (specification here) to some lucky winner, as long as you’re over 18, a US citizen and buy a copy of the new version of CrossOver Games.

Read CodeWeavers’ press release.

Do you want to find which games run natively under Linux? Consult our Linux games and Open GL games for Linux pages.

Makala Campbell (Cheung) of Knowle West Media Centre writes:

Hi All,

Do you know of an older person that could benefit from getting online? Maybe you know someone who works with older people or has an older relative or neighbour? Please forward the relevant info below (choose which one) and help get older people to this event.

And if you think there is someone I could contact personally to talk to them more about it, maybe a group or individual, then please let me know the contact details, and I’ll chase it up!

Social Networking for Older People
[For organisations and individuals that work with older people]

Tuesday 8 December, Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Ave, BS4 1NL (map)

As the festive season approaches, the South Bristol Digital Neighbourhoods programme (SBDN) is holding an event for older people and the individuals and organisations that work with them.

At a time of year that can be lonely and bleak for some, this event will explore digital and social networking solutions to the problem of isolation and facilitate easier communication with and amongst older people.

On Tuesday 8 December 2-4pm, older people can receive training on our mobile laptops, sign up to the myguide website and set up their own Facebook account in a friendly environment, using KWMC’s excellent facilities. There will also be free mince pies, tea and coffee.

The event will look at digital issues affecting older people, with a focus on social networking and isolation.

For more information please contact Makala Campbell or Rachel Clarke at Knowle West Media Centre on 0117 903 0444 / makala (at) kwmc.org.uk or rachel.clarke (at) kwmc.org.uk

Hat tip: Glenn Vowles