Monthly Meeting Thurs 7 th February 2008

BRISTOL WIRELESS MONTHLY MEETING, THURSDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 2008

PRESENT:

Rich H, Woodsy, Jim F, Acesabe, Jules, Pete F, Lloyd C, Mike H, Everton

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Sean K, Sam R

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Agreed nem con.

MATTERS ARISING

1. Financial: Jules reported that he is having a meeting on Saturday with Malcolm to discuss the wording of our rules in respect of possible corporation tax liabilities and the holding of an EGM to amend our rules. In addition, regarding the use of open source accounting packages, it was reported that Gnucash is now compatible with Turbocash: this will also be discussed between Jules and Malcolm.
2. ICT Hub telephone training: The course was cancelled.

REPORTS

1. Financial: Jules circulated copies of the year-end accounts to December 2007 and figures for January 2008 in the current year. Financially we are in a better position and finished the year with a net income of £9,000 on a turnover of £70,000. Operating costs for central services still need careful monitoring and control. Jules stressed the need that we approach any future projects of the scale of Wireless Werburghs with caution due to its impact on resources, particularly as it had to be paid for in advance by ourselves and costs then recovered. Any projects of a similar scale in future should not be undertaken without a significant up-front payment from funders.
2. Recycling project: No report.
3. WCC cabinets: The first 2 cabinets have now arrived and are in use. It was generally commented that they are all we hoped for and more. In addition, they have been received favourably by funders. Ron Corbett of Princess Royal Gardens would also be interested in acquiring some as his thin clients keep getting stolen!
4. UFI update: Rich reported we had been visited on Friday 1st February by Jackie ?, the regional UFI manager. In a written submission Sam apologised for missing some submissions of management information for UFI. He will endeavour to remedy the situation and provide some good case studies.
5. Social Source South West Conference feedback: Tuesday's event went well, with nearly 50 delegates in attendance. There was a good atmosphere on the day and all participants were well fed. It was most encouraging that 2 months' planning and preparation had been brought to a successful conclusion, as well as plenty of interest being shown in Bristol Wireless' work. There is still some work to be done, including installing Linux on the 6 council laptops and their return. It was proposed by Woodsy and seconded by Rich that a formal vote of thanks to all involved in putting on the conference be recorded in the minutes. This was unanimously agreed.
6. Unmet Needs Fund update: This project has not progressed as well as had been expected. It is hoped that the workshops and leafletting of delegates at Social Source South West will drum up more interest.
7. Infrastructure routine maintenance schedule: Our equipment on the top of tower blocks and elsewhere is getting a battering from the elements, as evidenced by a WRAP board Lloyd recovered from the top of Holroyd House last week. This highlighted the need for a regular inspection and maintenance routine, say once in the spring and once in the autumn. Rich is to approach John Palfrey in order that the latter can prepare an action plan (action: Rich).
8. Knowle West Web management committee report: Lloyd reported on his attendance on Monday at a Knowle West Web management committee. Chris P has been successful in obtaining funds for installs and Knowle West Web is now being put on a more formal footing, with Chris P in the Chair and Lloyd acting as secretary. KWW management meetings would also see the attendance in future of Bristol Wireless, Connecting Bristol, Bristol City Council and Knowle West Media Centre. The matter of Knowle West Web's affiliation to Bristol Wireless was raised: Knowle West Web would need to become a shareholder in Bristol Wireless and pay the standard £1 fee. As regards infrastructure in Knowle, Lloyd reported that CitySpace will be installing wireless infrastructure along Broad Walk, Daventry Road and Leinster Avenue. There is potential for collaboration between CitySpace and Bristol Wireless in this area due to our expertise in providing connections from the infrastructure to individual users. In addition, Knowle West Web Computers has been renamed KWW Computers and has moved out of The Park. Finally, the work of Knowle West Web is being viewed as complementary to the work of Knowle West Media Centre.
9. Bridewell Artspace project: Lloyd and Sam made a site visit earlier this week. In addition, Sam prepared a cybercafe proposal for this item and it can be consulted on the admin wiki. The meeting decided that the proposal prepared be sent to Artspace but that our commitment be reserved subject to further comments on Sam's proposal being made on the admin wiki.
10. Xtreamlab Second Life: Mike H gave an update on arrangement for the event. All artistes have been booked and publicity arranged for this event on 23rd February. The connection at Trinity will be installed tomorrow (Friday). Help will be wanted with flyer and poster distribution, plus help on the day rigging and gophering. Finally Mike reported that on Tuesday last he had attended an event the Watershed for all projects (incl. Xtreamlab) that had gained funding under the South West Screen Convergence scheme. The event brought together beneficiaries and large media organisations. Mike ran a stand and had materials (slideshow and DVD) from last year's Venn Festival to exhibit.
11. Barrackswood Tenants Association, Newport: Rich reminded the meeting that he & Matt Leonard had carried out a site survey for this undulating housing scheme of some 200 houses 6 months ago. Funding has now been obtained and they want to install 3 APs. The technical specification will need revising and technical support requirements finalised.

AOB

1. Cabot Circus meeting report: Pete F reported that on 5th February he had attended a meeting with the developers and other interested parties (incl. Connecting Bristol) to discuss ideas for use of the wifi and communications infrastructure being installed in this new development due to open in Autumn 2008. The development will have plenty of wifi access. Ideas put forward included live traffic and weather information. Pete will continue to liaise with the parties involved.
2. Leadership Development Training: Pete F reported on the work of the Common Purpose charity and the benefits of its leadership training on winning friends and influencing people and believes it would be a valuable addition to his armoury in representing Bristol Wireless if we would agree to fund a bursary place for him on the course, which involves 20 sessions over 9 months. It was proposed by Pete F and seconded by Jules that Bristol Wireless split the cost of his bursary place, our commitment being £500. This was agreed.
3. Projector loan: Pete F asked if Deb could borrow the BW projector again between 9th and 16th April. This was likewise agreed.
4. Travel to forthcoming conferences: Woodsy reported he would be attending 2 conferences in March as a representative of Bristol Wireless, the first being the National ICT Hub Conference in London on 11th March and the second the Chaos Computer Club's Easterhegg 2008 event in Cologne over Easter. It was agreed that Woodsy's train fare to London for the ICT Hub would be covered in full and a contribution of £100 be made towards his travel to Easterhegg 2008.

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday, 4th March 2008 at 6.30 pm at St Werburghs Community Centre