Monthly Meeting Tues 1 st April 2008

BRISTOL WIRELESS MONTHLY MEETING, TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2008

PRESENT:

Rich H, Woodsy, Acesabe, Mike H, Sean K, Pete F, Lloyd C, Sam R, Jules

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Jim F, BenG

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Agreed nem con.

MATTERS ARISING

1. Infrastructure routine maintenance schedule: Lloyd is still awaiting written confirmation from John P in respect of the condition of our infrastructure equipment.
2. Xtreamlab/Secondlife feedback: Sam confirmed the requested pro-forma invoice had been prepared and sent to Jules.
3. Communities Capacity Building project and event: Sam met Kevin O'M to discuss ways of taking this forward; there has thus far been no progress to report.
4. BCC laptops: Acesabe reported that all the laptops bar one were collected in mid-March.
5. MySQL course: Jules is currently preparing materials and other necessities. The possibility of its inclusion in M6-IT's courses was mentioned; Sean is to liaise on this matter and report to the list (action - Sean).

REPORTS

1. Financial report: Jules presented up-to-date copies of the accounts to the meeting and spoke on various projects and topics. On the Knowle West Web upgrade, Lloyd still has to submit a final invoice (action - Lloyd). 5 connections still remain to be implemented under the Neighbourhood Renewal project: Rich agreed to take these on with assistance from Sean (action - Rich, Sean). Xtreamlab/DROID: Chiz will be bringing in the ticket sales monies shortly, whilst invoices are still outstanding from Chiz and Sam, which Jules needs to bring the accounts up to date. Social Source South West: all invoices have been issued. UFI: monies are still outstanding from WCC. Jules also led the meeting through the profit and loss account for the first quarter of 2008. Additional recent sales will cover the cost of our bandwidth bill and the meeting was pleased to note that City Car Club costs have declined. However, telephone costs still need monitoring and all people must pay for their personal phone calls. Sam raised the matter of a stock check: Jules responded that a stock account print-out can be provided if required. Accounts receivable are still on the high side, whilst in contrast our liabilities are negligible. Jules has also been working closely with Malcolm and the latter has raised the matter of our AGM: this will be held some time between mid-May and mid-June at a venue (possibilities mentioned were WCC, the Cube or Trinity) to be arranged; Woodsy agreed to investigate prospective dates/venues and report back to the daily list (action - Woodsy).
2. Recycling project report: Sam reported that the project is currently on hold since Byteback has not been providing many machines (they are now having to pay for quality machines). An alternative supply from BCC will hopefully be on stream shortly and enable resumption of the project.
3. Unmet Needs Fund report: Sean announced that the project has been extended by a further month. Byteback has so far collected 40 machines, for which £25 vouchers have been issued. These vouchers need to be found specific customers. It was mentioned that Everton needs help with sales and marketing. It was agreed that Jules would assist for 5 hrs/week for 2 weeks.
4. UFI report: Sam stated that the first install in Dove St has been done and user journeys commenced. A Dove St project page has been started on the admin wiki. Sam has also discussed increasing user journey numbers with Linda of WCC. Finally, as regards meshing, use of Freifunk firmware is to be investigated.
5. Easterhegg 2008 feedback: Woodsy reported that his visit to Easterhegg 2008 had been both successful and enjoyable: many useful contacts had been made. He has also been invited to Freifunk's Wireless Community Weekend in Berlin from 2-4 May 2008, which would like to attend. However, the German developers of OpenWRT which he did not get a chance to meet in Cologne are coming to Birmingham the same weekend: Lloyd kindly volunteered to go to Birmingham on Bristol Wireless' behalf.
6. Bridewell update: Sam brought the meeting up to date with the latest news: the developers have reclaimed space from Artspace, realising they could get a healthy commercial rent from it. However, a smaller scale space, including a cafe will still be available and they're still keen on Bristol Wireless being involved. The wireless install is almost complete and they've been signed up for our broadband package.
7. Xtreamlab update: Mike H wanted to bring people up to date on the status of the project, in which we're a partner. The work that went into putting on the events has reached a stage where it can be marketed as a set of services, whilst DROID has potential as an installation/arts vehicle.

AOB

1. Charity status update: Jules informed the meeting that the regulations for charities changed with effect from 1st April 2008. To qualify as charities, organisations would have to provide various benefits (e.g. relief of poverty, environmental improvements, education). Bristol Wireless becoming a charity would have several benefits, e.g. reclaiming VAT, gift aid and exemption from corporation tax. Malcolm, our financial adviser, believes that we're probably best sticking with the status quo. However, professional advice is needed on this matter, which could be raised at the AGM. A wiki page is to be set up (action - Sean) and the item raised again at the next monthly meeting.
2. Linux Lounge bus: John P's bus is ready for the road and he wants to do mobile training (top deck) and real food (lower deck). A May launch is planned: Rich is to contact John P and ideas for possibilities discussed on the list (action - Rich).
3. Indymedia/cybersuite convergence: Mike H related that, for the last 3 years, the mobile suite has been used as an Indymedia media suite at 2 climate camps and the G8 summit. It has become apparent over the years that the whole camp required services, not just Indymedia and tech teach-ins are a requirement for such events. Mike is proposing that a small training event (for approx. 30 people) be organised, possibly in May/June, involving Indymedia and Schnews from a Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. A venue needs to be decided (possibly a camp involving renewable energy). A £20 contribution towards costs was suggested. Mike is to establish a wiki and mailing list where event planning can be progressed (action - Mike H).
4. Batteries: Sam has secured a grant for a renewable energy project and wishes to reach an agreement with Bristol Wireless re the use of our donated batteries. Jules expressed a number concerns in respect of these assets: firstly, they are valuable (and the donor wants them back if we can find no use for them); secondly, the need for public liability insurance and thirdly, the conditions for their storage. There is also the question of how any profits from the venture would be divided. As regards storage, Sam gave an assurance that they will be securely stored. Following lengthy discussion, it was proposed by Pete F and seconded by Woodsy that the meeting was happy in principle with the joint venture and that matters such as profit sharing would be decided via the daily list. This was agreed.
5. Bristol Radical History Group: Sean related progress on this event and Bristol Wireless' contribution. Sean proposed a digital commons evening at WCC on 11 May, featuring a screening of the film Revolution OS, a demonstration of our work and equipment, plus a formal talk by BenG. Room hire for the screening will cost £75 (we will charge entry for the film), with an extra £20 for the bar. The meeting agreed with Sean's proposal. Woodsy informed the meeting he has a copy of the film's trailer and will be building a news piece around it. Furthermore, he will make the trailer available to Bristol Radical History Group for inclusion in their publicity/blog.
6. VoIP/cabling quote: Pete F announced that the start-up for which he is currently working needs a quotation for VoIP provision and some cabling work.
7. Williton: Jules announced that through his involvement with the West Somerset Railway, he has had contact with West Somerset District Council, who seem on wireless access and may have some work available. Jules is to pursue this matter and arrange a site visit (action - Jules).

Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday, 6th May 2008 at 6.30 pm at St Werbughs Community Centre