Monthly Meeting Tues 2 nd September 2008

BRISTOL WIRELESS MONTHLY MEETING, TUESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2008

PRESENT: RichH, Woodsy, Acesabe, Everton, SeanK, SamR, PeteF

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Jules, Lloyd, JimF

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Agreed nem con.

MATTERS ARISING

1. LTSP laptop insurance: Sam informed the meeting that Mike H has insurance cover for himself and any kit he has with him on site. In more general terms, it was agreed that we check all our insurance policies and ascertain exactly what is covered and the maximum insured liabilities.
2. LTSP training: Sean has BenG's Moodle material and will transfer it to a new Moodle setup (action - Sean). Two more people are interested in training: Everton and Mike.
3. Recycled machines from BCC: A memorandum of understanding was forwarded some time ago to Kevin O'Malley. There should be more news to report in a week or so.

REPORTS

1. Financial report: No report due to Treasurer's absence.
2. Recycling project report: Rich reported that Bails had installed 8 machines in an afternoon and sold one of them. Sean told of his efforts to date to market machines to voluntary sector organisations and Woodsy mentioned the frequent references to our £50 machines in news pieces. It was agreed that Acesabe would assist Everton with the project for the next month to try and increase interest and sales. Finally, Sam related there would be an opportunity to market to new students arriving in Bristol next month (e.g. Freshers' Fairs).
3. UFI update: Sam related that some User Journey monies were still available: Rich suggested these be used to upgrade Twinnell. As regards User Journey itself, the funders now regard the scheme as finished. We achieved reasonable success in finding learners in St Pauls and Dove St. to do the course. Finally, Sam reported on the tortuous process to get an antenna on the deaf centre to provide connectivity for Dove St: an answer is expected from the deaf centre management committee next week.
4. KWW update: Sam gave a full update on progress. The survey we conducted re prospective connections did not tally with the scope of Helen Bream's original scheme (Broad Walk/Daventry Rd). Sam has proposed an alternative which would see 9 households connected. A response is awaited. In addition, incomplete documentation was forwarded by Cityspace to BCC, resulting in further hold-ups, even though we have all the kit purchased to do the infrastructure works, as well as the captive portal, development of which is continuing. Rich pointed out that the captive portal will available for use (with different content) at other locations. Finally, an LTSP suite is to be provided for the Redcatch Community Centre. Acesable is to prepare the specification using the budget information on the relevant admin wiki page (action - Acesabe).
5. Charitable status update: A visit to Essential Trading has been arranged for 12 noon on 22/09/2008. PeteF mentioned that other BW members apart from strategy group members would also be welcome to attend. As regards the preparation of job descriptions, Rich has finished the one he was assigned - others are still being produced and a target date for completion of the day of the Essential visit was set.
6. Anarchist Bookfair: We're exhibiting at this event on Saturday 13th September. Woodsy and Sean will be in attendance. Live CDs and literature will be needed. Rich mentioned that the organisers want to do a live Q & A link-up with someone in the USA. PeteF suggested Yahoo Live as a solution: this will need prior testing.
7. Infrastructure - Twinnell and Dove St.: Twinnell is our oldest install and needs some attention as 2.4 GHz is no longer suitable for infrastructure due to the world and his dog buying wifi kit. Jon Elmes has offered to help with upgrading Twinnell, which could be used as a proof of concept for 5.8 connections for PRG, Rosevear, etc. Sam is to check with UFI re. use of funds for Twinnell (action - Sam). As regards Dove St., Armada is to be re-roofed shortly and the contractor wants our hardware moved so that scaffolding can be installed. Rich is still awaiting a response from BCC regarding the schedule for the roofing works. Sean suggested that we email Jon Elmes suggesting an alternative, e.g. hanging our kit off the scaffolding to maintain our service; Rich is to pursue this matter with BCC (action - Rich).

AOB

1. Google grants: Sean mentioned that Google is making 75,000 free page impressions (advertising) available to charities and charitable organisations in the UK. Sean will progress (action - Sean).
2. BCS Open Source talk by Gavin Beckett: Woodsy mentioned this forthcoming event at The Hawthorns at 7 pm on 30th September and our attending with literature and other paraphernalia. This was agreed.
3. Voscur AGM: Woodsy mentioned that stalls were available at the Voscur AGM in October and offered to pursue obtaining one if available for Bristol Wireless to show off its wares (action - Woodsy).
4. MySQL course: Rich reported that Jules is preparing his course materials with a view to doing a test run of the course with BW volunteers in advance of it being made available to the general public and run under the Bristol Wireless banner as an income generator.

Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 7th October 2008 at 6.30 pm at St Werburghs Community Centre