Monthly Meeting Tues 3 rd July 2007

Monthly Meeting Tuesday 3rd July 2007

Present:

Rich H, Ben G, Matt T, Mike B, Acesabe, Jim F, Sam R, Sean K, Woodsy, Ray

Apologies for absence:

Jules, Chris P, Pete F, Everton, Lloyd

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were approved nem con.

Matters Arising

1. Open Source Consortium: Ben G has reminded Jules re subscription payment, but with no action to date. As Jules is away, Rich is to pursue this matter (action - Rich H).
2. UFI update: referral of the MIP board installation not necessary as it cannot be used as a thin client.
3. Bristol Wireless clothing: Ben G has had some T-shirt orders and was asked to order some stock (action - Ben G).
4. Firstborn: Firstborn has accepted offer of reduced price connection. They have now requested support for networking and choice of groupware.

Reports

1. Finance report: Before going on holiday Jules handed over to Rich a set of financial documents to enable administration of the finances during his absence. We are still experiencing a cashflow problem due to being asked to spend large amounts on projects that will only be refunded subsequently. However, the situation is easing as monies are expected in the near future from WCC. Nevertheless Sam is to email Jules re the release of the funds in the phone co-op (action - Sam). A meeting to discuss finance will be held at the lab at 2.30 pm on Friday, 6th July.
2. Cube event feedback: Due to late admission (AGM commenced in car park!), free beer was provided to the early crowd by the Cube. In all about 10-15 non-BW people attended and we benefited from gaining 2 new volunteers. Sam recorded video footage, whilst photos are up on Woodsy's Flickr account.
3. Werburghs Primary LTSP: Bails and Rich spent 2 days installing a 12 client LTSP suite and 3 standalone machines currently on loan for 2 weeks to St Werburghs Primary School. All are working well and BW will be required to attend the school at times over the loan period for advice and information. Scott, the school's IT support worker, was initially sceptical, but is now rumoured to have Ubuntu at home. One of his aims is to provide 1 workstation per child in primary schools; this could be achieved with thin clients for under £50 ea. Ben G will also provide advice about running some essential Windows software under Wine (action - Ben G).
4. Connecting SW conference feedback: Bails and Rich donned suits and ties (action - picture for archives - anyone!) and attended this conference organised by SWRDA in Taunton, giving a presentation entitled 'The Business Case for Open Source' immediately after the man from Microsoft Small Business Solutions. Both the National Computing Centre and SWRDA were pleased we attended. Rich did feel the,audience was not quite the right one for our approach. Nevertheless, this has resulted in plans to organise our own conference for business, at which Bristol City Council has expressed a willingness to talk on its migration to StarOffice.
5. UFI update: As regards Wireless Werburghs, Sam reported the scheme is going well. With respect to Wireless St Paul's, Sam stated that a new AP had been installed on council building in Halton Drive. Although initially unresponsive it has now been fixed and will provide a connection for up to 15 people (7 are already interested), of which it is hoped to connect 4-5 in the next month. Sam also reported that negotiations had been opened with St Paul's Settlement regarding the installation of an antenna on their premises. Finally, Sam reported an additional £12,500 has been secured from UFI to continue wireless deployment. On a proposal from Rich, seconded by Sean, the meeting agreed that Sam should manage the project associated with this additional funding. For the WCC project, Rich was reminded of the need to chase up the cabinet design and specification for the Northtec clients (action - Rich).
6. net:gain: An email was received from Chris P asking if anyone was available to attend his net:gain event at Barton Hill on 18th July to add an open source perspective. Sam agreed provisionally to attend (action - Sam).
7. KWW infrastructure: In the same email Chris P outlined his concerns on account of this work being very overdue. Ideally, Chris wants it done by the week of 16th July or will reconsider. Sam agreed to chase Lloyd on this matter (action - Sam).

AOB

1. BGG planning meeting: Sean reported that Mike H and Hamish wanted to organise a planning meeting. Sean agreed to host this at his home at 7 pm on Saturday 7th July.
2. Easton Cowboys event: Sean suggested we need to do a site visit and suggested this be done on Sunday 12th July.
3. LTSP wiring loom: Ben G stated we need to make up a 240 V loom and suggested Acesabe (who did not object) due to his sterling work on the 12 V looms.
4. Recycling project: Sam reported the project was ticking over; offering free machines with strings attached to those on benefits had enabled us to meet UFI targets. Sean mentioned the recycled machines have been advertised twice in Trade-It and feature in the current Voscur newsletter.
5. Open Source Music at Trinity: Ben G is organising this event on Sunday between 10 am and 4 pm. All are welcome.
6. Welsh inquiry: Rich told the meeting he had been contacted by John Carey of Charterhouse Housing Association in Newport, Gwent. They have received money from the Scarman Trust for a community wireless network and would welcome our ideas. A site visit has been arranged for 11th July.
7. Tent purchase: Rich mentioned that we need to use a tent at least 4 times a year and £400 will secure us a professional quality one measuring 4 m x 6 m. Psand are interested in splitting the cost of this with us.

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 14th August 2007 at 6.30 pm