Monthly Meeting Tues 5 th July 2007

Monthly Meeting Tues 5th June 2007

PRESENT

• Rich H
• Jim F
• Mike B
• Andy L
• Sam R
• Matt T
• Chris P
• Ben G
• Mike H
• Everton
• John P
• Woodsy

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

• Pete F
• Jules
• Michael H
• Sean K

In the absence of Pete F, the meeting was chaired by Ben G.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meting were accepted as a true record and approved nem con.

MATTERS ARISING

1. Knowle West Web and Park refurbishment - Chris P reported that work would begin on the week commencing 18th June 2007, weather permitting.
2. Open Source Consortium - Jules needs reminding that we need to pay our membership fee (action - BenG).
3. Calendar - We now have a functioning calendar on Google. It was pointed out that Drupal has been installed on our servers and it comprises the CiviCRM package.
4. -Silver Surfers' Day_ - Ronnie Corbett arranged an event on 27th May. However, news of exactly what is still awaited.
5. Easton Cowboys event - John P has spoken with Sean K. Mike H will be providing a satellite dish for the event, whilst liaison with the organisers is still being provided by Bails and Sean K.
6. Werburghs servers - Following a failure, 2 new network cards have been installed on the new servers. All the old servers previously in the lab are now running as vservers. In addition new switches (2x internet, 1x LTSP) have been fitted in the cabinet. There is a gigabit link between the servers to assist fast back-up.
7. Financial report - Two years' draft accounts and reports have been produced. These are to be circulated to the daily list in PDF format (action - Righ H).
8. Malcolm X - Despite 5 telephone calls and 2 emails, Sam has failed to arrange a meeting re antenna install with the head of Cabot School and this idea has consequently been shelved. On Friday this week installation of 2 antennas on council property in Halston Drive is planned, offering coverage to 30 homes, with connection to follow in coming months. There is a slight but recoverable shortfall in FTOL numbers to date.
9. Nomad Mobile & Flexible Working event - Sam R and Pete F attended this event, where they discussed captive portals with Cityspace. In addition, the wireless Bristol project is still progressing between BW, Bristol City Council, Cityspace and BT under the guidance of Stephen Hilton (BCC).

REPORTS

1. Venn Festival feedback - Mike H and others reported that Bristol Wireless had been involved in streaming content from Venn venues over 3 days and those involved had all worked very hard. A new website (http://www.xtreamlab.net/) had been developed for the event. A dress rehearsal was held to test the temporary Arnolfini-Watershed link on Thursday night. On Friday and Sunday audio and video was streamed from the Arnolfini to the Cube and into Second Life. There were however some problems on Saturday due to poor signal between Cube and Croft and the lack of a dress rehearsal. Anther shortcoming to note for the future was a shortage of crew on Sunday. Overall, the experience was felt to have been positive and worthwhile.
2. CSV Environment feedback - Rich reported that CSV Environment had been successfully migrated from 3 Windows machines to an LTSP server and 6 thin client machines. As part of the process £23 in refunds was obtained from Dell for unwanted proprietary software (Windows Vista and MS Works). The only problem encountered with the CSV Environment install was an unserviceable Lexmark printer. However, a Canon replacement is soon expected. CSV Environment now have a shared directory for all their collaborative files and have also been migrated from Outlook to Googlemail. Some training still has to be provided, but no support calls have been received. CSV Environment are so pleased they're telling fellow voluntary organisations; moreover, they make an ideal case study.
3. LTSP demonstrations - Two demonstrations of LTSP will be given this week: firstly to a gent called Lewis from the Community IT Academy at 10 am on Wednesday; secondly to Eddie Marsh, Chair of Governors of St Werburghs Primary School, at 9 am on Friday.
4. Ufi update - Rich reported that for the WCC thin clients install 8 no. MIP processor boards had been secured from China at $100 each. These are not available on general sale. They run on a 5W power supply. The technicalities of their installation are being referred to the Tech Committee (action - Tech Committee).
5. Finance - The meeting was made aware that we currently have a temporary cashflow problem due to the need to spend money first on 2 Ufi projects before it can be claimed back and Jules has funded some expenditure from his own pocket. However, we do have our phone co-op investment which could be called upon if necessary It was agreed that Jules be reimbursed any interest he has incurred on our behalf. Furthermore, it was proposed by Rich and seconded by Ben that Jules be allowed to make any arrangements he sees fit to ensure solvency; this was agreed nem con.
6. Birthday event at The Cube - Publicity needs to be prepared in the next few days and sent to BBC Bristol and Evening Post, as well as posted on Bristol Indymedia and to the underscore and BBLUG lists. Sponsors and supporters also need to be invited. As regards the event itself, it was suggested we take along the LTSP suite, as well as streaming the Sunday Roast (with DJs) and having audio demos, plus screening videos (e.g. Hesfest, 90 second challenge). A raffle was also suggested, as was having one of the £50 machines set up as a demonstration machine. The idea of the event is to raise awareness of our work, our products and to recruit skilled volunteers. Finally, an email has been received from Pete F stating he has not been able to done anything about the event and would be very glad if someone else would volunteer to take it over.
7. Easton Cowboys event - Preparations are continuing with Bails and Sean providing liaison. John P will also be attending and Mike H is providing a dish.

AOB

1. Firstborn - Sam posted an email to the daily list stating that Firstborn were considering dropping their present SDSL product we are providing and getting a cheaper connection from BT instead. It was agreed to offer them a connection for £30/month to match BT's offering. In addition, a volunteer is needed to handle BMEX Light sales and support; Jim offered to take on this role.
2. Interop Las Vegas - Andy L reported he'd attended this event suitably attired in his BW T-shirt. Highlight of the show was the demonstration of a 10G laser connection.
3. Wireless Cities Conference, London - Rich and Sam attended this event for Bristol Wireless at the end of May.
4. Bristol Wireless clothing - More T-shirts and hoodies need ordering (action - BenG). All orders to Ben G please.
5. Open Source Music Day - Ben G reported he is organising this event on Sunday, 8th July at Trinity between 10 am and 4 pm.

Date and time of next meeting: Tuesday, 3rd July 2007 at St Werburghs Community Centre at 6.30 pm.