BBC Backstage is a developer network for the public in which the BBC opens its doors to as much data and content as possible. Now in its third year, Backstage is changing to reflect the changes in the landscape and placement in industry.

Ian Forrester, the head of Backstage, will explain some of the changes and outline some the big topics which Backstage are tackling ahead of the rest of the BBC and its unclear future in its new home of Salford Quays.

The event is in our usual location, the Manchester Digital Development Agency, beginning at 19:00. More about the meetings and venue can be found on our meetings page.

• Date: Monday, 14th July
• Time: 19:00
• Location: The Waterhouse

There is usually a set agenda, yet to be written. If there’s anything you’d like to be brought up contact us. You can find the minutes of June’s meeting on the FSF Groups Wiki.

Submissions for lightning talks are welcome. If you have something to talk about, maybe something you’ve done for free software, or events that may interest us, please add yourself to the wiki page or contact us.

The meeting will be held in the Manchester Digital Development Agency from 19:00. General information about the meetings and the venue can be found on the meetings page.

If you’re coming, feel free to add yourself to the FSF Groups wiki page, or let us know on the Upcoming event page.

See you there!

Schools and students have been caught up in a cycle of computer replacement and upgrade for the past two decades. The development of free software solutions offers a route out of this cycle. The talk will cover potential free software solutions for schools and families to setup sustainable solutions that will enable them to concentrate on their key purpose - that of educating the individual. The applicability of these solutions for community organisations will be discussed.

Two key projects will be covered in detail: the installation of an extensive LTSP system at Handsworth Grammar School and the Families On-Line project in Nottingham, where the regeneration funding is being used to provide computers, with free software, and an Internet connection to socially excluded families. Mention will also be made of the Birmingham Friends of the Earth smaller LTSP network.

We will be meeting on Tuesday 20th May, 19:00 at the Manchester Digital Development Agency on Portland Street (directions).

If you’re coming, feel free to add yourself to the FSF Groups wiki page, or let yourself be known on the Upcoming event page.

The talk was a resounding success with many “enlightening” points made and insightful questions asked. Over 300 people attended, filling the lecture theatre, causing latecomers to sit in the aisles.

Video

For those who could not attend, or wish to watch the presentation again, Andrew John Hughes videoed the event.

Each movie is provided as a Theora video stream together with a Vorbis audio stream using the Ogg container format. Three versions are provided, suitable for different downloading capabilities: Full size (704×576), half size (352×288), and quarter size (176×144). The audio stream is also provided as a separate download using Speex, which may be preferable if you are not bothered about seeing the visual content. Further details of these formats are available on the Xiph.org website. A DVD copy is available on request from Andrew John Hughes.

All videos are licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England & Wales license.

Torrent:

If possible, please use a .torrent from the Primary Mirror in preference to the HTTP mirrors. The .torrent contains versions in the following formats: Ogg Theora (high, medium, and low quality), and Ogg Speex.

HTTP Mirrors:

Primary Mirror

tdobson.net

High Quality :: Medium Quality :: Low Quality :: Audio Version :: Info & Licence

Tertiary Mirrors

Fuseyism

High Quality :: Medium Quality :: Low Quality :: Audio Version :: Licence

‘Free Software in Ethics and Practice’ - speaker: Richard Stallman

Thursday 1st May, 2008 - Talk starts at 6:45pm (ends approx. 8:30pm) with refreshments from 6:15pm.

Venue: Room D1, Renold Building, University of Manchester, Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3BB (map)

There is no need to book a place - just turn up on the night.

Abstract

Richard Stallman will speak about the Free Software Movement, which campaigns for freedom so that computer users can cooperate to control their own computing activities. The Free Software Movement developed the GNU operating system, often erroneously referred to as Linux, specifically to establish these freedoms.

About the speaker

Richard Stallman launched the development of the GNU operating system (see www.gnu.org) in 1984. GNU is free software: everyone has the freedom to copy it and redistribute it, as well as to make changes either large or small. The GNU/Linux system, basically the GNU operating system with Linux added, is used on tens of millions of computers today. Stallman has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Pioneer award, and the the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several honorary doctorates.

There is also the opportunity for some lightning talks. If you have something you would like to tell us about, be it a free software project, or to raise awareness about free software issues, please add to the wiki page or mail us at <team@manchester.fsuk.org>.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th April, 19:00 at the Manchester Digital Developement Agency on Portland Street (directions).

For this next meeting, we’d also like to have one or two lightning talks, so if you’ve got a free software project or issue you’d like to raise, please sign up for a place - first come first served.

The event takes place on the 19th of February at 7pm at Manchester Digital Development Agency on Portland Street.

Manchester Digital Development Agency
Lower Ground Floor
117-119 Portland Street
Manchester
M1 6ED
UK

More directions

Registration!

In order to register for the event (you don’t have to, but it is nice to get an idea of the numbers) please visit the Eventwax page for Stuart’s talk or as previously, leave your name on the FSF Groups Wiki.

A well known and well respected web and Javascript developer, Stuart is known for his development prowess both inside and outside the web world. In addition to his web work, he has written two books about Javascript and AJAX development, has written various Javascript libraries and is the author of the popular implementation of various desktop widgets for GNOME, known as Jackfield. Opinionated, and possessing thick ginger locks, you always know when Aq is near.

For more information about Stuart, visit his blog - as days pass by.

Where? MDDA

When? 7pm, 15th of January

Who? Aidan McGuire from Blue Fountain Systems talks about Free Software.

Fairtrade tea and coffee available at the event.

Sign up now!