Ubuntu-UK Virtual Jam
This Saturday from 10AM to whenever we get bored there will be an online global jam session for the Ubuntu UK community. You can think of it as a virtual barcamp, and just like other barcamps the agenda is open and available for you to fill out with what you want to do. The agenda is in fact here: http://pad.ubuntu-uk.org/globaljam2011 we can cover any subjects, but I would like to focus on actually doing things rather than talking about doing things. Ideas could include things like:
- Propose a hack session on an application you are working on and need some help
- Talk about Debian packaging and lets actually package something together
- Run though some Natty installation testing together
- Write some documentation together
The common theme is that this is a collaborative exercise in real time and to support that we will be using the #ubuntu-uk IRC channel that we use for general support and chat, plus we will also be using a voice over IP conferencing server that uses the Mumble client. This client is in Ubuntu so just find it in the software centre or “sudo apt-get install mumble” from a terminal. Once you have it installed and running you need to connect to the server at mumble.libertus.co.uk and then start talking away. Please use a headset microphone to avoid feedback or you will have to use the push to talk feature which is a bit unnatural. The server is up and running already, feel free to give it a try in advance.
I look forward to hearing lots of people on Saturday!
BSA Supporting Free & Open Source Software
BSA SPAM
This spam marketing literature however, is actually a very compelling call to action for those businesses that aren’t already protecting themselves by using Free and Open Source Software. If the image isn’t terribly legible, here are a few of the juicy bits just SCREAMING at you to think very carefully about the software choices you make in your business.
Your boss wouldn’t ask you to steal or commit fraud, would they? So why do they ask you to use unlicensed software?
Note the phrasing: “unlicensed software”. Of course Free software is licensed, so that’s OK then. There are lots of great Free Software licenses.
Here’s the bit where the BSA really start to suggest you should be using Free Software.
Here’s how easy it is to get caught up using illegal software:
- One or more software licenses are bought, but the software is installed on more PCs than the licenses permit
- Software is purchased for an employee’s home PC and is also installed on to a work PC
These activities are perfectly OK and in-fact encouraged with licensed Free software. A Free Software License gives a user the freedom to do these things; It’s called freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
- Font designs and software are downloaded illegally from the internet
You can download legally lots of font designs from places such as the Open Font Library and Google’s WebFont Library online.
The recently released Ubuntu font is an excellent example of a high quality, freely available font.. You can read about it here, get it from here and even get the font source from here. You may also choose to use the Google Font API to use it freely on your website from here.
And as for downloading “software” well, there’s probably more Free software available for download than the BSA could shake a stick at.
So please, consider carefully what our friends at the BSA have to say and talk your bosses or employees about the choices they make. Using properly licensed software is not hard. You don’t have to be at risk from even making a simple mistake. Using licensed Free software protects you.
If you are in a business and want advice on the choices available there are companies such as our own that can help. The BSA would rather your employees take you to the cleaners…
So, if you know of a company that is using unlicensed software, please let us know now. You could receive a reward of up to £10,000.
Packt Publishing Supports Open Source by $300,000 (So far)
You’ve probably noticed that I’ve reviewed a couple of books for Packt before; they asked me and I was happy to (I got a free book for my time and learned some new stuff). Last year I felt rather honoured when asked to be a judge on their popular Open Source Awards – In the Open Source E-Commerce Applications category.
They’re a a modern Publishing business which. since last year, has a specialist brand Packt Open Source. It’s a business I’m quite happy to help promote and support as they reciprocate by supporting the communities and projects we all use everyday.
Today they announced a bit of a milestone.
Packt Publishing Believes in Open Source, Donates Over $300K to Projects
Birmingham, UK. 2nd March 2011
Packt today announced that its donations to open source projects have surpassed the $300,000 mark. Following its first donation to the phpMyAdmin project in April 2004, the company has gone on to provide sustained support for over 70 different open source projects.
Packt has introduced initiatives such as the annual Open Source Award and Open Source Project Royalty Scheme to provide sustained donations to projects over the last six years.
“Most of the money that we’ve used, donated from Packt has gone towards running jQuery conferences for the community and bringing together the jQuery team to do development work together.” said John Resig, the founder of the popular JavaScript library, jQuery. “The financial contributions have been very valuable and in that regard, have resulted in a team that’s able to operate much more efficiently and effectively.”
The Open Source Awards, now in its fifth year, has been adapted from the established Open Source Content Management System (CMS) Award with the wider aim of encouraging,
supporting, recognizing and rewarding all open source projects. “The support that Packt has shown, through its book royalties and awards, has contributed to that success and helped the Drupal project handle its growth”. Added Dries Buytaert, founder of the CMS Drupal, winner of the 2007 and 2008’s Overall CMS Award, and a project which also benefits from Packt’s Open Source Project Royalty Scheme.The Open Source Project Royalty Scheme allows projects to benefit from the publication of a Packt book, as they are allocated a percentage of every copy sold. “This is a support system that we provide to every open source project that we publish on” said Julian Copes, a spokesperson for Packt Open Source. “Packt is proud to have reached this significant milestone and remains committed to keeping donations at the heart of its long-term publishing strategy.”
Open source software is freely available and free from restrictions. Open source projects survive largely on financial donations and support to cover the essential costs of running an
open source project. Therefore, regular donations are vital for their ongoing development and relevancy. “Moodle is grateful for the royalty donations that Packt have volunteered to send us as part of their Open Source Project Royalty Scheme.” said Martin Dougiamas, founder of Moodle the hugely popular open source course management system. “The money donated helps us fund a developer for a few months a year and thus contributes directly towards Moodle core development, support and improvements in the future.”Are you an open source project that Packt has published a book on? Packt believes in Open Source and your project may be able to receive support through the Open Source Project Royalty Scheme. Simply contact Packt: royalty@packtpub.com.
Interested in which projects receive support through the Open Source Project Royalty Scheme? Click here to view all projects involved.
I wonder how long it will be until they reach $500,000 in contributions…?
