*** START *** _YOUR MACHINES_
Oct - Dec 2004, CCA: Glasgow YOUR MACHINES is a series of hands-on workshops and discussion events co-ordinated by CCA and organised by Simon Yuill aimed at introducing Free Open Source Software to creative practitioners, cultural workers, and cultural and community organisations. Free Open Source Software (FOSS) is both an approach to making software and an attitude about the role of software in society. FOSS emphasises the social, collaborative processes involved in the production and use of software. It promotes the principle that information is a common good and that more can achieved through social sharing than through commercial privatisation. FOSS is about ensuring the information revolution genuinely benefits us all. As such it has been adopted by people as diverse as the Brazilian and Mexican governments, Pixar films, political activist groups, scientific research projects, education projects, local community groups and artists. FOSS tools are available free of cost, but that doesn't mean they are just demos, or hobby projects. The majority of the Internet runs on FOSS technology, the free Firefox browser is regarded as the fastest, most reliable and virus proof available today, the OpenOffice management tools support more international languages than any commercial rival, and many artists are finding FOSS tools, such as PureData, provide a degree of creative and experimental potential unmatched by any commercial tool. YOUR MACHINES workshops are intended to let you explore these tools, give you introductory tuition from experienced tutors, learn about and discuss some of the wider issues related to FOSS, and take free copies of the software away for your own use. All events are FREE but ticketed as spaces are limited. To book a ticket contact CCA boxoffice: 0141 352 4900. More information available from: http://www.yourmachines.org. Programme: FRAMEWORK #1: FOSS, open networks and collaborative practice Thursday 14th October, CCA: 4 7pm (2 hours): FREE BUT TICKETED A talk by Simon Worthington, from MUTE magazine and the OpenMute project, discussing the use of FOSS amongst artists and activists and its relation to artist-led initiatives, grass roots research initiatives and "self-institutions". WORKSHOP #1: FOSS tools for small organisations Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October, CCA: Clubroom, 1pm - 5pm daily: FREE BUT TICKETED A 2 day workshop on the benefits of FOSS for small organisations such as community and cultural groups and will focus on management and communications tools, and the use of networks for developing links with fellow organisations. Introduced by Simon Yuill, with contributions from Steve Marlow from the North Edinburgh community network, Martin Ling from backNet, Edinburgh, and Simon Worthington from OpenMute, London. Tuition provided by Peter George from netresources, Edinburgh, and Simon Worthington. WORKSHOP #2: Audio Visual production with FOSS tools Saturday 30th October, CCA: Clubroom, 11am - 5pm Audio Sunday 31st October, CCA: Clubroom, 11am - 5pm Video: FREE BUT TICKETED 2 workshops, 1 day each, introducing tools and practices of audio and video production and distribution using FOSS tools and web casting. Day 1- Audio: presented by Paul Munday, online radio producer and Indymedia activist, Bristol. Day 2- Video: presented by Ana Kronschnabl from plugincinema, Bristol. WORKSHOP #3: FOSS tools for individuals Saturday 13th November 2004, CCA: 6, 11am - 4pm: FREE BUT TICKETED A 1 day workshop for individuals introducing various FOSS tools suitable for personal management, communication and creativity ranging from OpenOffice to audio, video and 3D animation tools. Presented by Simon Yuill and Peter George. FRAMEWORK #2: FOSS tools for artists Tuesday 30th November, CCA: 4, 7pm (2 hours): FREE BUT TICKETED A talk by Derek Holzer, sound artist, media activist and director for the Impulse festival, Utrecht. Derek will provide an overview of FOSS tools available for artists, the kinds of creative possibilities they open up, how the social values of FOSS relate to artists' practice, and how FOSS is shaping the future of digital arts and new media internationally. WORKSHOP #4: PureData workshop Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December, CCA: 6, 11am - 6pm daily: FREE BUT TICKETED A 3 day comprehensive introduction to PureData, aka Pd. PureData is one of the most flexible and extensive systems available for creating experimental audio, video and interactive work. PureData enables you to work with sound, video and 3D graphics. It is used by musicians and sound artists for both live performance and studio work, by artists for interactive installation works, and is fast becoming the tool of choice amongst more experimental VJs. Presented by Derek Holzer and Aymeric Mansoux, the Netherlands. *** END *** _______________________________________________ Scottish mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/scottish