[ubuntu-uk] Flossie CfP

[gazz]

Apologies for cross-posting (and wide topic) but thought women here
might be interested: 


--

CfP: FLOSSIE 2012, 25/26 May at QMUL, East London, UK

--

Flossie 2012 is a free, two-day event for women who work with, or are
interested in, Software Libre/FOSS in Open Data, Knowledge Digital Arts
and Education. 

Flossie is an independent network of women practitioners that has its
roots in social change movements as well as arts, technology and
academia. Whether you code, tinker or want to explore alternatives to
‘big-tech’ corporations, all women are welcome. 

The first day will mix micro-talks with birds of a feather sessions
about the work we do. On the second day there will be more structured
workshops and discussions for both experienced practitioners and women
new to FLOSS to make contact and skillshare. 

*Submissions*
We invite proposals for talks, workshops and Birds of a Feather sessions

* Deadline for proposals, Monday 12 March 2012 
* Submit proposal here: http://www.flossie.org/openconf/ 
* The organising committee will send notifications regarding session
proposals no later than 26 March 2012

*Who is this event for?* 
• Women users and developers of FLOSS in digital arts, free culture,
open data, open knowledge, social change movements and non-profits 
• Researchers, students and writers 
• Women entrepreneurs and social innovators using FLOSS 

*Themes:* 
• Sharing our current experiences and achievements 
• Building cross-disciplinary and cross-community networks 
• Improving visibility of women in FLOSS as well as technology in
general and reaching out to new women 

*Further Information*
If you have any questions regarding this event please email
c...@flossie.org 

The conference will be on Friday 25 May and Saturday 26 May 2012 Queen
Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS 
The nearest tube stations are Stepney Green and Mile End 

*Call for participation*

Register here: http://flossie2012.eventbrite.co.uk/ 
Submit proposal here: http://www.flossie.org/openconf/ 

Flossie  2012, 25/26 March for digital artists, educators, entrepreneurs
and nonprofits using FLOSS - CfP: is.gd/Bt77CZ


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] What should be done for 12.04

[gazz]

Indeed, oneiric's Unity is currently taking so long to load on my Lenovo
that I can make a cup of tea and do a spot of washing up in the
meantime. Apps are slow to load, evolution lumbers like a mammoth. It's
not terribly stable either. It was fabulous at Maverick, quick and
stable - agree it'd be good to get Unity in such good shape first. 


-- 
Paula Graham 
Director | Fossbox 
http://www.fossbox.org.uk


On Mon, 2011-09-26 at 13:03 +, Simon Watson wrote:
> Seconded :)
> --Original Message--
> From: Tyler J. Wagner
> Sender: ubuntu-uk-boun...@lists.ubuntu.com
> To: UK Ubuntu Talk
> Cc: Alan Pope
> ReplyTo: UK Ubuntu Talk
> Subject: Re: [ubuntu-uk] What should be done for 12.04
> Sent: 26 Sep 2011 14:02
> 
> On 2011-09-26 13:48, Alan Pope wrote:
> > I wondered what you lot might desire for 12.04?
> 
> I'd like to see the issues of power consumption on Intel chipsets (since
> 11.04) resolved.
> 
> Regards,
> Tyler
> 
> 
> -- 
> "If we confuse dissent with disloyalty — if we deny the right of
> the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox —
> if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions
> in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will
> conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present
> privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of
> the individual in this country costs us the ... confidence of men and
> women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak
> and for which our ancestors fought."
>-- Edward R. Murrow
> 
> -- 
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
> 


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] What should be done for 12.04

[gazz]

-- 
Paula Graham 
Director | Fossbox 
http://www.fossbox.org.uk


On Mon, 2011-09-26 at 14:45 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:
> On 26/09/11 13:48, Alan Pope wrote:
> >
> > I wondered what you lot might desire for 12.04?
> 1) better focus on accessibility earlier in the cycle
> 2) a more testable desktop earlier, this time it has been hard to test 
> detailed stuff because the huge breakages get in the way.
> 3) a more menu-like applications lens, grouping them by category.
> 4) window management improvements relating to workspaces so alt-tab 
> could have a per-workspace scope
> 5) aggressive and well funded marketing campaign
> 6) change Ubuntu friendly and Ubuntu certified stuff so that the sales 
> process is part of the certification - i.e. refuse to sell the stuff, 
> lose the badge. Also withdraw it from all products a vendor makes if 
> they ship something with EFI secure boot that won't allow non-microsoft 
> keys.
> 7) make an EFI secure boot signed live CD - this will be a problem as it 
> won't build bit for bit from source.
> 8) a pony
> 9) moon on a stick
> 
> Alan
> 
> 
> -- 
> Libertus Solutions http://libertus.co.uk
> 
> 

I'll preface this with positive praise for the improvements in Unity in
11.10 which is actually pleasant to use overall - especially the alt+tab
switcher is now very functional. 

But . . . 

Could we puhleez be allowed at least some dregs of pitiful control
over our Unity Desktops? Custom launchers and widgets? At the moment,
the only way I can mount my encfs folders, for example, is in the
terminal - unless I want to write a custom launcher by creating desktop
files. There used to be a widget but it no longer works and I can't even
create a custom launcher without setting aside half an hour. Sync-ui
doesn't create a proper launcher button either and it's a total pain in
the arse to fix. 

It's very, very irritating, wastes time and interrupts the flow of my
work to have to open a terminal every five minutes when I'm working in
LO or something - and I can't see how it inconveniences non-techies to
have custom launchers *available*. I want to add buttons to the launcher
for repetitive stuff like mounting things and syncing etc. Why is this
too much to ask? 

Paula


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Diaspora hash

[gazz]

I just made an #ubuntu-uk Diaspora hash as there wasn't one - if you add
the hash to posts, it should make it easier for people to find each
other by searching on the hash? 

Paula

-- 
Paula Graham 
Director | Fossbox 
http://www.fossbox.org.uk




-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] efi boot, Windows 8 and Linux

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-09-22 at 00:06 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:
> On 21/09/11 23:29, Bea Groves wrote:
> > Just read the following. Comments?
> >
> yeah, it is potentially very nasty.
> To be Windows 8 certified computers will have to be able to do this 
> secure boot thing. Most will include an option to turn it off, exactly 
> like the google chromebooks do, they have a switch to turn off the code 
> signing requirement so you can run unsigned operating systems. The OLPC 
> also has this exact same feature, but you can get a dev key and turn it off.
> The problem is that some manufacturers might start not bothering to 
> include an off switch. So that would creep in as a set of machines 
> (probably quite mainstream high volume ones) that won't run anything but 
> the pre-installed Windows 8 or above.
> The big problem is that Windows 9 might *require* secure boot to run. 
> This means it won't run on older machines (driving hardware sales, the 
> industry likes that) and means that more manufacturers will fail to 
> include an off switch for the secure boot. If the market doesn't punish 
> them by people avoiding these pre-bricked computers then they will keep 
> doing it. Microsoft will carefully not require OEMs to fail to include 
> an off switch, because that would be anti-competitive. Virtualbox and 
> VMware and so on can include the public keys and provide a secure boot 
> environment, or run unsigned code for developing drivers and running 
> Linux, but you won't be running Linux on the hardware, only virtualised. 
> It is kind of like the current trend for using up 4 primary partitions 
> and not creating extended partitions to make dual booting harder, but 
> this one you potentially can't get round. I can see a time when you have 
> to get a laptop chipped to run Linux like you would a DVD player to do 
> multi region.
> 
> Alan.
> 
> -- 
> Libertus Solutions http://libertus.co.uk
> 
> 
Yes, agree this is what is likely to happen. It would effectively
confine Linux back to a small, techie ghetto - and that's assuming that
it will still be possible to buy motherboards without the keys or with
an 'off' switch. 

When I'm talking to voluntary sector orgs they frequently say to me that
Microsoft Windows is 'part of the computer' and if you change the OS it
won't work properly any more. This could make that current misconception
actually true! 

What's Canonical's view on this? It seems tempting to team up with a
producer such as Aleutia to ensure that unlocked PCs are still out there
- and with an 'eco' selling point. 

Paula


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Lenovo b560 laptop

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-07-07 at 17:47 +0100, Gordon Stevens wrote:

> I recently bought a Lenovo B560 laptop running Intel (R)Core (TM)i3 cpu
> M380 @ 2.53ghz and 2 gb of ram
> It was running windows 7 professional
> I installed ubuntu 11.04 on a dual boot basis.
> Worked out of the box with the exception of wifi which I had to edit to
> diable the Acer driver.
> It's (ubuntu) performance blows windows out of the water, far quicker
> boot up, opens programmes twice as fast and video is far better than i
> the windows installed software.
> Can highly recommend this unit to anybody.
> If anyone wants to know the hack for the wifi contact me & I will gladly
> let you have it.
> Chhers
> Gordon 
> 

I've got a Lenovo from the same series, agree - fabulous! Mine doesn't
even need a wifi hack. 

Paula

-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Facebook page - now with extra vanity

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-07-01 at 14:15 +0100, alan c wrote:

> I have an account, to support it. It would be rather good if I knew 
> some others also using it.  Like Ubuntu, it needs people's
> actions.


Agreed!

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] meeting minutes and facebook page

[gazz]

Could we pls have some for the voluntary sector? 

Paula

On Wed, 2011-06-29 at 22:23 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> minutes from the meeting last night are in the traditional place at
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/LastMeeting
> 
> Main topics for discussion were
>   * CD Distribution
> we have CDs, we need to get them out there, if you have contacts at 
> Universities then it would be great to get a load out to students, 
> particularly if we can organise installfests.
> 
>   * LoCo reapproval application
> 
> we need to go through this process during the Oneiric cycle
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoCouncil/TeamApprovalGuidelines
> our application form is at:
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ReApprovalApplication2011
> and we have a scratchpad for notes on things we have done as we draft 
> the reapproval application form
> ///http://pad.ubuntu-uk.org/reapproval
> /Please add notes, descriptions, and links to articles/pictures of 
> things we have done to promote Ubuntu in the UK over the last few years.
> 
>   * Books and Butties
> the trip to the british library is coming on, we have a LoCo directory 
> entry here to sign up to
> http://loco.ubuntu.com/events/team/1032/detail/
> and we have a corresponding facebook event created
> http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156528094418552
> 
> creating the facebook event lead to a discussion about facebook pages 
> and whether we should  have one, general consensus was "maybe" so I 
> created one to see how it goes.
> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ubuntu-UK/237328659623076
> 
> If we get a few more people who "like" that page then we can get a 
> vanity url for it, which is quite the thing to have apparently. It will 
> pick up new articles from the ubuntu-uk.org website, which in turn means 
> we should really be putting more stuff up there.
> 
> Alan.
> 
> -- 
> The Open Learning Centre is rebranding, find out about our new name and look 
> at http://libertus.co.uk
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Books and Butties at the British Library

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-06-27 at 10:00 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> We now have a signup sheet on the LoCo directory for the visit to the 
> British Library Science Fiction exhibition and geeknic
> 
> http://loco.ubuntu.com/events/team/1032/detail/
> 
> Would be great to get an indication of numbers so put yourself down and 
> lets go see some books.
> This is a family friendly event, so drag along boyfriends, girlfriends, 
> spouses, parents and offspring (or sensible combinations thereof)
> 
> Alan.
> 

Ahhh, but is it gay friendly? 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] School websites

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-24 at 12:20 +0100, a...@acockell.eclipse.co.uk wrote:

> 
> When I did support, i lost count of the number of times I had to
> explain why a new app would take 6 months to get onto the platform.
> 

Hahaha, yes, it drives me mad when people look at me like I'm just being
difficult cos I suggest we might want to draw up a strategic plan to
migrate them from Microsoft networks to Ubuntu over months instead of
just twitching my nose and - 'pt' - all their proprietary software
and associated data is now magically running on Ubuntu in the blink of
an eye ;) 

Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] What aren't we doing? What should we be doing?

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-24 at 12:53 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> I would certainly want to support individuals who want to do that type 
> of thing as a small local business venture. Get yourself on the 
> marketplace and go for it:
> http://webapps.ubuntu.com/marketplace/europe/
> 
> I think we should get the UK bit of the marketplace app exposed on the 
> ubuntu-uk.org website.
> 
> Alan.
> 
> On 24/06/11 12:12, scoundrel50a wrote:
> > What about paid immediate support for those like myself that have no 
> > other forms of support available. Windows has a immediate paid support 
> > for problems, where they can connect to your computer and fix what 
> > ever your problem is. I am not sure what Windows charges now, as I 
> > havent had to look, but when I last looked a couple of years ago it 
> > was £45, whether they could fix it or not.
> >
> > John
> >
> 
> 

Well, I bottom post cos some people seem to feel strongly about it -
but, actually, I prefer top-posting because otherwise I have to keep
scrolling down in the preview window just to see if I'm interested to
open it and read it all ;)  
Back to the main topic: 
We do a certain amount of paid support for VCOs but not usually for
individuals. We work with the Councils for Voluntary Service in East
London to provide training for non-profits in re-using their existing
computers with Ubuntu and FOSS - this is taking off really well and
we've achieved a lot of 'buzz' for Ubuntu and FOSS generally last year.
We monitor what we do and the outcomes for various funders and have
stats. We also have photos of various of the advocacy events and
training sessions we do.  

We now run an Ubuntu LTSP server for a health-related social enterprise
and are piloting a couple of Ubuntu PCs in one of the Councils for
Voluntary Service in East London (which, by the way, once a few bugs in
10.04 were worked around gives no trouble at all). We're also working
with a youth organisation who're considering moving across to Ubuntu and
they'll probably contract us to look after it if they do. We were
working with 3 more organisations last year but they all went bust in
the cuts. We haven't found a market for paid Ubuntu services on any kind
of scale among local communities and non-profits and this can only get
worse as no-one has any money now - what they really need right now is
to be able to look after their own kit. It's probably different in
communities where most people are working in well-paid jobs but around
here, no! So we've come at it another way . . . 

We run monthly "FOSS Friday" sessions where volunteers help people
install and manage Ubuntu as well as the software which runs on Ubuntu
(by the way, we can never get enough skilled volunteers for this - the
next one is 1 July, 12 noon till 7pm near Tower Bridge - register to
volunteer here: http://fossbox.org.uk/blog/?p=661 ). As I said in a
recent post, we're also looking at how skilled volunteers who aren't in
London could participate over TeamViewer or something - but I'd need to
work out how to manage this properly among the controlled chaos of
running the people who're in the room already!  

Last year, we did an Ubuntu install-fest for SFD at our workshop, this
year we're working on a women's advocacy network with OK Computers in
Manchester and of running Ubuntu-centred, women-friendly SFD events in
Manc and London. We'll be launching the network in the next few weeks
and we'll send out more details. 

This year we're also developing a 'Self-Sufficient IT' programme for
non-profits which is a basic Ubuntu desktop maintenance course for
beginners (which includes stuff about the kind of software non-profits
need to use on Ubuntu) - participants can continue to come to the FOSS
Fridays as long as they need help when they get stuck. I'll also build
in how individuals can get help from Ubuntu-UK into this course. We're
selling this package to the Councils for Voluntary Service - but we've
lost a lot in the funding cuts so we'll probably be extending paid
services and training to individuals who have well-paid jobs! If this
takes off, we'll look at doing a course about basic Ubuntu servers for
non-profits in the following year. We thought about doing the Ubuntu LPI
course, but it's not really what non-profits want so we'll probably
tailor something ourselves. 

I'm also looking into getting a small bit of funding to write up the
research and advocacy we did with non-profits over the past 3 years into
a guide for other advocates working with non-profits and other
communities.  

I don't have much time left over to contribute as much as I'd like to
Ubuntu-UK but I'm happy if anything we're doing can help with the LoCo's
plans for the future? 

I do think that people need face-to-face help and the LUG format doesn't
work for most non-techies - and especially for women. Anxiety about who
they'll turn to if it goes wrong is a big barrier for most people when
thinking about adopting Ubuntu. We've been working on developing model

Re: [ubuntu-uk] influence in education

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-06-21 at 14:04 +0100, Sarah Chard wrote:

> I am wondering this year if we can make more of
> an effort to get schools and students involved - it's a tricky date as
> it falls just after the summer holidays - but if anyone has any good
> practical ideas that we can implement locally I'd love to hear them -
> and if they work then other groups can pick them up.


Hi Sarah - would love to do this too, but have no idea how. I need to
pick a teachers' brains about it . . . when I get a minute. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Reapproval

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-06-21 at 14:16 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> On 21/06/11 14:06, Dave Hanson wrote:
> > What time Alan?
> glad someone was paying attention! 
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoCouncil/Agenda it is scheduled for 20:00 UTC 
> which is 9PM here.
> 
> Alan.
> 

I wish these meetings weren't so late - I just can't keep working till
9pm! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] School websites

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-06-20 at 11:01 +0100, Dan Attwood wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> This must be a pretty common problem - most schools, I
> imagine, want
> roughly the same bits and pieces on their site. Does there not
> already
> exist a plug-and-play school website where, as Wordpress is
> for blogs,
> they can just install it and get a quite agreeable website in
> about
> fifteen minutes?
> 
> 
> The edugeek site has a custom version of Joomla available that aims to
> do this 
> 
> 
> You'd still need the skill in house to set, use and administrate
> Joomla though. Which as noted above may not be present
> 
> 


I had 3 reps from primary schools at the last Wordpress training session
I did in Redbridge - Wordpress is a lot to bite off though for
non-techies. Two of them managed to get Wordpress up and get a basic
grasp of how to edit it in a day but a third was struggling helplessly.
We provide the monthly free volunteer help sessions for people but
Ilford is a long way from Tower Bridge. 

That training was funded by the local council - of course, funding for
this kind of thing is much thinner on the ground now. I'm probably going
to have to start charging for a lot of the training we used to do for
free. We'll hold on to the free monthly sessions though, and try to get
a bit of funding to pay back volunteer's transport costs etc. 

I've been thinking about developing the remote element a bit more -
having people who aren't present at Fossbox be able to help out more,
but not sure how this would work. We've tried before but it was hard to
manage because we get so busy I tend to 'forget' about people who aren't
there clamouring in person! Would need to organise someone to manage
this aspect. Apologies to people who offered this kind of help but
didn't really get it taken up properly - I'm thinking about how this
could work better. 

There's no getting away from it, people need help. 

Paula


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] (off list) Re: Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-06-13 at 12:16 +0100, alan c wrote:

> Hi Alan
> 
> Apologies for my strange question in the list here. I totally mis-read 
> your  text (!)
> 
> alan cocks
> 
> 
> On 11/06/11 20:15, alan c wrote:
> > On 11/06/11 17:48, Alan Bell wrote:
> >>  On 11/06/11 16:51, gazz wrote:
> >>>
> >>>   I dunno if we should do another list for people interested in
> >>>   education/non-profit stuff? Is it on-topic for this list?
> >>  yes, advocating Ubuntu in the UK education sector is totally on topic
> >>  for this list.
> >>  Alan
> >
> > Which list would you suggest please?
> 
> 
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 

No probs, would just rather use something like 'Advocacy' than
'Marketing' as a subject line. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] [marketing] materials for marketing

[gazz]

On Sat, 2011-06-11 at 17:40 +0100, alan c wrote:

> On 11/06/11 16:51, gazz wrote:
> >
> > On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 13:24 +0100, john beddard wrote:
> >
> >>  Hello Gazz,Sarah :
> >>
> >>  I'm also interested in developing materials in the area of introducing
> >>  Ubuntu, as a non-profit. So please keep me in the information loop. I
> >>  would like to contribute.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Hi John - yes, that's exactly what we've found. In a lot of London
> > Boroughs, schools have even actually been told they *have* to use
> > specified Microsoft suppliers so we gave up a few years ago.
> >
> > I dunno if we should do another list for people interested in
> > education/non-profit stuff? Is it on-topic for this list?
> >
> > Regards,
> > Paula
> 
> Hi Paula, why not simply add marketing into the subject line? We do 
> not have a separate list for UK marketing.
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 

I really don't think of it as 'marketing' . . .
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] School websites

[gazz]

I know people with PhDs who won't write HMTL onto an open access
academic site I run. It's not that people are too stupid, it's that
they're too busy and don't do it often enough to be able to remember the
markup between times - and they don't have time/skills to find their own
errors when they make them - and the whole page goes wonky. It's a
frustrating experience for them. I agree, it's a pain in the arse for
*me* downloading pdfs for everything but I do understand why people put
them up.  My convenience is not the only issue at stake ;) 

They should, of course, be given a wyswyg CMS - of which there are
plenty of FOSS examples - WP, for example, has a 'paste Word document'
button. But admin workers or IT teachers usually have little control
over these things. 

School IT teachers and techies are of variable quality but often have
very little training and experience and are also often relatively
isolated from wider techie networks. The obfuscate and obstruct because
that's both the the Microsoft AND public-sector culture they were
'brought up' in and because they have people taking out frustration on
them all day and don't want to open out potential areas of 'trouble' by
changing to systems they don't know. 

The solutions to these problems are rarely pure and never simple. People
need support and encouragement to change habits and the hydra of the
problem usually has multiple heads. 

We do what we can, but we have very little funding and the people we
work with often have even less. It takes patience and baby-steps. 

I do think the change in gov't policy will help enormously - few gov't
employees want to fly in the face of prevailing policy. 

Paula

-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 13:24 +0100, john beddard wrote:

> Hello Gazz,Sarah :
> 
> I'm also interested in developing materials in the area of introducing
> Ubuntu, as a non-profit. So please keep me in the information loop. I
> would like to contribute.
> 


Hi John - yes, that's exactly what we've found. In a lot of London
Boroughs, schools have even actually been told they *have* to use
specified Microsoft suppliers so we gave up a few years ago. 

I dunno if we should do another list for people interested in
education/non-profit stuff? Is it on-topic for this list? 

Regards,
Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 13:30 +0100, Sarah Chard wrote:

> I would be very interested in the women's FOSS advocacy network - keep
> me posted on that as well


Hi Sarah - we hope to have this up and running in the next couple of
weeks so will post something here :) 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 11:43 +0100, Sarah Chard wrote:

> O
> n Fri, 2011-06-10 at 11:15 +0100, gazz wrote:
> 
> > We've previously found it difficult to do stuff in schools because
> > policy has rather dictated an emphasis on Microsoft Office skills
> > but this is changing and we're now looking at doing work in schools
> > - particularly to develop a new generation of programmers. 
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Paula
> 
> 
> Paula
> 
> We've talked about this quite a bit at our LUG meetings and have put
> special emphasis on contacting teachers and students for our open
> source events - 
> we had some success at our March event as we had a number of students
> from the local 6th form college who attended.
> we are looking to build on this for our event in sept for software
> freedom day - so any ideas gratefully received 
> I would be interested in developing material to make it easier for
> teachers / students to get started - it would be useful to have a
> resource that local LUGS and others could then tap into if they are
> trying to get interest in schools and colleges in their area.
> 
> Sarah


Hi Sarah - OK sounds good! I need to look for some funding to develop
this - we're working on doing an Ubuntu-basics course for our
non-profits and this could be adapted for schools. We're also looking at
doing some programming basics workshops for schools. It's in the very
early stages (and I keep getting sidetracked cos we lost the bulk of our
funding in April and it's been a bit hellish) but I'll keep you posted. 

Let me know if you happen to visit London, maybe we could meet up? I
think we're doing pretty similar work. Also, I'm in the process of
setting up a women's FOSS advocacy network with Anna from Open Computers
in Manc (who's also doing similar work) - I'll send you details when we
get under way? 

By the way, do you know Richard Ross-Langley who used to be the circuit
rider? He has good contacts with the VCS and comes down to the FOSS
Fridays frequently. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-06-10 at 00:01 +0100, Andres wrote:

> hi since we are on the subject i tried to add a bash script to the
> launcher with no luck googled for a bit and found something else: 
> http://maketecheasier.com/easily-create-quicklist-for-ubuntu-unity-launcher/2011/06/06
>  
> haven't tried it but looks really neat to use the submenus of the
> launcher to do more stuff on a single icon. 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sent from my Nokia N900 
> Please do not send me word documents 
> plain txt or pdf are prefered. 
> 
> - Original message - 
> > On 9 June 2011 15:54, gazz  wrote: 
> > > Oh super+w rocks - ta! If anyone else is scratching their
> heads 
> > > about how to make Unity do what it's told without having to read
> the 
> > > entire F* compiz manual, just found Ubuntu Geek lists the main kb 
> > > shortcuts: 
> > >
> http://www.ubuntugeek.com/list-of-ubuntu-unity-keyboard-shortcuts.html 
> > > - my fellow memory-challenged peeps might appreciate wallpaper
> which 
> > > lists the vital shortcuts and mousetricks: 
> > >
> http://www.webupd8.org/2011/04/ubuntu-unity-keyboard-shortcuts.html 
> > > 
> > 
> > I'd recommend giving people a direct link to the askubuntu page
> rather 
> > than those blog posts. 
> > 
> > http://askubuntu.com/questions/28086/unity-keyboard-mouse-shortcuts 
> > 
> > Al. 
> > 
> > 


 yes, it's great - almost as good as having gnome classic
back! 

My launcher is still showing two bash script launchers that were on my
old gnome panel with their icons but I'm not feeling overwhelmed with
joy about having to find ways of painstakingly rebuilding gnome panels
out of the Unity launcher :( 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

Hi Sarah - totally agree! 

We've previously found it difficult to do stuff in schools because
policy has rather dictated an emphasis on Microsoft Office skills but
this is changing and we're now looking at doing work in schools -
particularly to develop a new generation of programmers. 

Regards,
Paula

On Thu, 2011-06-09 at 20:27 +0100, Sarah Chard wrote:

> O
> n Thu, 2011-06-09 at 14:44 +0100, Avi Greenbury wrote:
> > And here's the problem. odf is the better format, MS Office is the 
> > better office suite.
> > 
> > I'm not at all convinced that the traction against OOo/LO is entirely 
> > (or even mostly) down to people being used to MS Office and, much as
> > it 
> > might well be getting better in LO, MS Office has long been the more 
> > complete, polished, stable and predictable of the two.
> 
> For the majority of people doing mundane office tasks as I do whilst
> running my business I doubt there would be a substantial difference
> using Libre/Open Office or MS Office
> 
> MS Office may be better - I can't comment as I genuinely have never used
> it - I started with Lotus (because that was on the first machine I had)
> then switched to open source programs and finally made the move over to
> Ubuntu as an OS - my business has been running on Ubuntu for several
> years now.
> And that is the point - people use MS office because it's what is on
> their machines when they buy them and get used to using it.  Most people
> don't want to change - I was interested in open source for a range of
> reasons and enjoy experimenting with programs but I know most people
> find it very boring.
> 
> Because M$ have a monopoly the open source office programs are ham
> strung as they have to play catch-up trying to get their programs
> working easily with the closed M$ formats - which their users will need
> the programs to do as they will daily deal with others using MS office.
> If the open doc formats were enforced by govt - it would help to level
> the playing field and it would be easier for larger organisations to
> start a switch to open source in front offices.
> 
> I'm sure you all know the arguments 
> 
> That's why getting schools to teach about Open Source and explore the
> alternatives is very important - then we may not need to 'convert'
> users.
> 
> Sarah
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-06-09 at 14:40 +0100, Tony Pursell wrote:


> Your comments would be welcome on the Ayatana mailing list
> (https://launchpad.net/~ayatana).  At least by me.  I quite like Unity,
> but there is a lot missing (like your 'usual widgets').  Something I am
> trying to get across to them there. 
> 
> By the way, have you discovered Super-W yet - for seeing all your
> windows in one go.
> 
> Tony
> 
> 
> 
> 

OK, thanks, I'll head over there (and tone down the whining ;) 

Oh super+w rocks - ta! If anyone else is scratching their heads
about how to make Unity do what it's told without having to read the
entire F* compiz manual, just found Ubuntu Geek lists the main kb
shortcuts:
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/list-of-ubuntu-unity-keyboard-shortcuts.html
- my fellow memory-challenged peeps might appreciate wallpaper which
lists the vital shortcuts and mousetricks:
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/04/ubuntu-unity-keyboard-shortcuts.html 

The compiz documentation seems a bit convoluted and life is short, there
doesn't seem to be much quickie Unity help - think we could probably
also do with an Ubuntu-style tutorial so that others don't have to waste
quite so much time figuring it out? I'm not really finding it very
discoverable - but maybe I'm just getting old? 

Paula


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Example of difficulty to Convert MS users

[gazz]

Heh, I sorta prefer the LO interface to the old OOo one - and older
versions of Office to newer ones too. 

Woh! Just figured out how grid actually works on Unity - OK, it's
making me feel a whole lot less grumpy about it. 

For anyone else who can't do a thing with their wretched multi-panes in
Unity, click on 'grid' in the compiz settings manager (rather than
trying to disable it, oops!) and you can control what windows do as you
drag them around the desktop so they don't just do their own baffling
thing and drive you nuts. 

With multiple panes in a single app, it seems you can make them (or any
windows) jump around to different locations on the screen - or tile them
two-up with a split-screen effect - hold ctrl+alt then hit the various
keys on your number pad to see what they do.  Drag them away from the
edge and they spring back to original shape/place. Sorry for boring ppl
who've already figured out Unity and I'll stop with the stream of
consciousness now ;) - just thought lots of ppl are having bother with
multiple panes on Unity and grid seems to be the key to getting them
under control. 

I seem to have menus on non-max nautilus panes some of the time and not
others - go figure! And now nautilus keeps whinging it can't mount an
nfs share - which is already mounted so why was it even *trying* to
mount it, eh? This is gonna be a long haul . . . 

Paula



On Thu, 2011-06-09 at 14:37 +0100, Gordon Burgess-Parker wrote:

> 
> Interestingly IMHO the appearance of both Open Office and Libre
> Office 
> is more akin to Office 2003 than anything else!
> And, the fact that he's installed the compatibility pack is
> absolutely 
> NO guarantee at all that he will be able to open docx
> documents. ;-)
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

aaarrgghh! Just tried to stop it from deciding to fullscreen windows
without consulting me - unticked 'grid' in the compiz settings and Unity
promptly crashed the top bar taking all menus with it. Rebooted
(couldn't log out), and Unity just spontaneously logged me out again as
I opened a pane in Evolution. No menus unless you run panes fullscreen?
What is this fetish for running panes fullscreen? 

I just want to have some sort of control over my desktop's behaviour and
appearance? Is this too much to ask of a Linux distro? I want to adapt
the desktop, not adapt my working habits to fit someone else's ideas of
how a desktop should be? 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-06-09 at 13:21 +0100, Colin Law wrote:

> 
> Not sure what you mean by that, you can get to the window of an open
> app by clicking its icon in the launcher.

Only it's main window, not if it has extra panels - the progress bar in
file operations or any other pane opened by an application as you use it
like a bunch of open email compose windows (where I've just flipped to
Firefox to paste a link or something) -  It's really radically annoying.
I've now realised that if you hold the super key and click on the button
it tiles all the panes open in any given app (well, at least I think
that's how I just did that) . . . but, again, it's infinitely clunkier
than just pointing and clicking at the pane's button on a task bar. Had
to hold down the super key, manoeuvre the mouse over the bar (otherwise
it'll autohide). 

Thanks - I could adapt the script you point to - but it'll take me 20
mins and I already had the problem solved with a widget! Like I say, I
don't want to have to go back to doing everything on the commandline and
in scripts cos someone decided I didn't need a well-developed, perfectly
good, widget :( 

To Avi: my point is that I *didn't* used to do this stuff with a mouse
but people keep urging me to do so in order to redress Unity's
shortcomings. I find I'm using the keyboard instead and with the
multiple panes thing I'm doing a helluva lot of tedious cycling.
Middle-clicking on a touch pad is (a) physically demanding and (b) even
more confusing than cycling. Whatever multiple-clicky-whatnot I did to
tile them is actually clunkier. 

No doubt I'll eventually find ways of navigating around comfortably but,
really, I resent so much bother for so little reward :(  

Finally, do we have to have such plug-ugly icons? Why can't I change the
icon scheme like you could with Human? 

OK I acknowledge that part of my moaning has to do with being required
to undertake a substantial learning curve and habit modification but,
really, what am I getting from Unity that makes it worth it? I think we
should be told . . . 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Wed, 2011-06-08 at 21:30 +0100, Liam Proven wrote:

> On 6 June 2011 15:57, gazz  wrote:
> >
> > Ah, dunno, haven't actually looked at Gnome 3 yet . . . if it's as bad as
> > Unity - eeek!
> 
> Unity is a /lot/ more like traditional GNOME 2 than GNOME 3 is.
> 
> Put in the time to learn Unity. It is a pretty decent GUI, honestly. I
> don't understand why people are whinging so much about it. It's fine,
> it's just different.


Well, I spose this is the way things are going so I've bitten the bullet
and switched to Unity - in any case, I'll have to be able to train
people on it 

It has some really nice features, it's true - but it's the stubborn
fixity of it that drives me nuts. I can't have my usual widgets and it
really is very, very clunky having to cycle through all the open windows
constantly. It's clunky to click both buttons on a laptop touchpad,
don't wanna! It's much easier to point and tap). I want my weather
widget back waaah! And I mostly use tree view in Nautilus - but the
mountable nfs partitions I have in fstab only show under places view so
they can be mounted in the gui. I used to solve this by using the
disk-mounter widget on a panel but it's vanished. So now I'm endlessly
switching between tree and places view in nautilus - unless I want to
flip open a terminal every time I need to mount a network partition. (I
know you're going to ask why I don't automount them - well, cos they're
on a laptop and I don't want errors when they're not available). 

It's also annoyingly buggy - but, of course, that'll improve so not
really worth whinging about now - but doesn't exactly reduce my overall
annoyance. It has a very 'alpha' feel about it. Then there are niggly
little things - like I can't work out how to assign an icon to something
that I put on the launcher which clearly doesn't have a native launcher
icon (such as sync-ui which I use a lot - I have to tell several buttons
with just grey questionmarks on them apart by their position on the
launcher - not good). If someone knows how to do this, it'd be very
welcome. It took me a month of sundays to resize the launcher bar and
autohide it - trawling all over the compiz settings manager is no fun
either and the customisation rewards are small. 

On the good side - I especially like the feature where the super key
allocates numbers to application shortcuts (although it's a pity this
only goes up to 9 so if I want something lower down I have to start
again with the touchpad). I like the way all the windows will tile on
the desktop (not sure where I clicked to get it to do that though lol).
I also really like the way you can search quickly for an app, whose name
you know but isn't in the launcher, and launch it very fast. But if you
*don't* remember the name of the app, it'll take you all week to find
it . . . 

Overall, my feeling about it is that if you use your PC as an Ubuntu One
'toaster' it's great. If one of the things you loved about Linux/GNOME
was the enormous flexibility of the customisable desktop and widgets
you'll hate it. 

It feels like lego. I've been using Unity for a few days and I'm really
experiencing it as limited and clunky - I'm using keyboard shortcuts I
haven't bothered with for years and re-discovering the tedium of
endlessly cycling through windows. It feels retrogressive to me. 

I'm finding more stuff that it *does* do all the time though, and no
doubt I'll get more used to it - and it'll improve - but can't we have a
bit more customisation and control - widgets and stuff? Or am I missing
something? 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-06-06 at 15:50 +0100, Avi Greenbury wrote:

> gazz wrote:
> > Unity is just too much like hard work IMHO! Thank God, apparently GNOME
> > 3 is implemented in Oneiric so it'll be possible just to install GNOME.
> 
> I'm intrigued by this. I've so far found that Unity breaks far fewer of 
> my assumptions and habits than Gnome3 does. The biggie with Gnome 3 for 
> is the workspace management, but the common criticisms apply to each - 
> neither has a wonderfully fast or easy menu and neither has much in the 
> way of configuration options.
> 
> > I'll get the alpha and see how this goes soon . . . I'll give Unity
> > another go but, really, so far it's really not working for me :(
> 
> Ah yeah, I've been going back-and-forth for a bit - I spend just long 
> enough with one to forget all the niggly bits that irritated me about 
> the other and switch back.
> 
> I suspect that once I've 'fixed' the workspaces in Gnome3 I'll stick 
> with it, but I'm still having trouble seeing the benefit of either over 
> Gnome 2.
> 
> -- 
> Avi
> 

Ah, dunno, haven't actually looked at Gnome 3 yet . . . if it's as bad
as Unity - eeek! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] unity & gimp

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-05-31 at 20:39 +0100, George Tripp wrote:
> >From: John Stevenson 
> >Move the mouse between the Gimp menu and the indicators on the panel
> and press the middle mouse button (or left/right buttons together).
> This cycles through the windows open on the workspace.
> 
> Thanks John (and everyone else who replied) - this seems to have the
> desired effect.
> 
> George
> 
> 

Unity is just too much like hard work IMHO! Thank God, apparently GNOME
3 is implemented in Oneiric so it'll be possible just to install GNOME.
I'll get the alpha and see how this goes soon . . . I'll give Unity
another go but, really, so far it's really not working for me :(

Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Race Online 2012 - lets give EVERYONE buying a second user PC a chance to try Linux.

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-05-23 at 11:31 +0100, alan c wrote:

> On 23/05/11 09:53, Avi Greenbury wrote:
> 
> > They're specifically not. If, on first boot, they were presented with
> > Grub asking if they wanted Linux or Windows
> 
> with respect, I think the choice is between 'Ubuntu' and Windows
> 
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 

The howling silence I notice about the whole 'Race Online' think is that
cheap 'puter's aren't the issue. Pretty much anyone can get their hands
on a PC capable of running a sensible Linux distro. 

The issue we keep coming across is the heavy recurring cost of broadband
in the UK for low-income households. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] race online teams for paignton

[gazz]

On Sat, 2011-05-21 at 19:11 +0100, Tony Pursell wrote:

> On Sat, 2011-05-21 at 18:17 +0100, Paul Sutton wrote:
> > Hi
> > 
> > now that we have set up some computers at the lighthouse
> > 
> >  http://thelighthouse-paignton.blogspot.com/
> > 
> > I have asked if we can do something to help people get online as part of 
> > the race online programme
> > http://raceonline2012.org/
> > 
> > they want me to come up with some ideas, if anyone has any ideas 
> > regarding what we can / should teach people (basics only to start with) 
> > that would be useful
> > 
> > ideas on basic lessons using the net i can do here,(help would be useful 
> > perhaps) but given that skype is microsoft owned, perhaps if we are to 
> > introduce voip we can teach alternatives to skype which is where people 
> > here may have to step in with lesson plans, ideas etc.
> > 
> > what sort of things should / could we teach
> > if we want to set up people with e-mail accounts who should we use, 
> > gmail, ( i assume not hotmail)
> > 
> > i guess i can show people some of direct.gov and mention they can do car 
> > tax online
> > 
> > does anyone have other expertise or ideas we can add to basic internet 
> > lessons.
> > 
> > paul
> > 
> 
> No great personal expertise, but I have found a lot of stuff online
> through
> 
> http://www.helppassiton.co.uk/
> 
> Here they are talking more about helping a friend, but I think that one
> of the best tips is to find out something someone is interested in and
> use that. E.g if they support a football club, go to the club's website
> and places like BBC Sport's football pages.  I.e make it relevant to
> peoples own experience.
> 
> Tony
> 
> 
> 
> 

Shopping seems to be a 'killer app' for many! I found this out by asking
people what they normally do in their spare time and relating online
activities to it. Facebook also seems to have a lot of appeal for people
whose families are already using it. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu UK Local Community team reapproval

[gazz]

On Wed, 2011-05-18 at 19:13 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> This cycle, before the release of Oneiric Ocelot, the UK team has to go 
> through the LoCo team reapproval process. You can read more about this here:
> 
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LoCoCouncil/LoCoTeamReApproval
> http://www.lczajkowski.com/2010/01/20/ubuntu-loco-re-approval-process-explained/
> http://www.lczajkowski.com/2010/03/01/ubuntu-loco-re-approval-process-update/
> 
> Basically as an approved team we get a certain amount of swag from 
> Canonical, and in return we have to prove to the LoCo Council that we do 
> useful activities to promote and advocate Ubuntu in our country by 
> providing a report of what we have done. This can include all kinds of 
> activites, but they especially like to see pictures of them!
> 
> Do have a look at some of the other teams reapproval pages and dig out 
> pictures you have taken from events over the past couple of years and we 
> will have a chat about how to go about producing our reapproval wiki 
> page at the next team meeting on 26th May 
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/NextMeeting
> 
> Alan Bell
> Ubuntu UK LoCo team lead
> 

I've got photos from our events in the voluntary sector, if useful. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Empathy and 11.04

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 22:02 +0100, Colin Law wrote:


> 
> Again, though, neither is anything like as convenient as clicking the
> app in the bottom panel.  Perhaps I just have to put up with this.
> 
> Colin
> 

I'm with you Colin - this is the main reason I switched back to classic
- it's way too clunky moving around between open windows in Unity. I
used to use alt+tab for cutting and pasting between windows as you do
the whole thing on the keyboard but it's much quicker just to hit the
button on the classic bar in Ubuntu when your fingers are already on the
pad. 

There's some good things about Unity but mostly I find it too clunky. If
I'm eventually forced to use it, I reckon I might as well throw away the
mouse ;) 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Empathy and 11.04

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 17:47 +0100, Alan Pope wrote:


> Why move a window to see what's underneath? Why not just switch to the
> window you actually want to see?
> 
> Al.
> 

Cuz I wanna see both of them - like click on a colour picker and still
be able to see what I'm trying to pick!

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Empathy and 11.04

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 16:45 +0100, Matthew Daubney wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> On 16 May 2011 16:27, Jon Farmer  wrote:
> 
> On 16 May 2011 15:48, Alan Pope  wrote:
> > On 16 May 2011 15:44, Jon Farmer  wrote:
> 
> 
> > Easiest way to try is move your finger forward and back
> along the
> > right hand edge when in a scrollable window.
> 
> 
> 
> So apparently I do. Still a major PITA to use with Empathy
> though. A
> total loss of fine control.
> 
> 
> Regards
> 
> Jon
> 
> 
> I'd argue the point on the loss of fine control, you can still drag
> those little arrows up and down to get to where you want in a
> document, rather than just clicking on them to go up/down. The only
> thing that's a bit more difficult is clicking to go direct to a point
> (feels like the gutter has a smaller margin, but that may be wrong).
> 
> But then again, different people use things in different ways.
> 
> -Matt Daubney
> 


Touchpad scrolling is a blunt instrument - for which reason I rarely use
it. I have two-finger scrolling on the wifi KB I use for media which is
much better, but don't have it on my laptop. I almost never use the
little arrows, I used to click on the gutter to advance page by page -
thank God Firefox still has the gutter! 

Also agree, people use these things in different ways and I can see
you'd like it if you mainly use the arrows - although I find the arrows
are less accurate than before. 

Choice is a wonderful thing but I don't see any way of exercising it re.
the vertical scrollbar in 11.04. I've ditched Unity interface, can't
cope with it - for something that's supposed to be easy to use, I
actually found I reverted almost entirely to keyboard shortcuts as the
Unity GUI is hopeless for navigating a desktop with multiple windows.
Also had to switch off the infuriating habit of full-screening windows
if you drag them to the side. If I drag a window to the side, it's cos I
want to see what's underneath! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Empathy and 11.04

[gazz]

I get this on most apps with 11.04 - very annoying. I can see the point
is that the up and down scroll arrows are now close together for people
who use the up and down arrows - but, as I normally just click on the
gutter next to where my pointer happens to be, I'm also finding it very,
very annoying. 

Sadly, it persists even when you switch to 'classic GNOME'. 

Bummer . . . 

Paula

On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 15:26 +0100, Jon Farmer wrote:

> Hi
> 
> So since I have upgraded to 11.04 on my netbook I have found that
> Empathy has lost it's scrollbar in the contacts list and is replaced
> with a fiddly up and down control. The control only appears when you
> hover over the right edge of the contacts window. This is very tricky
> when using a touchpad. This has to be a massive design flaw. Anyway to
> get my scrollbars back?
> 
> Regards
> 
> Jon
> 
> -- 
> Jon Farmer
> Tel 07795 118140
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Users needed for masters project

[gazz]

On Sun, 2011-05-08 at 17:40 +0100, Andres wrote:

> Yes it does, thanks. 
> The creator of eyeOS went by a spanish talkshow (buenafuente) seemed
> his buisness was going well and I half understood what it was all
> about. Pretty impresive for a 17 year old (now 23) Isn't google's
> cromeOS in the same lines? 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sent from my Nokia N900 
> Please do not send me word documents 
> HTML, plain txt or pdf are preffered. 
> 
> - Original message - 
> > HI Andres, 
> > 
> > The questions isn't at all out of line. In fact, you've given me 
> > something else to add to the FAQ on the site :) 
> > 
> > I visited the eyeOS homepage and it sounds pretty cool. The one 
> > drawback, at least in my mind, is that it's based inside a browser, 
> > rather than running natively on a computer. While there are many 
> > excellent cloud apps out there, web technologies in general are not 
> > sufficiently advanced enough to be an adequate replacement for
> native 
> > desktop and mobile technologies. I've tried several times to migrate
> all 
> > my computing habits fully into the cloud and I've always come up
> against 
> > some sort of limitation that brings me back to the desktop. 
> > 
> > Another thing is that eyeOS requires the user to either abandon
> their 
> > current OS in favour of eyeOS, or at the very least maintain some
> sort of 
> > hybrid existence. The first scenario, to me at least, should be a
> last 
> > resort since the primary concern in software engineering is, or at
> least 
> > should be, designing around the user, and if the user is already 
> > comfortable with their existing OS, then the goal should be to
> expand 
> > the feature set of that OS rather than ask them to replace it, so I
> am 
> > designing this system to augment Ubuntu. The hybrid scenario
> contains 
> > many potential points of failure. particularly with regard to file 
> > synchronisation. From experience, I know that keeping files synced 
> > across multiple devices on multiple platforms is a pain and a half,
> and 
> > almost always results in older version of some files being mistaken
> for 
> > newer ones. If the user wanted to work on the native desktop, with
> which 
> > they are comfortable, and use eyeOS only for certain situations in
> which 
> > they need a 'continuous client' setup, then there's the chance that 
> > somewhere along the line some files will get missed. 
> > 
> > Hope that answers your question, 
> > Chris 
> > 
> > On 6 May 2011 09:33, Andrés Muñiz Piniella 
> wrote: 
> > 
> > > Isn't this similar to eyeOS? 
> > > 
> > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EyeOS 
> > > 
> > > Sorry if it's out of line. 
> > > 
> > > -- 
> > > ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com 
> > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk 
> > > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/ 
> > > 
> 
> 
> 

Totally agree - I first had a look at EyeOS about 3 years ago when it
was still in its infancy, kept an eye on it - it's been launched
commercially now and it's a really good system but we couldn't offer it
as a replacement for native desktops. 

We're looking at various hardware/software options to reduce the
maintenance headaches for Ubuntu/Lubuntu users and, at the same time, to
develop a custom installation for NGOs. 

I personally use hybrid - I think one of the problems of syncing across
devices (having spend half of last night sorting out a corrupted
installation of syncevolution on my n900 and manually sorting out the
mess made across two laptops and an LTSP desktop server by a couple of
slow-syncs) - a lot of the problems here come from syncing between
different platforms and applications. Dropbox has got it down - I think
if we get to a stage of running some version of Ubuntu on convergent
devices and Ubuntu One gets less buggy and more cross-platform, the
hybrid model becomes much more workable? 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Users needed for masters project

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-05-05 at 21:06 +0100, Bill Cumming wrote:

> Been meaning to jump in on this when you posted this. 
> 
> Sounds very interesting especially if you can get FireFox to move
> between machines.
> 
> 
> On 5 May 2011 21:01, Bruno Girin  wrote:
> 
> On Wed, 2011-05-04 at 19:27 +0100, Chris Wilson wrote:
> > Hey all,
> >
> >
> > I've just started the project for my MSc course in Applied
> Computing
> > and am in need of some guinea pigs to help design and test
> it. I'm
> > going to be working on it between now and Monday 12th
> September, when
> > my thesis is to be submitted, and I'm going to be using the
> > user-centred design [1] methodology and will be looking for
> people to
> > provide feedback regularly between now and the submission
> deadline.
> 
> 

Sounds perfect - at the moment, I use about 5 different syncing services
to maintain my PIM, folders, bookmarks etc etc across laptops and phone.
Don't think I have enough time right now to do anything useful but I
might be able to find other guinea pigs - I'll let you know. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] [ANNOUNCE] LoCo Meeting minutes

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-02-11 at 11:36 +, Jacob Mansfield wrote:

> dang, I keep missing them
> Jacob Mansfield
> Programmer
> CyberKing Solutions
> www.cyberkingsolutions.co.uk

By 9pm I'm pretty comatose! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Lubuntu

[gazz]

By the way, thanks to whomever suggested Lubuntu for my eeePC. I've
finally had to bite down on the fact that it can't run Ubuntu Netbook
sensibly with a 4GB USB HD even stripping out locales and other clutter
and constantly cleaning up apt like a madwoman. 

Xubuntu's too big as well. I tried Puppy but whilst it's a really good
little distro for non-techie's to do web/email/office, it's a bit of a
shag learning a slack-based distro so you can get it to do *anything*
else - and you end up having to compile everything onto it cos the
package handler isn't really functional yet - then the compiler breaks
if you install it to HD! DSL is grumpyl. I was contemplating slapping
XFCE on Debian or something but obviously that isn't going to work for
the non-techie users. I'm really looking for something with oob
functinality for non-tech users that can revive the clapped out PCs used
by lots of smaller charities (besides something low-hassle for the
eeePC). 

Lubuntu does the job, your basic web/email/office stuff oob, and I can
get stuff I need like sshfs and nfs clients etc working on the cli in 10
mins. Chromium gets on my nerves but I thought I'd try Midori which
seems OK. Pity the swiftfox/swiftweasel projects seem a bit lacking in
energy - need the functionality of FF but it just hogs ridiculous
amounts of HD :(  

Anyway, Lubuntu's the first 'lite' Ubuntu flavour that really does the
job oob yet is a grown-up OS which I could feel confident giving to
non-techie charity orgs too. 

Paula


-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] OT - Office suite choice?

[gazz]

Thanks!

On Tue, 2011-02-08 at 19:02 +, Mark Fraser wrote:

> On Tuesday 08 Feb 2011 16:04:35 gazz wrote:
> > Yes, I removed OOo first and installed from the LO ppa. This is what I
> > did to remove openoffice and install LibreOffice:
> > 
> > sudo apt-get remove --purge openoffice*.*
> > sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
> > sudo apt-get update
> > sudo apt-get install libreoffice
> > sudo apt-get install libreoffice-gnome
> 
> You might also want to install libreoffice-l10n-en-gb.
> 
> -- 
> Registered Linux User #466407 http://counter.li.org
> 
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] OT - Office suite choice?

[gazz]

Yes, I removed OOo first and installed from the LO ppa. This is what I
did to remove openoffice and install LibreOffice:

sudo apt-get remove --purge openoffice*.*
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:libreoffice/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install libreoffice 
sudo apt-get install libreoffice-gnome 

There's instructions for different methods and discussion on OMG Ubuntu!
http://tinyurl.com/5r7hfej

I was using the full OOo suite before, I haven't tried using ODBC with
LO yet though but I will at some point as I use it for merging now and
again. 

Paula

On Tue, 2011-02-08 at 15:46 +, Sarah Chard wrote:

> O
> n Tue, 2011-02-08 at 15:17 +, gazz wrote:
> > Latest LO is stable, no reason not to use it for production? I
> > do . . . 
> > 
> 
> Just a query - do you have to uninstall Open Office completely if you
> are going to try out Libre Office as I have spoken to a couple of people
> who have said they have had issues and have had to completely remove
> Open Office.
> I mainly use Base and have had some java issues in the past with Open
> Office - I am quite keen to move over to Libre but as I use it for
> business I was waiting until I had a moment to test it on a spare laptop
> to check my database ran smoothly.
> 
> HLUG have chosen to put Libre onto our custom Open Disc which we will be
> giving out to the public on March 26th at our Open Source Day in
> Hereford - http://www.herefordshire.lug.org.uk/node/63
> 
> Sarah
> 
>   
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] OT - Office suite choice?

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-02-08 at 14:39 +, Dave Morley wrote:


> > 
> Libreoffice and Open office both have there share of flaws.  I think it
> depends how you use it.
> 
> If this is strictly a work machine and you are producing work related
> docs then stick with OO.o  if on the other hand you need a feature that
> isn't currently available in the version you have then I suggest going
> with libreoffice it seems to have the developer momentum and community
> backing that OO.o never quite got.

Latest LO is stable, no reason not to use it for production? I do . . . 

Paula 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu UK Meet up April - Global Jam event - Weybridge

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-02-08 at 14:46 +, la...@lczajkowski.com wrote:

> ALOHA!
> 
> I've been thinking and pondering about meet ups over here, the majority
> seems to be focused on conferences and while that is great and is needed I
> miss the fun side of things!
> 
> So I'm possibly being a bit selfish here but I thought we could meet up in
> early April and work on some Ubuntu bugs/documentation/translations or
> help folks with their machines, it also ties in with the Ubuntu Global Jam
> Weekend.
> 
> The date I had in mind was Saturday April 2nd. Location:
> Sirius Corporation, Rivermead House  Hamm Moor Lane  Weybridge KT15 2SF
> 
> There is no cost for the venue as my company have said I can use it for
> open source groups who want to meet up! time from 10am till 5ish, there is
> a pub at the end of the road so we can go for lunch, there are tables
> outside, so you can also bring along food and have a picnic if the weather
> is good.
> 
> I've created the event in the LoCo Directory (LD), if anyone wants to run
> an event locally that weekend also FIRE AHEAD! Just ask someone to add it
> to the LD! The more events the better!
> 
> Laura
> 

Sounds great, sorry Weybridge is a bit far out for me. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Fwd: [Ossg-announcements] Adoption of Open Source across HM Government – London 22/02/11 and 01/03/11]]

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-02-07 at 22:06 +, alan c wrote:

> I am also planning to attend the first one - see you?
> alan cocks
> 

Indeed - see you there :) 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] OT - Office suite choice?

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-02-08 at 11:35 +, mac wrote:

> On 08/02/2011 11:20, Gordon Burgess-Parker wrote:
> > Thing is I use LTS versions, so shan't be upgrading until 12.04.and
> > am trying to decide which way to go now.
> 
> I'm using LibreOffice on Linux desktops and laptops and on an iMac.  I 
> should say I don't do anything very fancy, but it seems to be working 
> fine - at least as good as OpenOffice ever did.  And it seems to handle 
> changing the default template on the iMac better than OOo did.
> 
> mac
> 

Me too, I've replaced OOo with LO on 10.04 and 10.10 and haven't
experienced any problems - yet (well, it's only a couple of weeks). It's
much faster and I really like it so far. Wouldn't want to go back. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Netbook Ubuntu v. plain Ubuntu

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-02-07 at 18:28 +, John MM wrote:

> Hi, I have an Acer Aspire One, and I am running Ubuntu 10.10. Since
> upgrading to this version, I am getting the same problem, I cant use
> USB sticks and I cant plug in my external dvd rewriter. It gives an
> error 'unable to mount usb stick, not authorised'. It seems to be a
> Ubuntu problem, and so far I havent been able to find a fix for it. I
> want to do a fresh install, but I cant because it wont accept both. 
> 
> 

This bug seems to have been around for a while, I vaguely remember
encountering it a few versions ago - there's a discussion of it here:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nautilus/+bug/518533 - I could
still mount them manually on the commandline, I think it's Nautilus
causing the problem. Some people suggest the only way to fix it is a
clean re-install. It sounds like your system might need reinstalling
anyway. 

If you're reinstalling from USB, you only need the BIOS to recognise the
stick, not Ubuntu, so this shouldn't be a problem if you can get someone
to create an installation stick for you or burn a CD for your external
USB CD drive?  I'd probably put 10.04 on it as 10.10 doesn't have long
to run. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Netbook Ubuntu v. plain Ubuntu

[gazz]

> On 4 February 2011 21:22, Dianne Reuby  wrote:
> 
> A friend has asked me to look at her husbands netbook, which
> is running
> Linux. He bought it from Tesco two years ago, so I think it
> probably
> *is* Ubuntu.
> 
> His problems are mainly that it doesn't recognise USB devices
> when
> they're plugged in, and it downloads updates but doesn't
> install them.
> He wants to do more than email and web browsing, which is all
> he feels
> he can do at the moment (it has shortcuts on the desktop for
> email and
> firefox).
> 
> If it's two years old, and he hasn't upgraded, will it be
> pre-Unity? As
> I've never used a netbook, only Ubuntu on desktops and
> laptops, will I
> be able to find my way around it?
> 
> She thinks his cunning plan is to break it so he can buy a new
> one, but
> I don't want to be the one that breaks it! :)
> 
> TIA
> 
> Dianne
> 
> 
> --
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
> 
> 

Doesn't sound like Ubuntu - but the laptop would run a full installation
of Ubuntu. Where are you? Is there anyone running installation workshops
near you? 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Fwd: [Ossg-announcements] Adoption of Open Source across HM Government – London 22/02/11 and 01/03/11]]

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 13:21 +, Chris Rowson wrote:

> Let us know how you get on. I'm a BCS member, joined the open source
> specialist group a few months ago but unfortunately I've not had the
> time to get involved as much as I should do.
> 
> The contact details are in the email to make a booking, and it might
> be interesting for you to let us know if non BCS folk can attend too
> (although even if not, that's easily remedied my joining!)
> 
> Chris (sorry for top posting but using mobile phone)
> 
> 
> On 4 Feb 2011 11:14, "gazz"  wrote:
> 

I've just got confirmation of my registration and I'm not a member so
looks like it's open. It should be interesting! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] PC Pro Magazine 198 - all about Ubuntu

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 13:05 +, David King wrote:

> It promises a complete guide to Ubuntu and features a large Ubuntu
> logo. Inside 10 full pages are devoted to installing Ubuntu, and
> adding in extra software and getting the most out of it, although I
> have not read the feature yet.
> 

It's really encouraging! I've noticed a real change in attitudes among
NGOs over the past year too. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu Stickers?

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 16:37 +, Martin Meredith wrote:

> On 04/02/11 12:21, David Jones wrote:
> > Assuming you mean Ubuntu stickers, one possibility is 
> > thelinuxemporium, although they're saying out of stock of the free 
> > stickers at the moment, but say keep sending requests in and they'll 
> > send them out when they get new stocks
> >
> > http://shop.linuxemporium.co.uk/merchandise/ubuntu.html
> >

They've been saying that for months though - I've been thinking about
just getting a batch printed but it'd be a couple of hundred quid . . . 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Fwd: [Ossg-announcements] Adoption of Open Source across HM Government – London 22/02/11 and 01/03/11]]

[gazz]

Yes, that's good - see you there :)

Paula

On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 17:18 +, Barry Drake wrote:

> On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 11:14 +0000, gazz wrote:
> > Barry - I'd like to go to the first one on 22 Feb - which is the day
> > you arrive in London. Need to organise something as it starts half an
> > hour after your train arrives! 
> 
> My train arrives at St Pancras at 5.00 pm, so if I go straight there, I
> can be at the meeting too.  I have e-mailed to book a place.  Is this OK
> with you?
> 
> It was lovely to meet up with you at the exhibition on Wednesday, and I
> am looking forward to working with you.
> 
> Kind regards, Barry.
> 
> -- 
> Barry Drake is a member of the the Ubuntu Advertising team.
> http://ubuntuadverts.org/
> 
> 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Fwd: [Ossg-announcements] Adoption of Open Source across HM Government – London 22/02/11 and 01/03/11]]

[gazz]

This might be of interest, there's clearly already a consultancy
project assessing barriers to adoption of OSS in the civil service - as
I thought, these aren't trivial. It could make sense to talk to the
OSSG about any projected event? Anyway, I'm going to attend one of
these meetings. 

Barry - I'd like to go to the first one on 22 Feb - which is the day
you arrive in London. Need to organise something as it starts half an
hour after your train arrives! 

Paula

-- Forwarded message --
From: *Mark Elkins* mailto:markelkins...@yahoo.co.uk>>
Date: 2011/2/3
Subject: [Ossg-announcements] Adoption of Open Source across HM
Government – London 22/02/11 and 01/03/11
To: ossg-announceme...@ossg.bcs.org 




Two events are being hosted by the Open Source Specialist Group (OSSG)
http://ossg.bcs.org that considers adoption of Open Source across HM
Government. These will be held at the BCS Central London Offices, First
Floor, The Davidson Building, 5 Southampton Street, London WC2E 7HA
(http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/london-office-guide.pdf)) on Tuesday 22nd
February 2011, and Tuesday 1st March 2011 both from 1800 to 2100.


These bookable events are *free and open* to all with buffet and
refreshments. To book a place to attend please contact Mark Elkins via
mark_elk...@bcs.org 


A member of the Home Office IT Team is undertaking research in
conjunction with the Cabinet Office to:

(1) try and understand why Open Source is not represented better across
HMG and the wider public sector, and

(2) identify and address barriers to adoption of Open Source across HMG
and the wider public sector.

*
*

*Context*

1. The Coalition Government believes Open Source Software can deliver
significant short and long term cost savings across Government IT.

2. Typical benefits of Open Source include lower procurement prices, no
license costs, interoperability, easier integration and customisation,
compliance with open technology and data standards giving autonomy over
your own information and freedom from vendor lock in.

3. OSS is not currently widely used in Government IT, and the leading
systems integrators for Government Departments do not routinely consider
open source software for IT solution options, as required by existing
HMG ICT policy.

4. There are significant and wide ranging obstacles to Open Source in
Government. Some of these are lack of procurement guidance, resistance
from suppliers, concerns about license obligations and patent issues,
and a lack of understanding of open source maturity and its development
ecosystem.

*
*

*Debates*

The debates will focus on (1) understanding the barriers to wider
adoption of Open Source across HMG, and (2) potential solutions to these
barriers.

We will aim to have representatives from major IT suppliers to HMG to
help us understand the barriers from their perspective, and to help us
understand how well any proposed solutions might work. The debates
should be more a dialogue with the IT suppliers than amongst OSS supporters.

*
*

*Evening Debate 1 – Tuesday 22nd January*

1. Supplier Challenge – how can we incentivize the traditional IT
suppliers to consider OSS when evaluation software options?

* Suitable OSS is not currently being considered equally – why?
* What are the disincentives for IT suppliers? In-house skills. New
  support relationships with OSS vendors and support companies. Any
  others?
* If they do work with OSS, how can we be sure the cost benefits are
  passed onto customers?

2. Procurement – how can it be better?

* What are the current obstacles? Do the existing contracts and
  frameworks discourage OSS – if so, how?

3. OSS Assessment Model – working with IT suppliers

* IT suppliers aren’t very open with how they select software as
  candidates for evaluation – not sustainable when spending
  taxpayers money.
* We can help make this more transparent by working with them to
  build an assessment model they can sign up to. What would
  suppliers like to include in this assessment ? I have started a
  model to de developed.
* List of top software per category (virtualisation, monitoring,
  email, collaboration, etc) – needs to be maintained to be useful,
  but will get the ball rolling in current lack of knowledge.

4. Case Studies – evidence of short and long term value for money. Where
are these? Also proven examples of OSS use in high demand, volume or
availability applications.

5. Other Ideas – especially for the next debate.

*
*

*Evening Debate 2 – Tuesday 1st March*

1. Security. OSS is insecure compared to commercial software?

* By what criteria can we select software to minimise security risks?
* Does OSS need a different approach to patching?
* Can we simply use empirical evidence when comparing OSS with
  closed software? Statistics for internet browsers are common –
  pu

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Cloud expo

[gazz]

Hi Barry,

Good to meet you yesterday, look forward to seeing you again soon. My
mobile is: 07768 362795

Cheers,
Paula

On Wed, 2011-02-02 at 13:47 +, Barry Drake wrote:

> On Wed, 2011-02-02 at 12:29 +0000, gazz wrote:
> > I can get back in about 40 mins if needed - not sure there's any point
> > in lugging the laptops back there given the focus of the thing is
> > elsewhere but haven't unpacked and will bring them if needed. 
> 
> If you do get chance to come back, don't bother with the laptops.  My
> mobile is: 0795 228 6039.  I hope I get chance to meet you to taqlk
> about what you want me to do when I come to your workshop later this
> month.  Look forward to meeting.
> 
> Regards,  Barry.
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Cloud expo

[gazz]

I can get back in about 40 mins if needed - not sure there's any point
in lugging the laptops back there given the focus of the thing is
elsewhere but haven't unpacked and will bring them if needed. 

Cheers,
Paula


On Wed, 2011-02-02 at 11:25 +, Alan Bell wrote:

> On 02/02/11 10:57, Paula wrote: 
> 
> > At the expo formerly known as Linux, can't find anyone, no-one's
> > heard of ubuntu or .org. I don't have anyone's mobile number and no
> > one seems to have Skype online. Giving up and going home. 
> > 
> > Paula
> > 
> > 
> 
> argh! we are here, through the door, turn right. It is a bit more of a
> cloud focus than an open source focus but we are here with the Debian,
> Drupal and PXE folk
> 
> Alan
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] team meeting

[gazz]

OK, having now run through the list: kazam still too buggy IMO (but you
can put it on tomorrow if you like), I use gtk-recordmydesktop so have
installed that instead. Screenshot software is default. Chrome - uppphh!
Agree pidgin much  better than empathy but keeping empathy instead
because it's the default - main advantage of pidgin is OTR but can
install it on-site if someone expresses a need. 

Bit of a shag to put a LAMP server on for Wordpress onto a desktop -
demo version on the LAMP server here makes more sense. I'll bring login
info with me. 

Cheers,
Paula



On Tue, 2011-02-01 at 13:46 +, John Stevenson wrote:

> Here are some suggestions for additional apps to include:
> 
> Gimp, Inkscape, MyPaint, Scribus
> Chromium
> Pidgin
> Wordpress
> Shutter - screen capture tool
> Shotwell (instead of FSpot - cant remember which is default now)
> OpenShot - video editing tool
> Kazam - screen casting tool
> 
> Thanks
> John.
> 
> 
> On 1 February 2011 13:28, gazz  wrote:
> 
> I'm about to put 10.10 on a couple of laptops for tomorrow -
> anyone want anything else (that won't take more than half an
> hour) put on them? 
> 
> Paula
> 
> On Thu, 2011-01-27 at 22:02 +, Alan Bell wrote: 
> 
> > Hi all,
> > The minutes from the team meeting this evening are here 
> > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/LastMeeting
> > 
> > The main topic for discussion was the open source expo next week
> > http://www.opensourceexpo.co.uk/
> > 
> > where we are exhibiting. As well as those on the stand it would be 
> great 
> > to see others from the list popping by (we have goodies to hand 
> out) and 
> > for those working in town who can't get out to the show it would be 
> > great to meet up for an intoxicating beverage or two afterwards, we 
> will 
> > email the list and tweet the name of a pub somewhere in London when 
> we 
> > figure out what pubs are nearby. If anyone else is available to be 
> on 
> > the stand on Thursday that would be great (email me please to get 
> > exhibitor pass sorted).
> > 
> > next team meeting is on the 10th Feb at 9pm
> > 
> > Alan.
> > 
> 
> 
> --
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> John Stevenson
> Lean Agile Consultant / Coach
> jr0cket.com  |  leanagilemachine.com
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] team meeting

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-02-01 at 14:17 +, Alan Bell wrote:

> that would be great!
> We can get in from 08:00 tomorrow, ask for an exhibitor pass, your
> names should be on the list if you are on the stand. I will be along
> as early as possible, but if other people get their first do make
> yourselves at home and set up stuff.
> 
> Alan.
> 
> On 01/02/11 13:28, gazz wrote: 
> 
> > I'm about to put 10.10 on a couple of laptops for tomorrow - anyone
> > want anything else (that won't take more than half an hour) put on
> > them? 
> > 
> > Paula
> > 
> > 
> 
> 

Will get there as early as I can :)
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] team meeting

[gazz]

Will do :) (Shotwell's default on 10.10)

On Tue, 2011-02-01 at 13:46 +, John Stevenson wrote:

> Here are some suggestions for additional apps to include:
> 
> Gimp, Inkscape, MyPaint, Scribus
> Chromium
> Pidgin
> Wordpress
> Shutter - screen capture tool
> Shotwell (instead of FSpot - cant remember which is default now)
> OpenShot - video editing tool
> Kazam - screen casting tool
> 
> Thanks
> John.
> 
> 
> On 1 February 2011 13:28, gazz  wrote:
> 
> I'm about to put 10.10 on a couple of laptops for tomorrow -
> anyone want anything else (that won't take more than half an
> hour) put on them? 
> 
> Paula
> 
> On Thu, 2011-01-27 at 22:02 +, Alan Bell wrote: 
> 
> > Hi all,
> > The minutes from the team meeting this evening are here 
> > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/LastMeeting
> > 
> > The main topic for discussion was the open source expo next week
> > http://www.opensourceexpo.co.uk/
> > 
> > where we are exhibiting. As well as those on the stand it would be 
> great 
> > to see others from the list popping by (we have goodies to hand 
> out) and 
> > for those working in town who can't get out to the show it would be 
> > great to meet up for an intoxicating beverage or two afterwards, we 
> will 
> > email the list and tweet the name of a pub somewhere in London when 
> we 
> > figure out what pubs are nearby. If anyone else is available to be 
> on 
> > the stand on Thursday that would be great (email me please to get 
> > exhibitor pass sorted).
> > 
> > next team meeting is on the 10th Feb at 9pm
> > 
> > Alan.
> > 
> 
> 
> --
> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> John Stevenson
> Lean Agile Consultant / Coach
> jr0cket.com  |  leanagilemachine.com
> 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] team meeting

[gazz]

I'm about to put 10.10 on a couple of laptops for tomorrow - anyone want
anything else (that won't take more than half an hour) put on them? 

Paula

On Thu, 2011-01-27 at 22:02 +, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> The minutes from the team meeting this evening are here 
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/LastMeeting
> 
> The main topic for discussion was the open source expo next week
> http://www.opensourceexpo.co.uk/
> 
> where we are exhibiting. As well as those on the stand it would be great 
> to see others from the list popping by (we have goodies to hand out) and 
> for those working in town who can't get out to the show it would be 
> great to meet up for an intoxicating beverage or two afterwards, we will 
> email the list and tweet the name of a pub somewhere in London when we 
> figure out what pubs are nearby. If anyone else is available to be on 
> the stand on Thursday that would be great (email me please to get 
> exhibitor pass sorted).
> 
> next team meeting is on the 10th Feb at 9pm
> 
> Alan.
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] FOSS Friday drop-in - volunteers welcome!

[gazz]

If anyone's got an hour (or more) free on Friday afternoon and can help
out: 

FOSS Friday moves back to first Friday of the month, 4 February 2012,
12-7pm at our workshop near Tower Bridge as usual. Come along for free
advice, help and support on reviving older PCs and laptops and finding
Free Software alternatives for the everyday needs of non-profits.
Register online for FOSS Friday or reply to this email for more
information.

There's a place to heat stuff up, make toast etc if anyone wants to come
at lunchtime. 

Cheers,
Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Skype Headset

[gazz]

On Sun, 2011-01-23 at 10:41 +, Alan Pope wrote:

> On 23 January 2011 05:23, Nick Callaghan  wrote:
> > I'm looking to get a headset for using skype. Does anyone have any
> > recommendations of one that will work nicely in ubuntu with reasonably sound
> > quality but not too pricey.
> 
> Plantronics do some good USB ones. I have the 995 model.
> 
> Cheers,
> Al.
> 

I like Plantronics too. I prefer the mini headphone/mic jack though,
they pick up keyboard noise but they're simple and work with anything. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] buying a laptop?

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-01-17 at 18:39 +, alan c wrote:

> On 17/01/11 14:32, Alan Pope wrote:



> To those who are still finding Linux Emporium prices indigestible, I 
> point out that LE give a retail experience, with expert support. And 
> they are part of our community, family, if you like. Compare that with 
> buying a naked  unit and doing a diy install, hopefully first veriying 
> full compatibility, or with effort and risk if not. 


Agree, it's sensible to pay the extra and support 'our own' if you don't
want to go to the trouble of checking compatibility and installing
Ubuntu yourself. However, I always buy a 'naked' PC from somewhere like
Aleutia, Novatech or Ebuyer etc etc and have a quick Google check
beforehand that its major components are supported (takes 10 mins) -
with Alutia, you know it is anyway. Often have to use the latest version
of Ubuntu rather than the LTS to have all the drivers available but, so
far, haven't encountered any other compatibility issues.  

This comes out quite a bit cheaper than either LE or any of the other
places that sell pre-installed Ubuntu PCs. But, if you don't want to
DIY, I think it's reasonable to pay the premium to LE et al 'cos these
guys will have worked out what it costs them to do it sustainability (ie
without going bust or dying of exhaustion and malnutrition). It's just
the same as paying more for fair trade goods. People complain that
Waitrose is expensive but (a) the food doesn't taste like wax and cotton
wool and (b) the employees are being relatively decently treated. It's
no good complaining about what hell it is to work for companies like
Virgin Media etc if you don't want to pay the cost of other people's
decent employment.  

Ooops, end of rant ;) 
Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Free Software for Non-Profits Day

[gazz]

I'm organising an open day on Feb 23 for groups/SEs who work with
non-profits in East London providing or advising on Free Software -
it'll consist of practical workshops and presentations. If anyone would
like to get involved or do an Ubuntu-related workshop or presentation
for non-techies, let me know :)   

We'll be hiring a somewhat larger venue than usual and working with
Tower Hamlets and City non-profit umbrella orgs. Time is tight (we have
budget to use up before March) . . .

We're also putting together some helpsheets for small orgs who can't
afford tech support - I'll be compiling a list of topics shortly, but if
anyone thinks they would like to do some simple, illustrated Ubuntu
helpsheets on topics such as migrating from Windows, what kind of
software to use and how to install it etc etc - also let me know. 

Thanks,
Paula 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] open source expo

[gazz]

On Sun, 2011-01-16 at 21:19 +, Bruno Girin wrote:

> On Sun, 2011-01-16 at 19:18 +, d...@fishms.org wrote:
> > Hi
> > 
> > Do we need to bring extension leads etc? 
> 
> Good point! I'll bring one just in case and a patch cable or two.
> 
> Bruno
> 
> 
> 

I can bring a strip or two, patch cables and a switchfor my laptops if
there's somewhere to plug it in . . .

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] buying a laptop?

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-01-17 at 14:51 +, Simon Greenwood wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> On 17 January 2011 14:32, Alan Pope  wrote:
> 
> On 17 January 2011 14:23, Barry Drake 
> wrote:
> > Just went through the process and looked at the shipping.  A
> 10.1"
> > Netbook ships to the UK at $130 something - a good
> percentage of the
> > cost of the netbook!!!
> >
> 
> 
> 
> I didn't say it was value for money :)
> 
> I have often pondered setting up a cottage business buying
> naked
> laptops and ubuntifying them, but can't see there's a huge
> margin in
> it, but there's the potential to get sucked into very long
> protracted
> support conversations, negating any profit made.
> 
> 
> 
> Likewise. I even contemplated refurbishing old computers with a
> lightweight Ubuntu-based distro but the margin would have to be based
> on providing support, which could be made to work for small companies
> and charities and the like, but was more difficult to do for
> individuals as people won't pay for computer support and the charge
> and value often outweighs the time spent on problems.
> 
> s/
> 
> -- 
> Twitter: @sfgreenwood
> 
> My CV: http://bit.ly/sfgreenwood_cv
> "Is this your sanderling?"
> 

Went through much the same process myself, can't really see a way to
make this viable for individuals - it's hard enough with  charities and
small businesses. 

I did run into someone in Manchester who claimed to be supplying
refurbished PCs with Ubuntu successfully (but as he also claimed to be
working a 70-hour week just to break even, it didn't seem all that
appealing). 

That's why we decided just to run a free workshop every month so people
can do it themselves (and we don't take on any responsibility to be
picking up the phone to them 24/7). 

Paula

-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] open source expo

[gazz]

On Sat, 2011-01-15 at 17:05 +, Barry Drake wrote:


> If it helps, I'm down the night before and could meet up to collect
> whatever will go in my backpack along with my NetBook.  I'm staying near
> St. Pancras.
> 
> Regards,  Barry.
> 

Good idea - I'm not leaving till 11-ish though and the stuff needs to
get back there too:
IM; bastu...@jabber.earth.li
Skype: bastubis

The workshop is 46 Matilda House, St Katharines Way, London E1W 1LG

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] open source expo

[gazz]

OK ordered a shirt, will be there on Tues from about 12-noon. 

I'll bring a couple of laptops with Maverick desktop on them. If anyone
wants to install something else on one of our laptops, if it's not a big
hassle I don't mind doing it, or feel free to drop in and sort it out
yourself in advance :)  Not sure I want to lug all 6 by myself but will
bring a couple. 

Spot the typo I put in Identi.ca ;) 
Cheers,
Paula


On Fri, 2011-01-14 at 22:33 +, John Stevenson wrote:
> On 14 January 2011 15:56, Alan Bell
>  wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> The .org pavilion at the show is now confirmed (I thought it
> was already, but hey, it really has been now)
> 
> We have been asked to ‘blog the life out of the event’ and the
> organisers would appreciate if we could promote it on our
> LinkedIn and social networking sites/web sites etc... fyi
> entry to the event is Free for those booking up until 12.00
> midnight on 1st February 2011.  Thereafter visitors will be
> asked to pay £15.00 so you need to register asap.
> 
> Those able to help staff the stand should put their names down
> on the schedule http://pad.ubuntu-uk.org/linuxexposchedule and
> kit themselves out with a Maverick Tshirt
> 
> Alan.
> 
> 
> Hello all,
> Next week I'll be talking about the event on the mailing lists of the
> London developer communities I am involved with, so will reach around
> 2,500 people.  
> 
> Thank you. 
> 
> 
> -- 
> John Stevenson
> Lean Agile Consultant / Coach
> jr0cket.com  |  leanagilemachine.com
> 
<><>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diaspora

[gazz]

Done :)

On Sat, 2011-01-15 at 11:48 +, Will Bickerstaff wrote:

> Another request if anyone has a spare invite going please.
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] natty with unity

[gazz]

On Fri, 2011-01-14 at 01:45 +, John Stevenson wrote:

> I am having a great time using Unity ever since alpha1 and I
> absolutely love it, its the best thing thats happened to the Linux
> desktop in a long time (well since docky... and moving the
> maximise/minimise buttons to the right hand side).
> 



> -- 
> John Stevenson
> Lean Agile Consultant / Coach
> jr0cket.com  |  leanagilemachine.com
> 

Indeed, it depends on your personal taste and I can see it appealing to
people who don't use the panels much.  And non-techies do gasp when they
see the bare desktop of Ubuntu GNOME shell for the first time - but when
they're shown around the nav they love it - I've always found it a great
'selling point'.  

I figured out you can add things to the dock by running them and
clicking on keep on launcher but not much would fit on there given that
the icons are ginormous and the window buttons are using the same space.
I currently have nearly 30 icons on two panels with 7 windows open (all
I'm doing is checking my mail) and that isn't going to fit on the dock.
I also like to move the panels to suit my own taste. The dock is taking
up rather a lot of real estate too and so is the useless top bar. And,
yes, I know you can change the wallpaper - it's the dock which I think
is ugly. 

The other thing I really hated is the higgledy-piggledy list of apps and
admin stuff - I thought the existing Ubuntu/GNOME navbar was a piece of
genius simplicity. I also like the quick dropdown to launch evolution,
chat etc. I love the quick setup of sftp and bookmarks in nautilus
places - I'm sure it's still there but it'd take half an hour to find
it. And, yes, change always means taking half an hour to find stuff but
clicking on a tab 'places' made sense to me.  Agree that moving the
buttons the left was sensible given where everything else is, though. 

I had unity on my netbook too, took it off and reverted to GNOME shell -
even on a netbook it drove me silly. I just set the GNOME panels to
autohide and it's all good. So, unless unity gets prettier and more
adaptable, I'll be switching to 'classic desktop' lickety-spit. 

Anyway, we can argue about it in person later, John ;) 

Paula


<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] natty with unity

[gazz]

About to write something for a VCS ICT mag about Ubuntu so thought I'd
have a look at Natty - umm, not a big fan of Unity, ugly and
ridiculously limited - wot, can't add stuff to the panel - what's the
one at the top actually doing besides wasting space and telling me the
time and that' I'm networked? Can't add move a panel? Hmmm. 

I'll concede that it might work well for people who want their puters to
be toasters but please God don't stop offering GNOME shell alternative! 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Using Windows live

[gazz]

On Thu, 2011-01-13 at 16:47 +, Scrase, Eddie wrote:


> >
> > However, does anyone have any advice that will help me avoid any
> obvious
> > problems, or suggestions of a best approach.
> 



> 

All she will need to do is create a Windows Live account in her browser,
choose Empathy from the applications list, click Edit -> Accounts -> Add
and select the Protocol (probably MSN I should think - dunno, I use
xmpp), fill in username and password and it'll 'just work' for basic
IM. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] FOSS Friday at Fossbox

[gazz]

Our open advice and support day has moved to the second week of Jan (cos
I was on holiday last week) so if anyone would like to pop in tomorrow
and help out (or just say 'hi') everyone welcome. 

Let us know you're coming here: http://is.gd/SkAxYA or drop me an email
pa...@fossbox.org.uk 
Detailed directions here: http://www.fossbox.org.uk/?q=node/3 

Hope to see some of you,
Paula
www.fossbox.org.uk 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Team Meeting minutes and expo plan

[gazz]

On Tue, 2011-01-11 at 10:38 +, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> minutes from the team meeting last night are in their usual place at 
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/LastMeeting
> 
> The main matter arising is the http://www.opensourceexpo.co.uk/ and our 
> stand in the .org village at it.
> 
> We have a bit of a plan and created a schedule for the two days
> http://pad.ubuntu-uk.org/linuxexposchedule
> It would be great to see as many people as possible visiting the show or 
> helping on the stand if you have a bit more time available. We will be 
> demoing Maverick pretty much as it is on the CD, plus any demos of shiny 
> new stuff like Unity in Natty would be great - just make sure people 
> know which is shiny new preview stuff and which is released and on the 
> CD stuff.
> Anyone staffing the stand should equip themselves with a Maverick Tshirt 
> http://shop.canonical.com/product_info.php?products_id=731 or 
> http://shop.canonical.com/product_info.php?products_id=736 as 
> appropriate and we should have a nice new banner and tablecloth to use.
> We hope to go for beer/food somewhere after the show, so even if you 
> can't make it during the day if people want to join afterwards we will 
> try and arrange that.
> 
> next meeting is on the 27th at 9PM
> 
> Alan.
> 

Sorry I missed the meeting (forgot why I was still working at 8.30 and
went home!) - I just put some stuff on the pad but will repeat it here
in case. 

I've already registered for Tuesday afternoon but sure no-one will
notice if I change that if needed. 

I have half a dozen laptops we use for training, I could install a
couple of them with Maverick desktop or server and users would be able
to mess about with them as much as they like because they get
reinstalled before our sessions anyway. Could also demo installation on
a laptop if you like. I can cope with springing for a t-shirt ;)   

Paula


<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Diaspora handles

[gazz]

On Mon, 2011-01-03 at 00:54 +, Philip Stubbs wrote:

> stu...@joindiaspora.com
> 
> -- 
> Philip Stubbs
> 

With apologies to those upset about this thread - yes, maybe separate
list but in the meantime: bastu...@joindiaspora.com

Paula (Fossbox)
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Thu, 2010-12-09 at 18:08 +, Liam Proven wrote:


> >
> > Pick the most likely lol - voluntary and community sector, of course!
> 
> Oh. Right. OK.
> 
> It seemed marginally less random than the others, but even so, not
> really to make any sense - I mean, even charity workers watch videos
> sometimes, and listen to music in the office, no?
> 
> -- 
> Liam Proven 


Betcha can't find many charities with a clue what the other acronyms
even mean ;) 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] (no subject)

[gazz]

On Thu, 2010-12-09 at 22:37 +, alan c wrote:


> 
> I never regretted paying what seemed to be fair price. However as my 
> confidence in the community grew, so did my ability to judge between 
> 'free' gratis and 'free' Free software offers.
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user

Very true, I've noticed that Windows users are very wary of 'free
downloads' - for this reason we distribute FOSS apps and Ubuntu
installation images on CDs or pre-loaded USB sticks to our end users. We
hand these out free at events but charge for mail-order CDs and always
for USB sticks as these are seriously too expensive to give away. 

To hand out a few dozen CDs at an event means that a couple of
volunteers have to spend an afternoon feeding CDs into a row of laptops
(we can't afford a pro burner - one of the Councils for Voluntary
Service offered to buy Fossbox one but the cuts kiboshed that), plus the
cost of the CDs, covers and labelling. We're a small non-profit, I can't
really cost per CD accurately, so we charge three quid per CD send out
in an SAE - people are happy to pay it because they don't trust their
own ability to get the right stuff by going online. We don't make a
profit on it, any money we make just goes towards keeping the non-profit
organisation going - if it were a purely commercial decision, I wouldn't
bother, not worth it. 

There's no restriction on charging for CDs, and we've talked about
asking for people to contribute to refreshments at our free sessions too
- same thing, in my view. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Wed, 2010-12-08 at 15:09 +, Liam Proven wrote:


> Version Control System? That's what it means to me in a Linux context,
> but CVS is more common.
> 
> Voluntary and Community Sector? Veritas Cluster Server? Video
> Communication Server? VOIP Connection Server? The Atari videogames
> console?
> 
> Victoria Coach Station? Voluntary Carbon Standard?
> 
> I honestly can't guess. I've tried. Google was no help, nor Wikipedia,
> whence I got a fair few of those TLAs:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VCS
> 
> - 
> Liam Proven • Info & profile: http://www.google.com/profiles/lproven
> Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk • GMail/GoogleTalk/Orkut: lpro...@gmail.com
> Tel: +44 20-8685-0498 • Cell: +44 7939-087884 • Fax: + 44 870-9151419
> AIM/Yahoo/Skype: liamproven • MSN: lpro...@hotmail.com • ICQ: 73187508
> 

Pick the most likely lol - voluntary and community sector, of course! 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Tue, 2010-12-07 at 22:14 +, alan c wrote:

> On 07/12/10 20:19, gazz wrote:
> >
> >
> > Wish I could - was intending to help out with the Wordpress site on
> > Friday but just got sandbagged with 2 meetings on Friday :(
> 
> Nice to be so much in demand!
> Maybe drop in sometimes to tell some stories about Ubuntu in the real 
> world?
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 

It's nice to put faces to names when I can but Berkshire's a bit out of
my usual path  :) 
Maybe the Ubuntu crimbo 'do'? 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Tue, 2010-12-07 at 17:21 +, alan c wrote:


> 
> Neat. I do hope you are able to join the advertising team?
> 
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 

Wish I could - was intending to help out with the Wordpress site on
Friday but just got sandbagged with 2 meetings on Friday :( 

Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Tue, 2010-12-07 at 12:34 +, danteash...@gmail.com wrote:

> It is a serious problem that in order to install such functionality,
> one must install the ubuntu-restricted-extras package and run the
> libdvdcss installation script. This problem is made less by activating
> the small amount of codecs that Canocial have licensed upon
> installation,


Well, that's sort of why I tend to emphasise the 'social responsibility'
aspects and provide as many channels to support as possible.

Multimedia is less of an issue in the VCS of course, but it's easy when
you know how and I was able to track this info down in Google pretty
quickly when I migrated to Hoary (no restricted extras, installed all
the codecs one-by-one following someone's kindly instructions). Ubuntu
takes a little time to catch up with drivers and formats - mainly, I
suspect, because these aren't shared with them by manufacturers in a
timely fashion. I agree that mainstream users for whom multimedia and
gaming are central to their computer use may find Ubuntu frustrating but
there are many users for whom it's a minor activity around which they
can easily compromise. 

Paula

-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Want to create an advert for Ubuntu?

[gazz]

On Mon, 2010-12-06 at 21:48 +, Joe Metcalfe wrote:


> The main difficulties I have had in reading MS files on Linux is with MS
> Publisher (though I don't have Publisher in my Windows copy of MS Office
> either!) and with macros in PowerPoint (dynamic content in 3rd part
> educational files).
> 
> Joe

MS Publisher files can be sort of converted if you can spare half an
hour of fiddling around per file and the result isn't marvellous; macros
in any part of the MS Office suite don't open properly in OOo. MS Access
is relied upon by much of the UK voluntary sector and it doesn't
migrate. PaintShop files are a pain too and most Windows users have
various proprietary Windows platform apps which don't migrate formats at
all and don't run properly on WINE.  

However, I agree with the general point that most Windows users face
bigger limitations on what proprietary formats they can open without
buying every proprietary app on the planet (given that Linux at least
favours open standards). 

It's probably about 80% perception but there's still maybe 20% real
migration issues to be dealt with. Windows users are strenuously trained
to think of their OS as 'standard' and anything else as weird and
troublesome (although one might easily see this as an actual inversion
of reality). However, whilst many proprietary Windows formats do open
without any issues on many Linux distros, users will still run into
migration problems with mainstream formats which either don't convert at
all or which require significantly technically-savvy intervention to
migrate to Linux. Even setting up WINE is pushing it for the average
mainstream Windows user - although it's like rolling off a log for
experienced Ubuntu users. Most orgs are also going to end up with a
peripheral or two that's a brick on Ubuntu. 

I've been doing hands-on FOSS advocacy in the voluntary sector for the
best part of a decade and experience teaches me that it's a mistake to
gloss over the real issues in migrating from any Windows OS to any Linux
distro. What's important is to get across the concept of open standards
and to help the user understand that it isn't Linux' 'weirdness' causing
the issues but use of closed standards in proprietary software and to
explain that once they have made a successful migration to Ubuntu, they
will experience *fewer* issues with cross-compatibility in the future. 

For a proportion of Windows users, though, the barriers will honestly
still be too high for their resources - at least for the time being.
Especially users who rely on being able to open and edit proprietary
apps send by Windows users. Although times change and organisations who
once couldn't see their way to migrating are looking at it again in the
current climate. 

When I'm advocating Ubuntu with voluntary orgs, I don't really refer to
technical issues beyond giving them (what I consider to be) a sensible
overview of real and imaginary migration issues - I focus, instead, on
simplicity, resistance to slow-down and choking due to malware,
community ownership (which really appeals), keeping the economy local,
longevity of hardware, ease of installing peripherals, standardisation
of software used for photos, scanning etc etc, ease of maintaining a
properly-installed system for non-techies. And it's *pretty*! 

If you gloss over migration issues, you will forfeit trust when users do
experience problems. I prefer to support people migrating with their
eyes open and wait for the more nervous Windows users to go through the
emotional and practical issues involved for them and their organisation
in their own time. We'll be here when they're ready :) 

Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Accessing Shared folders on a Windows 7 machine from Ubuntu 10.04

[gazz]

If you're on Lucid, you want /etc/samba/smb.conf - at the top, there's a
line where you can edit the workgroup name - it defaults to workgroup
though. It doesn't work on the hostname of the Ubuntu samba server. 

Paula

On Wed, 2010-12-01 at 16:05 +, Gordon Burgess-Parker wrote:

> I have removed the Homegroup , replaced it with a Workgroup and shared 
> folders on the Windows Machine.
> I have installed Samba and changed the Workgroup name on the Ubuntu 
> machine to match that of the Windows 7 machine.
> The Ubuntu machine sees the 7 machine, but all that happens when I try 
> to access the shares is that the log-on screen keeps returning and I 
> can't access the shares.
> Any thoughts as to what I should be looking at?
> 

Need more info - are you trying to log in on a domain or just access
shared files on Windows PCs in the neighbourhood? Which version of
Ubuntu? If you're just accessing folders on WinXP rather than sharing
them on Ubuntu, you should be able to do that anyway through Places ->
Network -> Windows Network without installing Samba as the client is
installed by default - you only need to install the Samba server if you
want to share folders on Ubuntu with Windows users - then you'll need to
install Samba, configure it in smb.conf, testparm, restart the Samba
server and set up Samba users and passwords. 

If you need to configure the workgroup for the Samba server (to share
Ubuntu folders with Windows), you use /etc/samba/smb.conf - it doesn't
work like Windows where you need to sync the hostnames. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu UK website hack day

[gazz]

On Tue, 2010-11-30 at 15:25 +, Neil Perry wrote:

> all day...
> Neil Perry
> 
> 
> 
> On 30 November 2010 15:23, Chris Wilson  wrote:
> 
> > I am proposing a hack day on Friday 10th December where we 
> > meet up in the #ubuntu-uk on IRC
> 
> What time?
> 
> 

Yes, I can do that  :) 

<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Next Friday session at Fossbox

[gazz]

Sorry to those of you who're on our mailing list and so will get this
twice - but is anyone around to help with the next open session on 3
Dec, 12-7pm. You don't have to be there for the whole thing (though that
would be nice) as it's a drop-in. It has been described as actual fun
and we now have a donated gas stove so we'll celebrate by mulling some
wine on it! Also welcome to bring lunch stuff and heat it up and we'll
provide some munchies too. 

Hope to see some of you there - if you can make it, can you drop me a
quick email (pa...@fossbox.org.uk) or register at:
http://foss-dropin.eventbrite.com/ so I know who's coming? If anyone
wants to make a demo, presentation or quick 'how-to' on the projector,
let me know. This is the info that went out to the VCS: 

FOSS FRIDAY OPEN SESSION - 3 DECEMBER, 12-7PM at Fossbox Workshop: 

  * Merriment, mulled wine and mince pies! 
  * Bring your ailing Ubuntu laptops (or PCs) and volunteers will
help you fix problems 
  * Find out more about Free Software for VCOs to use on Ubuntu or
Windows and try it out 
  * Live demo of how to get to the Ubuntu-UK live help channel
online 
  * Get Ubuntu CDs (£1) or FOSS-sticks with a selection of Free
Software for Windows (£7 for 2GB stick) 

This is a regular, free event, first Friday of every month
NB: no FOSS Friday in January - starts again 4 February 2011
Detailed directions to workshop here:
http://www.fossbox.org.uk/?q=node/3 
Email us (i...@fossbox.org.uk) if you want more info or to volunteer

Thanks,
Paula






Paula Graham, Director
Fossbox CIC, 46 Matilda House 
St Katharines Way, London E1W 1LG
pa...@fossbox.org.uk
Tel: 020 7481 8479
www.fossbox.org.uk




-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Christmas Party \o/

[gazz]

Don't see any way to sign up? I was logged into launchpad, what am I
missing? 

Thanks,
Paula

On Thu, 2010-11-18 at 14:36 +, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> I am pleased to announce the Ubuntu UK Christmas party. It will be at 
> the Hub Islington (same venue as last year) on Tuesday 21st December 
> from 7PM until about 10ish
> http://islington.the-hub.net/public/
> The venue is easy to get to from Islington tube station, but there are 
> rather a lot of stairs to get to the room.
> 
> There is a signup page on the loco directory here:
> http://loco.ubuntu.com/events/team/568/detail/
> 
> and here are some photos from the event last year
> http://picasaweb.google.com/alanbelltolc/UbuntuUK
> 
> Bring some mince pies or Christmassy and/or Ubuntu themed nibbles and £5 
> a head for the venue hire. Some drinks will be provided but feel free to 
> bring a bottle of seasonal cheer.
> 
> I look forward to seeing you for an evening of festive geekery.
> 
> Alan.
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Christmas Party \o/

[gazz]

On Thu, 2010-11-18 at 21:50 +, Colin Law wrote:

> On 18 November 2010 21:37, Bruno Girin  wrote:
> > On Thu, 2010-11-18 at 14:36 +, Alan Bell wrote:
> >> Hi all,
> >>
> >> I am pleased to announce the Ubuntu UK Christmas party. It will be at
> >> the Hub Islington (same venue as last year) on Tuesday 21st December
> >> from 7PM until about 10ish
> >
> > Damn, I'll be out of the country :-(
> 
> So will I, at home in Wales :)
> 
> Colin
> 

I think I can make it :)
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu Version Downgrading

[gazz]

On Sun, 2010-11-14 at 00:04 +, Alan Pope wrote:

> On 13 November 2010 22:42,   wrote:
> > I'm gonna have to run through the installer again then, because I don't 
> > remember seeing it automatically ask me about /home,
> 
> It doesn't ask you about /home at all. It's a kinda hidden feature.
> 
> > and if you were doing it manually and didn't specify a mount point for 
> > /home and didn't format / then would anything actually happen?
> >
> 
> If you were doing manual partitioning over the top of an existing
> linux install (i.e. a filesystem exists which contains /bin /etc /var
> /usr /home and so on, and you choose not to format that filesystem,
> and you choose to install on it, then it will recursively delete all
> files in /bin /etc /var /usr and so on, but _not_ touch /home within
> that filesystem.
> 
> I find myself explaining this to people about once a month. It's such
> a hidden gem of a feature so many people don't know about it, but it's
> the single most useful "upgrade without upgrading" feature.
> 
> Al.
> 

I found out by accident cos I had /home on a separate partition in the
old-fashioned way - but still didn't know you could still do it
with /home on the root partition - it's a very useful tip so maybe put a
how-to on the web and then you'll only have to post the link :) 

Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] A chance to say "Hello!"

[gazz]

On Fri, 2010-11-12 at 10:09 +, Matthew Daubney wrote:

> Tomorrow afternoon (from about 11:30 - ~12:30/1:00) I'll be in Costa
> Coffee in Oxford.. (here
> http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=costa
> +coffee,
> +oxford&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=12.478806,43.286133&ie=UTF8&hq=costa+coffee,&hnear=Oxford,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.751783,-1.259302&spn=0.001594,0.005284&t=h&z=18)
> 
> If anyone would like to come say Hello, I'll be the one with the cuddly
> tux and a laptop with an Ubuntu logo on it :)
> 
> -Matt Daubney 
> 
> 

Too far away, but hope it goes well :) 
Paula
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Suggestions/Comments/Feedback for the GeekNic

[gazz]

On Sun, 2010-08-08 at 22:00 +0100, Bruno Girin wrote:

> 
> > 

Sorry I missed it - was at the dotactivist thing :)
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Shredding HDD data

[gazz]

I use act...@killdisk cos it's easy and bootable. 

Paula
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] ANNOUNCE: GeekNic Tomorrow

[gazz]

Couldn't make it (was at the dotactivist thing) but hope everyone had a
good time :) 
> 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] 10/10/10 installfests

[gazz]

We're already planning to do a day of demos and an installation workshop
on the 17th/18th for voluntary sector orgs to coincide with Software
Freedom Day. We'll demo an LTSP server with ancient P3 clients and some
dual-core laptops with Lucid LTS installed along with some presentations
on how voluntary sector orgs can benefit from Ubuntu with case studies
of it in use in charities, social enterprises and 'green' organisations
- and an installation workshop. We have a bit of lottery funding to help
with it. 

We could do another one for the Maverick release, I'd plan on doing much
the same again but probably aimed more towards environmental networks
with a 'sustainability' angle. 

The poster looks good. 

Paula

On Thu, 2010-08-05 at 18:32 +0100, Alan Bell wrote:

> Hi all,
> 
> So we talked a while back about doing some installfest type activities
> on 10/10/10 I have been drafting a little poster idea together, you can
> see it here:
> 
> http://people.ubuntu.com/~alanbell/uuk/installfest2.pdf
> 
> The idea is to get a bunch of these printed up (on a real CMYK offset
> litho printer) and distributed so each installfest organiser would get
> plenty (where 10 with the venue and time.
> 
> I would really like comments on the poster design and in particular,
> corrections to the text on it. Also, if you want to help run an
> installfest (even if you have no idea of a venue etc.) please start
> making yourself known, I am only going to get them printed up if enough
> people want to take them.
> 
> Alan.
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Network Manager

[gazz]

Thanks Alan - it's easier than reinstalling the whole laptop! I fiddled
for all of 5 mins with IP setups but got impatient and just ripped out
the network-manager thinking it'd make life easier in the long-term. The
wretched access point was actually on the same subnet as my laptop - IP
192.168.1.xx cos I'd changed it previously so my attention must've
lapsed elsewhere. 

What you describe is what I used to do in the days when the network
manager didn't have a mind of its own so I'm guessing I could've got it
to work if I had just stuck with it instead of cursing the network
manager  ;)   

On the good side, a newly-flashed ProCurve is now doing what it ought to
and I have a lovely fresh installation of Lucid on my laptop  

Paula



> 
> It souds easy of course, but it took a l-o-o-o-n-g time for me to 
> figure it all out!
> 
> -- 
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
> 
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Network Manager

[gazz]

Wasn't trying to set up a static IP, was wanting to re-configure an HP
ProCurve access point which had been playing up and was connected
directly to the laptop's ethernet NIC at the time - I'd just
disconnected it from it's normal perch on a Draytek router. Access
points aren't willing to load web interfaces unless directly connected,
and therein lay the problem. 

Setting a static IP on 9.04 and 9.10 involved removing the network
manager but it's very straightforward on 10.04 so far. Once you set the
static IP in the network interfaces, it now shuts up by itself :) 

Paula

On Tue, 2010-08-03 at 14:08 +0100, Cornelius Mostert wrote:

> > The network manager from 9.04 onwards drives me up the wall! I'm now
> > using Lucid and I needed to install a wireless access point, the
> network
> 
> Mmmm
> Not sure if I'm missing something but I am able to set a static IP on
> my laptop running 10.4 and have done so to setup and connect to
> various network devices...
> I use:
> System / Preferences / Network config...
> I then set the the IPV4 method to manual and set the needed address,
> netmask and gateway...
> Make sure it is set system wide 
> Then I make sure that any OTHER network interfaces are disconnected
> from the applet in the top right hand side, Sometimes I ALSO
> disconnect the just set Manual nic and reconnect the manual nic just
> to make sure all settings took effect and that is it.
> 
> MUST state that I use a cable connected directly between my NIC and
> router when I want to set it up as WiFi management is sometimes
> disabled on the router...
> 
> I have followed the same process when I had to setup a SME server with
> 2NICs: One connected to an "external" router and the other to an
> "internal" router with my management laptop also connected to the
> "internal" router.
> 
> 1 thing that did catch me out in the past is that the management
> laptop must start on the same subnet as the to be configured network
> device, THEN change the network device & reboot, then change the
> management laptop to be on the same subnet again.
> BUT this is only a problem is you are on lets say 192.168.XXX.XXX and
> the network device is on 10.10.XXX.XXX
> 
> 
> -- 
> _
> Cornelius Mostert
> Senior IT Specialist
> United Kingdom: 075 2233 4818
> International: 0044 75 2233 4818
<>-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Network Manager

[gazz]

Ah well, we live in hope! I do celebrate the ease of connecting wifi it
gives but the network manager has been an repetitive nightmare whilst it
teethes. 



> Behold: ntrack!
> 
> http://minimoesfuerzo.org/2010/03/12/testing-ntrack/
> 
> https://launchpad.net/ntrack
> 
> Al
> 
> -- 
> The Open Learning Centre
> http://www.theopenlearningcentre.com
> 
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

Re: [ubuntu-uk] Network Manager

[gazz]

Thanks, that's a lifesaver - I'll only have to reinstall the laptop this
once! I'm mulling if this is a bug or a wishlist for an easier way? 

Paula

On Tue, 2010-08-03 at 12:50 +0100, Grant Sewell wrote:

> On Tue, 03 Aug 2010 12:39:49 +0100
> gazz wrote:
> 
> > 
> > The network manager from 9.04 onwards drives me up the wall! I'm now
> > using Lucid and I needed to install a wireless access point, the
> > network manager wouldn't let me connect to its interface so I had to
> > remove the network manager and put wicd on instead. OK, now I could
> > set up the wireless access point, all well and good. 
> > 
> > It seems that the sync for Ubuntu One and Dropbox need the network
> > manager as both are acting crazy this morning. UbuntuOne can't connect
> > at all and Dropbox is partially syncing. Anyway wicd can't seem to
> > connect to the wifi at my workshop either. 
> > 
> > Tried to remove wicd - no luck with apt-get. Had to purge it and
> > reinstall network-manager with aptitude. Then the nm-applet indicator
> > was missing from the tray and no way to interact with the network
> > manager short of cli. Did killall nm-applet and then started it again
> > - now it's hanging complaining: 
> > ** (nm-applet:1998: DEBUG: old state indicates that this was not a
> > disconnect 0
> > 
> > When I restart networking, it's using DHCP Client to reconnect. 
> > 
> > I can find other people with similar issue but no-one seems to know
> > what's going on. The only person who seems to have solved it
> > reinstalled 10.04 from scratch! 
> > 
> > So whenever I want to configure a router, I'll have to reinstall
> > 10.04 There has to be an easier fix? I frequently need to install
> > routers . . . 
> 
> In my previous job I would routinely need to do the following to avoid
> a similar situation:
> 
> + kill the nm-applet
> + disable (temporarily) the Network Manager
>   (sudo /etc/init.d/network-manager stop)
> + set IP manually or run dhclient manually
> 
> When all finished, clear the manual IP address (if any), restart
> network-manager and re-run nm-applet and all was happy again.
> 
> Grant.
> 
-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/

[ubuntu-uk] Network Manager

[gazz]

The network manager from 9.04 onwards drives me up the wall! I'm now
using Lucid and I needed to install a wireless access point, the network
manager wouldn't let me connect to its interface so I had to remove the
network manager and put wicd on instead. OK, now I could set up the
wireless access point, all well and good. 

It seems that the sync for Ubuntu One and Dropbox need the network
manager as both are acting crazy this morning. UbuntuOne can't connect
at all and Dropbox is partially syncing. Anyway wicd can't seem to
connect to the wifi at my workshop either. 

Tried to remove wicd - no luck with apt-get. Had to purge it and
reinstall network-manager with aptitude. Then the nm-applet indicator
was missing from the tray and no way to interact with the network
manager short of cli. Did killall nm-applet and then started it again -
now it's hanging complaining: 
** (nm-applet:1998: DEBUG: old state indicates that this was not a
disconnect 0

When I restart networking, it's using DHCP Client to reconnect. 

I can find other people with similar issue but no-one seems to know
what's going on. The only person who seems to have solved it reinstalled
10.04 from scratch! 

So whenever I want to configure a router, I'll have to reinstall
10.04 There has to be an easier fix? I frequently need to install
routers . . . 

Paula

-- 
ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/