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FSM May 21 - Staying connected with Free Software - Jami and Signal
by PuZZleDucK 10 May '20

10 May '20

The COVID-19 pandemic as upended the lives of billions of people around the world. To prevent transmission of the virus, we have been asked to stay at home, practice social distancing and avoid crowds. As such, 100’s of millions of people have started using chat and conferencing software to see friends, family and conduct business. Unfortunately, many of the popular options in this space are proprietary and most users are unaware of the privacy and security issues that proprietary software brings into our lives. However Free and Open Source software has us covered with many options for communications software. As a part of this year's theme of de-FAANG (removal of predatory big tech companies from your life), we are exploring the world of online communications and presenting Free/Libre and Open Source solutions to keeping in touch and connecting with people. Instead of using proprietary messaging apps on our mobile and PC’s such as WhatsApp, Line and Viber. We will take a look at two great freedom respecting messaging apps, Jami ( https://jami.net) and Signal (https://signal.org/) and how we can use these to keep connected through the crisis. Never has the need for robust, auditable and trusted communication software been more important. Not only for our privacy, but also for the privacy and security of your friends and loved ones. The recent media coverage of privacy and security concerns in conferencing and communications software demonstrates why we need to be able to trust our software with our personal and confidential communications. We’ll be meeting virtually via Jitsi (a freedom respecting video conferencing app we've discussed before) at 6:30pm on Thursday the 21st of May. Details: Thursday 21st May, 6:30-8:00pm Jitsi Meet Room: https://jitsi.puzzleduck.org/FSM Meeting Tips: Please mute your mic when joining and headsets are recommended to reduce feedback.

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FSM Mar 19 - COVID-19 Update - In person meetups suspended
by PuZZleDucK 18 Mar '20

18 Mar '20

Hi Folks, Due to the current Corona virus pandemic we are joining all the other Melbourne meetups in suspending in person meetups until further notice. Due to this we will be delaying the start of the deFANNG campaign. We'd still love to catch up and talk all things Free Software so we're converting this meetup into a virtual meetup on Jitsi Meet: https://meet.jit.si/FSM where we'll try out some FLOSS video conferencing. Updated Details: Thursday 19th March, 6:30-8:00pm Jitsi Meet Room: https://meet.jit.si/FSM Meeting Tips: Mute your mic when not talking and have a tasty beverage at hand

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Free Software Melbourne meeting, 19 March 2020: How to unfriend Facebook
by PuZZleDucK 11 Mar '20

11 Mar '20

Dear Free-Software Friends and Family, The "Big Tech" companies, such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google (FAANG) are familiar brands with worldwide reach in all corners of people’s affairs, from communicating with family, purchasing household goods and reading the news. In recent years, the major negative effects on society have become apparent from the underlying business model of these multinationals, namely targeted advertising — where the more FAANG knows about you, your social connections and preferences, the more valuable you are to them. For example, period tracking apps for the Android OS and iOS share intimate information with Facebook that helps advertisers target women: https://www.privacyinternational.org/long-read/3196/no-bodys-business-mine-… As part of a year-long series on how to De-FAANG your life, we are proud to present the first in the series: How to Unfriend Facebook (True friends don't spy on you!) This talk will cover the negative impacts on people and society by Facebook's walled garden "social"-platform and related proprietary technologies. We will then present a practical and easy-to-follow guide on how to use Free Software to help you leave a bad friend and unfriend Facebook for good! We look forward to seeing you there! — The FSM team. Details: Thursday 19th March, 6:30-8:00pm (door open 6:00pm) Electron Workshop: 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051 Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434 Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

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FSM Feb 20th - Favourite Free Android Games Night and DEFANG Preparations
by PuZZleDucK 12 Feb '20

12 Feb '20

Hey freedom lovers, Almost all of us are guilty of playing games on our phones at some time (even if it was just snake), so this month at Free Software Melbourne we're going to be talking about the state of mobile gaming in free software. Over the past few years there have been some amazing advances in the quality of free software games available and there is even a new open source app store where you can get your games which we'll take a look at. We will also have a talk about preparations for a DEFANG campaign. What is DEFANG you ask? It is the act of extracting oneself from the massive influence and surveillance of large corporate entities like Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google.What can we do about it as a group? What alternatives can we suggest for people? With who and should we be talking? and How can we best frame the message? So come along to discuss DEFANGing and mobile games. After the meeting we will continue our discussions over dinner in North Melbourne a short walk away and all are welcome to join us. Thanks to Electron Workshop for hosting FreeSoftware Melbourne. Details Thursday 20th Febuary, 6:30-8:00pm Electron Workshop: 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051 Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434 Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

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FSM Jan 16th - Discussion on inclusion policies & FSM campaigns for 2020
by PuZZleDucK 08 Jan '20

08 Jan '20

Welcome to 2020 everyone, We're kicking off the decade by giving you the chance to choose your own 2020 at Free Software Melbourne. Do you want more games nights, hardware reviews, campaigns or just more pizza! Which campaigns should we continue our involvement in and what other campaigns are emerging in the new decade we could lend our weight to? Now's your chance to come along and have your say about how the next year at Free Software Melbourne will look. This will be a non technical event and all are welcome to attend and contribute. We'll all take a look at the campaigns we are currently running like the AABill and what we can do next. We'll also look at what we need to do to plan for and participate in events like Melbourne Knowledge Week and Privacy Week. If you're aware of any other events we could participate in come along and tell us about it or make suggestions on the mailing list before the meetup. As discussed in last years October meeting we will be looking at our options for an Inclusion policy and deciding on candidates for adoption. While were adding another policy this seems like an optimal time to review our current policies and how we present them on the website. Are there better ways to convey our policies, should they all be grouped together, are they up to date and serving the functions they are intended to? We'd be interested to hear ayones experience with inclusion policies or opinions of good (or bad) inclusion policies you've come across. So come along to discuss inclusion policies, and help set course for 2020 at Free Software Melbourne. After the meeting we will continue our discussions over dinner in North Melbourne a short walk away and all are welcome to join us. Thanks again to Electron Workshop for hosting Free Software Melbourne and Software Freedom Day for another year. Details Thursday 16th January, 6:30-8:00pm Electron Workshop: 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051 Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434 Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

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FSM Oct 17 - The Future of Free Software Culture
by PuZZleDucK 12 Oct '19

12 Oct '19

Hi folks, It's certainly turbulent times for the Free Software Foundation and for the community in general. With an unexpected change of leadership at the Foundation underway we thought it would be a good time to get together and discuss the possible outcomes and ramifications of the current crisis as well as the possible impacts it could have on us. Along with every crisis we are also presented with opportunities, and in this case maybe our opportunity is to reflect on our own public image as an organisation and reassess where we stand and what we stand for. We will be talking about how are we currently using social media and how we might be able to better reach the wider public and communicate or message about the importance of Free Software. See you all there Event details: Thursday 17th March, 6:30-8:00pm 31 Arden St, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051 Map: http://osm.org/go/uG4HWyqEz?m=&node=2556615434 Travel tips by Electron Workshop: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/

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Software Freedom Day - 21st of September 2019
by PuZZleDucK 04 Sep '19

04 Sep '19

Free Software Melbourne and Linux Users Victoria are celebrating the 16th annual Software Freedom Day celebrations in Melbourne and we're going to be hosting a series of talks about using Free and Open Source Software in the real world. We're going to be talking about what even is Free and Open Source software and why is Free Software so important we want to dedicate a whole day to it. We're also going to talk about using free software for audio production, and how open source is used in the development of open hardware and some demonstrations of projects you could even build yourself. We'll also be having plenty of networking opportunities and introductions to many of Melbourne's Free and Open Source technology groups and organizations. Entry is free any time and Software Freedom Day is a family friendly event welcoming to anyone, pass on the word to help make it a great day for everyone. We do have a code of conduct on our website, but in short: Be respectful. Be mindful. Work together. We'll have light snacks and sodas available gratis throughout the afternoon and at the conclusion of the day we usually continue discussions over dinner along the nearby Errol st, so feel free to join us if you're enjoying the conversations. Hope to see you all at Electron Workshop on the 21st for another exciting Software Freedom Day! Details Date: Saturday the 21st of September Time: Talks starting at 1:00pm and wrapping up about 5:30pm Location: Electron Workshop co-working space Address: 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434 Travel Tips: http://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/ Parking: On street parking in the area Code of Conduct: http://freesoftware.org.au/code-of-conduct/ Time Table (further details to be announced shortly): 1:00 - 1:15 Welcomes and Introductions 1:15 - 5:30 Presentations and Community Get Together 5:30 Official event ending 6:00 Dinner at Errol St SFD announce blog: https://freesoftware.org.au/blog/software-freedom-day-21st-of-september-201…

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Meetup 6pm 15th August 2019 - Favorite Free Software
by PuZZleDucK 10 Aug '19

10 Aug '19

Hi all, The world is always changing and so is the Free Software world, it can be difficult for folks to figure out what software is really worth looking into. With that we are having a 'Favorite Free Software' event. From distro's to audio/video software and heavy lifting work programs. For software for your top end PC down to your older phones, there is always something great in Free Software that can help you do more of what you want. We will show you some of the great free software available and hope that you will show us something great as well. This is a no cost non-technical event and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend it you want, the more the merrier. Bring a computer or just bring yourself. Event will be at Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street - North Melbourne. Doors open at 6pm with the event starts at 6:30pm. Afterwards will be the usual Dinner in North Melbourne were we can continue the discussion were ever it may go. - Michael

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Free Software Melbourne meeting, Thursday, 18 April, Assistance and Access Act + Gnews
by PuZZleDucK 13 Apr '19

13 Apr '19

Next meeting of Free Software Melbourne When: Thursday, 18 April 2019, 6.30-8.00pm (doors open at 6pm) Where: Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne (See below for how to get there.) What: Work together on Assistance and Access Act As you are probably aware, what is commonly called the Assistance and Access Act was rushed through Federal Parliament just before Christmas last year. The Opposition went along with it, but on the condition that the act be reviewed. That review is now happening, so we have a second chance to advocate for the repeal of this act, or at least for amendments to ameliorate its worst effects. This act has given the Government unprecedented powers to break encryption, with too little accountability. In addition to the obvious threat to the legitimate privacy of ordinary citizens, the act is inflicting collateral damage on the Australian tech industry, as Australian companies and Australian employees are perceived globally as untrustworthy, being too easily subject to secret government orders to break encryption of customers and employers. So, please come along to our next FSM meeting, find out what you can do about this act, and as you can help us with our campaign. As well as making a submission to the review, it could involve contacting politicians, and coordinating with like-minded groups. Your ideas welcome. Have your say! And there'll be lots of delicious Gnews, as gnusual. This is a non-technical event and all are welcome. Afterwards we will have our customary dinner in North Melbourne, and we can continue any discussion that will have arisen. Thanks to the good people of Electron Workshop for providing us our meeting venue. Electron Workshop have a map: https://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/ They suggest the #57 tram. Get off at the Errol Street / Queensberry Street intersection, walk down the hill along Errol Street, and turn right into Arden Street. The #402 bus and the #58 and #59 trams also pass reasonably close. See you there! — Les Kitchen, on behalf of the FSM committee. _______________________________________________ Free-software-melb mailing list Free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software… Free Software Melbourne home page: http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/melb/

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Free Software Melbourne - Spring Libre Games Night - Thursday 18th October
by PuZZleDucK 04 Oct '18

04 Oct '18

Greetings fellow freedom lovers, it is that time of the month again. We might not be Druids celebrating the change of the seasons but we do celebrate a similar quarterly event - our Libre Games Night! Time once again to come together and have a good time as we complete and co-operate in all manner of games both free and libre. We can show you new titles to try out or just have fun with your current favorites. If you need help installing some on your own machine then we are more than happy to help out and get you playing. If you don't have your own computer we will try and provide you with one for the evening. This is a non-technical event and all are welcome. The event is on 6:30PM - Thursday 18th October 2018 at Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street North Melbourne <https://maps.google.com/?q=31+Arden+Street+North+Melbourne&entry=gmail&sour…>. Doors open at 6pm and the event will go through to 8pm. Afterwards we will have dinner in North Melbourne as usual and we can continue any discussion that may (Almost definitely!) have arisen. Michael Verrenkamp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee Member - Free Software Australia - http://www.freesoftware.org.au/ Advocating for freedom in computer software _______________________________________________ Free-software-melb mailing list Free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au https://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software… Free Software Melbourne home page: http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/melb/

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