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FSM Jan 13th - LCA preview: Planning Alerts, State Contracts then The World
by Ben M 11 Jan '17

11 Jan '17

For the second year in a row we're going to break with tradition and hold a meetup in January because one of the organizers of FSM is giving a talk at Linux Conf Au (or are we actually starting a new tradition?) Unfortunately LCA is a little earlier this year and so we won't be able to meetup at our regular time and place but I hope you can all make it anyhow. It will also be a shorter meetup than usual with no Gnews prepared, but we'll still grab a bite to eat nearby after the talk ... anyhow, on with the official blurb: How does a council scraping initiative started in the UK evolve to influence and inform how the Victorian Government manages its information? Planning Alerts was originally a UK service to allow people to subscribe to be notified when there was a planning application near them regardless of council boundaries. It's success has also been replicated (and improved) in Australia. It seems obvious to many of us that a significant factor is that the initial project and those that followed it were Open Source and open to the Communities they served. How can we better demonstrate to government the value of Open Standards and Open Data than by making it happen? Details: Friday, January 13, 2017 - 7:00 PM At TeamSquare - level 1 / 520 Bourke St, Melbourne *On the first floor, call 0419 390 496 <0419%20390%20496> if the doors are lockedhttps://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1%2F520+Bourke+St%2C+Melbour… <https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=1%2F520+Bourke+St%2C+Melbourne%2C+…>*

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Free Software December Dinner
by Ben M 10 Dec '16

10 Dec '16

Hello Freedom Lovers, The year is winding up and so is Free Software Melbourne for 2016. So come along for our last meetup of the year and enjoy an evening celebrating the Free Software Successes of 2016 and ring in a new year of Open Source and Federated Systems Join us at the imperial hotel on December 15th at 7:00pm for dinner, drinks or just a snack... most tastes should be catered for (including vegetarian & GF options) and we're looking forward to seeing you all there! Menu: http://bourkestreetimperial.com/menu/downstairs/ Address: 2-8 Bourke Street Melbourne Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/598056735

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FSM 17th Nov - Free Software Show and Tell night
by Ben M 11 Nov '16

11 Nov '16

Hi Software Freedom Lovers It's that time of the year when we look back and think about the Free Software that has improved our lives and given us all so much joy. So join us this Thursday November the 17th at Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street) <https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434#map=19/-37.80118/144.95071> for our last meetup in the usual place this year for a "Free Software Show and Tell". We'll each go round and talk for a few minutes about the one or two pieces of Free and Open Source Software that has made a big impact on us this year It can be something you've just heared about and it sparked your interest or something you've come to rely upon day in and day out If you're stuck for ideas you can always review some of the release sections of our gnews (conveniently linked below) or resort to just ranting about Stallman and Torvalds for a bit for that matter. Or maybe it was a video discussing the concepts of FLOSS that caught your attention this year At 6:30 Michael Verrenkamp will kick us off with call to action on a campaign he's supporting and then we'll get into the show and tells. When we finish those we'll celebrate the last meetup of the year with pizza for dinner and finish the night off with our usual Gnews and Discussion and aim to wrap up around 8:00 I know I picked up a few new tools last year at the show and tell and it's always a fun night, so I'm cracking to see you all there on the 17th! Event details Thursday 17th Nov, 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/ Running late or can't find us? Call Ben on 0419 390 496. Notable FOSS releases of the year: http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-jan-2016.html#(6) http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-mar-2016.html#(6) http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-apr-2016.html#(6) http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-may-2016.html#(10) http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-2016-07-21.html#(8) http://freesoftware.org.au/static/media/uploads/gnews-2016-10-20.html#(6)

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FSM Working Group meeting 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm on the 3rd November
by Ben M 02 Nov '16

02 Nov '16

Hi all, The FSM working group meetup is (to my suprise) upon us again and as the weather turns to spring I figured this is a good opportunity to do a touch of spring cleaning on the FSM website and wiki. We'll also trial integrating Mumble and EtherPad into the mix, so if you know the FSM mumble chanel you can join us in spirit ... so come along or tune in to have your say on what will go and what will stay FSM Working Group meeting 6:00pm ~ 8:00pm on the 3rd November There is a minor change of venue, we'll be at level 2 (not level 1) at TeamSquare (520 Bourke st, Melbourne) and as usual snacks, soft drinks and coffee will be in abundance https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/4271393497 ~~ Ben M

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FSM 20th Oct Meeting - Michael Verrenkamp on the Paradoxes of Free Software
by Ben M 15 Oct '16

15 Oct '16

It is that time of the month again! 6:30PM on Thursday 20th at The Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street, North Melbourne) it is time for the monthly Free software Melbourne meet up. The talker this month is Michael Verrenkamp with 'Paradoxes of Free software – Why logic breaks down in light of the human condition'. Considering I am writing this announcement and also the speaker I can play up my ego much more than usual... I'm an ok guy. Free software provides solutions to almost all issues that we have with personal computers and yet outside of being used as a technical back end for servers and phones, most people do not use it in day-to-day. I try to explain some of these issues from a philosophical point of view. From distro-hopping to software quality, sometimes logic doesn't work in the real world. Gnews will be held as usual to catch up on the last two months and to give a run down of all pros and cons for Software freedom day. There is a lot of great stuff to catch up on. Doors open from 6PM with drinks provided at EW members prices and dinner will a slight change, pizza! Look forward to seeing you all there.

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SFD Flyer
by Ben M 13 Sep '16

13 Sep '16

Hi all, Software Freedom Day is just around the corner and we've whipped up a little flyer for you all to share around, it should be attached but if it got lost in the mail it's also available from: http://freesoftware.org.au/ static/media/uploads/sfd-2016-flyer.png Don't forget to hashtag your microblogs with #SFD and #FreeSoftwareMelbourne if you do that sort of thing :D See you all there ~~ Ben M

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Software Freedom Day, Saturday 2016-09-17 at Electron Workshop
by Ben Finney 28 Aug '16

28 Aug '16

Software Freedom Day 2016 17th September 2016, 10:00 at Electron Workshop It doesn't matter how much you directly participate in software freedom or what operating system you run, all that matters is that you would like to live in a world of software freedom where every individual can control the code that runs on their computer and the conditions under which it executes. It's that time of the year for all of us who compute to celebrate our freedoms in technology and indulge in the finer details of keeping our increasingly digital lives under our direct control. Free Software Melbourne, in conjunction with Linux Users Victoria, is celebrating the 13th annual Software Freedom Day. With a variety of talks and workshops helping everyone to get the most out of the Free/Libre and Open Source communities and the free software they make available ----- Venue ----- Our gracious hosts this year are: Electron Workshop co-working space 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne Map: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434 --------------- Time Table --------------- A (data) array of wonderful talkers have been so kind as to help spread the word or just give you a tour of some great programs that respect you. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 10:00am - Doors Open So there is no opening ceremony. What is this the Olympics? I hope not! We don't need that level of needless grandeur! Also we are not sponsored by Mega-Globa-Pharma Corp. Come early and meet some like minded people before the talks start off. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 11:00am - Information and communication technology & Free software in Schools. The stereo type of most technology in schools is one of an endless sea of proprietary software with no room for anything else, the truth however is much more refined. This is a look at what software is being using in schools and what can be done in the future to improve the use of free software in education. Duration: 1 hour -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12:00pm - Matt Cienga and Open Street Map Applications. Almost all people talk about Google Maps and Apple Maps - not us! It is great to see progress in the open alternative Open Street Maps. Find out how to use one of the most comprehensive and complete mapping data assets ever compiled for your own use. A great place to start is the Electron workshop! https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434#map=16/-37.8008/144.9538 Duration: 1 hour -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1:00pm - Free and Open Source Community Gathering -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1:30pm - Lunch in North Melbourne. Lets just make this clear. North Melbourne doesn't have the same class as one of Heston's restaurants but there are loads of great local restaurants for a good meal and "endless conversation"*. *Endless conversion is limited to the duration period. Duration: 1 Hour -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2:30pm - To be advised Duration: 1 Hour -------------------------------------------------------------------- Games and workshops Must we go on? Yes! This is the point of the day you will have hopefully been through a few talks, have your head buzzing with questions and ideas and a have been eyeing off the games running off to the side for the last few few hours. Well now is your time to play! Or talk. Network with others at the event or have fun on fully free software games (No Steam or GOG here). Duration: 45 Mintues -------------------------------------------------------------------- Round up of the day At last we must say goodbye. A 'State of the union' like speech from Linux User Victoria and Free Software Melbourne representatives. A reminder of why freedom in technology is important to everyone. Also expect us to persuade you to come to our regular monthly meetups - don't worry we are not a cult. Well not yet. ;) Duration: 15 Minutes -------------------------------------------------------------------- Next year we do it all again! uber, but this is the only part of the event that is neither Libre nor Gratis. You must evacuate the premises and we're not paying your way home (although we can help you sort out a cab or public transport directions) -------------------------------------------------------------------- Entry is free anytime, so help spread the word on everyone’s liberties. Tea, Coffee and light snacks will be provided gratis and soft drinks avaliable at Electron Workshop prices. This is the a family friendly event, please invite anyone that is interested as the more people that are involved the more the positive effects can be spread. You can see our Code of conduct online at the link below. Be respectful. Be mindful. Work together. Advocate freedom. http://freesoftware.org.au/code-of-conduct/ Hope to see lots of happy faces (you don't have to be happy I guess) at the event. -------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information in regards to Software Freedom Day, please see the links below. http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/ https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/user-liberation-watch-and-share-our-new… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_Freedom_Day -- \ “My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. | `\ Unless there are three other people.” —Orson Welles | _o__) | Ben Finney <ben(a)benfinney.id.au>

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FSM 18/08/16: Democracy the open source way and more Gnews than you can statistically sample
by Ben M 11 Aug '16

11 Aug '16

Free Software Meeting Announcement: August 18th 2016 What does the Australian democratic system have in common with Eurovision? No. It's not the wigs and over the top singing... No not the ongoing controversies and backstabbing... It's the backroom dealings over the voting, that and Paul Foxworthy. While it's too soon to fully understand the ramifications of the updated senate voting it's never too soon to start talking about Eurovision. This month Paul will discuss his ongoing auprefs.info project and how similar techniques might be applicable to other (more entertaining) voting systems We'll also be having our regular Gnews segment where we hope to discuss something other than the census, but we'll have to see about that, and as usual we'll end the night with a stroll down Errol st to KL Bunga Raya, hope to see you all there... doors at Electron Workshop (31 Arden Street) open at 6pm with the event kicking off at about 6:30pm and drinks are available at EW member prices! Paul Foxworthy (@ConcreteGannet) is an open source developer and trainer living in Melbourne. He works with Open Source Industry Australia and is a director of Coherent Software

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FSM Workshop - Announce
by Ben M 03 Aug '16

03 Aug '16

Hi everyone, Don't forget that tomorrow night we start our Free Software Melbourne Working Group (I've set us up a meetup event if anyone else wants a calendar link). We'll be looking at our submission to Casey, thinking about 'what next' (other councils/organizations) and planning the future direction and activities of the Working Group. So come along to enjoy some fine Italian food and help move Australia towards a brighter and free-er future! We'll be at La Porchetta (308 Victoria St, North Melbourne) from 6:30pm Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow, ~~ Ben M. Meetup event for calendar: https://www.meetup.com/Free-Software-Melbourne/events/233082518/

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Free Software Melbourne - Meetup 16th June 2016 - DRM and you
by Ben M 10 Jun '16

10 Jun '16

What’s that sound? That’s the next free software meeting coming down the tracks. If you are watching Netflix, grabbing the latest audio book from Audible or just streaming the next big smash flop on Pandora… DON'T DO THAT! If you do then you are deep into the realm of DRM (Digital Restrictions Management), something that our main guest this month knows a few things about. Meet Adam Turner, Free lance journalist, our main speaker and all round good guy (I can safely presume); as he chats to us about how DRM affects our lives. Having been a writer for close to two decade for the likes of The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald plus almost every local technology publication online you could care to mention AND having a weekly podcast discussing all facets of modern technology. One gets the feeling he might know a thing or two about these issues and it will be a fascination talk and discussion. For more information check out his website www.adamturner.com.au For more additional information about how DRM is affecting our lives check out https://www.defectivebydesign.org/ As is the standard there will be the monthly Gnews sure to get people chatting so please, do get involved. We want to hear your voice. Bring a friend if you want as everyone is welcome. Come join our community on Thursday 16th June at the Electron Workshop; 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne. https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2556615434#map=19/-37.80118/144.95071 Doors open at 6pm with the talks going from 6:30pm til 8pm then dinner around the corner. Tea and Coffee will be provided gratis with other drinks available for purchase. See you all there!

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