- Free-software-melb - lists.softwarefreedom.com.au

FSM Working group
by Ben M 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

Hi everybody, A few of us at FSM have been throwing around the idea of forming a working group of some kind to look at issues like the recent Casey budget proposal and similar things we could do. The group could do things like preparing templates that could be used in petitions, develop materials to support people speaking at events, looking out for similar opportunities and better tracking our own efforts... but there could also be so much more and that's why we need your input! To kick it off we'll be having a dinner on the 4th of August, venue TBD but probably near EW where we'll put our heads together and put together a plan of action for the group. So come along or send me any suggestions for the group if you won't be able to make the 4th ~~ Ben M

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Ben's Libreboot X60 looking for a new home
by Ben Sturmfels 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

Hi Folks, My much-loved Libreboot X60 laptop is looking for a new home, so if you're looking to get started with Libreboot, this could be for you. I've now upgraded to an X200, but used this device for several years as my secondary machine, including presenting on it at LibrePlanet 2015. Happy to sell to an FSM member for $50 (which is less than the cost of the brand new battery it has). I can bring it along to Free Software Melbourne tomorrow. The laptop works well, but keep in mind that the version of Libreboot installed doesn't seem to be properly using the CPU power saving features. It runs quite warm, uses battery fairly quickly and sometimes shuts down if left on 100% CPU for a while. It is quite reliable if you override the fan settings, which I've blogged about[1]. There may well be a solution to the power saving, but I've never had the time to investigate. If you're looking for a fuss-free laptop, take a look at an X200 or T400 from Minifree.org[2]. Details: - Libreboot X60 from Minifree.org (then Gluglug) in 2013 - compatible with fully-free Trisquel 7.0 - Atheros WiFi chipset (requires no proprietary software) - brand new official Lenovo battery (cost me about $80) - includes Ultrabase dock with DVD drive - power adaptor - 1024x768 monitor - 2G RAM - BYO hard drive Regards, Ben [1] https://stumbles.id.au/controlling-fan-speed-on-thinkpad-x60.html [2] https://minifree.org/product/libreboot-x200/

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Fairphone: The smartphone with social values
by Ben Finney 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Howdy all, Many of our recent meetings have touched on the difficulty of obtaining a handheld computer (a “smartphone”) that works with only free software. Has anyone looked into the Fairphone <URL:https://www.fairphone.com/>? There have been some models historically that could be made to work with some degree of free software, but this is one where the designers are proud of how the hardware is in control of the owner who bought it. They deliver only within Europe for now. Does anyone know someone in the EU (which for now still includes the UK!) who could help some of us by ordering a few Fairphone devices and delivering them to Australia? -- \ “When we talk to God, we're praying. When God talks to us, | `\ we're schizophrenic.” —Jane Wagner, via Lily Tomlin, 1985 | _o__) | Ben Finney

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Re: [free-software-melb] Free-software-melb Digest, Vol 67, Issue 9
by Andri Effendi 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Hi Victorian Free Software Friends, Regarding Pump.IO This is mine if you would like to add me: iAndri133(a)1realtime.net Kind Regards, -- Andri Effendi <fusionman133(a)gmx.de> Organiser of The Free Software Movement in Sydney www.freesoftware.org.au/ GPG fingerprint: 8438 138D ECDA 05E0 591F F2B4 4721 0F03 AC24 DF73 Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed on emails sent or received unencrypted.

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Re: [free-software-melb] Free-software-melb Digest, Vol 67, Issue 6
by Ben M 11 Jul '16

11 Jul '16

> Hi Folks, > > Is there anyone else here on either Diaspora or Pump.io social networks? > I'm trying Diaspora for the first time and I need some friends! > > Diaspora: > stumbles(a)diasporabrazil.org > > Pump.io: > stumbles(a)identi.ca > > I can be found on Diaspora: puzzleduck(a)joindiaspora.com and Pump.io: puzzleduck(a)urmf.net Although now I've got to go update the old profiles! ~~ Ben M

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Re: [free-software-melb] Fairphone: The smartphone with social, values
by FVZ 10 Jul '16

10 Jul '16

Fairphone is a work in progress from what I can see. The first revision was mostly focusing on just making a phone that was built from conflicts-free materials, and much easier to self repair. There has been a great deal of moral support from them for free software but it hasn't been a major focus as of yet. With the Fairphone 2 they are trying to get much more free software friendly but this isn't going much deeper than the current AOSP level, the drivers will still be proprietary simply due to the manufactures not playing nice as usual. It isn't much more free than a phone running Cyanogen. Now that they have already successful shipped a product and are going into a second round they will start to get more leverage in trying to free up the lower level hardware. They heading in the right direction but this will take time and trying to get stubborn hardware manufacturers to pay attention. About the only warning I will give about the current phone is 529,38 € before shipping which is approximately $780 AUD, also considering the phone is designed for EU phone standards and I am not sure how compatible that is with our local networks. Michael Verrenkamp On 01/07/16 22:00, free-software-melb-request(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au wrote: > Send Free-software-melb mailing list submissions to > free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > free-software-melb-request(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > You can reach the person managing the list at > free-software-melb-owner(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Free-software-melb digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Fairphone: The smartphone with social values (Ben Finney) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 01 Jul 2016 08:40:08 +1000 > From: Ben Finney <ben+freesoftware(a)benfinney.id.au> > To: free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > Subject: [free-software-melb] Fairphone: The smartphone with social > values > Message-ID: <85bn2iuwqf.fsf(a)benfinney.id.au> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Howdy all, > > Many of our recent meetings have touched on the difficulty of obtaining > a handheld computer (a “smartphone”) that works with only free software. > > Has anyone looked into the Fairphone <URL:https://www.fairphone.com/>? > > There have been some models historically that could be made to work with > some degree of free software, but this is one where the designers are > proud of how the hardware is in control of the owner who bought it. > > They deliver only within Europe for now. Does anyone know someone in the > EU (which for now still includes the UK!) who could help some of us by > ordering a few Fairphone devices and delivering them to Australia? >

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Re: [free-software-melb] Free-software-melb Digest, Vol 67, Issue 6
by Michael Verrenkamp 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Okay I will be your friends. :P Jabjabs(a)diasporabrazil.org Just signed up so I can't guarantee much activity - had to brush up on my Spanish to get in. :D Mi espanol no es beuno pero mejorando dia a dia. ;) Michael Verrenkamp On 6/07/2016 10:00 PM, free-software-melb-request(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au wrote: > Send Free-software-melb mailing list submissions to > free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > free-software-melb-request(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > You can reach the person managing the list at > free-software-melb-owner(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Free-software-melb digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Anyone else on Diaspora? (Ben Sturmfels) > 2. Re: Anyone else on Diaspora? (Brian May) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2016 11:33:21 +1000 > From: Ben Sturmfels <ben(a)stumbles.id.au> > To: Free Software Melbourne > <free-software-melb(a)lists.softwarefreedom.com.au> > Subject: [free-software-melb] Anyone else on Diaspora? > Message-ID: <577C5FE1.2050007(a)stumbles.id.au> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hi Folks, > > Is there anyone else here on either Diaspora or Pump.io social networks? > I'm trying Diaspora for the first time and I need some friends! > > Diaspora: > stumbles(a)diasporabrazil.org > > Pump.io: > stumbles(a)identi.ca > > Cheers, > Ben > >

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Anyone else on Diaspora?
by Ben Sturmfels 06 Jul '16

06 Jul '16

Hi Folks, Is there anyone else here on either Diaspora or Pump.io social networks? I'm trying Diaspora for the first time and I need some friends! Diaspora: stumbles(a)diasporabrazil.org Pump.io: stumbles(a)identi.ca Cheers, Ben

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Star News is covering the Free Software budget issue
by Riley Baird 28 Jun '16

28 Jun '16

Hi, I've just got confirmation from Star News that they'll be attending the meeting at 6:15. If you want to get FSM in the paper, then you'll need to have someone come down at that time. The reason that they're coming is that I'm doing my submission in the format of a magic show, and they're interested. I'm mentioning FSM in my speech, but having someone come down might make it seem better. Again, it's up to you, I just thought that I should let you know that the media is now covering this. Regards, Riley

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Re: [free-software-melb] Free-software-melb Digest, Vol 66, Issue 7
by Ben M 24 Jun '16

24 Jun '16

> The City of Casey sent me a form email yesterday letting me know about > the time and date of the meeting and acknowledging that they have > received my submission. They haven't acknowledged FSM's submission yet. > So that we can get all of the problems sorted out before the night, > would someone (preferably the person who plans to speak) be able to > call Casey today and clarify that they've received it? > > I've got a confirmation that FSM is registered to attend... I won't be able to attend during the day, so if someone could step up if the opportunity is presented and speak to the general benefits of open source solutions we mention in the submission that would be great. I'll include most of the email below as there is also a call for potential vendors, perhaps people here will know open source vendors to encourage to get in touch with them. ~~ Ben M. The City of Casey is conducting an industry briefing regarding its current and future ICT programs on Monday 27th June 2016. The briefing will cover three core topics: - An Expression of Interest that has been released in relation to the implementation of new infrastructure services. These services will include external hosting, wide area network, security services and associated implementation services; - A number of smaller Requests for Quotation (RfQs) that will be released in the next few weeks. The RfQs will seek assistance for a number of projects including the development of a security program, the implementation of service management processes with supporting tool and assistance with project management for internal initiatives; and - An outline of the core business capabilities for which technology platform strategies will be developed over the next twelve to eighteen months. While there is no intention to go to market in the immediate future, vendors will be invited to make contact to demonstrate capabilities that may inform the development of these business focussed strategies. If any of the above topics are of interest to your company, you can view further information (including the draft EoI for the infrastructure program) at https://www.tenderlink.com/casey/ by referring to “Details For Notice #CASEY-728635”. The details of the industry briefing are: Date: Monday 27 June 2016 Time: 10.00am Where: Civic Centre, Chambers, Magid Drive, Narre Warren VIC 3805 If you wish to attend, please register via email to contracts(a)casey.vic.gov.au If you are unable to attend the briefing, but wish to be considered as a potential vendor, please reply to this email with contact details and the nature of your interest in the program. Please note that where appropriate, information may be only be distributed directly to selected vendors based on procurement guidelines and known vendor capabilities. It is advised that you register at https://www.tenderlink.com/casey/ for information that is provided to the general market, particularly if you cannot attend the briefing.

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