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

Free software discussion group this Thursday 17th October
by Adam Bolte 30 Oct '13

30 Oct '13

Hi everybody, It feels like it's been a long time coming but it's almost here - the next Melbourne free software discussion meet-up is this Thursday 17th. We have some interesting topics lined up too, including: * Alex's Cargo game release. If you enjoy computer games but don't know what this is about, learn about one of the most interesting free software game releases this year. We want to get the word out, so we will be discussing ways in which we can promote this great software, as well as free software projects in general. * The Cloud is great, but what about freedom? Getting up and running with software is easier than ever thanks to "cloud" technologies such as SaaS (or SaaSS!), but does it respect your privacy? Do you have the ability to change the way it works, install it on your own computers, or give a custom version to your friends? How can we protect our freedom? * Volunteer burnout Organizing conferences based around free software (and in general!) is usually a lot of work, and Bianca will briefly discuss the problem of burnout. Burnout isn't limited to conferences however, and being a major contributor to a popular free software project can be a lot of work as well. This should make for an interesting discussion topic. Pizzas will be generously provided by VPAC Innovations! It should be a fun and interesting night, so don't forget to mark it on your calendar if you have not already. Date: Thursday 17 October Time: 6-9pm Location: VPAC Head Office Training Room Level 1, Building 91, 110 Victoria Street A map is on the website: http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/melb/ If you've not come along to one of these meet-ups before, I encourage you to swing by see what it's all about. To everyone else, I hope to see you all there! Cheers, Adam

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cake recipe
by Bianca Gibson 18 Oct '13

18 Oct '13

Hi everyone, I intended to post the recipe for the vegan chocolate and avocado cake I made for the meeting quite a while ago, so here it is: http://joythebaker.com/2009/07/vegan-chocolate-avocado-cake/ That blog is really good. It's a baking blog that doesn't specialise in particular dietary requirements, but from time to time caters to them. She also has a fair few vegan soups, which Adam may be interested in. That's where I've got other favourites like my chamomile and honey cupcakes, green tea and lemon cake and white chocolate, rose and strawberry cake. Cheers, Bianca

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meeting on Thursday?
by Bianca Gibson 13 Oct '13

13 Oct '13

Hi all, Are we meeting on Thursday? I haven't seen an announcement for it, but I've prepared my talk/discussion on volunteer burnout, as I mentioned to Alex at SFD. I'd also like to give a 5 minute talk on LA stuff. Cheers, Bianca

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An unconference in the sticks: StixCampGembrook opens registrations (Nov 1-3)
by Bianca Gibson 09 Oct '13

09 Oct '13

>From Ben Dechrai: > Registrations for StixCampGembrook are open! > > StixCampGembrook is a weekend unconference event running from the 1st - 3rd November 2013. Participants will spend 2 full days networking with like-minded others, sharing their knowledge, and learning from others. The venue is a scout camp in the Dandenong Ranges and accommodation is provided (subject to availability - camping spots are available too) and will provide a change of atmosphere to the typical city-based conferences. > > Participation extends from the usual unconference environment, with the option for communal meals and other social activities available at the camp. > > There are two ticket types: a regular participant ticket that we'll try and refund, subject to surplus sponsorship funds; and a supporting participant ticket, which won't be refunded, allowing, instead, for regular participants to get more of a refund. Both cost $67.50 + GST. > > Register Today > > StixCampGembrook is organised by the BarCampMelbourne team and is a Linux Australia Event. Any surplus funds after the regular participant tickets have been refunded, will go back to Linux Australia to be used for further helping the open source community in Australia. > > Please forward this email to your colleagues. > > Cheers! > Ben > > > -- > Ben Dechrai > Internet Technology Consultant > Mentor, Presenter, and Hard-Core Privacy Nut > > phone > +415 127 120 > im / email > ben(a)dechrai.com > website > https://bendechrai.com/ > twitter > @bendechrai

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No FSM meet-up in September, SFD instead
by Adam Bolte 30 Sep '13

30 Sep '13

Hi all, I've got some bad news, and some good news. The bad news: There won't be any Free Software Melbourne meet-up this month. The good news: Instead, we'll be busy preparing for Software Freedom Day! This is on Saturday, 21 September, 09:30-17:00, at the Melbourne Unitarian Church hall in East Melbourne. More details on this event can be found in the following links: http://luv.asn.au/2013/09/21 http://wiki.softwarefreedomday.org/2013/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/SFD It should be an exciting day, so I hope you all can make it! There has also been the suggestion of perhaps doing an informal hacking day to celebrate GNU's 30th birthday. Stay tuned to the free-software-melb mailing list if this interests you, and feel free to suggest a venue if anyone has any ideas. https://www.gnu.org/gnu30/ Cheers, Adam

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GNU 30th Birthday celebration, Saturday 2013-09-28
by Ben Finney 28 Sep '13

28 Sep '13

Howdy all, Free Software Melbourne invites you to join us to celebrate 30 years of the GNU operating system, which sparked the free software movement. Come join us for lunch on Saturday, 2013-09-28. We'll meet 12:15 for a meal at 12:30, at Classic Curry Restaurant: Classic Curry Restaurant <URL:http://www.classiccurry.com/> 597 Elizabeth Street (Corner of Queensberry St) North Melbourne <URL:http://www.openstreetmap.org/?node=2274622026> Partners and children are welcome. Please do let us know if you plan to come or cancel; while not essential, the restaurant staff will appreciate a reliable expectation of how many we will be. RSVP to me (Ben Finney) or secretary Adam Bolte ahead of the day. Bring a stuffed GNU or any GNU-related toys you might have! We hope to get some fun photos. Read about the GNU operating system, its history, and worldwide 30th birthday celebrations, at <URL:https://www.gnu.org/gnu30/>. -- \ “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their | `\ home.” —Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital | _o__) Equipment Corp., 1977 | Ben Finney

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Train delays Belgrave-Lilydale
by Bianca Gibson 28 Sep '13

28 Sep '13

Hi all, Trains were out earlier today between Ringwood and Blackburn. They are running replacement busses, but expect delays. I'm not sure if it's still a problem now, but if you're coming to lunch from that direction I'd allow extra time. Cheers, Bianca

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Fwd: [lca-announce] lca2014 keynote - Jon Oxer - ArduSat
by Bianca Gibson 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "linux.conf.au Announcements" <lca-announce(a)lists.linux.org.au> Date: 27 Sep 2013 16:37 Subject: [lca-announce] lca2014 keynote - Jon Oxer - ArduSat To: <lca-announce(a)lists.linux.org.au>, <chat(a)lists.lca2013.linux.org.au>, " plug(a)plug.org.au" <plug(a)plug.org.au> Cc: Public Release. For immediate Release. The linux.conf.au 2014 team are excited to announce our first keynote speaker - Jonathan Oxer. Jon has agreed to come and present a keynote discussing ArduSat. Jon has been hacking on both hardware and software since he was a little tacker. Most recently he's been focusing more on the Open Hardware side, co-founding Freetronics as a direct result of organising the first Arduino Miniconf at LCA2010. His books include "Ubuntu Hacks" and "Practical Arduino". Jon has been variously referred to as Australia's geekiest man and as a cyborg-in-progress. As part of his “SuperHouse” home automation series, Jon has taken keyless entry to an all new level by embedding an RFID tag into his arm using a vet's chipping tool. Recently he has been working on ArduSat, a satellite that aims to give hobbyists, students and space enthusiasts an opportunity to design and run their own experiments in space. By choosing a standardised platform based on the hugely popular Arduino hardware design, ArduSat allows anyone to develop and prototype experiments at home using readily accessible parts and all based on a simple open source software environment. Jon will be presenting an overview of the latest developments to the ArduSat project as part of his keynote presentation during linux.conf.au2014 in Perth, Western Australia. linux.conf.au is an annual open source conference organised by Linux Australia. In 2014 the conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia from the 6th January to the 10th. http://linux.conf.au #lca2014 -- Kind Regards Luke Woollard luke.john(a)osmahi.com _______________________________________________ lca-announce mailing list lca-announce(a)lists.linux.org.au http://lists.linux.org.au/listinfo/lca-announce

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Celebrations from MediaGoblin [Fwd: Join us at GNU 30th! Also, Monster Liberation!]
by Ben Finney 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

Howdy all, The MediaGoblin project, to which Free Software Melbourne is a proud donor, continues strong this year. Here's a message from Chris Webber on what they'll be doing for the GNU 30th Birthday. -- \ “My house is made out of balsa wood, so when I want to scare | `\ the neighborhood kids I lift it over my head and tell them to | _o__) get out of my yard or I'll throw it at them.” —Steven Wright | Ben Finney <ben(a)benfinney.id.au>

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Please make a submission on Innovation Patents by 4 October
by Ben Sturmfels 26 Sep '13

26 Sep '13

Hi Free Software Lovers, Chances like this to eliminate the threat of software patents are rare. The Australian Government is requesting submissions for a Review of the Innovation Patent System. Please make a written submission by 4 October 2013. I've prepared the following no-nonsense guide to help you. It's not hard to do, and simply making your voice heard has a huge impact. If you have any questions, please call me on (03) 9024 2467. I'm happy to explain the issues without the legal jargon. Regards, Ben

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