Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[alan c]

On 05/12/11 14:20, Gareth France wrote:
> Hi everyone, since a few people took an interest in my business and asked
> me to keep you all updated here goes...
> I've now got a facebook group page www.facebook.com/cliftonts which I will
> be using for 'today only' type offers and news updates, feel free to join
> up, it's kinda lonel in there right now!
> 
> At the Bristol fair yesterday it was a series of highs and lows. I got some
> very closed minded views from some of the other traders and it's tough
> going connecting with the public and getting them to play with the
> machines.

[...]

Hi Gareth! Well done for the Bristol event. I very much look forward
to seeing you at the Bracknell Computer Fair (11th Dec). Yes it is
pretty tough. The Computer Fairs are a  Windows sharp end. However,
the Bracknell traders and many attenders have got a bit used to seeing
me there over the years. One of the notable comments I got a while
back was from a trader I know who sells CDs (and *very* occasionally
Ubuntu CDs).
When I said 'Hi, how's it gong?' He replied, 'Ok. How much is Free
Software today?'
I enjoyed that.

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

Hi Alan, I'm afraid I won't be at Bracknell this month. I've been asked to
DJ a Christmas party on the 10th as well as having an open university
tutorial in the morning. Including the Bracknell fair that would see me
working from 8am on Saturday solidly until about 5pm on Sunday!! I simply
can't cope with that.

I believe I know the man you're talking about and I had a fair old debate
with him as he was selling Ubuntu for £8 and kept telling me that my price
is all wrong and I won't make any money on it (The pre-printed CDs ordered
from the Ubuntu website priced at £2 to be in line with your offerings). I
kept telling him I don't want to make money on them, the point is to get as
many out there as I can! The money comes from the support and selling the
hardware.

He didn't get it.

Gareth

On Tue, Dec 6, 2011 at 9:04 AM, alan c  wrote:

> On 05/12/11 14:20, Gareth France wrote:
> > Hi everyone, since a few people took an interest in my business and asked
> > me to keep you all updated here goes...
> > I've now got a facebook group page www.facebook.com/cliftonts which I
> will
> > be using for 'today only' type offers and news updates, feel free to join
> > up, it's kinda lonel in there right now!
> >
> > At the Bristol fair yesterday it was a series of highs and lows. I got
> some
> > very closed minded views from some of the other traders and it's tough
> > going connecting with the public and getting them to play with the
> > machines.
>
> [...]
>
> Hi Gareth! Well done for the Bristol event. I very much look forward
> to seeing you at the Bracknell Computer Fair (11th Dec). Yes it is
> pretty tough. The Computer Fairs are a  Windows sharp end. However,
> the Bracknell traders and many attenders have got a bit used to seeing
> me there over the years. One of the notable comments I got a while
> back was from a trader I know who sells CDs (and *very* occasionally
> Ubuntu CDs).
> When I said 'Hi, how's it gong?' He replied, 'Ok. How much is Free
> Software today?'
> I enjoyed that.
>
> --
> alan cocks
> Ubuntu user
>
> --
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] USB 5V DC power: power off?

[Mark White]

Try this

http://www.dlpdesign.com/usb/io8.shtml


Buy in the uk

http://netsemi.com/p-207317-interface-modules-development-tools-usb-based-8-chanl-data-acqusition-modl.aspx?currency=GBP

Plenty of suppliers in the uk .

Mark

On 6 Dec 2011, at 04:44, Matthew Wild wrote:

> On 5 December 2011 22:24, Andres  wrote:
 Would this be where to start or am I taking it the wrong way and
 over complicating?
>>> 
>> Robert wrote:
>>> How is it that you want to control the light? If it doesn't have to be
>>> in response to some event on the computer I'd recommend getting a
>>> physical switch.
>> 
>> It does have a physical switch my intention was to use the light as event
>> driven as you suggest: fliker with new email, finished compile, scan,...
>> I see i am better off getting arduino for that. Thanks.
>> 
> 
> Or use your parallel port. Oh, wait, it's 2011 now. Never mind :(
> 
> USB is not the easiest beast to tame the way you are hoping to. The 5v
> line is typically always on, though additional power can be requested
> by the device.
> 
> An Arduino is a good idea if you don't mind learning to write code.
> There is also the k8055 board which can connect to your computer via
> USB and has a number of inputs and outputs that you can use without
> much risk of frying your laptop's USB controller:
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-experiment-interface-board-42857
> 
> Here is one of the first things I did with mine:
> http://matthewstechnologyblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/im-barking.html
> 
> Regards,
> Matthew
> 
> -- 
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> 

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Does anyone have experience with using a usb hard drive docking station with Ubuntu?

[javadayaz]

So i found out that both my HD's are SATA, so i went for this!

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/15957789/CiT-Dual-3-5-inch-SATA-USB-2-0-Hard-Drive-Enclosure/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518|cat:15957789|prd:15957789

Hopefully shouldnt be a problem connecting to my laptop and extracting
media.

Now if only i could get my 360 to recognise  EXT filesystems! :(

On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 6:45 PM, Alan Gauld wrote:

> On 05/12/11 14:20, javadayaz wrote:
>
>> at the top of my head one of hard drives is ide and the other Sata!
>>
>> Which should i go for or maybe theres something in market that caters
>> for both? Or a connecter ?
>>
>
> No experience of it but this claims to do both
>
> http://www.dabs.com/products/**dynamode-3-5--sata-ide-usb2-0-**
> enclosure-with-1-button-back-**up-7LHG.html?src=3
>
> HTH,
>
> --
> Alan G
> Author of the Learn to Program web site
> http://www.alan-g.me.uk/
>
>
>
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>



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Regards

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] USB 5V DC power: power off?

[Kris Douglas]

On 6 December 2011 10:42, Mark White  wrote:
> Try this
>
> http://www.dlpdesign.com/usb/io8.shtml
>
>
> Buy in the uk
>
> http://netsemi.com/p-207317-interface-modules-development-tools-usb-based-8-chanl-data-acqusition-modl.aspx?currency=GBP
>
> Plenty of suppliers in the uk .
>
> Mark

That is hideously expensive, I think you can get them a LOT cheaper at Maplin.


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] USB 5V DC power: power off?

[mark white]

-Original Message-
From: ubuntu-uk-boun...@lists.ubuntu.com 
[mailto:ubuntu-uk-boun...@lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Kris Douglas
Sent: 06 December 2011 11:00
To: UK Ubuntu Talk
Subject: Re: [ubuntu-uk] USB 5V DC power: power off?

On 6 December 2011 10:42, Mark White  wrote:
> Try this
>
> http://www.dlpdesign.com/usb/io8.shtml
>
>
> Buy in the uk
>
> http://netsemi.com/p-207317-interface-modules-development-tools-usb-based-8-chanl-data-acqusition-modl.aspx?currency=GBP
>
> Plenty of suppliers in the uk .
>
> Mark

That is hideously expensive, I think you can get them a LOT cheaper at Maplin.

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£25 is not expensive for what you get. Show me an equivalent maplin device.

Mark

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[paul sutton]

On 06/12/11 01:11, Gareth France wrote:
> Of course I will, I'm going to various fairs run by British Computer Fairs,
> if you know of any others you'd like to see me at please do suggest them
> and I'll see if it would be possible.
>
> Thanks
> Gareth
>
> On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 10:19 PM, Bruno Girin  wrote:
>
>>  On 05/12/11 14:20, Gareth France wrote:
>>
>> Hi everyone, since a few people took an interest in my business and asked
>> me to keep you all updated here goes...
>> I've now got a facebook group page www.facebook.com/cliftonts which I
>> will be using for 'today only' type offers and news updates, feel free to
>> join up, it's kinda lonel in there right now!
>>
>>
>> I just added myself to the group. Will you post on there the different
>> fairs you go to?
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Bruno
>>
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk
>> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
>>
>>

Can we have something like this in Torbay please for the benefit of
computer users in the area,

Paul

-- 

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Join the revolution, switch to Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com


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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

Only 200 short miles away from me! Do you have a computer fair there? If so
how busy does it get?

Can we have something like this in Torbay please for the benefit of
> computer users in the area,
>
> Paul
>
> --
>
> --
> http://www.zleap.net
>
> Join the revolution, switch to Ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com
>
>
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] USB 5V DC power: power off?

[Jones, Victor]

As an alternative, you can use the old serial port (COM1) on the laptop and 
drive the data line - you can easily test that with a terminal emulator.  In 
windows I'd use Hyperterm.  I think GTKterm is an equivalent.

If you don't have a com port you can get a USB-RS232 adapter such as 
http://www.maplin.co.uk/usb-to-serial-9-pin-male-adaptor-29968 - you should be 
able to pick one up on line for less than a tenner.

Just note that RS232 is supposed to be around 9V, rather than the 5V of USB, so 
you may need to change the current limiting resistor, or else your LED will 
just be brighter.  You can have fun sending different data to vary the 
brightness.


Vic

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Alan Pope]

On 05/12/11 14:20, Gareth France wrote:
Hi everyone, since a few people took an interest in my business and 
asked me to keep you all updated here goes...
I've now got a facebook group page www.facebook.com/cliftonts 
 which I will be using for 'today 
only' type offers and news updates, feel free to join up, it's kinda 
lonel in there right now!




You should setup a simple wordpress (or similar) blog to document your 
experiences. I'd recommend being open and friendly, but not openly 
discuss conversations with other vendors, and not paint them in a light 
that might make future attendance difficult for you :)


I know I'm interested in reading about businesses figuring out these 
issues, and I'm certain other people (who aren't on this list) will also 
be interested. Post a blog, pimp it on facebook and you'll very quickly 
get people involved and following you.


However I am getting a number of people talking to me about their 
linux experiences, my favourite so far being the guy who told me that 
he uses ubuntu at work but doesn't have it at home so wanted a CD.




Hah! That's great!

Cheers,
Al.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 08:52, Juan J. Martínez wrote:
> On Fri, 2011-12-02 at 00:58 +, Phill Whiteside wrote:
>> > I certainly do not wish to partake in a flame war. People are
>> > naturally conservative. Take for example how long it took for Lubuntu
>> > to gain adoption. If you are unhappy with Unity, then try any of the
>> > other flavours of Ubuntu. I have to disclose an interest in Lubuntu as
>> > I've been with it and helping since 9.10. I echo the words about
>> > Unity, getting a new build is no mean feat!.
>> > 
> I agree with you, although *personally* I don't like the way Canonical
> is acting as the no-so-benevolent dictator. I liked it better when
> Ubuntu was a truly community effort backened by Canonical because it
> felt like Debian (I was a Debian user back then, 2004). Now seems that
> Canonical keeps the "come and contribute" thing but at the same time
> there's an anti-community attitude that I definitely don't like.

I feel this too, and it has affected me so much that I have given it
some considerable thought, because I live and breath Ubuntu. So I have
thought deep and long to try to analyse what is happening. I think I
see the issues fairly clearly now, although unfortunately there are
still surprisingly strong emotional responses in me which are
demotivating, to the detriment of Ubuntu.

I posted a summary of my conclusions as one of the comments on the
Marcel Gagne blog ' Who cares about your dang Desktop Environment?!',
as comment link
'I like Unity, Sorry'
http://marcelgagne.com/comment/5618#comment-5618
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 08:21, Matthew Daubney wrote:
> On 2 December 2011 01:20, Ivan Wright  wrote:
>> I think they needed to move on and change style, we couldn't sit with a
>> 1995 styled OS forever.
>> What should be done is to do away with the six month development cycle,
>> which is far too short for the amount of work needed on Unity. An 8-12
>> month cycle would have been far better and allowed time for more bug
>> fixes.
> 
> 
> 
> Ubuntu does have a 24 month release cycle version, the LTS release.
> These releases are targeted at stability more than anything else. The
> next release 12.04 will be an LTS.
> -Matt Daubney

I have never seen stability of the OS  as a stated motive for the LTS
cycle, I would be interested to see a reference to this. What I have
seen is a lengthened support and updates cycle and this seems to me to
be focussed on security rather than bugs. My own experience has
suggested that there is rather limited interest in bug fixing in a
(desktop) LTS  once it is nearing a 2 year age, even though it will
have a further year of life. This does not include paid for support,
which I have not used.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 08:48, Barry Drake wrote:
> On 02/12/11 08:21, Matthew Daubney wrote:
>> Ubuntu does have a 24 month release cycle version, the LTS release. 
>> These releases are targeted at stability more than anything else. The 
>> next release 12.04 will be an LTS. -Matt Daubney 
> 
> And it will be good!  Yesterday's release of Alpha 1 is looking so 
> stable already that I have installed it and will attempt to use it as my 
> main desktop throughout Alpha and Beta cycles. Obviously it will sync 
> with my existing 11.10 just in case ...  But this way, I will be able to 
> test in a better way, and enjoy the process.  I would have liked to see 
> 12.04 being more configurable Unity-wise than it's going to be, but 
> otherwise, I've got used to it and like it.  From my point of view, it's 
> great to have the same appearance on my desktop and netbook.  Nothing 
> gets in the way, and the equivalent of the old Gnome menus is provided 
> in the lenses.

yes, I have tried the daily build (alpha 1 plus) desktop iso this
morning as a live session, and it looks pretty good, and in that
particular test machine, pretty fast too.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 09:00, Alan Bell wrote:
>  I would encourage 
> you to give Precise a test and file bugs

I am happy to say I have recently filed a 'bug'  re the Unity GUI
because I could see that it was not doing justice to itself, and the
bug has been accepted
#887341
:-)
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 10:27, Kris Douglas wrote:
> get there but the Ubuntu developers have to remember if they scare all
> their users away with very "beta" software, they will not easily come
> back. 

I think this is a real issue and there factors that are in the realm
of marketing and public relations. Where hearts and minds are
concerned, then minds can be reasoned with and ultimately convinced,
however, hearts are a different, err, kettle of fish.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 11:53, Alan Bell wrote:
>  If you are selling computers 
> and want to pre-install Ubuntu then the OEM team might be interested if 
> you are getting them made in volumes of tens of thousands or more in the 
> far East. For less than that it is community based support through the 
> LoCo team, and don't depend on fast responses from Canonical for anything.

I guess that relates  to them being such a relatively small company,
which does have significant benefits too of course.

When I needed temporary use of Ubuntu stuff in the past, I was at that
time, quickly loaned a 2 meter high Ubuntu roll up free standing
banner. On another occasion, I did get a rapid response to a one-off
urgent request I had for marketing.
It does sound as if the (unique) free software business model might
well be having  a limited resources effect.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 13:55, Avi Greenbury wrote:
> paul sutton wrote:
> 
>> I am sure if you got to Microsoft or Apple or any other BIG player you
>> get a fast response.  This is the business world i guess people want a
>> quick response.
> 
> Only if you pay them for it; Canonical sell that sort of support
> contract, too.

They are, after all, trying to make a successful business!
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 14:04, Gareth France wrote:
> There NEEDS to be a quick response, even if that response is 'you have to
> subscribe', 'you have to upgrade', 'you're supposed to look there'! The
> lack of replies from Canonical is causing me major headaches.

I have usually received replies to my occasional contacts and
inquiries. A response to a trademark enquiry from me yielded an almost
instant machine response and I got an appropriate person response 22
days after that, which was ok for me.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 14:53, Paula Graham wrote:
>  Dropbox now for my own personal use but will

I stopped using dropbox and went to spideroak when dropbox messed up
on their passwords security whatever. Anyway I actually find spideroak
much easier to understand :-/  and  they hold stuff encrypted by
default which suits me.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

You should setup a simple wordpress (or similar) blog to document your
experiences. I'd recommend being open and friendly, but not openly discuss
conversations with other vendors, and not paint them in a light that might
make future attendance difficult for you :)

>
> I know I'm interested in reading about businesses figuring out these
> issues, and I'm certain other people (who aren't on this list) will also be
> interested. Post a blog, pimp it on facebook and you'll very quickly get
> people involved and following you.
>
>
That sounds like a great idea. I would expect that would provide us with a
forum to discuss the process, what am I doing right or wrong? What are the
major barriers to overcome? What are the solutions? I've asked the facebook
group for name ideas, I'll get something up and running asap.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Bruno Girin]

On 6 December 2011 20:42, Gareth France  wrote:
> You should setup a simple wordpress (or similar) blog to document your
> experiences. I'd recommend being open and friendly, but not openly discuss
> conversations with other vendors, and not paint them in a light that might
> make future attendance difficult for you :)
>>
>>
>> I know I'm interested in reading about businesses figuring out these
>> issues, and I'm certain other people (who aren't on this list) will also be
>> interested. Post a blog, pimp it on facebook and you'll very quickly get
>> people involved and following you.
>>
>
> That sounds like a great idea. I would expect that would provide us with a
> forum to discuss the process, what am I doing right or wrong? What are the
> major barriers to overcome? What are the solutions? I've asked the facebook
> group for name ideas, I'll get something up and running asap.

And considering that the only suggestions on the Facebook group so far
are some very bad ideas from me, help is needed.

Bruno

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

If I wasn't hand writing 70 PAT test labels for work tomorrow I might be
able to thik of something. I'm sure inspiration will strike soon!
Gareth

And considering that the only suggestions on the Facebook group so far
> are some very bad ideas from me, help is needed.
>
> Bruno
>
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction? Previous Windows user?

[alan c]

On 03/12/11 13:24, Avi Greenbury wrote:
> Barry Drake wrote:
> 
>> On 03/12/11 04:15, Liam Proven wrote:
>> > I think it is easier if you have Mac experience. If all someone
>> > knows is Windows, they're lost.
>> 
>> In a recent post, Paula said exactly the opposite - and she's working 
>> with Windows folk at FossBox on a day to day basis.
>> 
> 
> I think we (the Ubuntu community) massively overplay the standardisation
> in ability and expectations of a Windows user. I don't see why we seem
> to feel that Linux needs umpteen window managers to satisfy all its
> users (which it clearly does) but Windows users have only ever wanted
> the Windows 2000 interface and are completely stumped as soon as the
> start menu is at the top.

A (previous) Windows user I helped into Ubuntu a year ago still has
trouble with copy and paste, and certainly had trouble with a then
impossibly slow and probably (OS) damaged XP machine. However, they
took to Ubuntu 10.04.3 like a duck to water and continue to be happy.
A recently new purchased printer (they did not tell me first) did not
seem to do what they wanted, so they returned it to the high street
store, and a low price HP all in one was then chosen at slightly
increased cost. This user tried to follow in box instructions for
printer install, but then resorted to phoning HP helpline (they DID
give their phone number!) After what I think were heroic efforts,
including from HP, it did end in failure though, and this indomitable
user eventually decided to call me. I had said to call me at the
slightest question but this often does not seem to happen, people can
be reluctant to 'impose' or trouble me.
Anyway, within an hour (lives close by) I am happy to say the latest
hplip was installed and all was working. The level of effort that had
been used was suggested by the fact of me finding that HPLIP had been
downloaded seven times before I was contacted. HP support deserve a
medal for that, as does the very non techy user.

PS: why cannot the latest HPLIP *always* be part of normal updates in
Ubuntu?
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 03/12/11 13:59, Liam Proven wrote:
>  But, no, instead, they blame Ubuntu for
> a UI that they just happen not to like and say that they are leaving
> Ubuntu, that's it's turned to rubbish, etc. etc.

What people 'blame' a product for is normally managed by such as
marketing and or public relations specialists. The wall to wall retail
environment we live in is so saturated with this various output that
when it arises that happenings are out of line with our expectations,
then there is shock and awe of an adverse kind. Mark S. is a straight
from the shoulder sort of person, and I have not seen anything with
suggests Canonical has tried to advance manage the reaction to Unity,
and the retro management of adverse reactions seems pretty much based
on logic and reason. Unfortunately when people have reacted, in part,
emotionally, then cold reason can be misinterpreted as not caring or
whatever.

I do not know what chance there is of this but I would love to imagine
that Canonical might find a suitable public relations or similar,
specialist, to keep in a nearby cupboard!
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 12:12, Gareth France wrote:
>> >
>> > It is very difficult to take a post like this seriously.
>> >
>> > Cheers,
>> > Andy
>> >
> I don't know, it seems to have sparked a rather healthy debate.

Very much so, and I have appreciated it.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 12:17, Andy Smith wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> On Fri, Dec 02, 2011 at 12:12:46PM +, Gareth France wrote:
>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 12:10 PM, Andy Smith  wrote:
>> > It is very difficult to take a post like this seriously.
>> >
>> I don't know, it seems to have sparked a rather healthy debate.
> 
> I just can't imagine that a single person's mind will be changed by
> this thread. If the original post is taken at face value then it's
> clear that a strong opinion has already been formed.

I  *feel* better after engaging with this thread.
As the credit card advert says: 'Priceless'
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[alan c]

On 06/12/11 20:42, Gareth France wrote:
> You should setup a simple wordpress (or similar) blog to document your
> experiences. I'd recommend being open and friendly, but not openly discuss
> conversations with other vendors, and not paint them in a light that might
> make future attendance difficult for you :)
> 
>>
>> I know I'm interested in reading about businesses figuring out these
>> issues, and I'm certain other people (who aren't on this list) will also be
>> interested. Post a blog, pimp it on facebook and you'll very quickly get
>> people involved and following you.
>>
>>
> That sounds like a great idea. I would expect that would provide us with a
> forum to discuss the process, what am I doing right or wrong? What are the
> major barriers to overcome? What are the solutions? I've asked the facebook
> group for name ideas, I'll get something up and running asap.

I do not use face book and do not intend to. Any other platforms in mind?
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

I will be using wordpress for the blog but of course need a name first. I'm
with you all the way on facestalker, I hate it but you can't deny it's
doing the job I need it to do.

Gareth

I do not use face book and do not intend to. Any other platforms in mind?

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 15:57, Gareth France wrote:
> Very true, I'm quite new here so I don't really know anyone yet. Oddly
> enough everyone I'm getting to know seems to be called Alan!! 

ROFL
Hey, but I was called Alan first! ( I think)
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[alan c]

On 06/12/11 21:25, Gareth France wrote:
> I will be using wordpress for the blog but of course need a name first. I'm
> with you all the way on facestalker, I hate it but you can't deny it's
> doing the job I need it to do.
> 
> Gareth

Sure.

Gareth, also - you may recall I have a lot of leaflets at various
levels, aimed at Computer Fair type situations, and you are welcome to
make use of any which suit.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

I have been considering various leaflets and also made a few of my own. I
think we should compare material when I'm next at Bracknell and see how
they compare. I'm looking for a nice professional design as well as good
content. Oh, how is the group you started doing? I've added it to my
leaflets to help anyone I sell to.

Gareth

> Gareth, also - you may recall I have a lot of leaflets at various
> levels, aimed at Computer Fair type situations, and you are welcome to
> make use of any which suit.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[paul sutton]

On 06/12/11 21:21, alan c wrote:
> On 06/12/11 20:42, Gareth France wrote:
>> You should setup a simple wordpress (or similar) blog to document your
>> experiences. I'd recommend being open and friendly, but not openly discuss
>> conversations with other vendors, and not paint them in a light that might
>> make future attendance difficult for you :)
>>
>>> I know I'm interested in reading about businesses figuring out these
>>> issues, and I'm certain other people (who aren't on this list) will also be
>>> interested. Post a blog, pimp it on facebook and you'll very quickly get
>>> people involved and following you.
>>>
>>>
>> That sounds like a great idea. I would expect that would provide us with a
>> forum to discuss the process, what am I doing right or wrong? What are the
>> major barriers to overcome? What are the solutions? I've asked the facebook
>> group for name ideas, I'll get something up and running asap.
> I do not use face book and do not intend to. Any other platforms in mind?
Google +

just an idea.

paul

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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs

[Gareth France]

I have to be honest I have no idea about google +, I've never paid any
attention to it. With wordpress I can host on my server, I prefer that for
some reason.

Gareth

Google +

>
> just an idea.
>
> paul
>
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>
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>
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>
>
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] Ubuntu - Wrong Direction?

[alan c]

On 02/12/11 06:04, Nigel Verity wrote:
> Thunar, is a little lacking in advanced functionality

I was amazed  when I found I could use thunar to change filenames en
masse using it.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs - Bracknell Local activity etc

[alan c]

On 06/12/11 21:40, Gareth France wrote:
>  Oh, how is the group you started doing? I've added it to my
> leaflets to help anyone I sell to.

Good.
Still pretty quiet . . .

I did support  some months of 'Ubuntu Hour' in Bracknell some time
ago, and a few people did attend on occasions. But there was not
enough regular attendance to justify my time being regularly
committed.  Being retired, my time is pretty valuable :-)
[have just returned from Nice France, relatives  ]
But recently I have had a question or two about locally meeting, so I
set up:
The Bracknell-Ubuntu group is a contact group,
https://groups.google.com/group/bracknell-ubuntu

It is aimed at people who need a local contact meetup, a
'neighbourhood' meet. It is not expected to be any replacement for
such as ubuntuforums, or the lists, LUGs nor even Ubuntu UK Team. All
of these are way over the heads of the peeps I think are most likely
to want a coffee shop meet. However, if (when) the geographic density
of Ubuntu Users increases in this area, the type of meet up will I am
sure change to suit.

In addition, it may be of interest to mention here that I also run a
couple of groups within the U3A 'clubs'. U3A is for those retired
people who seek to (in theory) continue their learning process into
the third age of a (hopefully) long life. I got pretty frustrated with
the conventional computer groups, as you would expect, totally Windows
and some pretty entrenched attitudes too. My groups (Bracknell and
Wokingham U3As) are dubbed 'Computing Libre' and are specifically  for
discussion and use of libre software, (with a stated emphasis on Ubuntu).

Again, the half dozen or so members in each group are not going to
attend LUGs, UK Team meets, or even use forums, although some might,
with time:
www.wokinghamu3a.org.uk/Computing_Libre.html
www.bracknellu3a.org.uk/ComputerLibre.html
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs - Bracknell Local activity etc

[Gareth France]

A quick announcement if I may, the blog it was suggested I should put
together is now up and running at:
www.cliftonts.co.uk/cubuntu

Cubuntu is a merging of CTS and Ubuntu, and a sort of play on Kubuntu. Not
very inspired I know ;)
At the moment there's a sort of intro up, detailing my inspiration to do
this. Reports of the first few sales will be up shortly.
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Re: [ubuntu-uk] CTS @ computer fairs - Bracknell Local activity etc

[Liam Proven]

On 6 December 2011 22:40, alan c  wrote:
>
> In addition, it may be of interest to mention here that I also run a
> couple of groups within the U3A 'clubs'. U3A is for those retired
> people who seek to (in theory) continue their learning process into
> the third age of a (hopefully) long life. I got pretty frustrated with
> the conventional computer groups, as you would expect, totally Windows
> and some pretty entrenched attitudes too. My groups (Bracknell and
> Wokingham U3As) are dubbed 'Computing Libre' and are specifically  for
> discussion and use of libre software, (with a stated emphasis on Ubuntu).
>
> Again, the half dozen or so members in each group are not going to
> attend LUGs, UK Team meets, or even use forums, although some might,
> with time:
> www.wokinghamu3a.org.uk/Computing_Libre.html
> www.bracknellu3a.org.uk/ComputerLibre.html

This is interesting stuff...

I don't know if you've heard of our company, but I'm involved with a
small business called Simplicity Computers. We do a range of
Linux-powered machines with a very simple, stripped-down interface
aimed at getting people online who don't know how to use computers and
don't want to learn. It's all full-screen, single-click driven with no
menus or toolbars or right-clicking or double-clicking or anything.
Everything's introduced with video tutorials presented by Valerie
Singleton, so you don't need to go to night-school courses and learn
irrelevant stuff that we find people often forget by the time they get
home.

http://www.simplicitycomputers.co.uk/

It's particularly aimed at older people, but not exclusively. We have
customers in their 30s. :¬)

One thing we've been considering is something along the lines of a
"mentoring" system or something, where more technically-savvy people
would help out nervous novices and sort of hold their hands, so to
speak, as they got used to using a mouse, keyboard and the Web.

Do you think that would be something you or your fellow-U3A people
might be interested in, at all?

Aside: we don't use Ubuntu on the machines, as our interface is
commercial software and as such the SABDFL refused us permission. So
we use Mint, who were very happy to work with us.

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