[ubuntu-uk] Encrypted Message

[Barry Titterton]

On 01/02/2019 6:09 pm, Paul Sutton wrote:
> Hi All
> 
> Sorry if this is off topic, I was not sure where I could ask about this.
> 
> I am not sure if anyone can help with this directly but perhaps as a
> community it is an opportunity to engage and perhaps recruit people who
> can help with the testing / development process and spread the word on
> Ubuntu, Free Software and GNU / Linux in general.
> 
> For the past few years I have been involved in running the Torbay Tech
> jam in Paignton, Devon.  This simply was a tech event designed to
> inspire people to learn about coding, and a place for like minded people
> to meet up, chat, share and work on projects etc.  This event closed in
> 2018, but fast forward to 2019 and it has been re-launched as the South
> Devon Tech Jam, with a more formal structure and hopefully we can move
> forward in a more positive way.  We will be running this once a month.
> 
> I am not sure how the community in the Uk get involved directly with
> events.  I know there is a need for people to download and test releases
> of Ubuntu, report bugs and problems and help fix them.  This is a lot of
> work,and sometimes complex work but is a very important job.
> 
> One thing I do know is platforms such as Launchpad are both very
> comprehensive but quite complex for beginners so having a good grounding
> in this would probably save developers and others a lot of time trying
> to get the right information out of anyone sending in test results or
> bug reports.
> 
> I just wondered if: -
> 
> Anyone would or does do outreach to small events either from the Ubuntu
> Community or from Canonical ? Engage with people so that people can
> become effective at this job and, perhaps as this will build up
> different skill sets, what sort of career path people are able to get in
> to,  after all having something like Ubuntu Tester / Developer on a CV
> should count for something, to a potential employer and this will
> actually encourage people to get involved, (even if their initial
> motivation is to help)
> 
> As Ubuntu is now more than a desktop / Server OS, but has moved in to
> hosting Snaps,  Containers etc,  would someone be able to give talks on
> that too.
> 
> Granted people can look this information up,  but there is actually
> something effective about face to face engagement, that allows
> conversation and networking between people.  Also if you talk to 10
> people about Launchpad,  there is a chance 1 person won't remember
> everything but between those 10 people they should remember different
> aspects to then help each other later on.
> 
> There are plenty of opportunities to help but also many barriers to
> doing so.  If we can find a way to break down those barriers then we
> should be able to get more people confident enough to get involved.
> 
> I would perhaps hope to also reach out to local organizations who work
> with Young people for example Princes Trust or Young Devon as being
> involved with Free software opens up many opportunities. 
> 
> As we are only just starting up as an event.  I am not looking at
> anything such as the above in the immediate future, but thought I would
> set the ball rolling here, and just ask,  and see what is possible for
> later on.
> 
> On a similar note if anyone living in the area would be interested in
> such talks this could be a good opportunity to not have to travel too far.
> 
> Thank you
> 
> Regards
> 
> Paul Sutton
> 

Hi Paul,

You cover quite a few points in your post but I feel qualified to
respond to only a couple of them:-

I have run stalls to promoting linux at several events in the north
east, with mixed results:-

- It was difficult finding enough volunteers to adequately man the
stall, one person cannot do the job on his/her own especially if the
event lasts two days.
- The general public was found to be mostly completely ignorant of
linux, but the interest shown was surprisingly good.
- Creating the stall required a significant amount of time and money,
which am not able to commit to.
- I was not able to follow up on the events due to a mixture of personal
and family issues.

My local LUG has run occasional events, such as promoting
security/privacy on line, but these are sporadic rather than structured.

Paul, how do you fund and find man power for the Devon event?

Secondly, I also find Launchpad quite intimidating to use. I have had a
couple of bad (hostile) experiences when trying report bugs.

Regards,
Barry T