ubuntu-advertising team mailing list archive

[alan c <aeclist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 21/06/11 12:17, alan c wrote:
> Yesterday I gave a short talk at the London event of  'Africa 
> Gathering', an organisation which:
> 'provides a space to bring technophiles, thinkers, entrepreneurs, 
> innovators and everybody else together to talk about positive change 
> in sustainable development, technology, social networking, health, 
> education, environment and good governance in Africa'
> 
> The event was at the Guardian News & Media, Kings Place, London. 120 
> or so people attended.
> 
> A show of hands indicated that about a quarter were already aware they 
> were using Ubuntu or similar, and about two thirds were using some 
> free software (such as Firefox) somewhere. The media ecosystem is of 
> course a bit Mac rich.
> 
> My talk was a short sharp 5 minutes (timed!!) slot. In a slot like 
> this there is time only for carefully chosen words, and I aimed to 
> make it interesting, informative and revealing.
> 
> For your information the content is copied below:
> 
> ===================================================
> 'Africa Gathering' Talk, Ubuntu, 5 minutes
> 
> Ubuntu is an African word, a philosophy, it means (roughly speaking) 
> 'Humanity to others'. Nelson Mandela said of Ubuntu - a travelling 
> stranger would be given food and water naturally, without having to 
> ask for it. He said this is part of what Ubuntu means.
> 
> Since 2004 - Ubuntu has also been - An African solution for computers. 
> African entrepreneur, Mark Shuttleworth, made millions of pounds using 
> 'Libre software', Free software. He said he could only have done it 
> with Libre software. He created Ubuntu to give something back to the 
> Libre software community. His company, Canonical, sponsors Ubuntu. It 
> is free of charge.
> (Companies make money from Libre software by selling services, not 
> selling software)
> 
> I use Ubuntu, and so do my friends and family use Ubuntu on their 
> computers. I help a local charity, they now use Ubuntu. If people want 
> to use Ubuntu I help them.
> 
> 'Ubuntu' runs on your computer. It is an operating system for your 
> computer. It can be a new computer, or a recycled computer.  Maybe 
> even an incomplete computer - one without even a 'hard drive' - 
> Ubuntu will still work!
> 
> It is excellent software. I have used it for 6 years. It may be 
> gratis, (free of cost), but most important,  "Libre Software"  is free 
> of restriction in use!  Free of restrictions in examining the code! 
> Free of restrictions in making your own version! Free of restrictions 
> in copying!  It is created by the Community, for the world, in the 
> spirit of Ubuntu!  It is free software, yet it is copyrighted 'OPEN'.
> 
> Are you surprised it is not in the shops? . . . . .  When did shops 
> sell 'Community'?
> 
> It is changing people's lives inside and outside Africa!
> It changed my life. I now love to use my computer. It is fast and 
> secure, I love the community support, and I contribute to it when I 
> can. I love the Ubuntu philosophy, and I love to use this with my 
> computer.
> 
> For business: value can be created locally - it can be created in 
> Berkshire (UK) where I live, or created in Africa where Ubuntu was born.
> 
> The OPEN code is freely shared - this is very good for the community - 
> worldwide - and local community, anywhere it is used.  It helps to 
> create a sharing, caring community.        Using and helping with 
> Ubuntu, you gain from your own actions, AND you gain from the 
> community! You are part of the community.  A Win-Win. 
> Companies freely contribute code because they get more back from the 
> community than they spend.
> 
> The OPEN CODE allows  Local Opportunities:
> self education from examining the code,  skills in computers, 
> encouraged from strong community support.  It allows local support to 
> develop, and importantly allows local services to be created -
> This all brings  local value, encourages local entrepreneurs, and 
> produces local prosperity.
> 
> Ubuntu has about 20 million users worldwide and it is growing fast. It 
> changed my life. It can change yours too.
> 
> It can help change Africa's future.
> 
>   African software for Africa!
> 
>   Ubuntu!
> 
> 
> ===================================================
> 
> In time there may also be web content from the event
> 
> Links:
> http://www.africagathering.org/events/africa-gathering-london-2011/programme
> http://www.africagathering.org/events/africa-gathering-london-2011
> 
> I note that my photo and bio  are not appearing on the site, I am told 
> that this is probably due to admin overpressure  more than anything else.

Video is now online:
http://www.africagathering.org/videos

and specifically (me) -
http://vimeo.com/25657514

Hope you like it.

I also have made a home video of me giving a slightly modified version
of the original talk, and this was used in a Cardiff local club
('dorkbot' meeting) recently. I represented Ubuntu and 'Attended' the
meeting via skype and teamviewer and gave a short demo and handled a
few questions too. (I do not have a public link to the home video).

In terms of ongoing 'activity', I continue to run monthly computer
fair 'Infopoint' tables at my local (Bracknell) computer fairs. I am
happy to share the materials with anyone who would be interested.

I recently purchased a Ubuntu pre installed notebook 'Meenee' -
excellent value. It is surprising that so little has been publicised
about this machine.
Meenee MNB737 13.3 inch Laptop (Black) , 320 GB hard drive , 2 GB RAM
, Bluetooth , webcam, wifi, Ubuntu  it was 225 pounds, but  has
increased  to 235 lately. Perhaps people are finding out how good it is.

-- 
alan cocks
Ubuntu user