OK Computer February 2011, Madlab, Manchester.
Posted: June 12, 2011 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment »OK Computer was a new type of Free Software event, in that it truly tailored to the requirements of a new user.
Created and hosted by Anna Morris, from Manchester Free Software and the Girly Geeks team, it was a light hearted and insightful introduction into a world that so many people take for granted.
The Freedom, in Free Software, does anyone know what it truly means? Was the uptake in Linux and Free Software due to ethical choices about freedom? I hope so, and those that attended the event were treated to a day of learning all about those freedoms.
Blackpool LUG attended, there in an audience, and support capacity.
The day started with an informal introduction to Software Freedom, what it was, how it started and how you could contribute.
Next up was a live demo, on how to install Ubuntu. Luckily we had been gifted a number of PCs that we were able to give away to the attendees. So we had Ubuntu pre-installed on most of them, and taught people how to use Ubuntu and Free Software.
After a coffee break, with some lovely cakes, there was a talk hosted by Charlie Owen, a whistlestop tour of Ubuntu, all the apps you need, and how to get the best from Ubuntu, even yours truly was put on the spot to deliver a quick tour of Kompozer
After the talks, the day was more hands on, with people networking and getting to grips with Ubuntu.
I really enjoyed this event, it showed that Free Software isn’t just beards and penguins, but people and passions.
There will be a follow up to OK Computer, a 1.x event that will be there to offer support to the attendees from the last event, and there will be a new event this autumn, OK Computer 2, so watch this space.
You can find more pictures here
R3play November 5th 2010 Norbreck Castle, Blackpool
Posted: June 9, 2011 Filed under: events, linux, r3play | Tags: arcade, blackpool, games, genesis, r3play, replay, retro, snes Leave a comment »Retro gaming has seen a resurgence in recent years. What with Xbox Live, PSN and Wii, offering downloadable games at little cost.
But there are some, myself included, who still love to play old games consoles, and at R3PLAY their dreams came true.
There were hundreds of different ways to play retro games on the day.
Imported Japanese cabinets lined the hall as you entered, retro consoles lined in great rows, everything free to play, and there were even some obscure kit that never made it to the UK. Pinball machines harked back to days when flashing lights and loud music ruled the arcades.
I was truly amazed at how much choice there was. Megadrive, SNES, PC Engine, Amigas (My personal favourites), NES, Atari Lynx, Commodore machines everywhere (including my first computer, a Commodore 16).
I met up with Heed, and we scoured the event, looking for games from our youth. Instantly I found THE game of my youth, Star Wars. When I was about six years old, this game was my life, I was a rebel pilot, and Vader was going down!
Not only were there retro games, but there were some new games too. Halo Reach LAN parties, Street Fighter IV contests, Goldeneye for the Wii (I still prefer the N64 version LOL).
There was a massive stall by a company called Console Passion, there stall had loads of consles, games and odditities to excite the retro gamer, in fact I was sorely tempted to buy from them, until I saw the Retro GT stall, I had to buy a Street Fighter Dragon Punch T-Shirt, and a Doom, red key card wallet 
The day was great, I’ll be there again this year, taking half of Blackpool LUG with me.
Take a look at the rest of my pictures here
