WIKIIRC Chat Log - March 9th 2006
The Following is an unedited transcript from the #openrightsgroup IRC channel on irc.freenode.net, during the ORG volunteers meeting on March the 9th 2006:
[18:07] Suw: hey everyone
[18:07] Olate: hello
[18:07] bootc: hullo Suw :-)
[18:07] felipe: evening
[18:07] suzi:hello
[18:08] wendyg: I can't stay long, I'm afraid...
[18:08] bootc: How's the turnout in London, I wonder?
[18:08] Suw: we have eight of us here already
[18:10] wendyg: yeah, but it will be seven in a minute
[18:11] timcowlishaw: hello!
[18:12] Suw: hey :D
[18:12] Suw: wanna explain what's going on, tim?
[18:13] chryss: is lurking from the continent
[18:14] timcowlishaw: i will try....
[18:14] timcowlishaw: Suw: volunteering for org should be two way arrangement
[18:15] timcowlishaw: Suw has been very busy, not yet found time to delegate, this is first step in the arrangement of delegating work.
[18:15] timcowlishaw: We have some task-management software written that will help administer this.
[18:16] timcowlishaw: you tell it what you can do, and how long you have to spare, the system will return a task for you.
[18:16] timcowlishaw: we need to get it installed!
[18:16] timcowlishaw: it's php / perl.. we need someone who can get it up and running
[18:16] timcowlishaw: php OR perl
[18:17] bootc: do we already have a host for this? i.e. is it just a question of getting it installed?
[18:17] bootc: I'm willing to give it a short
[18:17] bootc: shot*
[18:17] timcowlishaw: Tom Crocher has just arrived in the room ad is introducing himself
[18:17] Olate: If it's PHP, I'm up for that
[18:17] timcowlishaw: Croucher
[18:18] Suw: ooh excellent!
[18:18] timcowlishaw: I have hosting space i'm willing to donate...
[18:18] sh1mmer joined the chat room.
[18:18] sh1mmer: ahoy hoy
[18:19] timcowlishaw: if it cannot go on the openrightsgroup.org host
[18:19] Suw: we have hosting
[18:19] Suw: new hosting as it happens :D
[18:19] timcowlishaw: another new personn!
[18:19] timcowlishaw: paul blake has arrived...
[18:20] timcowlishaw: java/oracle techie
[18:20] timcowlishaw: Suw listing techie stuff that needs doing.
[18:20] timcowlishaw: *Install work management system (bootc / olate?)
[18:21] bootc: yup, put me down for that
[18:21] timcowlishaw: *database of members / signed up people - we need to be able to perform querys and get data out of this
[18:21] Olate: I can help bootc if need be
[18:21] timcowlishaw: sorry that doesn't make a vast amount of sense
[18:21] timcowlishaw: cool
[18:22] bootc: for this last one, is there something already out there or is this something that needs writing from scratch?
[18:22] timcowlishaw: sorry, i will rephrase that. we need to develop the supporters database (perl / mySQL)
[18:23] timcowlishaw: it exists already, sorry.
[18:23] timcowlishaw: i'm not making myself very clear.....
[18:23] bootc: so there's some schema and code that needs installing / improving?
[18:23] timcowlishaw: Tom says we might be able to blag software from 337 signals though
[18:23] timcowlishaw: 37 signals, even
[18:23] Olate: We could, but basecamp won't manage time
[18:23] Olate: Unless you get the higher plans
[18:24] timcowlishaw: Tom, are you on here?
[18:24] sh1mmer: is Tom
[18:24] sh1mmer: obfuscated
[18:25] timcowlishaw: need a new wordpress theme
[18:25] timcowlishaw: glyn has one already.
[18:25] timcowlishaw: sorry, that last one was a seperate point.
[18:26] Olate: Glyn has a new wordpress theme already?
[18:26] timcowlishaw: finally, we need to implement a script in the sidebar of the main blog which allows users to sign up to the mailman lists
[18:26] timcowlishaw: @Olate: apparently so
[18:26] timcowlishaw: that will be done by glyn too....
[18:26] timcowlishaw: Any Perl people on here?
[18:27] bootc: aye, I can do perl -- no expert tho, and time isn't limitless! :-D
[18:27] timcowlishaw: need to set up wordpress spam filters
[18:28] timcowlishaw: and spam moderation
[18:28] bootc: that would be PHP then, no?
[18:28] timcowlishaw: also to manually delete spam comments from blogs.
[18:28] Olate: Yeh. Wordpress is PHP
[18:29] timcowlishaw: @bootc, sorry the perl was related to an earlier point.
[18:29] bootc: ah, ok
[18:29] timcowlishaw: about the supporters database
[18:29] chryss: timcowlishaw, i know about spam protection for wp
[18:29] chryss: actually, just install spam karma...
[18:29] timcowlishaw: Suw: onto less techie stuff.
[18:30] timcowlishaw: need a couple of people to set up technorati watchlists, etc. and update press page with articles that mention or cite us
[18:31] timcowlishaw: preferably with a small summary.
[18:31] timcowlishaw: sorry everyone, just trying to transcribe what's going on here.
[18:32] timcowlishaw: Tom: this would give us credibility as an organisation
[18:33] timcowlishaw: Glyn: we can use this to convince MPs that digital rights are an important issue
[18:33] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to each take responsiblity for specific issues
[18:34] timcowlishaw: Suw: and housekeep the wiki page for that area, adding news stories, links, etc...
[18:35] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to set up a page on the wiki for ongoing help required, rather than specific tasks.
[18:36] timcowlishaw: Suw: we can use this page to choose what our responsibiilites are, and see who is taking care of what
[18:36] timcowlishaw: Suw: this helps us transfer responisibilities to others if you find tyou can't do them after all.
[18:36] timcowlishaw: *everyone here thinks this is a good idea*
[18:36] Olate: agrees
[18:37] bootc: aye
[18:38] timcowlishaw: Suw: in due course we should put together position papers on each issue
[18:38] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to work out a standard for our Position Papers
[18:39] timcowlishaw: Suw: need to maintain a list of authors (optional - you can post anonymously), so that when information that has been developed on the wiki is published, those involved are credited.
[18:39] timcowlishaw: gavin from ffii has arrived
[18:40] timcowlishaw: Suw: our position will come from discussion on list and wiki, mediated by Suw
[18:41] timcowlishaw: timcowlishaw: ORGs position on vehicle tracking is that it is mass surveillance and a breach of human rights
[18:41] felipe: timcowlishaw: say hi to gavin for me :)
[18:41] timcowlishaw: if people disagreed, discussion would ensue until the a reasonalbe consensus was reached,
[18:41] timcowlishaw: then a paper would be published
[18:41] timcowlishaw: Tom: should we put a dsclaimer on the wiki, saying hte views expressed here are not those of ORG>
[18:42] timcowlishaw: ?
[18:42] timcowlishaw: Suw: say wiki should be left open unless this becomes an issue.
[18:42] timcowlishaw: sorry about my spelling btw-
[18:42] timcowlishaw: no problem felipe
[18:42] felipe: hehe. thanks
[18:43] timcowlishaw: Tom: we should still put 'things on the wiki are no necessarily ORGs official position, if in doubt please ask Suw'
[18:43] timcowlishaw: Suw: this should be brought up with the board
[18:44] timcowlishaw: Suw: we have a very wide remit
[18:44] timcowlishaw: Suw: accesibility is not one of those things
[18:45] timcowlishaw: Suw: lots of people are working on acc.., and there are a lot of things that *need* working on
[18:45] timcowlishaw: that aren't
[18:46] timcowlishaw: Suw: It's not like we're short of stuff to do
[18:46] timcowlishaw: Suw: we should be more proactive with researching specific issues for the wiki
[18:46] timcowlishaw: Suw: a lot of topics are defined, but need expansion.
[18:47] timcowlishaw: Glyn: we also need to sub and proof read / fact check some pages
[18:47] timcowlishaw: Tom: we could have a sort of linkdump page which can be refined later.
[18:47] timcowlishaw: Tom will do this
[18:48] timcowlishaw: Suw: we could pcik one page every week to feature on teh front page
[18:48] timcowlishaw: Suw: a 'stub' that needs working on. have an issue of the week that encourages development of that wiki area.
[18:49] timcowlishaw: Suw: encourage everyone to partake
[18:49] timcowlishaw: me:keep a list of 'stubs' that need expanding, so that those with spare time know what to work on
[18:49] timcowlishaw: i will sort this out
[18:50] timcowlishaw: and tidy up the front page
[18:52] timcowlishaw: me:we need a style guide for documents and a repository of logos and stationary etc.
[18:52] timcowlishaw: me and tom will do this.
[18:52] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to design stickers, a 'kite' - not a real one
[18:52] timcowlishaw: like a triangular flag
[18:52] Olate: Are there any small logos/buttons that can be put on websites for promotion? Blogs and such
[18:53] timcowlishaw: nice idea, i think
[18:53] timcowlishaw: will ask suw
[18:54] timcowlishaw: Steve Thompson has joined us
[18:54] timcowlishaw: Suw says yes to that
[18:54] Olate: Ok
[18:54] timcowlishaw: it can be part of our the 'brand' package we are doing
[18:54] sh1mmer: I think Suw meant a kite was one of those 'makepovetyhistory' type thing
[18:54] sh1mmer: sorry if I got the wrong idea :)
[18:55] Suw: that's it exactly
[18:55] timcowlishaw: Suw will check with denise who did the logo to see if she's not already doing all this stuff
[18:55] timcowlishaw: *we are recapping the techie stuff from earlier for the benefit of steve*
[18:55] richardk joined the chat room.
[18:57] timcowlishaw: Steve can do a lot of the techie stuff involving langauages beginning with p
[18:57] timcowlishaw: as mentioned earlier
[18:57] timcowlishaw: Suw: last area that needs dong is admin-type stuff
[18:57] timcowlishaw: ^doing
[18:59] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need a new venue for meetups -
[18:59] timcowlishaw: me:the ICA? might be sympathetic
[18:59] timcowlishaw: Suw: will create a page on the wiki to help administer these events.
[19:00] timcowlishaw: Suw: ORG meetups AND london copyfigheters drunken brunch are being run by us
[19:00] KevinMarks left the chat room. (Connection timed out)
[19:02] timcowlishaw: Suw: we wnat to start running seminars and events
[19:02] timcowlishaw: Suw: bring journalists, members of the public
[19:02] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need a list of venues we can use. - page on the wiki.
[19:03] timcowlishaw: We can use university rooms
[19:03] bootc: just wondering, how many people are up north and would like a second location?
[19:04] bootc: do we even know?
[19:04] timcowlishaw: Suw: venues outside of london also good
[19:05] timcowlishaw: Tom: are the BCS neutral territory we could work at?
[19:06] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need someone to reseach new office space for us
[19:07] timcowlishaw: Suw: free office space would be good
[19:07] timcowlishaw: Suw: but not necessary
[19:07] timcowlishaw: necessarily
[19:07] timcowlishaw: Suw: we don't need a 'desk based solution' - needs to be flexible for people to come and go
[19:09] timcowlishaw: Suw: can anyone think of anything else we need to do?
[19:10] timcowlishaw: me:we could run a seminar for lawyers
[19:10] Suw: sterling idea
[19:11] timcowlishaw: Glyn: a lot of lobbying done by lawyers, so we need to get them on side.
[19:12] timcowlishaw: Gavin would like to run a co-event with us
[19:13] timcowlishaw: tom partner with media trust to ease organisational burden of events
[19:14] timcowlishaw: and to gain extra exposure
[19:14] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to start a page on the wiki
[19:15] timcowlishaw: Tom will do this
[19:16] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need to follow up the people who have offered us money!
[19:17] timcowlishaw: guy to my left who's name i've forgotten:we could get money from cryptogaraphy comanies
[19:17] timcowlishaw: should this be a monthly meeting?
[19:18] timcowlishaw: yes.
[19:18] timcowlishaw: next thursday 13th of april?
[19:18] timcowlishaw: week after easter
[19:18] timcowlishaw: thursday 20th?
[19:18] Olate: Suits me
[19:20] timcowlishaw: next meeting:thursday 20th april.
[19:20] timcowlishaw: cool!
[19:21] richardk: Applauds the use of IRC to involve those of us not able to attend in person. Suggests its continued use.
[19:21] bootc: I second that!
[19:21] timcowlishaw: agrees as long as i'm not always the scribe!
[19:21] bootc: :-)
[19:21] timcowlishaw: how many of you are up north, btw
[19:21] timcowlishaw: ?
[19:21] bootc: me
[19:22] bootc: nobody else?!
[19:22] richardk: I'm out West. Cardiff.
[19:22] timcowlishaw: iif there are lots of people in one place could we have concurrent meetings there linked by IRC?
[19:22] timcowlishaw: if that makes sense?
[19:23] bootc: good idea, but by the looks of things we're few and far between
[19:24] suzi:I'm in sheffield.. a bit behind the conversation, sorry
[19:24] bootc: ah, so that makes 2 at least (I'm in Huddersfield)
[19:24] timcowlishaw: Suw: possibly a good idea....
[19:24] timcowlishaw: will make a page on the wiki
[19:25] timcowlishaw: in think we're adjourning to the pub now
[19:25] timcowlishaw: just discussing deadlines first...
[19:25] timcowlishaw: Suw: we need a calendar on the wiki
[19:25] bootc: also, how will we find out about the things we've volunteered for
[19:25] timcowlishaw: Tom: we can install calendar software
[19:26] timcowlishaw: it'll go on the wiki
[19:26] timcowlishaw: no doubt
[19:26] timcowlishaw: .....
[19:26] bootc: i.e. I'll need the code for the time-keeping app and details of the host so I can install it
[19:26] timcowlishaw: Suw has logged all the volunteering people, so i imagine you'll hear from her. email her?
[19:26] bootc: right, that's fine
[19:27] timcowlishaw: the org-discuss listserv and the wiki seem to be the main points of contact
[19:27] timcowlishaw: agreed on here
[19:28] timcowlishaw: Glyn: should we share press contacts?
[19:28] timcowlishaw: Suw: we're not short of contacts
[19:29] timcowlishaw: Suw: stear clear of press-releases.. they are an abomination of man.
[19:29] timcowlishaw: </rant>
[19:29] timcowlishaw: steve t:journalists hate them too.
[19:30] timcowlishaw: Suw: we will be running focused campaigns
[19:30] timcowlishaw: Suw: gowers review for example, vehicle tracking, childrens act
[19:31] bunnywabbit_ joined the chat room.
[19:33] timcowlishaw: we need to run more positive campaigns, don't want to be a 'pointy-finger' organisation
[19:34] bunnywabbit_ left the chat room.
[19:34] timcowlishaw: i think we've wrapped everything up now
[19:35] timcowlishaw: will try and post a more coherent summary on the wiki later.
[19:35] timcowlishaw: thanks everyone
[19:35] richardk: Thanks for typing!
[19:35] timcowlishaw: no problem
[19:35] timcowlishaw: :)
[19:35] Olate: Great. Thanks