For those of you also involved in the voluntary sector - particularly in the W Midlands. Cheers, - Richard btw the schedule has been expanded a little since this mail was prepared. More details will appear on teh website towards the end of the week. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% MOST - Midlands Open Source Technology ----- Introductory Seminar ----- http://www.most.org.uk/events/seminar-leaflet.pdf Monday 5 December, BVSC, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DR Come along to the one-day introductory seminar, and find out how the new MOST project (see below for launch event details) will be bringing the benefits of Free and Open Source Software to the voluntary sector. *Believe the hype? Free Software - such as the OpenOffice.org office suite, the Mozilla Firefox web browser, and the GNU/Linux operating system - has garnered plenty of publicity lately. However, you may be wondering, what's behind the hype? Can Free Software help your group operate more effectively? Will it bring the trumpeted cost benefits? Is security such a big deal in the voluntary sector? Is Free Software compatible with my current Mac or Windows set-up? And what help and support is available? *Solutions The MOST Introductory Seminar will answer all of these questions for you, and more.... See Free Software on the desktop, working in a mixed environment. Try the latest desktop accessibility software for those with mobility or visual impairments. Meet Free Software users and experts from the business and voluntary sector. Try a section of our accredited training course. Look out for a discounted introduction to our course Managing ICT as a Resource - featuring a complimentary laptop, running a suite of Free Software applications *Launch Day 5th December also sees the official launch of the MOST project. This will take place during the lunchtime break of the seminar, and all seminar attendees are welcome to join in. See the full range of MOST services, as well as the chance to win a couple of high-tech prizes, with a Free Software twist. *Programme of Events 9.15 - 10.00 Registration 10.00 - 10.05 Welcome (Chairman's introduction) 10.05 - 10.45 Software Freedom - Mark Taylor, chairman, Open Source Consortium 10.45 - 11.25 MOST - Dave Nichols, project leader, introduces MOST 11.25 - 11.40 Coffee and networking 11.40 - 12.20 Training: Removing the Fear of Change - Richard Coubry 12.20 - 1.00 Free Software Desktop - introduction, and accessibility demo 1.00 - 2.00 Lunch, demonstrations of Free Soft & Official launch of MOST project 2.00 - 2.40 Web-in-a-box: Zero to Website in 30 minutes 2.40 - 3.20 Wiring up the group. A case study - Alex Hudson 3.20 - 4.00 The Lifeboat - a technical support alliance - Richard Smedley 4.00 - 4.30 Panel debate, and questions MOST introductory Seminar takes place at Birmingham Voluntary Services Council, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DR Just 5 minutes walk from New Street station, and other public transport links. *Practical details For directions map and further details download the PDF (550kB) from http://www.most.org.uk/events/seminar-leaflet.pdf Updated information will appear on our website: http://www.most.org.uk/ For bookings contact Rob Heath robh@bvsc.org -- Richard Smedley, RichardS@bvsc.org Technical Development Specialist (Information & Skills), Midland Open Source Technology. http://www.most.org.uk/ ``Software Freedom for the Voluntary Sector''