New leadership for 2020/2021
by Steven Maddox
Hey Folks,
Notice this isn't my usual e-mail address! :)
Preamble:
StaffsLUG has been a project of Function Office since 2016, when the
final pieces were transferred over from the former LUGMaster.
Unfortunately in the 3 years prior, activity was at an extreme minimum
and so it took a further 3 years to confidently know an audience could
be found and willing to participate on the level that it does now.
As most of you will be aware we "relaunched" on 26th August 2019.
One year later:
As one of the directors of Function Office it has given me great
pleasure to see the LUG thrive again, especially as I was personally an
active member for many years in the 2000's and 2010's.
As originally intended, now is the time to devolve the project. This
means an end to the 3 temporary co-caretakers and instead appointing a
singular project leader, who can then involve whomever they determine
may be able to help them ensure continued success of the project.
Use of Function Office resources such as hosting, contacts, equipment,
banking and supplier agreements (like use of the WRS room) just continue
as they do now. You can even request that Function Office staff wear a
"second hat" and join you in *your* team to help you run the LUG if you
like, so it doesn't need to be a daunting task at all.
This will be done in the following stages...
- Stage 1: Everyone is encouraged to send nominations by e-mail to
info(a)functionoffice.org by no later than the 5th August 2020.
- Stage 2: If nominated by at least 3 people they'll be asked if they
want the role, replies needed no later than the 12th to be considered.
- Stage 3: Nominations get published on the 19th, any objections need to
be received no later than the 19th to info(a)functionoffice.org only.
- Stage 4: Nominees may be asked questions such as any relevant
experience or other supporting credentials to help us make a decision.
- Stage 5: Function Office staff discuss the subject and the board
agrees a new project leader which will be announced on the 26th.
- Stage 6: Internally within the LUG, the project leader can title
themselves however they like (e.g. Governor or LUGMaster, etc...) and
can create new roles for whomever they like to assist them internally.
Discussions over what mechanism should be used to run the LUG have
occurred ad nauseam over the years and the above is the *final* outcome.
As for myself, as Function Office continues to grow, freeing up even a
slither of time would be good and so I do not seek to be project leader.
Hope this all makes sense,
Since this is a Function Office process, I'd be grateful if any
questions surrounding this be sent directly to info(a)functionoffice.org.
Thanks
--
Steven Maddox
Director
Function Office
Registered in England & Wales number 06745059 at Apt 3454, Chynoweth
House, Trevissome Park, Truro, TR4 8UN.
2 years, 9 months
So another year comes to close... End of year meeting
by Richard Bateman
Hi all,
I hope this email finds you all well.
Just as an FYI we will be having an end-of-year catch up on the 29th of
December at 19:00.
Nothing formal, just a place to catch up with the group and to go over
any ideas that people may have for future meetings.
As Steve has said in his message on the Discord group, this will be held
via a self-hosted video conference service (powered by Jitsi for those
of you already curious).
If it works well we'll look at moving our workshops online until the
COVID crisis is over. If it works really well, we'll even look at
running them both in person and also online for those that cannot make
the meetings.
As for the first meeting of 2021, please let us know if there is a topic
you'd like covering else I'm sure we'll come up with something
I hope to see you all soon!
Richard Bateman
Staffs LUG Master
PS (Apologies if this comes through to you twice, I though it best to
send it the general and meetings mailing list as it covers both areas
3 years, 11 months
Signal, Matrix and other similar privacy friendly instant messaging platforms
by Steven Maddox
So I just posted this to IRC & Discord... **smack hands** not everyone
on there :P Putting it out here too :P
---
Does anyone have any experience with things like Matrix, Signal and
other encryption-friendly hopefully fully decentralised instant
messaging platforms?
I've read Matrix > Signal - mostly because Signal relies on some company
running some central servers still (so whilst in theory still fine for
privacy, not great for availability)
I've been trying to use Kontalk for years... which is decentralised in
the sense that anyone can run a server, and it's all XMPP based and has
encryption too (with WhatsApp-like features such as looking people up by
SMS-confirmed phone number). But that's reeeeeally dying now and barely
anyone is on it
(posts this to the mailing list too)
---
--
Steven Maddox
Lantizia
3 years, 12 months
