Software Freedom Day 2006

Saturday 16th September 2006 was the 3rd official Software Freedom Day. The objective being to promote awareness and use of Free Software.

I had already asked Canonical to send me some extra Ubuntu Linux CDs for free via their ShipIt! service, which arrived in plenty of time. All told I had about 150 Ubuntu Linux CDs to give out that I’d ordered, and some I’d collected via other means. I also ordered some Software Freedom Day official T-Shirts and balloons from the guys organising things in Australia. They also arrived in plenty of time. I asked on my local LUG mailing list if anyone would like to do “something” for SFD, and after a brief discussion and some suggestions I decided that rather than attempt to do something locally, that we would team up with Greater London Linux User Group.

Clare was kind enough to let me go off and do my thing today – despite us having a baby just over a week old in the house. Massive thanks to her, and to her parents for coming over to help out whilst I was out.

Highlights of the day included

• Being asked by someone “Is this some kind of religion?” when he saw us dishing out leaflets and CDs outside PC World
• Handing an Ubuntu CD and leaflet to a couple to have the bloke say “Thanks” and the woman say “Hey, I’ve seen that before!”.
• Andy Ransom giving a leaflet and CD to a bus driver who was stopped at the traffic lights, to which he said “Can I replace windows with this?”.
• Most Londoners who didn’t accept the software and leaflet were kind enough to say “No thank you”, and not ignore me, spit in my face or punch me.
• Malcolm Yates entertaining and informative talk about Canonical.
• Discussions about all things Free and Open, in the pub over a few beer after the talks.

I met some great people at GLLUG and would like to thank Simon Morris for organising the event, and all his minions for doing his bidding whilst he was away on work commitments for the day