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--- meetings:workshop [2007/04/06 09:28] – terry
+++ meetings:workshop [2008/08/13 23:16] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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+====== Resurrected Workshops ======
+===== Introduction =====
+At the [[pub-2007-04-04-rc|Pub Meet on 4th April 2007]], James returned after an absence of nearly two years.  He is still able to get the use of a room at the University and so we can resurrect the Workshop Meetings.  He would prefer a Saturday, (although Sunday is a possibility), and all we have to do is sort out the agenda etc. About a year ago, we thought a location had been found because a new member offered to make a suitable venue available to us.  However, the venue fell through, but the ideas from then, in particular the [[meetings:pub|social meeting]] on 2006-05-03 and the [[:mailing_list|mailing list]], were preserved. If this is still a goer, lets get it rolling; otherwise, get those suggestions rolling in!
+===== Linux from Scratch Proposal =====
+After discussion, the favourite suggestion was a series of workshops leading to
+a full build of [[http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/|Linux from Scratch]].  This
+would let people learn the nuts and bolts of how a Linux system comes together,
+from the boot loader, the kernel, init(8), getty(8), and a shell prompt.
+So here is what we think could work well.
+  - At the first meeting, everyone who can bring a box installs VMWare, or perhaps [[http://fabrice.bellard.free.fr/qemu/about.html|Qemu]] as a more free alternative.
+  - We then begin the process of building Linux from Scratch inside the virtual machine.
+  - At the end of the session we save the image so far ready to continue next time.
+Using a machine emulator will allow us to carry on where we left off at
+subsequent meetings, thus solving the biggest obstacle to creating a Linux from
+Scratch installation;  the long compile times.  Perhaps
+[[http://ccache.samba.org/|ccache]] or [[http://distcc.samba.org/|distcc]] can
+be used to help cut these down.
+===== Alternative Proposals =====
+Talking of long compile times, we will then have some spare time for
+chatting/other activities.  If anyone who hasn't got a Linux installation yet
+and wants to come along, we can have a Mini-Install-fest alongside the main
+event.  Other people have asked for a media server, so that could be another
+sideshow.  Two other events are probably enough, but if you'd like to see other
+activities take place rather than Linux from Scratch please put them here or
+raise it on the [[:mailing_list|mailing list]].
+===== Organisation =====
+==== Date ====
+A Saturday (or possibly a Sunday).
+==== Venue ====
+Bournemouth University, Wallisdown.
+==== Transport ====
+The University is on a bus route, but quite a way from a Railway Station.  For the original venue we had offers of lifts from:
+  * Corfe Mullen
+  * Bournemouth
+  * Wimborne
+  * Tollard Royal
+  * Sturminster Marshall
+  * Fordingbridge
+  * Bridport
+==== Equipment ====
+We probably won't need too much, it depends on the nature of the room that James can obtain.  It most we might need:
+  * patch leads
+  * projector
+  * WiFi Access Points
+and of course, your box!
+==== Experts ====
+If you can help guide the rest of us, please put your names here, with skill offered.
+  * Terry Coles.  Installation, media server (audio only at present).
+  * Ralph Corderoy.  Happy to give rough talks or answer questions on
+    * Unix process model, e.g. fork/exec, file descriptors, pipes, environment variables.
+    * Unix shell scripting and text processing commands, e.g. wc, tr, grep, sort, uniq, comm, sed, awk.
+    * Basic Internet principles, e.g. TCP/IP, DNS, SMTP, POP3, FTP, HTTP, SSH.
+  * Robin Shepheard, enthusiastic amateur.  While I can't call myself an expert in any field, I am more than willing to help out in any way I can. I have experience with networking, building Gentoo (well I have done it a few times) and I have played with a fair few distros and have a bit of experience with WIFI cards, oh and have a reasonable experience of vmware. Only possible problem I have is that about every other Sunday I am back in Sussex so a reasonable amount of warning is neccesary. Oh and I can download and burn to disc (cd/dvd) any distros that we may need for the workshop.