Indymedia lab

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SSF launch, 27th March 2004: workshops | programme | resources | indymedia lab | film room | tech rota | info pack | logistics

Free software / Indymedia / Wirless Networking / Hacktivism

Sheffield IMC (Wiki) with help from SlugBug and ShefNet, will be running a day-long media activist / free software / wireless workshop at the SSF launch event, details of this to be sorted out between now and the launch, here, on the IMC Sheffield list and at the next IMC meeting and on #slugbug :-)

There is also a Indymedia workshop planned.

Stuff to do / Ideas?

Some ideas:

  • What is Indymedia? What can you can do to get involved? How to post your story to Sheffield Indymedia.
  • What is a wiki? How can I edit a wiki page? (Feel free to play about with wiki.halon.org.uk for anything you want - Neil)
  • What is IRC? Intros to Internet Relay Chat.
  • Using free software (eg mozilla) for security and ethical reasons -- some SlugBug people will be there... mini install fest?
  • aland could demonstrate using low spec boxes as thin clients -- network terminal server.
  • An irc/audio/wiki linkup with the WTF? event in London? they are using #esp on irc.freenode.org
    • It makes sense for us to use the same channel. That way we can all be on the "same page" and can both project the channel on the wall at our events, linking them together virtually. We can all use #esp on irc.freenode.net (and at http://webirc.espnow.net/ ) because:
      • a) we have a powerful bot there that enables people to search google / comment on our wiki etc without leaving the channel
      • b) we have already arranged a "virtual flash mob" to take place there on the day, with people logging in from all over, and
      • c) we've got webirc set up so people don't need an irc client to join in.
  • Childcare ?
  • Neil M will be bringing along an SGI PowerSeries (running IRIX). It's big. Very Big. However, I need someone with a RGB+sync (or just sync on green) composite monitor to show off it's true real time 3d modeling systems. Failing that, a male <-> male serial converter (ie, to connect two female plugs) would be useful, so at least we can control it, and it's not just a huge heater/jet engine/brownout-causer. A AUI<->AUI network cable would be nice too if anyones got one.
Offers to maulkin@halon.org.uk please.
  • Ummm, what else?

Practicalities

Chris will visit the venue the afternoon before to check the situation with connecting to the offices broadband connection.

Transport: atw has transport as long as an eviction isn't going down at 9 ladies or somewhere...

Childcare: it seems that there might not be any, the question has been asked on the email list.

Location

The venue is the Institute for the Blind on Mappin Street, see the 2004 launch details.

The plan is to use the stage, see the programme for times. With laptops and a wirless network or two though some kit should be faily mobile within the venue.

Date / Time

27th March 2004; 10.30am - 5pm

Registration starts at 10am and the speakers are due to start at 10:30 -- what is the earliest we can get in to start setting kit up?

Stuff to bring

If you have any kit that would be useful which you can bring or blag please add it here :-)

  • Computers, several would be good, Chris can bring one laptop, who can bring others? dg can bring one.
  • Chris has a big box of Cat5 and crimpers but no plugs -- does anyone have any? Also can anyone bring a load of made up cat 5 cables? Martyn has loads of cat5 cables.
  • Wireless node -- Chris can bring one with a 4 port hub. It might also be worth having a spare switch or two? aland might have a pebble wireless box that can be brought along.
  • 24 port switch -- Maulkin has a 24 port spare but will be leaving early.
(MB) I have a 24 port Cisco 10bT managed switch (+2x100bT uplinks), rackmount 8 way PDU and a 1U APC 450W UPS. If I stick all this in a 4U flightcase it'll be a handy anchor to chain anything valuable to (it's quite heavy).
Chris has a 8 port switch
  • Power extensions
(MB) I'll bring a couple of 8 ways and a 'reel' with circuit breaker.
Chris has two 2m 6 way surge protected extension leads
Health and Safety issues leap uncomfortably to mind - trailing leads should be gaffa'd to the floor (MB: Note to self to bring a roll of gaffa...)
  • r7 will bring indymedia flyers, Chris will bring indymedia stickers
I've got 2 PC's you could use a thin clients and 2 monitors .. the works laptop is running as an ltsp server currently, which could drive them. I'd need transport, plus they'd need returning too. I may have some concerns over leaving the laptop unattended for long lengths of time, that I'd need to work through.
I've got a couple of 24 port 10Mb hubs, plenty of cable, rj45 ends, and crimps.
Bill still has 2 PC's from Burngreave that are wireless AP's, last used for the Indymedia network thang last year, so if we could get those there i'm sure you could get wifi sorted. Plus I might get them back after, and Bill'll be able to clear out some space!
I'm unlikely to be able to stay there all day unless there is some child care / creche thing.
  • Other stuff....?

Network Settings

These are the WAN details, we have one cat5 lead that comes into the main room from the kitchen and we will put a router on this lead. 

IPADDR=192.168.7.123
NETMASK=255.255.255.0
GATEWAY=192.168.7.1
NETWORK=192.168.7.0
BROADCAST=192.168.7.255

We can set up one or more subnets, (perhaps one wired and one wirless) from this connection, we should put the network setting onto a big bit of paper and stick it to the wall.

Wouldn't it just be easier to just set up a dhcp server (or more than one) to give out the IP addresses?

Yes! That's the plan :-)
20:55 <@dg> hopefully it won't need any ip addresses i use at home
20:55 <@dg> otherwise i can't vpn home :p
20:55 <@chrisc> ah
20:55 <@chrisc> which subnet should we avoid then?
20:56 <@dg> 192.168.{1,2,3}
20:56 <@dg> maybe best to choose a high number in case anyone else 
            has vpns or anything
20:57 <@dg> as people tend to start from low numbers..

CDs that have been burnt

I've (MB) done 16 CDs each of:

  • TheOpenCD
  • Debian NP
  • Blag-9002

and 8 Data DVDs with the following ISOs:

  • blag Linux 9002
  • Debian Non Profit
  • gnuwin 2.2
  • gnuwin 2.3beta
  • Knoppix (2 releases)
  • The Open CD


Both gnuwin2.2 & 2.3b ISOs are too big for my stock of 700MB CD-Rs I'm afraid. I've just been and got some TDK Silver 800MB ones - and these don't work in my Plextor burner or Pioneer DVD writer... I'll do a few data DVDs with all of the ISOs on. Is anyone going to take a 'puter with a CD-R writer in (I can't)?

I (dg) have done:

  • Knoppix 3.3: 10
  • Morphix (Gnome): 10
  • Morphix (KDE): 5

r7 has proposed to [imc-sheffield] list that we buy a stack of 100 cd-rs that so folks can claim back what they've burned (if they so desire).

CDs to burn

Feel free to add additional suggestions :-)

Can someone please burn some Debian Stable installer CDs (bf2.4)? Cheers, Maulkin - dg has burnt 1 (do we need more as it's only needed to start the install?)

Windows CDs
Linux Install CDs
  • Debian -- Maulkin will be bringing his Debian mirror along to the event, along with (hopefully) some boot media, but this could be downloaded during the day / netbooted.
Linux Live CDs
  • Knoppix is a livecd with lots of up-to-date software.
  • Maulkin will also be bringing along the 'all new' Sun Java Desktop live CD.

Health and Safety

Having done a site visit I'm still a little concerned about using the stage.

I think the footlights are a nightmare and reckon the stage should be setup as follows:

                           ________
                            SCREEN
 --                             --
|  |           STAGE           |  |
|  |                           |MB|
|  ||--------|       |--------||  |
 -- |--------|       |--------| --
 X X X X X X   I---I   X X X X X X 
   |--------|  I---I  |--------|
   |--------|  I---I  |--------|
               STEPS

This (poor) ascii-art shows 4 tables on the stage, effectively making a barrier preventing anyone falling either off the stage, or worse, into the footlights (marked with the X X X). I think it'd be a good idea (as shown) to have some tables in front of the stage too - whilst keeping clear access to the emergency exits.

Putting the steps in the middle also makes it a little more welcoming.

All trailing leads should be gaffa'd down

(Please keep me a space where marked "MB" for the projector and rack.)

This is another ASCII art map! 

    +-----------------------------------------------+
    |   Stage Area              Screen              |
    |                Steps                 +---+
    |               +----+                 |   |
    |   Tables      |    |     Tables      +---+
 ---------------------------------------------------
 |  Tables          |    |     Tables         |
-+                  +----+                    +-
                    +----+
Exit                                          +-
                                              +-
-+                                             Film room
 |             MAIN HALL    
 |                                            + 
 |                                            |

Security

With all this kit around we need a plan for security for both the lab and the film room. Here are some suggestions from someone with absolutely no relevant experience:

  • (Ideally) We ensure that everything is set up by 10.30 so that no kit needs moving at all until 5.30pm (what is the earliest time we can get access?). Thus, anyone carrying bits of computer raises suspicions.
  • (Essentially) We have a bunch of designated techies, who are the only ones who will be handling kit, all of whom should find 5 minutes at the beginning of the day to introduce ourselves so that we recognise eachother. Perhaps we could even distinguish ourselves in some visual manner (blood shot eyes and an air of close-to-panic not included).
  • (Probably) It would be good to have someone sat at a registration desk in the lobby all day as an information and smiles point. Making sure that the people who cover this duty know who the techies are and are willing to challenge anyone moving kit out the building would be good.
  • (Boringly) We needto construct a rota of cover for both the lab and the film room; obviously the main function is to ensure that everything is running smoothly. But if we have known people rotad in advance then no security issues should arise in any case.

GPG Key Signing

There will be a few of us bringing along our PGP signatures for a mini-signing session. Feel free to bring along yours. If lost, ask Maulkin, who will be the one with the HUGE SGI PowerSeries server. Head for the sound of a jet engine, you can't miss it.

Slide Show

Chris will bring some CDs with images from Sheffield that could be projected, ideally in the main room - are there enough projectors since we also want one for irc...

Also there is an UK IMC slideshow that is available in Power Point Format.

CD1

This 688Mb CD has 1893 photos from political actions in Sheffield.

  • 29 March 2003 anti-war demo
  • 19 March 2003 anti-war student strike
  • 8 March 2003 anti-war demo
  • 5 March 2003 anti-war student strike
  • 5 April 2002 Palestine demo
  • 4 May 2002 UNISON demo
  • 13 November 2002 Firefighters
  • 22 November 2002 Firefighters
  • 7 Dec 2001 anti-war demo
  • Mayday 2000
CD2

This 631Mb CD has 1572 photos from various political events.

  • 9 September 2003 DSEI
  • 22 March 2003 Foil the Base - Menwith Hill
  • 4 May 2003 Chesterfield Mayday
  • 23 November 2002 anti-war demo
  • 22 April 2002 Asbestos lobby Manchester
  • 11 December 2000 construction site deaths must stop - Sheffield United
CD3

This 702Mb CD has 1824 photos from various political events.

  • 6 September 2003 DSEI demos
  • 15 Febuary 2003 london anti-war demo
  • 17 July 2002 Sheffield Council workers strike
  • 28 September 2002 London anti-war demo
CD4

This 634Mb CD has 1808 photos from various political events.

  • 13 October 2001 London anti-war demo
  • 27 October 2001 Sheffield anti-war demo
  • 3 May 1999 Chesterfield Mayday
  • 8 October 2001 Sheffield anti-war demo
  • Mayday 2003
  • 20 March 2003 Sheffield anti-war demos
  • Mayday 2002 London

References

The WSIS Polymedia Lab is an inspiration for this event...

See also: Indymedia Polymedia Labs.

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