tensixtyone

In the North-West, we have many local mailing lists the “geek” type seem to revolve around, one of the biggest is Geekup, and others like Free Software Manchester, ManLUG, LivLUG exist for the local FOSS enthusiasts to discuss their interests.

Each list have their own ethos, and the regular group of users set the tone, in terms of Geekup, the list is full of entrepreneurs or “Web 2.0″ gurus. Most of the Geekup discussions revolves around Web Development or business issues. Manchester Free Software, on the other hand, discusses free software, its usage, and hot topics in the world.

Sometimes, these two lists collide.

I make reference to a mention of a Geekup School, A area or plan to educate people in the Geekup area and a chance of the entrepreneurs on the list to possibly use it to further their business. Recently this was cross posted onto the Manchester Free Software list in which Dave Page replied explaining about the existing Zion Centre and its current project to allow access to pool computers.

This response was interpreted as Dave wanting to “further free software”.

… and this is my point.

At Liverpool LUG, we had a member of Geekup turn up who was obviously trying to network for his business, most of his discussions started with the line of “Well, in my business…”. I can understand that Geekup fosters commercial interest, but with LUGs and Free Software groups, I think we just don’t care.

If we had the similar standpoint, then the separate lists wouldn’t exist in the first place. Taking a assumption that everyone will agree with your standpoint if you cross to another list is wrong, and again, if you assume everyone on a Free Software list is a Stallman wannabe, then your also very wrong.

Tuesday night was a slightly reorganised Manchester Free Software, due to a small admin and booking error. It was decided to keep the talk on the 22nd as Ian Forrester had already agreed to the date. Really, the date change didn’t matter to the crowd that turned out, some interesting people from various areas, I also spotted one of the Folly guys in the crowd as well.

Ian Forrester was, up until recently, BBC Backstage, that was until a new member of staff started recently. Backstage is the “freen and open” side of the BBC, spearheading the production of open APIs, free content, and sharing within the BBC. For a media company this may be strange, but due to the “unique way the BBC is funded” we almost have a right to the production content of the BBC to be free and open to all UK license fee payers. As described by Ian, Backstage are at the forefront of new media in the BBC, keeping a eye on new “Web 2.0″ trends and trying to adapt existing data and services to acheive new levels of interaction with the mass public.

Ian described a time where anyone syndicating BBC News stories were instantly sent a C&D order. After stern warnings internally from Ashley Highfield via the Ariel magazine the BBC decided to change its ways an allow access to the services of the BBC by the general public via APIs, and Backstage was born.

Overall, Ian’s insight into the inner workings of the BBC explained alot. He mentioned the Backstage Wild West servers where anyone within the BBC is allowed to use space for any purpose, subverting the already existing Siemens infrastructure. While I was discussing this with Simon this morning he noted that it shows there are key problems within the BBC if a group has to circumvent the normal operating proceedures to carry out their work.

For all those who missed Ian on Tuesday, he’ll be speaking at Geekup Liverpool on 29th July, signup on Upcoming and check it out.

*Edit*

Ian’s video is now available on the BBC Backstage blog.