This may be fun for Perl Monger folks. I’m volunteering on this project and plan to be there most of the weekend--Andy.
The Free Software Foundation and FLOSS Manuals are joining forces to provide documentation that is open to all for reading, editing, printing, and redistribution. Books produced through this collaboration will cover the use of free and open source software, and will be available both online and as print books. Invitation to join first "book sprint" -------------------------------------- We're looking for people to help us create our first joint book project on the weekend of March 21-22 in Cambridge, Mass. The subject is: An introduction to the command line Reason for this book: graphical desktop interfaces have opened the power of computing to millions of people, but many would benefit from knowing how to enter text commands and are intimidated by the knowledge required. But it takes only a few minutes to learn commands that can save hours of time, and a couple hours of study will open up the world of automating computer operations through scripts and other tools. There is a lot of documentation on the Unix/GNU/Linux command line, but we intend to write a new book on the topic that is friendly and fun to use. We need a range of volunteers to help us: * Knowledgeable command-line users (particularly the Bash shell) with a talent for writing * Other writers and editors to review chapters and suggest changes * People who want to learn the material, for testing and review Logistics --------- We will meet at the Harvard Science Center: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Science_Center We have space there from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22. Please bring a laptop and drop in at any times that are convenient for you. Even 45 minutes may be helpful. IMPORTANT: If you plan to come, send email to one of the following Free Software Foundation staff and ask them to put you on the list for the book sprint: Deb Nicholson <[email protected]> Matt Lee <[email protected]> This is because the Free Software Foundation is holding a for-pay conference in the same area and cannot let in unregistered people. Getting there ------------- The Harvard Science Center is about one block from the Havard subway stop. From the stop or the kiosk in Harvard Square, walk north along the wall next to Harvard Yard. Follow the wall to the right. Turn left to cross over the road. The science center is a modern-looking building ahead of you. Surrounding streets have parking meters, and meters are free on Sunday, but in Harvard Square you can never be certain of finding a space. Content ------- A preliminary outline is here: http://en.flossmanuals.net/bin/view/FLOSSManuals/DontFlipOutline In keeping with how we're running the project, the outline can be edited (you just need to sign up on the FLOSS Manuals site) and will probably change during the writing of the book. If you'd like to start writing beforehand, sign up at FLOSS Manuals and edit here: http://en.flossmanuals.net/bin/view/CommandLineIntro A few details ------------- The manual will be available online for free immediately after completion, and will be for sale in book form from the FSF web site (<http://shop.fsf.org>). All proceeds from the sales of the book will go towards a second event to create another great book for free software. All material will be available under the GPL and GFDL license. Links ----- Free Software Foundation: http://fsf.org/ FLOSS Manuals: http://www.flossmanuals.net/about LibrePlanet conference (next door to the book sprint) http://groups.fsf.org/index.php/LibrePlanet2009 About book sprints: http://www.booksprint.info For more information: Adam Hyde at <[email protected]> _______________________________________________ Boston-pm mailing list [email protected] http://mail.pm.org/mailman/listinfo/boston-pm
