Hi! Any software developers working in or for Africa, I recommend that you attend the TacticalTech.org workshop March 15th-19th in Namibia (see below). There is the opportunity for travel grants, and you will find yourself part of the African software developer network that will be blossoming this year. I attended the workshop last year in Vis, Croatia and it was a great place to connect with people.
Andrius Kulikauskas, http://www.ms.lt ------------------------------------------ from Marek Tuszynski, [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.tacticaltech.org (feel free to forward it whenever you want): Africa Source African Free and Open Source Software Developers Meeting March 15th - 19th, 2004 Namibia This practical workshop will, for the first time, bring together Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) developers from across Africa. During the five day event, participants and facilitators will share technical skills and experiences, discuss key challenges in realizing F/OSS projects, and develop concrete strategies for strengthening the nascent community of F/OSS technologists working in African contexts. The Africa Source workshop will connect African software developers with the goal of building the F/OSS developer community in Africa. The Agenda The Africa Source workshop will be composed of a mixture of structured discussions and hands-on work. Participants and facilitators will share skills and experiences, discuss techniques applicable in each phase of F/OSS project life cycles, and break down specific development challenges. Whether the issue at hand is collaboration models or documentation methods, localization practices or project distribution, the emphasis will be on practical and intense knowledge exchange. The agenda will cover issues such as; * Wireless networking and alternative access methods * Customizing and deploying GNU/Linux distributions * Localization and multi-language development * Designing and implementing large web applications * Open Source database tools * Desktop GNU/Linux and GUI application development * Streaming media and internet broadcasting * Social and NGO context Confirmed meeting participants include experts with a wide range of knowledge in key areas, including DIY (do-it-yourself) wireless networking, customized linux distributions, hardware assembly and repair, large-scale web development, and multi-media web casting. Who Should Come? Software developers already engaged in F/OSS projects in Africa and/or software development projects for non-profits. How to apply Visit http://www.tacticaltech.org for more information and to fill out an application form or send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Deadline for applications is February 6th 2004. Please apply quickly as space and subsidies for attendance at this event is limited. This event is organized by the Tactical Technology Collective, the AllAfrica Foundation, and SchoolNet Namibia, in cooperation with the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA). It is supported by the Open Society Initiative Southern Africa, the Open Society Institute - Budapest and the government of Namibia. with best regards m _______________________________________________ summersource-l mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.tacticaltech.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/summersource-l ------------------------------------------------------- http://www.tacticaltech.org/?q=node/view/41 Application details To apply for participation in Africa Source please send an email with answers to the eight application questions below to [EMAIL PROTECTED] before the 30th January. Dates Africa Source is a five-day meeting, to be held March 15th - 19th in Namibia. If you would like to participate, you will need to attend the entire event, which means arriving in Namibia on or before March 14th and leaving on or after March 20th. Fees and subsidies Participants will arrange for their own travel to Windhoek, Namibia. Once there, transport to Okahandja from the airport in Windhoek will be provided. All meals and accommodation during the meeting will be provided, in double rooms and a communal cafeteria, for the modest participation fee of US$ 150. There are a limited number of participation fee subsidies available to cover this US$150 for those who are not able to raise the funds. Travel subsidies are also available for participants who would not otherwise be able to attend the meeting. Please apply as soon as possible for subsidies. Who should attend? This is an event for experienced Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) technology developers actively working in African countries. To be eligible to attend, you will need to answer the questions below, providing detailed information about software or systems you have worked on. We are interested in all kinds of development experience, but areas of particular focus will include the following: . Wireless networking and alternative internet access methods; . Customising and deploying GNU/Linux distributions; . Localisation and multi-language development; . Designing and implementing large web applications; . Open Source database tools; . Desktop GNU/Linux and GUI application development; . Streaming media and internet broadcasting; Demonstrating that you have worked on projects in one or more of the above areas will make your application stronger. Application Questions Please answer the following questions. You do not need to write long responses, but please provide us with enough information to understand your skills and interests, and to have a sense of why you want to attend Africa Source and what you can contribute to the event. 1) Basic personal information: a. Name: b. Gender: c. Nationality: d. Country where your live and work now: e. E-mail address: f. Telephone and emergency contact number(s): g. Anything else we should know about you (allergies, diet, medical condition, special needs): h. Do you need a visa to come to Namibia? 2) What Free and Open Source technologies do you work with? Please describe your experience and expertise. 3) Have you been involved with any technology projects for non-profit or civil society organizations? If so please briefly explain them. 4) Where did you grow up, where do you live now, and what is your current professional affiliation (organization you work for, mission of the organization, position you have in the organization, is your organization a non-profit, etc.)? 5) Why are you interested in attending Africa Source; what do you hope to learn? 6) All Africa Source participants are expected to teach as well as to learn. What tutorials, development sessions or discussions would you like to lead (or help lead)? 7) Will you need to receive a participation fee subsidy in order to attend Africa Source? Please explain why. 8) Will you need to receive a travel subsidy in order to attend Africa Source? If so, please explain why and estimate how much your round-trip travel to Windhoek will cost. Submitting an Application Please submit your answers to the eight questions above by email, to [EMAIL PROTECTED] in plain text format. Applications must be received by January 30th, 2004. We will confirm receipt of your application and will let you know about your participation and relevant subsidies before February 6th, 2004. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
