Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Young people & free software

[Benjamin Webb]

2008/5/24 Tim Dobson <address@hidden>:
> Recently I have noticed an increasing number of young people using GNU/Linux
> and/or interested in free software.
>
> As we have seen on the Manchester Free Software mailing list[1], and, very
> recently on the Sheflug list[2], young people *want* to get involved in free
> software and using GNU/Linux but often find themselves feeling intimidated
> by the 50+ university guys.
> (no offence meant there :] - *I* don't feel intimidated)
>
> In general, people tend to pre-judge you based on age rather than your
> abilities, achievements or what you have to say.
> For me, this meant that I am usually extremely unwilling to give the
> impression that I am younger than the average age on a mailing list to avoid
> my posts getting ignored or laughed off.
>
> I believe that teenagers are especially valuable when it comes to free
> software and GNU/Linux and while it would be desirable to draw young people
> into LUG's and FSUG's, this is somewhat difficult simply because teenagers
> (usually) prefer to be in the company of other teenagers and many feel
> somewhat uncomfortable in environments where they are outnumbered by those
> who are much older than them.
>
> What do people think to the formation of a group and mailing list, to
> compliment Manchester Free Software and ManLUG and  http://adfa.co.nr , to
> create a social area for young people (in Manchester/The North West)
> interested in issues surrounding Free Software and GNU/Linux to socialise
> and get help, whilst co-operating with FSUG's and LUG's to advocate free
> software and GNU/Linux, especially in schools.
>
> Tim
>
>
> [1] http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/fsuk-manchester/2007-11/msg00104.html
> [2] http://www.meiring.org.uk/sheflug/mailarchive/2008/05/msg00009.html
>
> --
> www.tdobson.net
> ----
> If each of us have one object, and we exchange them, then each of us
> still has one object.
> If each of us have one idea, and we exchange them, then each of us now
> has two ideas.   -  George Bernard Shaw
>
>
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>

I think this i really good idea. Teenagers are important and often do
get left out (I say this as one my self). Schools are a great way to
spread free software. Schoolforge exits to do this from a
teacher/admin perspective. I think we need a group to accommodate and
organise the students and other teenagers.

Ben