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

[Tim Dobson]

Simon Ward wrote:
> On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 01:39:41PM +0100, Tim Dobson wrote:
> > > Does it actually need a separate mailing list? 
> > I think it does.
>
> Care to elaborate?

I thought I had later on in the previous mail. However I will do more in 
a minute.

> > this mailing list contains a lot of stuff which is mostly irrelevant.
>
> If the primary motivation of the new group is free software related,
> then any irrelevances should really be off topic on this list too.

In the context, I meant "irrelevant to young people".
I'm sorry if this wasn't clear.

> > I am not suggesting that anyone be disallowed from being on any mailing  
> > list, rather than it be well known that the lists have different focuses  
> > which, in theory, should be adhered to.
>
> Again, see above.  How different is the focus really?
>
> I’m just as concerned about free software for young people as I am for
> free software with anyone else.  Should we also have a free software
> list for the elderly?  Asian people?  Businesses?  We’re tackling the
> same things here.

Obviously you are exagerating my position a bit, however if people feel 
intimidated or afraid to post because of there being really serious 
discussions going on then perhaps instead of getting rid of the serious 
discussion about free software ethics - something you know I feel 
strongly about - we should look at what we can do.

I feel that the mailing is not very geared up to providing a social 
space for young people interested in free software. In addition, it's 
rather hard to have discussions about internal advocacy within schools 
without feeling that the well meaning replies are rather out of touch.

 >>> Although I support groups in schools, youth centres, etc, I feel that
> > > branching [off] completely would just exacerbate ageism.
> > If we have a contact with a school or youth group, and they would like  
> > us to do something with them, we should take it seriously and see what  
> > we can do.
>
> You sidestepped a little.
Actually, I simply misunderstood...

>  I’m _still_ talking about mailing list
> separation when I say “branching off”.  I said I support other groups
> forming, but still don’t see the necessity for another list.

I think it is hard to see as someone who has not been very active with 
the youth contingent of this group.
One of the things that has been said to me is that they would "never 
look at the [manchester free software] list" if they joined it. By 
creating something a focus on young people we are giving people a second 
reason to join and look at it.

Tim

--
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