Re: [Fsuk-manchester] Fwd: Event: Manchester Girl Geek Dinner #2 - 7:00 PM Friday, July 25, 2008

[Tim Dobson]

MJ Ray wrote:
> "Tim Dobson" <address@hidden> wrote:
> > Who can attend: Girl Geeks! A lady who has an interest, or is involved
> > in the Science, Engineering and Technology industries. Blokes can come
> > too, but you need an invite from a Geek Girl!
>
> Boycott that sex discrimination project and please don't advertise it.

Hmm. I'm not sure I agree.

When politely asked to advertise events, I spend a considerable amount 
of time thinking about whether it is suitable for the list.

Indeed, if someone had suggested that GGD did not have enough of a focus 
on free software etc. I would probably agree (though that does not 
necessarily mean it should not be advertised on the list).

I do feel that, in general, it is beneficial for involving a wider 
selection of techies into the techie community.

It shouldn't be necessary, without a doubt, but in the current climate, 
I think it is fair to say you need to be pretty headstrong to cope with 
the male dominated free software sphere.

Creating an environment where people don't feel outnumbered, I think, is 
helpful for starting to bridge this gap. If a women orientated event, 
infrequently, can make a difference, I am quite happy to support it.

In particular to this event, I was quite interested about the young 
people into geeking section. One of the things I am currently working 
on, with the help of a few people, is developing DFEY-NW[1] (Digital 
Freedom in Education & Youth NorthWest) to try and get more young people 
into free software and the FSUGs, GLUGs, BUGs & *UGs.

Tim

[1] http://dfey.freedomdreams.co.uk

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www.tdobson.net
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If each of us have one object, and we exchange them, then each of us
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If each of us have one idea, and we exchange them, then each of us now
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