Millersville University Open Options Event – Success!
Bryan Behrenshausen reports that the Millersville University Open Options: Remix Computing with Open Source Software Event was a success!
Just writing to report our success at last night’s library event,
“Open Options: Remix Computing with Open Source Software.” Nearly 50
people attended the panel discussion and listened to our experts
discuss everything from open source software to the future of the
commons. And following the talk, many students and faculty spent time
watching Ubuntu software demonstrations, discussing ways to implement
these technologies into their personal and professional lives, and
snacking on cookies while browsing a selection of the library’s
collection (related to everything from the political economy of
software to handbooks on GNU programming). What’s more, I watched
many attendees leave the event carrying Ubuntu CDs, netbook remix
flash drives, the Open CD, and copies of OpenOffice — not to mention
stickers, buttons, and pamphlets.The event would not have been nearly as successful as it was without
the support of many Ubuntu PA LoCo team members. Many thanks to
Elizabeth Krumbach and Bret Fledderjohn for helping to promote the
event and coordinate the team. And a sincere “thank you” to Jim
Fisher and Thomas Ward for not only preparing but also shipping Ubuntu
CDs, flash drives, stickers, and other goodies to us at Millersville
University. And finally, we must indeed thank Chris Knittel and his
buddy Dan Hodges, who drove all the way from Camp Hill to demo Ubuntu
on a desktop, notebook, netbook, and G1 mobile phone for all our
guests. After the panel discussion, these gents cooly fielded a
barrage of questions from students and faculty for nearly a half-hour.It’s hard to believe: After nearly five months of planning and
coordinating, the event is behind us. We hope the success of the
evening not only demonstrates the feasibility of another (perhaps on
Software Freedom Day), but also prompts students and faculty to think
critically about the nature of the tools they use — and the open
options available to them as they remix the future and remake the
world.
Those with Facebook accounts can view photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=152068&id=37366458921
Thanks again to Bryan for contacting the team and giving us the opportunity to participate in this event!
