Forum Topic

Community computer club

I have been trying for several years to persuade my local Ealing council to help set up a community computer club where anyone can learn the basics of how to install, configure, and administer anything from a single computer to a complex network running high performance Unix compatible Free Open Source Software.You can dive in the deep end, get your own hardware, find and read the documentation and learn at home if you have the time and space, but there is much to learn about, and it is a great help to be able to ask someone nearby.There are plenty of University level courses available, but it is simply not possible to learn using the Microsoft Only facilities in the local library. There are about 29,000 packages to choose from in the current stable distribution I use, soon to be increased to nearer 35,000 with the next release.The current government has announced that the school curriculum is to be changed to promote High Performance Computing, and it would appear that much of what is needed for a community club is being offered on the www.chiswickw4.com forum under the heading Tonnes of free furniture - mainly office, but I have not yet managed to persuade the council to help with space.I have been told that almost every town in Europe has shared community resources including machine tools and technical facilities, but how many more generations will miss out in Britain?

Chris Bell ● 5039d3 Comments

Hi Chris,I was at that OSC meeting as a member of the public. I agree with your assessment. Interestingly, it seems that the Council will be removing some of their employees in the town hall over to Perceval House as they downsize the staff.  This may well leave rooms available for community activities such as yours (and arts/cultural activities which Ealing Arts + Leisure is interested in developing.)  Get some more people around you; keep in contact with EA+L - chairman John HUmmerston : chairman@ealingarts.co.uk; and above all speak to as many councillors as you can until they finally get the message. The time to do this is now before town hall rooms get allocated elsewhere.  Maybe set up a voluntary organisation or charity as then you will have some status infront of the Council - and voluntary/charity goes down very well.

Ann Pav ● 5032d

I have been trying to convince Ealing Council they should help for years. A friend offered very full details of a course he proposed, and after a full year of communication Ealing Adult Education said they had no idea what he was talking about, so no.It needs some room to leave equipment which may not be fully configured but where it can be accessed and progressed with the minimum of restrictions. It would need mains power, and an internet connection would be an advantage. I have already received hardware donations, and the current offer of free office furniture could help. Easy inexpensive parking with access for equipment and disabled would help.It would be a working environment that does not require expensive equipment.It is easy enough to make up standard network cables and connect together a network, although health and safety requirements may need cables to be kept tidy.I was asked to give a short chat at an Ealing Council Scrutiny Panel meeting, after which I was informed about the number of facilities provided in public libraries, but it was obvious that the panel did not understand the problem.I am a retired TV Outside Broadcast engineer, not a qualified IT engineer, but there is plenty of support from a large community developing and using Free Open Source Software.There are plenty of references on my websitehttp://www.chrisbell.org.ukincludinghttp://www.access-space.orgin Sheffield and thehttp://hackspace.org.ukPlease contact your local councillors, they have received an email from me.

Chris Bell ● 5038d

What you advocate Chris Bell is a Brilliant Idea. It deserves support from people of all ages.I sincerely wish you every success.Have you a plan that others may be willing to consider. It is worth getting off the Ground.

Os A Whittle ● 5038d