Help the TTCS

 

The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers.

This means we need all the help we can get in order to make the group a success.

 

There are many activities that you can become involved with in order to assist the TTCS and enable it to realise benefits to all members:

 

Help the TTCS Join and contribute to the TTCS discussion list Help with meetings Find meeting venues Contribute to the wiki Contribute to the TTCS OSSWIN CD Project Help edit podcasts

 

Join and contribute to the TTCS discussion list

The TTCSDiscussionlist is one of the main forms of communication between members. Join the list and contribute in a positive manner to building the collective knowledge of the group. Assist with problems if you have the technical skill to do so; Offer constructive criticism on the various topics that pop up on the list; Let your opinion be known when there is need to comment on local IT-related government policies; Offer positive suggestions when needed; Monitor the list for trolls, flames and spammers and alert the list owner;

 

When you join the list, you will receive an email which provides the rules and regulations for use of the list. Read it.

Ignorance of these rules will not excuse bad/unacceptable behaviour.

 

Help with meetings

We need persons to do the following for tech meetings and workshops:

-- present topics.

-- provide computers (where necessary).

-- assist with arranging chairs and tables (some venues).

-- assist with snacks and drinks (all venues).

-- assist with cleaning up after the meeting (all venues).

 

Find meeting venues

TTCS has access to a limited number of venues for Meetings at this time. We would like to have more meetings in other areas of the country but cannot do so because we cannot find suitable venues. You can help change this situation.  Take a look at the following specifications. Do you know of a venue with such features?  Can you arrange for us to use it (for free) on a regular basis? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Specifications for meeting venues:

-- free of cost (no rental fees, no deposits, no caution fee, etc).

-- has seating for an average of 20 people.

-- has sturdy tables available.

-- has a proper electricity supply that can support a minimum of 4 high-end (power hungry) desktop computers and their peripherals.

-- well ventilated and/or air-conditioned.

-- has free parking space available for an average of 10 cars.

-- location: in different areas of the country so that members from those areas can attend.

 

If you wish to sponsor (that is pay the fees, all monies, etc) a paid venue for TTCS that is acceptable.  Be aware that TTCS cannot reimburse you at any time in the present or future for any or all of your expenses. 

 

If you sponsor a paid venue, you do so with out any "strings" or conditions attached. For example TTCS cannot endorse your goods, services or company in repayment for your sponsorship of the venue.

 

If you sponsor a paid venue, you assume all responsibility for payments, fees, caution deposits, etc. The arrangment for use of the venue is between you and the person(s) in charge of the venue. TTCS cannot and will not be involved with these financial arrangements.

 

Contribute to the wiki

Help to build the collective knowledge of the group by contributing to the wiki. Your contributions can take many forms:

-- edit an existing document (add more information, update exisiting information, correct factual errors).

-- create a new document (only restriction: topic must be legal in TnT).

-- correct spelling and grammar errors.

-- monitor the wiki for vandalism and spam and alert TTCS management.

 

We ask that you credit your sources and refrain from plagiarism.

 

Contribute to the TTCS OSSWIN CD Project

The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society produces the TTCS OSSWIN CD, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software for home and business users using the Microsoft Windows 98SE/Me/2000 and XP operating systems. Read more about the CD on its official page:

http://www.ttcsweb.org/osswin-cd/index.htm

 

We require several forms of assistance with this project:

 

- new programs

We are always looking for new and useful programs to include in the collection. If you find a program you think is worthy enough to be in the OSSWIN collection, let us know. Software should be released under an Open Source compatible licence.

Learn more about the Open Source Defination and the Open Source Initiative at:

the official website: http://opensource.org/

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Source_Initiative

Alphabetical listing of Open Source compatible licences: http://opensource.org/licenses/alphabetical

Open Source Defination

 

- updating the information on the CD.

New software requires the creation of description, links, etc pages for the CD interface.

Updated version of exisitng software requires updates to the existing description pages.

 

- promoting the CD.

Promotion can take several forms:

- members speaking to various social groups (e.g. their sports club or choir) about the benefits of Open Source Software and the TTCS OSSWIN CD.

- members creating flyers, banners, posters, brochures and other print related work for use in giveaways and other such promotional activity.

- members creating artwork for: the CD ( both disk and case insert), the official website, etc.

- members assisting with the financial cost of producing OSSWIN t-shirts.

Members finding new and creative ways in which to promote the project and spread the word about Open Source Software.

 

 

Help edit podcasts

You need to know up front that podcast editing is a time consuming, labour intensive task. If we have not scared you away, here is a brief summary:

-- attend the podcast recording session and make notes on what was said.

-- at the end of the session, an uncompressed, unedited, high quality version (usually .WAV format) will be provided to you.

-- you will now use an audio editor (TTCS members have used  Audacity) and reference your notes to reduce the session to about 1 hour.

-- you will then burn that uncompressed, edited version to disk (CD or DVD depending on size) and deliver it to TTCS management.

-- TTCS management will convert it to a suitable compressed format (MP3, OGG)and upload it to an appropriate hosting site.