Someone (didn’t catch the name) talked about the digitalized University Library Ghent.
They pointed out that they’ve already gathered a lot of data and made it publicly available.
On the top of their homepage, there’s a link to available downloads and API’s for the people wanting to be creative with their data.

Next up was Pieter Colpaert, the father of the famous iRail going for word domination.
Pieter explained how iRails started, how they do it, and their goal (which is world domination).
His presentation:

After the awesome talk of Pieter, the microphone was passed on to Bart Rosseau.
Bart works as the Strategic Communication Advisor for the city.
He shared the view of the city on Open Data and what they want and will do for the public.
He noted that it’s obviously not as simple as just opening everything up to everyone, as there are privacy concerns etc…
He promised that there will be data available starting somewhere in the middle of May on http://gent.be/open
Probably on the 14th of May (source: appsforghent.be)
His presentation:

It’s not clear on which data will be placed in the public domain and/or under which license the data will be put.
So let’s keep our eyes open for changes on the http://www.gent.be/open page.

After his talk I’m glad I can conclude that there’s awareness on Open Data and Open Source within the city ​​council.

http://0×20.be

Profile:
You don’t have to be an Ubuntu/Linux expert.
If you can testify about your experiences and suggest to Windows-programs,
can already make a difference.
Most people we lend a word on the fair, have none or little of Ubuntu/Linux/Computer experience.

Fun fact:
As an exhibitor you don’t have to pay the entrance fee, but between helping out, you can take our time to look around and find awesome deals.

How:
Add your name to the ubuntu-wiki page:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BelgianTeam/ComputerFairs/Ghent_2011-01-31
OR
Let me know trough mail ubuntu@mimor.be

Please in both of these cases, mention whether you’ll be helping out a full day or several hours.
That’s all you need to do.
If you can provide items such as demolaptop(s), camera, etc. .. you may also add it to the wiki page.

Hope to see you soon.

=====================================

Gezocht:
Mensen die willen helpen op de Ubuntu stand tijdens de Dipro beurs in Gent op 30 Jan 2011.
Indien het niet mogelijk is om de volledige dag aanwezig te zijn, zijn enkele uren hulp ook altijd welkom.

Profiel:
Je hoeft geen Ubuntu/linux/computer expert te zijn.
Als je kan getuigen over jouw ervaringen en uitleg geven over alternatieven voor Windows programma’s,
kan je al een verschil maken.
De meeste mensen die we op de beurs ten woord staan, hebben helemaal geen of weinig van Ubuntu/Linux.

Leuk weetje:
Als medewerker van de stand hoef je geen toegangsgeld te betalen, maar kan je tussendoor wel rond kijken en toffe deals vinden.

Hoe:
Voeg je naam toe aan deze Ubuntu-be Wiki pagina:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/BelgianTeam/ComputerFairs/Ghent_2011-01-31
OF
Laat het me weten via mail op ubuntu@mimor.be

Gelieve in de twee gevallen te vermelden of je een volledige dag of enkele uren zal helpen.
Dat is het enige dat je hoeft te doen.
Indien je items van de lijst kan verzorgen zoals demo laptop(s), fototoestel, etc… mag je dit ook telkens aanvullen op de wiki pagina.

Hopelijk tot binnenkort.

Mvg,

Mike Morraye

I’ve just send out the news to the mailing list of Ubuntu-be and the Whitespace to confirm that i’ll organise the release party for the upcoming LTS version of Ubuntu.
The event will take place Thursday the 13th of May in the Whitespace.
I’m still looking for people whom have some knowledge of something Ubuntu-related and have the guts to give a lightningtalk or a demo.
At the moment of writing, I’ve had 1 confirmation from a guy with Balls! Mandel.
He did a talk about desktopcouch at fosdem this year, and will bring an improved version of that to the Release party.
If you have questions, let me know.
I’m available at the #Ubuntu-be channel on freenode, or just PM me (mimor) or use the comment section below.

The sent mail in English:

Hello to all.
>
> I organize a RP on the 13th of May in honor of the Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid)
> release.
> This is indeed a Thursday but that’s an official holiday and lot’s of
> the people don’t have to work on Friday.
> What time it’ll take place is yet to be decided.
>
> The RP will take place in the Whitespace (Blekerijstraat 75, Gent,
> Belgium)
> For people wondering what the Whitespace is: http://0×20.be
>
> The space has: power, network, internet, drinks, snacks, beamer, couches
> and I hope we can repair the coffee-machine by then.
> People whom want something else, mention it.
>
> The program is still under construction.
> This moment, my receipt looks like this:
>
> Around 13h we’ll serve a light meet & greet to loosen up the nerves.
> Next, we’ll stimulate the senses wit a series of lightning talks
> accompanied by a spicy serving of freshly cut tips.
> As the Spécial-du-chéf, you can enjoy some trial-and-error-sauce topped
> hands-on sessions.
>
> This part is for sure, but the rest is still work in progress!
>
> This is the rest:
>
> – design of Posters, flyers and web-banners
> – do you know someone, or want to present something yourself? Go for it
> & let me know.
> – spread the word! To your friends, colleagues, your student-club, etc..
> – the pleasure to have YOU with us!
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike Morraye

Or in Dutch:

>
> Hallo iedereen.
>
> Ik organiseer Donderdag, 13 Mei 2010 een RP voor Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid).
> Dit is inderdaad een donderdag Maar het is een feestdag en vrijdag is
> voor velen dus een brug-dag.
> Van hoe laat tot hoe laat is nog te beslissen.
>
> De RP gaat door in de Whitespace (Blekerijstraat 75, Gent, Belgium)
> Voor wie wil weten wat dit is: http://0×20.be
>
> Locatie heeft: stroomvoorziening, netwerk, internet, (fris-) drank,
> versnaperingen, beamer, zetels en hopelijk kunnen we tegen dan ook de
> koffiezet herstellen.
> Wie nog iets anders wil, laat het gerust weten
>
> Het programma in nog in ontwikkeling.
> Op dit moment zit m’n recept er zo uit:
>
> Rond 13h serveren we een luchtige meet & greet om de zenuwen wat los te
> weken. Hierna prikkelen we de zintuigen met een reeks van pittige
> lightningtalks vergezeld van een portie vers gesneden tips.
> Als spécial du chéf, kunnen de fijnproevers genieten van enkele hands-on
> sessies overgoten met een sausje trial & error.
>
> Dit stuk is zeker, de rest is work in progress!
>
> Hier dus de rest:
>
> – ontwerp Poster & flyer en/of web-banners?
> – ken je iemand, of wil je zelf iets presenteren. Go for it & let me
> know.
> – Spread the word! In je vriendenkring, op het werk, in je
> studentenclub, etc…
> – het genoegen dat JIJ er ook bent!
>
> Mvg,
>
> Mike Morraye

But you could also just come by to say hi too of course.

If you feel like helping us out a bit, visit our wiki page here to find out what we still need or how you could help.

On the 9th of may, there will be a Jaunty release party in Ghent! (free entrance)

The goal(s):

• to provide general information on Ubuntu, Linux & FOSS, and show them you don’t need to be a pro to start using it
• guiding people trough the sea of alternatives for proprietary software such as MS Office, Live Messenger, Photoshop, Publisher, Windows Media Player, Picture managers,…
• help people getting Ubuntu installed on their laptop if they bring one along
• show each-other nice tweaks you’ve got up your sleeves or admire the work of others
• demo’s on how to use Ubuntu in an efficient way
• introducing people to the Ubuntu-be LoCo-team! Let them know what we do, how they benefit & help.
• hand out Ubuntu cd’s

The Audience:

• Everybody is welcome! Young people, old people, Dutch people, French people and of course all the other people, yes that means YOU!
  The talks will be kept easy to understand and not-technical so it will be a nice place to get in touch with Ubuntu, even for computer illiterates.
• We’ll expect at least 25 people, and I personally hope on a 40 to 50 people to show up.

Where?

This event will take place in the Curieuze Neuze.
This is a resto/pub with on the upper floor a room that’s used as a showroom for artists.

Price?

This event is totally free of charge!!!!!!!!
You only have to pay for the drinks & food.
We’ll even provide the Ubuntu CD’s for free!

Yes there will be food!

It’s possible to get some delicious fresh food! It’s appreciated if you let us know what you would like 5 days in advance.
But this sure is not required. You can still order it on the spot. (it’s just to make it a little easier for the owner).
You can find the Menu & prices (except for the dish of the day) here.

Subscription!
Subscription is not needed but please let us know if you come or not. By doing this we can take the necessairy steps to make it a more comfortable evening for everyone.

Subscribe now!

We still need:

• people eager to show some cool and not too technically advanced stuff
• someone to talk about how they integrate(d) Ubuntu, Linux and FOSS in a successful business model
• as many people as we can to promote this event on the work-floor, family, school, social networking sites, forums, etc…
• people to let us know what they expect.

More info:

• Ubuntu-nl Forum
• Ubuntu-be Wiki BelgianTeam/ReleaseParty/Jaunty/Ghent
• wiki.ubuntu.com
• Releaseparty.eu
• ubuntu-party.be
• Mailinglist [subscribe here]
• On IRC: #ubuntu-be @ Freenode or use the webchat

I’ll hope to see you there!