October 6, 2006
JoziGeekDinner
Stormhoek sponsored some fantastic wines for the Jozi Geek Dinner last night – I tasted some Rose and Cabernet Savignon which I would recommend to my friends, and would also recommend they don’t have more than 2 glasses. Graham (from Stormhoek Wines) told us how the blogosphere helped get their wines from unknown to world-famous on a tiiiiny budget. Thanks to Mike for organising, D for taking photos, Aiden for talking about how the connected web saves lives, Max for an inspiring talk (“I’m not a motivational speaker!”), Christoff for telling us an intimate story about him and a goat (real “hands-on” stuff…) and surprise guest, blog god Seth Godin, for telling us how well placed we are in South Africa right now.
I invited my friend Thando to come along kinda because she’s new to the whole geek thing (having discovered open source like, last week) but more because I was hoping she’d meet some people who could help her with her dream. She grew up in the rural Eastern Cape (close to Grahamstown) and her family raised enough money for her to study so she could get a job. She been in Joburg for a number of years doing the corporate thing and has realised she just doesn’t enjoy it. So she’s heading back to her roots, but wants to start an education/social upliftment thing – and a computer lab will be a big part of that. After looking into licensing fees from Microsoft she realised that wouldn’t be an option, and so has just discovered the open source approach. I would love to help her succeed in getting this computer centre off the ground, including full internet connectivity. Thando got several ideas from tonight – including blogging (with the view of connecting her vision globally with interested people and perhaps raising funds), getting people to donate towards the vision and getting the geek community involved (Jacques definition of a geek: a nerd with social skills…I’m not sure I agree!).
Other conversations worth mentioning: Stormhoek, geek groups and energy with Graham; getting together genius groups (and general energy!) with Max; the Nimda worm, DOS 6.22, Kings Quest, technorati stats, bad tech support and Macs with Jacques and George; China, Western sense of self, African cultures and the South African future with Tumi (thanks for the encouragement!); the good-lookingness of [name deleted for fear of incriminating people we know]’s cousin with Mike; BMW, CSS, splattermail, more regular blogging and broken sites in IE 7 with the inimitable Scott; custom php/mysql song database/print app with Chris and Justin; GTD, subversion and Drupal with Monkey Barrel Carl; rubbing up against a pillar with Jonathan (Mike’s fault, that – I disavow all knowledge); “I want to say just 2 things,” with Aiden; and a great moment of connecting Max and Thando who can hopefully have some synergistic sparks as they work out her dream.
So a great evening all in all. Thanks to Primi Piatti for excellent service and going the extra mile (“What?! Tap water?! Now? WITH ice?!”) – and thanks to Mike for organising. We’re sending you virtual hugs (because for f*&^s sake, you got given a 17″ MacBook Pro!).
[Uptime: 20 days 12:19]
Technorati Tags: Jozi Geek Dinner, JoziGeekDinner
Comments(17)
Roger Saner is a web platform developer (using 
Great to hear about your friend Thando’s ideals. “After looking into licensing fees from Microsoft she realised that wouldn’t be an option” – I’m sure there wouldn’t be much in terms of licensing cost involved for such a project, on the other hand MS would probably be very supportive of such an initiative. She should try and approach them with her idea.
Geek Dinner was great. Still battling a bit after too much Stormhoek but it was a great evening.
Hmm…good thought. I suppose it’s a bit prejudicial to imagine Microsoft not being interested in this project. I do know they’ve got a few “digital villages” set up around the country, but I’m biased towards open source (and especially since meeting the Open Lab guys). I think the bigger challenge with her is getting the computers – either raising enough funds to buy them or getting them donated (Microsoft? Shuttleworth?). And of course, post-installation maintenance.
The thing which has completely stumped me with this initiative is how is she going to get good internet access in the rural eastern Cape. 3G? I don’t know.
Ja, I enjoyed last night – and also had a bit too much Stormhoek!
Yeah, the Open Lab stuff looked really great. And very suitable for what she wants to do!
If there’s no 3G coverage she might want to try and get in touch with the USAL licensee for the area. From Google it seems to be http://www.itel.co.za/. Don’t know much about the USAL’s capabilities but if it’s in their coverage area they might be able to help.
Thanks for the post my good man. I’ll pretend I can remember our conversation about someone’s cousin.
Oh and I’m glad you got out
Hi! Microsoft have an initiative that is designed to bring free software to deserving causes. Not only that, but via their client base they even come up with hardware for worthy projects. Call Text 100 Public Relations (who handle MS) and ask to speak to the right person.
Bru how very excellent to meet you, and especially Thando – please! will you swing me her number again.. so keen to connect with her and see if we can light a fire under the broeks of those who can help shape physical reality from her brave dream
Thanks Clive – I’ll look in to that. Do you think it would be cheeky to ask Microsoft to donate hardware that would end up running linux?!
Max – I’m emailing you Thando’s number right now…
Mike – thanks, I did manage to get out. Finding my car in a locked parking garage was a bit of a suprise….thought I was in for a long walk home (and thanks for the offer of a lift!).
Hey Roger! Is that a trick question?
Hehe – no trick question! Microsoft is where they are because they bundle their software with hardware…so to ask them to donate *just* hardware is, well, cheeky. Should I try anyway?!
Roger, methinks I’d then go to Mustek or approach the marketing director for Mecer computers. But, a thought: What about getting the ‘Geek Community’ to see what old computers (in working order) they can come up with? One imagines a decent percentage of the guys’n gals must work in corporates which have redundant but functional machines? Worth a shot.
Thanks Clive – that’s a great idea. I’ll chat to Thando and also run it past the inimitable Mike…I’m sure the geek community could do quite a bit with this idea!
My first blog comment – WOW, this is quite exciting. I definitely LOVE this club, it’s got a bunch of very cool people. Had a great time at the dinner and thanks to all involved. You guys are giving me the courage to go on and believe that this can be done. Am trying not to be overwhelmed by all of this stuff, but I know I’ve got the support. I’m on my way.
Hi Roger, great post, great ideas – I’ll give a shout to some people and see what I can find with regard to pre-used (-loved) PC’s.
By the way, the t-shirts are on the way – I have not forgotten
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Good day All
Sorry for the late response l guess lm still recovering from the great night. lt was lovely to share time and space with like minded people. There was passion in the air( if passion is the right word). This would conclude what Max the Genuis had to say. l was truly impressed by Thando and l know at times the mountain seems huge but the view from up top is with everything. So pls shout, kick and scream if l can help with anything. ANYTHING.
2mi
Rog, drop me a line – may have a contact that could help Thando. We must chat!
Thanks Mike – will chat soon. Thando is currently looking for a computer which she can install open source software on and then teach herself. I told her to budget around R3000 for a new one but I wonder if anyone has a newish old computer they don’t need? I could do the install and set up linux for her…
[...] clarity of Gabi the sharp brutha (sorry I didn’t get to chat more to you, and Adriano); Roger the macgeek who introduced me to young visionary Thando, and assaulted by Jacques who tagged me a hippie [...]