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From Digital Foundations

Contents 1 What 2 When 2.1 February 6 2.2 February 7 2.3 February 8 3 Why 4 Who 5 REGISTER 6 Where

[edit] What

Eyebeam and FLOSS manuals are working together to host the Digital Foundations FLOSSify book sprint! What does this mean?

It means that a group of artists and volunteers are going to get together to translate the entire Digital Foundations text from an Adobe CS-based book to one that uses nothing but free, open-source software. All of the same exercises, all of the same design principles, but taught in step-by-step detail using free software anyone can download.

AND We need your help to do it! If you've got a knack for technical writing, skillz with free design software, or just want to learn about some of the great things contained in the book, then we want you to participate and help out.

[edit] When

FEBRUARY 6, 7, 8

Starts everyday at 10am through to whenever.

The translation process has already begun with the original Digital Foundations text being uploaded to the FLOSS Manuals site, and marked up for re-writing. Then, on Friday the 6th, the real work begins.

[edit] February 6

Everyone meets up. Introductions are made. Tutorials are administered. Chapters are distributed. Writing begins. Screenshots get made.

[edit] February 7

We meet again. High fives are given. Writing continues. Chapters are proofed. Images are finalized. Chapters are put together.

[edit] February 8

The last day. The writing is finished. Final proofs are made. Chapters are tested. Progress is made. The new FLOSSified book is done!

[edit] Why

For a long time educational courses have been cheap marketing for proprietary software companies. Can a student really afford all those expensive softwares required by the courses? No. Ever hear of a software company kicking up a fuss because students are using 'unofficial' versions? Well, it does happen but not often. And why not? Because proprietary software companies know, as the universities know, that once the students leave their training they will be indoctrinated with those tools and simply slipstream into being paid up proprietary software citizens. Simply put, unlicensed software used in education is tolerated because it is cheap marketing.

This is how tools become 'industry standards'.

FLOSS Manuals is fighting this flow by converting textbooks that use proprietary software to using free software in their examples.

[edit] Who

We need awesome volunteers of all types. We currently have a few experts signed up to translate chapters and exercises using the free software, as well as teach any and all new comers, but we need more help. During the weekend there will be a need for:

1. Translators
2. Screenshotters
3. Editors
4. Proofers
5. Testers/Learners
6. General Help

[edit] REGISTER

Registers now! We want to know you're coming. The attendance list appears below, so if you want to come, just log in and add your name and information.

Logging in to register is easy. You don't need to make a new account-> The user name is FLOSS. The p4$$word is eyebeam.

Make sure to let us know how available you'll be:

1. Full-On - I can be there all three days. I'm going to show up early and stay late and see this through.
2. Single-Commitment - I'm excited to help and can totally be there for a single day. I'll let you know which day I can come.
3. Join in the Fun - I want to come on Sunday afternoon to learn from the pros, test out the chapters, and have a good time.

Don't be intimidated. Log-in and add your info below.

Name	Email	Potential Roles (see above)	Availability
Michael Mandiberg	Michael-eyebeam-org	Ringleader	Full-On
Adam Hyde	adam@flossmanuals.net	FM Guy	Full-On
Noel Hidalgo	...	Ringleader	Full-On
Patrick Davison	patrick.davison-gmail-com	Translator, Editor, Screenshotter	Full-On
Clara Jo	...	Editor, Proofer, General Helper	Full-On
Jennifer Dopazo	jndopazo@gmail.com	Proofer, Screenshotter, General Helper	Full-On
Joshua Facemyer	...	Translator, Inkscape Guru	tbc
James Vasile	...	Editing, proofing, testing	tbd
xtine burrough	cburrough@fullerton.edu	Copy Editor	Full-On Online Reference
Dave Mandl	...	...	tbc
Mel Chua	...	...	all days
Beth Warshafsky	...	tester, learner	Fri, Sat or Sun
Devendra Laulkar	devendra-laulkar-com,	tester, learner	Sat, poss Sun

[edit] Where

All the action takes place in labs at Eyebeam.

540 W. 21st Street, (between 10th and 11th Avenues)

Nearest trains are at 23rd and 14th Streets.

(directions)