7th April, LawCampLeeds

The bundle of web based technologies popularly known as "Web 2.0" have created opportunities for all sorts of new businesses. But those businesses have already encountered legal issues that inhibit the development of those technologies and the exploitation of those opportunities.

The purpose of this gathering is to identify, analyse and resolve those issues. Since those issues are still largely inchoate the BarCamp formula is particularly for their analysis and resolution. This will not be a legal seminar but a forum for the technical, business and academic communities.

The venue is ideal for that purpose. Located in one of the UK's most important financial and legal centres outside London and close to two great universities, the NTI is already the meeting place for many of the developers of the new technologies and those who want to invest in them.
Website: http://www.barcamp.org/LawCampLeeds

1st April, Liverpool Linux User Group Meeting

Liverpool Linux User Group are a group of Linux and open source software users that meet on the first Wednesday of the month. If no talk is organised then we will usually organise a "open stage" for people to discuss projects, current news, or just to rant.

Main Talk
At the moment we have a choice of talks to present at this months meeting, but we'll be confirming the details very soon.

Open Stage
Simon Johnson will be doing a quick talk about high level Python.
Andrew Williams will explain one of his latest projects and why Android development is great for newbies.

We will meet up in "The Old Ropewalk" pub before the meeting, then head out to the event around 7:00pm. The Liverpool Social Centre is two doors up from Forbidden Planet and is the right-hand door at the front of "News From Nowhere". Check the window for a handy Liverpool LUG sign, which will indicate we are there and not still at the pub. Press the white doorbell for access (the one marked basement) and someone will come up and open the door for you.

After the talks we will usually stay in the meeting area for a while then head out back to The Old Ropewalk pub.

If you have any difficulties finding the event, please ring a contact number listed on the website.
Website: http://livlug.org.uk/meetings:2009_april
53.4026340000 -2.9773520000

1st April, Exposure Leeds 2

Exposure Leeds is series of monthly events in a user-group format aimed at helping those serious about their photography to improve and develop.

-- The complicated act of getting back to basics --

A few years ago I attended a workshop on creativity. Now, as a person who does problem solving creativity on a daily basis, I was stunned at not only how much I'd forgotten but also how differently other people approached 'being creative'.

Based on this I approached Rick Harrison and Mike Wallis and they have agreed to cover their thoughts and experiences with the 'dark arts' of composition and exposure.

There will be time given over for networking and socialising.

www.exposureleeds.org

1st April, Geekup Sheffield

As you may know, Sheffields very own geekfather, @jagusti, is off touring the world at the moment, but fear not! We're gonna buy a pint of Franziskaner and stand it on the end of the bar for jag, then muddle on as best we can.

Presentations will kick off fat 8pm on the dot. We're hoping people will use the early evening space creatively and do some networking / catch up. There will be a projector and all the usual facilities, so if anyone fancies giving a lighnting talk, you're more than welcom.

First up at 8pm we've got Finbarr Joy, an old hand at agile projects (And singer with Giants Causeway), who's coming to talk to us about project management and contract issues around agile processes. Bring your anti-agile bosses and their questions!

After questions, and a brief pause for glass re-charging, our very own Richard Allsebrook (Twitter) will be up at ~9pm and giving a whirlwind (30 min) tour of Cake/PHP.

Richard will be doing a high-level overview that should be interesting to everyone, and is then going to show a bit of code. If you don't want to sit and look at more php, there will be seats and tables in the breakout area. We really want to try and cultivate that area, so please feel free to peel off into sub-groups and use the space if you don't fancy the code!

Right, thats it. Support your local geek-up! hope to see you there.

24th April, Ubuntu Release Party

Ian Forrester (from BBC Backstage) has
booked us the BBC Manchester Bar on Friday 24th April for the
Ubuntu-UK Manchester release party. The party will start at 7pm and
go on until late (although after 10pm we may have to move to another
pub on Oxford Road).

If you are interested in attending you need to sign up before 9am 24th
April. You can do this by emailing me, adding yourself to the facebook
page [1] or adding yourself to upcoming yahoo page [2].

The address is: New Broadcasting House, Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJ.

The nearest train station is Oxford Road, although it's within walking
distance of Piccadilly and Victoria stations.

For car parking, the Cornerhouse is just down the road and their
website [3] has some useful information.

When you arrive just wait in reception where someone will meet you to
take you up to the bar.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think maybe interested.
It's time to show the London lot some competition!

Rock on Ubuntu 9.04!!


[1] http://preview.tinyurl.com/cy6pgq
[2] http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/2173360/?ps=5
[3] http://www.cornerhouse.org/about/?page=22330

25th March, Bradford LUG Meeting

Bradford LUG Official Meeting
Date: 25th March 2009 - that's tomorrow!

Time: 7pm - 8:30 ish
Place: Mable Booth Room
Bradford Council for Voluntary Services (CVS)
Voluntary Services Centre
19/25 Sunbridge Road,
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 2AY
tel. 01274 722772

more info at:
http://www.bradford.lug.org.uk/wiki/


We're focusing on Games this month with a presentation about Gaming
past, present and future. It promises to look at how to persuade you're
hard core gamers that Linux is platform for them.

You may also get a chance to rub shoulders with our very own Linux
Format contributor - get a copy and then match the face to the person!
(are you coming John?)

It will also be Document Freedom Day,
http://www.documentfreedom.org/

so we may raise a glass to that following the meeting - probably in the
Sir Titus Salt (near the Alhambra) from about 9pm.

19th March Leadership And Management in the Digital Industries

In a fast-moving industry dominated by freelancers and SMEs, what does ‘Leadership And Management’ really mean? Why is it important? Where does Project Management fit it? And how do we get better at it?

This event, held in association with BMedia and the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network (WYLLN), seeks to find out! The event takes place at the WOW Academy in Bradford on Thursday 19^th March, 5.30-8.15pm where Dave Pannell from The Design Mechanics and Liz Cable from Reach Further will give their views on this hot topic. Also including free pizza buffet! Contact us on 0845 122 1555 or infoAT ntileeds.co.uk to book your place.

NWDUG 19th March Meeting - *Venue Change*

The NW Drupal User Group will now meet at Revolution, Deansgate Locks from 6.30pm

25 March North West England Perl Mongers social meeting

This months North West England Perl Mongers social meeting is in
Liverpool at The Ship & Mitre pub (http://www.shipandmitre.co.uk/).
Cask ales and Perl will be consumed from around 20:00, though some
people might be there slightly earlier. Further details along with
directions can be found on the North West England Perl Mongers web
site (http://northwestengland.pm.org/meetings/003.html).

Remember, North West England Perl Mongers covers the largest
geographical area for any Perl Mongers group in the world! If you
want us to bring the camel and penguin to your area and you can
organise a venue, please do let me know. We're looking to organise
next months technical talks in the Manchester area and would
appreciate any assistance in finding a suitable venue (projector, bar
or close proximity to, room for twenty people?).

The North West England Perl Mongers is a group of open source and Perl
professionals and enthusiasts in Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside and
the Western parts of Greater Manchester. Meeting once a month for
alternating technical and social reasons, we welcome all comers
interested in Perl or not. For more information about nwe.pm, see our
website at http://northwestengland.pm.org/ Feel free to come, have a
drink and tell us why you don't like Perl!

Dragon's Lair II - 26th March at UMIC, Mancheste

Only 2 weeks left to our next Dragon's Lair with 34 seats already sold
with number of Dragons and pitching companies confirmed. Now is the
time to secure your ticket before the last minute mad-rush starts.

Since the beginning of the year, 58,985 companies have been registered
in the UK with the North West reporting the highest number of
registrations (6,096) outside London. Whilst this is slightly lower
than the same period of last year, these facts proves that
entrepreurship is very much live in the North of England. Dragon's
Lair is your chance to rub shoulders with northern tech entrepreneurs
and their friends.

I am also thrilled to welcome Nic Brisbourne of DFJ Esprit which has
$6 billion under management. This is Nic's second visit - a clear sign
of London based VC's desire to engage and support Northern talent. Nic
will be joined by our own Carl Allen (£200m of funding through 3000
investing Non Executive Directors), Scott Fletcher (Angel Investor and
CEO of ANS Group) and Simon Howship (first time Angel Investor and
Senior Executive of Freeserve, and ex-CEO of Callserve Communicaions
and Vyke Communications plc). We are waiting for confirmation from
number of potential Dragons to increase the overall number to six
Dragons.

Are you a tech startup looking for funding? Are you an Angel Investor
or Venture Capitalist looking for investment opportunities? Are you
interested in attending a lively event on up to 8 tech startups
pitching to a panel of Dragons. Whatever your interest is, I am happy
to announce the return of Dragon's Lair to Central Manchester on 26th March 2009 at UMIC after the successful
pilot in December 2008. The event runs from 5:30pm to 9pm followed
by networking at a local bar till early hours.

Number of Opportunities exists

1. Sponsor this prestigious event - sponsorship starts from £500
onwards
2. Be a Dragon (up to 2 slots vacant) - Business Angels and Venture
Capitalists sought
3. Be a pitching company (up to 6 slots vacant)

Pitching companies confirmed include PostDox, an e-invoicing startup
and RecycleLocal, a startup with recycling theme. If you wish to grab
the remaining pitching slots, act now. Crains Manchester Business is
expected to run a story on the pitching companies on 16th March. We
are keen to hear from startups looking for second round of funding, as
well as those who have a strong management team or proven revenue
streams.