Meeting notes from 1st September 2006. Facilitated by David Symons [1], presentation by Justin Freeman [2].

FOSSACT introductions

We had just over 30 people attend this months meeting, with at least 20 new faces. So quite a good turn-out. David introduced the FOSSACT committee members and then each attendee introduced themselves.

FOSSACT discussion items:

1. What FOSSACT aims to be:
• A forum: One that facilitates FOSS services providers and users to get to know each other so that collaborative relationships may form.
• An advocacy group: Taking the message regarding Free and Open Source Software to the Canberra business and government community.
• An information provider: Introducing members to FOSS technologies that may be of interest to their own business and/or offerings.
• A point of contact: A place that people/organisations can come to for information regarding providers of local support for their own FOSS endeavours.
2. FOSSACT Business Services Register: Call-out to list of service providers to register for listing on fossact.org.au
3. Mailing list: Do we need one? YES! Register here [2].
   
4. FOSSACT association: Registering FOSSACT as an association with paid memberships, just an update that this is being investigated and why paid membership is important (paying for room hire primarily)
5. Software Freedom Day: Information to attendees and service providers wanting to be included on the flyer. Read more here [2].

30min presentation - Email and Calendar alternatives to Microsoft Exchange using Open Source Software

Justin Freeman from Agileware [3] discussed the alternatives to Microsoft Exhange using open source software and demonstrated Zimbra [4] and discussed Scalix. [5] As well as a bit of OpenSUSE [6] XGL [7] and VMWare [8] goodness.

Unfortunately, the Scalix demonstration would not work so that'll be another presentation in the near future!

Feedback from attendees on the Zimbra demonstration could be summed as simply: WOW!

CD's of the Zimbra source code and documentation library were given away at the end of the presentation.

Presentation resources are listed below:

1. Agileware Presentation (PDF) [8]
2. Zimbra website [9]
3. Zimbra Presentation (PDF) [9]
4. Scalix website [10]
5. Scalix Whitepaper (PDF) [10]

Other Items

• Open discussion, problems, questions/answers, help required, requests for future presentations
• Presentation for next meeting - AppArmor [10] on Friday, 6th October
  
• Reminder to register and post news on the fossact.org.au website and join the mailing list!
• Special thanks gpes out to Andrew Smith from Cool Chilli [11] who paid for the room hire. Beauty mate!
• Thanks and see you next month.