is a series of hands-on workshops and discussion events introducing Free Open Source Software (FOSS) as a tool for creative practice and exploring the wider issues related to it. They have been organised by Simon Yuill, and are hosted and co-ordinated by Centre for Contemporary Art, Glasgow (CCA).
_YOUR MACHINES 2004_
Sunday 9th May: FOSS Cafe
- an informal introduction to Free Open Source Software (FOSS) with talks by Lawrence Liang (Alternative Law Forum), Bob Kerr (EDLUG), and James Wallbank (Lowtech).
documentation
Monday 10th May: RICHAIR wireless workshop
- how to build and use your own wireless networking antennae, presented by TAKE2030.
documentation
Thursday 14th October: FOSS, open networks and collaborative practice
- talk by Simon Worthington of MUTE magazine and the OpenMUTE project.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October: FOSS tools for small organisations
- introduction to FOSS for small organisations, particularly orientated towards cultural and community groups.
documentation
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October: Audio Visual production with FOSS tools
- hands-on introduction to the tools and techniques for creating audio and video content for the web and radio.
documentation
Saturday 13th November: FOSS tools for individuals
- introduction to FOSS for individuals, covering both personal management and creative tools.
documentation
Tuesday 30th November: FOSS tools for artists
- talk by artist and media-activist Derek Holzer.
Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th December: PureData workshop
- comprehensive 3 day course on PureData, a tool for working with live audio, video and 3D synthesis.
documentation
The first two YOUR MACHINES events were presented as part of the MACHINISTA festival, Glasgow, 2004.
_ARTICLES_
What is FOSS anyway? - introduction to some of the main ideas, people and opinions behind FOSS.
Stay Free - article on artists working with FOSS, by Martin Howse.
FOSS in Scotland - a listing of groups providing local support and involvement for FOSS, free networks and computer recycling in Scotland.
Your Machines: Your Culture - article by Simon Yuill, originally published in Variant, Summer 2004.
Geek Power - article by Jack Mottram, originally published in The List magazine, November 2004.
