= Software Freedom Day Rugby 2013 =
== Introduction ==
On Saturday 12th October 2013, [[http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/|Software Freedom Day]] (SFD) will be celebrated again in Rugby. This annual event is a global celebration focussing on raising awareness of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_open_source_software|free and open source software]]. Thousands of teams in towns and cities across the world are working to provide an opportunity for computer users to experience first hand the benefits of high quality free software.

Interest in free and open source software continues to grow in the current economic climate, a period which is affecting all sectors including business, education and home users alike. Discussion of the potential benefits of open standards made the national press with the UK Government's 2012 Open Standards Consultation.

Free and open source software is also a key part of the maker, hardware hacking and DIY electronics scene.

== History ==
First celebrated in 2004 with just 12 teams, SFD has been held annually in September since then and has seen significant growth, with over 1000 teams taking part last year around the globe. With the current economic strains affecting everyone, computer users everywhere are looking for ways to save costs without compromising on functionality and creativity. Many of the world’s largest and most reliable platforms are built using free software; some typical applications used by people every day without realising that they are based on open source technology include [[http://www.google.com/|Google]], [[http://www.twitter.com/|Twitter]] and [[http://www.facebook.com/|Facebook]].

== Focus on Education, Home and Business ==
Rugby and the surrounding areas are home to a number of business consultancies specialising in free and open source software. Experts will be available on the day to offer professional advice and provide live demonstrations of a variety of web, email, educational and office software and games, giving visitors the opportunity to experience them first hand and ask questions.

Visitors will be welcome to take away a '''free CD''' full of applications to use and share with friends.

== Who’s Invited? ==
The Rugby Software Freedom Day 2013 event is '''free of charge''' to attend and is '''open to everyone''', from individuals who want to know how Free and Open Source software can be used at home; to large organisations, charities and local government visitors. Local media have also been invited to cover the event.

The events hopes to include sessions covering programming, hardware hacking, music creation and graphics, as well as demonstrations and hands-on sessions with the [[http://www.arduino.cc/|Arduino]] and [[http://www.raspberrypi.org/|Raspberry Pi]].

== Want to help? ==
If you want to get involved with Software Freedom Day Rugby (as a sponsor or to provide help and equipment on the day), please get in touch (details below).

== When? ==
This year's event will run from 12:00-16:00 on '''Saturday, 12th October 2013'''.

== Where? ==
Lawrence Sheriff School, Clifton Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 3AG

The school is in easy walking distance of Rugby Town centre with on-site parking available.

== Sponsors ==
This event is being organised by the [[http://www.rugby.lug.org.uk/|Rugby Linux Users Group]] in association with [[http://www.opusvl.com/|OpusVL]] and [[http://www.credativ.co.uk/|credativ]].

== Contact Us ==
You can follow the Rugby Linux Users Group on [[http://twitter.com/#!/RugbyLUG|Twitter]].

If you want to contact us directly, please use the contact details [[http://www.rugby.lug.org.uk/contact.html|here]].

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