#language en

= 2019/UK/Manchester =
[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester|About Manchester]]

== About the groups involved ==

=== About ManLUG ===

[[http://www.manlug.org/|Manchester Linux User Group (ManLUG)]] is one of the UK's oldest LUGs and have an active group of people giving support and sharing knowledge.

=== About Manchester Free Software ===

[[https://libreplanet.org/wiki/Manchester|Manchester Free Software (MFS)]] aims to promote the [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|free software philosophy]], centred in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester|Manchester]].  We provide a friendly and accessible community to learn about and discuss [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]].  We've been running the Free Software Festival that is Software Freedom Day from 2008.

== Event ==

Our aim for Software Freedom Day (SFD) is to celebrate Software Freedom, and to spread Software Freedom to people and groups that would be into [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]] and the [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]] philosophy if only they knew about it.

=== When? ===

Saturday, 21st September 2019.  Afternoon (exact times to be finalised but will end before 5pm).

=== Where? ===

[[https://www.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/270319/central_library/category/1176/view_all_libraries|Manchester Central Library]], St Peters Square, City Centre, M2 5PD.
 * Next to [[https://tfgm.com/public-transport/tram/stops/st-peters-square-tram|St Peter's Square tram stop]]
 * [[https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/53.47815/-2.24487|OpenStreetMap centred on Manchester Central Library]]

==== Parking? ====

If you can't decide otherwise then park in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Arndale|Manchester Arndale]], although it isn't cheap, see [[https://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/manchester-arndale-jv/|NCP Manchester Arndale]].

There are paid parking lots around the venue, they are marked by a blue
P in this [[https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=16/53.47815/-2.24487|OpenStreetMap centred on Manchester Central Library]].  They have varying cost and time limits so please check beforehand.  Most of those parking lots are owned by [[https://www.ncp.co.uk/|NCP]].

==== Public Transport? ====

[[https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/MCV|Manchester Victoria (MCV) train station]], [[https://tfgm.com/public-transport/tram/stops/st-peters-square-tram|St Peter's Square tram stop]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Piccadilly_Gardens_bus_station|Manchester Piccadilly Gardens bus station]] are all fairly close to Manchester Central Library, see [[https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/53.47815/-2.24487|OpenStreetMap centred on Manchester Central Library]]. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Piccadilly_station|Manchester Piccadilly (MAN) train station]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Chorlton_Street_coach_station|Manchester Central Coach Station]] are not too far either.

=== What? ===

The event will be a party celebrating [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]]. There will be talks, chat and demos.  The event will be relaxed and friendly and will be inclusive of those wanting to get into [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]].

The format will be a series of interesting talks and demos with plenty of breaks in-between.  Details to follow shortly.

Available through the event will be:

 * [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]] experts on-hand to give advice
 * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.A.T.M.A.N.|B.A.T.M.A.N. wireless mesh network]]
 * [[https://www.minetest.net/|Minetest game]]
 * Laptops running [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]] for you to try (including [[https://libreboot.org/|Libreboot]])
 * GNU/Linux Magazines
 * [[https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html|Free Software]] books, stickers and badges

==== Post event ====

After the event the venue will be closed but there is the opportunity to informally continue discussions elsewhere.

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